Holding instead of snap shooting

[wv lungbuster]

Ok guys I mostly snap shoot soon as I hit my anchor but seem more consistent when I hold for a second or two. Has anyone switched their style of shooting and do ya have any tips on holding while at full draw?

For years I could only snap shoot.  With some rewiring of my brain I can do both now. Last week I took a lesson from my son. He noticed that I had a raised bow arm shoulder the  longer I held.  To fix it I went to a slow drag at anchor and extended my shoulder toward the target, without completely straightening my bow arm. I picked up my draw 1/2" inch, got tighter groupings, better speed, and a more fluid hunting style shot in the slight change. It is important when holding to keep the bow arm energized, a dead bolt studded off bow arm can have the same effect on arrow flight as a dead release with a longbow.

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Hi Lungbuster: I had severe target panic for years, I tried clickers, counting, and lots of other things and nothing worked. I have now kicked it and am shooting better than ever, I also can hold on target for 20 seconds if I need to. I'll take you through my shot sequence:

everyone holds the bow different, but at the beginning of my sequence I have my bow up in the direction of where I am going to be picking my spot, I hunt on the ground alot on my knees so I guess I never got into swinging my bow up or anything like that. Next I draw my bow to anchor, using proper back tension, there are alot of explanations to this but to me the best one is that it is like squeezing an egg between my shoulder blades as I am drawing and then when I hit my anchor which is my thumb joint to the very back of my jaw bone I then hold, and in my mind (this is very important) I have no thought of loosing the arrow, and the quote I got from another thread somewhere is what made me finally after years be able to kick my target panic, the quote goes something like this, "Anchor is a place where I can relax in an uncommitted state of mind." the same statement that is on the bottom of all of my posts, that statement has become such an important part of my shooting that I carry it around in my bill fold, that is the statement that helped me to kick a lifetime of severe target panic. Next I hold for usually 2 or 3 seconds, I can release sooner if I have a buck moving through a shooting lane, or much longer if I am drawing and suddenly a deer spots movement and his vitals are hid behind a tree, I can now hold until he steps from behind the tree, and then and only when I choose to loose the arrow, to trigger my release I slowly put more preassure on that imaginary egg between my shoulder blades while slightly drawing the arrow another 1/4 to 1/2 inch (I know this because I have my wife watch my arrowtip from time to time when she is outside while I am practicing) and the arrow is magically gone, I don't even have to think about it at that point. After the arrow is gone, I then count to 2 before I even move my bow arm. I saw that another poster explaind it on another post the other day that back proper back tension feels like if you would reach back and open a door behind you using only your elbow, I think it went something like that. You might also want to check into 'making a formaster' by doing a search on this forum, that is a device that will help you learn proper back tension. Using proper back tension is one of the important things that will also help you overcome your snapshooting. Also the beauty of the way I have learned to shoot is that by pulling at the time of my release instead of being at a dead anchor helps me to not collapse, and very very seldom do I have arrows that hang up on me during my release causing those awful flyers! One more thing is for the first few months I shot into a target at about 7 or 8 yards, not worrying about where the arrow was hitting, but just concentrating on my shot sequence and proper form, many times even with my eyes shut, this really helped me burn my shot sequence and proper form into my THICK SCULL!    Good Luck. DK.

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Lungbuster: I did forget to mention, another very important thing that I did for myself, which might not be needed for everyone is that I went from shooting a 60# bow at 28" to a 45# bow at 28" by doing this along with changing my anchor I increased my draw length from 27 to 28" to a pretty consistant 31 1/2" which means I was shooting around 57 to 60# before and around 55# now, but the 55# is coming at my natural draw length so with my new anchor I am now properly aligned and what is close to the same poundage now as I was drawing before is 100 times easier for me to hold. I hope that makes sense. I can now excersise proper form, alighnment and back tension where I couldn't before using the heavier bow.

[Diamond Paul]

I came to traditional from a target archery background, so I understood proper form, back tension, etc.  The problem was that I started out with too heavy of a bow, and everyone I knew who got me into shooting recurves shot quickly.  I was in rebellion from formal target archery anyway, so I wanted to cant, snatch it back, and let it go in the Asbell style (and I still love to read Asbell's stuff, have much respect for him).  However, several years of struggling with too much weight and too little consistency prompted me to change.  I now shoot almost upright, and I come to a positive anchor and pause for a bit before completing the shot, and I have improved my shooting quite a bit.  I also dropped down over ten pounds in bow weight.  The one bit of advice I would give is not to think in terms of holding at full draw.  Back tension must be an active, positive act, not neutral, and should gradually increase till the shot goes off.  If you think of holding, you will almost certainly creep and your release will not be clean.  It's like shooting a back tension release on a compound: you come to positive anchor, aim, and increase back tension until the shot fires subconsciously.  Holding is a misnomer for proper shooting form.

