Can't GAP?

[SteveL]

Anyone else have this problem.....when recently trying to learn gap shooting I discovered my gaps are in feet not inches. I mean something on the order of 3 feet or more at 20 yards. I need to hold the arrow at least that low to hit the bullseye.

I shoot split and anchor with my middle finger in the corner of my mouth. My arrows are inch longer than my draw too. Perhaps my facial features aren't conducive to this style.

3 under was a little better but for some reason I just don't get off the string near as clean. Probably too high an elbow.

Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Thanks,
Steve

[zetabow]

I have the same problem (even 3 under) at 30y my gap is my arrow length 28" below the target, I tend to just shoot Split-vision till I get to 50y and can start to gap off the target face.

I think it's just the way you brain processes the visual info, I just accepted it as the way things are and made it work for me (I have a 60y point on with 3 under).

If your having problems with release it's more likely a confidence thing, having such a big gap does take some getting used to and if your not 100% confident about your gap the subconsious is reluctant to commit to the shot and will cause release problems, even target panic.

I've had good international tourney success, even with this minor handicap, some Archers have much bigger handicaps like cross-eye dominance and do very well, just dont let it be a problem to you and you will adapt.

[moebow]

Steve,  From what you describe, this is pretty normal.  My gap at 20 is 2 and 3/4 feet.  At 30 it's 3 & 1/4 feet. My point on is at 55 yards. The gap you perceive is 95% where your arrow nock is on your face -- how far it is below your eye.  That's why 3 under shooters have a smaller gap, their arrow is higher on their face. Equipment has very little to do with your gap.  

By the way, it takes VERY LITTLE change in anchor point to change your gap substantially -- think in terms of 1/8 inch change on your face being 6 to 8 inches at 20 yards.

[Terry Green]

Maybe gap shooting is not for you.....I couldn't gap shoot my way out of a wet paper bag.

[Wapiti Bowman]

We may be talking semantics here, but it sounds to me like you're all using "Point of Aim" rather than "gap". Or, you're looking at the "gap" that you see between the 'Bullseye' and some spot on the target butt or ground in front of the target.

I shoot split finger and anchor with my index finger at the corner of my mouth. My gap is about 3" @ 20yds; 2" @ 30yds; 1.5" @ 40yds. My point on is 65yds. In other words, I focus totally on my intended impact point, and out of my peripheral vision I see my arrow and visualize the gap in inches between the "spot" and my arrow.    

Of course, the starting gap for any shooter is the distance from the nock to the shooter's eye, measured in inches. For me, that is just over 3"; and that's the gap I'd use For distances less than about 18yds, because, for all practical purposes, most decent bows will shoot 'flat' out to about 18+/-yes.  Of course, distances closer than about 5 yards are  a whole different story; but that's subject matter for another thread.    

Dave Wallace, who's won the IBO longbow National Championship a few times has a gap of nearly three feet at 20 yards.  He learned it, and sure doesn't have any problems using it.

[Wapiti Bowman]

That's the beauty of this forum, there's an immense wealth of experience and knowledge into which we can tap. It's particularly beneficial for those of us in remote areas with few trad shooters with whom to share and bounce ideas.

While I've discussed the "gap" method of shooting with others, the subject of the actual "gap" being used was never mentioned, and I assumed that all were working in inches.  Now I find that I'm the only one working in inches.  Thank you all for setting me straight. Back to the drawing boards!  

[zetabow]

Wapiti if you have a gap of only inches I envy you, for me having a 28" gap at 20y I always thought I was bit of a freak and I just got on with it and made it work for me, I have a few world\\European titles under my belt and never felt at a disadvantage, I figure once you have your gap set and confident with it, I assume you can be just as accurate as a guy with a 4" gap at 20y.

The human brain is a wonderful thing at figuring these things out.    

[dcmeckel]

Terry Green is right!!Gap shooting is way too difficult!!
Keep archery simple;have fun with it.My old uncle
would say"Don't deal yourself misery".

[zetabow]

Originally posted by dcmeckel:
Gap shooting is way too difficult!!
Keep archery simple;have fun with it. My old uncle
would say "Don't deal yourself misery".

Learning Gap is no harder than first trying to figure out how to shoot Insinct. I think many struggle learning Gap because once the Gap is learnt you have to then let go of the visual gap and try and put your focus back into the spot you want to hit, Gap once mastered is more of a Spatial awareness thing and not visual as many think.

The FUN part of shooting a Bow is accuracy\\consistency, I have a lot of FUN with Gap it's great feeling to be able to drop arrows into a group at 60y, just the same feeling as being able to shoot close range aerial targets instintively.

[canshooter]

It seems to me that a lot of guys are confusing Gap with Point of aim. Its my understanding that with point of aim you place the the tip of the arrow under the spot you want to hit by a certain distance measured at the target face ie 2 feet at 20 yards. If however you focus on the tip of the arrow and think in terms of the "gap" you see measured at the tip of the arrow it comes out in inches. Either way shooting 3 under will minimize the hold under.

[SteveL]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the insights. Well after messing around with this for awhile, I think I'm pretty much in agreement with Terry and paper bags are in no danger.

As it stands I can shoot pretty well - a kind of split vision instinct kind of thing -  at the ranges I hunt at so I'll leave it as it is for now.

But I do have to say this re: gap vs point of aim at least for me, I realize everyone is different. The arrow points where the arrow points. No changing that. What changes are some kind of visual queues. That's why some folks are seeing the point of the arrow a few inches below the target and some see something like a couple feet plus. And then some can apparently choose how they see the arrow in relationship to the target. In my case all I can get is something way below the target.

I like what dcmeckel's uncle says so will leave it at that for the time being.

Thanks! again,
Steve

[jamesh76]

I can't gap shoot either.

[SaMbO2]

I dont think gap is worth it. Just look at the spot u want to hit?? whats so hard about that?

God bless.

[Paul WA]

I gap with 3 under, at 30 yds I aim 6"low anchoring with my index finger at the corner of my mouth

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I know this should go without saying but, you can reduce your gap by canting your bow a bit.  Anything that gets the arrow closer to your eye will reduce your gap.  I am very interested in trying a technique I heard in this forum about split finger but anchor your ring finger (I always anchor my middle).