Need some advice

[Big'n]

I shot a compound for 25 years before switching to traditional. When I switched, I chose to shoot instinctively. I rationalized that Gap shooting was no different than using sight pins and if I was going to use that method, I would just go back to the compound.

I've been shooting instinctively for 3 years and have had moments of brilliance........moments. I started by reading Freds books and everything that I could get my hands on. I've gotten lots of good advice from this site also. I had the oppurtunity to enroll in the Black Widow shooting clinic last year and learned alot from Fred and Ken. I tried to shoot Freds style but couldn't make it work for me. I learned alot about diagnosing shooting problems from them though, and spent alot of time working on my form. I shoot daily and my form is pretty decent.

I've shot 3D competitions for the past 2 years and done pretty well. My problem is I've got ADD and have a hard time focusing on a fine spot (especially when the heat is on).  My question is how hard is it to switch over to a Gap method and do ya'll think this will help? I never had any problem with sights.......concentrating on my spot and hitting it (game or targets).

I come from the benchrest shooting crowd. So this inconsistency and inaccuracy is NOT an option.

I shoot with a traditional archers stance except for the fact that I cant the bow pretty hard and hunch over at the shoulders some. Do I have to shoot an upright bow(vertical) for the Gap to work. Any help ya'll can give will be appreciated. Thanks, Dave

[BLACK WOLF]

Dave,

My first suggestion would be to try and let go of any preconceieved notions concerning aiming techiniques. The fact that you are considering learning Gap Aiming tells me you are already trying to let go.

All aiming techinques share similarities. Gap Aiming may be similar to aiming with a sight just as Gap Aiming is similar to aiming Instinctively...yet they are different enough to need their own name and definition.

Choose an aiming techinique/techiniques that fit your personality, ability and personality. An aiming techinique based on those will most likely bring you the most enjoyment.

I'm primarily a Gap shooter but have also taught myself to aim Instinctively and Point of Aim depending on the target and the situation.

My Gap Aiming techinique has developed to the point it is almost totally Instinctive. As you become more familiar with your gaps...you can begin to consciously notice them less...at least I have.

As far as focusing on a spot...I personally believe your gonna have to do that no matter what aiming techinique you choose and having ADD...I would think you might be better off focusing on one thing such as the target than splitting it between a gap and the target.

If you want to improve your Instinctive Aiming ability...I would suggest improving your proprioceptive ability by shooting at a lazer dot target in the dark and than use that same lazer pointer in the daylight. It should help you to focus in on a spot more clearly and with more intensity. When you notice your focus and concentration improving stop using the lazer pointer and try to create the red dot in your head as you focus on your target.

Another practicing techinique is to find variations in the target to focus on such as an arrow hole, change in color, a shadow, a reflection..you name it...whatever it is...the smaller the better.

Ray  

[McDave]

Dave,

I have sort of evolved out of pure instinctive shooting myself.  I find that pure instinctive shooting works well for me at the distances I can practice at daily.  I use instinctive shooting when I hunt, because I won't take a shot unless it's within my instinctive shooting range.

But for longer shots at targets, I need something different, maybe because I don't get to practice the longer shots daily, so I don't ever develop an instinct for that kind of shot.  What I find works for me is to include the tip of the arrow in my awareness.  I don't measure a gap, so it is not the same as shooting with sights.  I focus on the target, with the arrow tip in my peripheral vision.  The difficulty is in maintaining my focus on the target, while being aware of the arrow tip.  If I let my focus shift away from the target, the shot is blown.

For 30 - 50 yard shots, my normal split-finger hold with my middle finger in the corner of my lips, and the bow canted at my normal angle, places the arrow tip either slightly below to slightly above and to the right of the target.  For longer shots, I use my index finger in the corner of my lips.

I don't try to guess the range, and I don't try to set a gap.  But being aware of where the arrow tip is is more information being fed to my mental "computer" and definitely makes me more accurate on longer shots that I don't have  a chance to practice very much.

It might be an alternative for you to try if you don't want to switch to gap shooting, but find pure instinctive shooting inadequate for your needs.

Dave

[vermonster13]

Gap shooting is much different from sights. With a site you are holding a pin on the actual spot you wish to hit, with gap the arrow point is held below the actual spot for most hunting shots. I am aware of my arrow for the lining up a shot(very briefly but do check it) and have shot long enough that my gaps are pretty well programmed so once I have my line I can focus on the spot I wish to hit. Pure instinctive takes a lot of shooting to develop and you really are better off sticking with one set-up or bows that shoot very close in speed so your internal computer can do what it needs to. Different things work for different folks and we're all programmed differently, the key is to find a method that works best for you programming so to speak.

[Big'n]

What is the difference between Gap and Point of Aim systems? In your opinion, which is the most likely to work with my ADD? What type system does Rod Jenkins use? That looked interesting.

[BLACK WOLF]

An aiming techinque can be defined by what the archer is consciously focusing on to use as a  reference to adjust their aim.

For example: with Gap Aiming the archer generally divides their focuses on the gap created by the arrow tip and the target and the target itself to varing degrees.

Whereas an archer using Point of Aim will focus on placing their arrow tip on a secondary mark or object other than the target to hit their target. When an archer can place their tip of their arrow right on the target like a pin sight...that is known as their Point On distance.

Ray