Holding Time

[MountainTool21]

For someone new to traditional archery which would be the best option, fluid motion with little or no rest or fluid motion accompanied by a 1-3 second rest?
Thanks
Andrew

[longbowguy]

Howard Hill (the best game shot that ever was) was a great believer in rhythm in shooting. I believe this is a better way to think about it than just how long to hold. If you are going to make a careful shot, as in target shooting, do the whole process with a slower rhythm. Pre-visualize your shot, raise the bow, draw, anchor, perfect your aim and pull through the release.

On furred game you will want a quicker rhythm. And on a rising duck or pheasant, or a running deer, a quicker one still.

I believe that using the idea of rhythm helps you to shoot quickly if need be without a premature ejacu....., oops, release.

[MountainTool21]

That makes sense to me. I appreciate your feedback.

[Artur]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Sure,

I drag my thumb base knuckle along side my face, and as my middle finger comes to the corner of my mouth I keep coming, and my thumb base knuckle slides in behind my jaw under my ear.

Wow, I thought I was the only one to anchor this way...

[cvarcher]

Bobco and Matt E say it perfectly. Where is the pause or hold when J Shultz hits that aspirin flying thru the air.

[AllenR]

I'm not an instinctive shooter and probably never will because my beat up old shoulders won't let me practice enough.

There is a lot of good information on this tread but I think that I have one thing to add.

Watching videos of good instinctive shooters like Terry & others, I notice that not only do they begin aiming before drawing, but they also begin setting up their stance & alignment before the shot and finish aligning during the draw.

One of the things critical to good accuracy is to draw the bow the same distance every time.  It's certainly not the only thing, but it is one of the biggies.  This is partly achieved through shoulder and body alignment.  

I don't know how Terry learned to do this, but he obviously did.  

Idealy, aiming, alignment and balance is achieved before and during the draw.  Then when you hit anchor and are on target, there is no reason to continue holding.  

However, if you need a little longer to be sure that you are aligned and on target, then by all means do so.  It is a little less efficient, but every archer needs to learn what works best for himself.  Archery is not about efficiency, it's about accuracy.

I hope that this is a constructive contribution to the conversation.

Allen

[longstick]

if I shoot my 50# longbow I dont hold long at all,almost snap shooting but it pretty much works for me like it do Terry,IF Im shooting my 45#r I can hold longer and I do get a bit better grouping but I guess its all about coming to draw and release cause of hunting. The deer round here have a habit of being quick on the hoof so thats pretty much a requirement  HAHAHA