[Terry Green]

I snap shoot on most game shots....but hold when the game dictates.

I practice both ways, but when I do practice holding, I concentrate real hard on not ever totally stopping rearward pressure to maintain a dynamic release.

[faustus]

I am plagues by the same problem .... as soon as I reach my anchor ... or even before ... there is this urge to release the arrow ... and there it goes ....

What has helped me is the following: I am aiming on a different spot 3 to 6 foot to the side of my real target ... I draw and come to anchor ... and now I am swinging to my real target ... focus on it ... and once on target I release ... Like this you do not have a choice but to hold till your focus is on your real target ...

When I tried this the first time I was surprised, because I was able to shoot more accurately like this ... and I had expected the contrary.

So, whenever I feel that I fall back into the habit of snap shooting or not even getting to my anchor ... I do a couple of rounds like this ...

[Terry Green]

faustus, what you have is a form of target panic.  Not the same as snap shooting.

Although the aiming at something else 1st is working, you should try and correct the panic issue as you might be spooking game by readjusting causing more movement.

[LimbLover]

I switched over. I used to have more of a swing draw. Now I bring my bow arm up and draw straight back to anchor.

I usually shoot better if I hold for a few seconds.

It was tough to do at first. I frame every shot. When I practice - I shoot 3 arrows max at a time. I count to 3 at anchor and count to 5 with my bow arm framed following the shot.

The latter does wonders. It gave me a very deliberate draw. If I start to get a little TP I reset myself this way.

[10point]

Faustus, I do exactly the same thing that you described. By aiming to the side of my intended target, I first set elevation and then swing to the target. This improves my aiming process and forces a 2 to 3 second hold. I agree with Terry that this indicates that I have some level of target panic but, this process has helped my groups tremendously.

[vernon]

I struggle with the same thing especially shooting on game whether it be rabbits or elk.  I can shoot targets, 3d, and stump shoot without a problem but when I'm on an animal the urge to release the area prior to anchor is tough to control.  I've focused on shot sequence forever but as soon as I'm on an animal it all falls apart.  To help fight this i concentrate extremely hard on my shot sequence and whisper to myself to hit anchor.  With that being said I've missed some easy shots because my focus is not on picking a spot but on everything else.  It's taken me years to battle this but I'm finally getting there.  I don't have target panic I have game panic.  Whats helped me is to calm myself at the moment of truth, enjoy the experience, and try to just let the shot happen like I've practiced a million times.  Never tried holding a few few away from the target/animal and then moving over and picking a spot.  Must admit I will try it tonight.  Good luck

[wv lungbuster]

Thanks for the help guys. I've been shooting better than ever, and I'm just trying a few new things to try to squeeze out a little more consistency. I've been drawing three under also, it seems like I have more control over my release. I can hold back for however much time I need. But now it feels like my arrow nock is digging into my face.

[Red Tailed Hawk]

What has helped me is the following: I am aiming on a different spot 3 to 6 foot to the side of my real target ... I draw and come to anchor ... and now I am swinging to my real target ... focus on it ... and once on target I release ... Like this you do not have a choice but to hold till your focus is on your real target ...

Ive been practicing this as well with good results

[faustus]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
faustus, what you have is a form of target panic.  Not the same as snap shooting.

Although the aiming at something else 1st is working, you should try and correct the panic issue as you might be spooking game by readjusting causing more movement.

Terry, thanks for the info .... I guess target panic has been my problem for a long time ... however, this method has helped me to improve my form and to build up the correct muscle memory .... I would never shoot like this at game ... but whenever I feel that target panic is gaining a hold on me, (and it happens from time to time) I practice a couple of days with this method ... and my form is back afterwards ... and I am able to hold at anchor for a couple of seconds ...

[Terry Green]

Cool....seems like that method works well for other's too.  I don't know much about target panic....and try not to.!!!

Stay after it!

[Gene R]

Anchor, a place where an archer can relax in an uncommited state of mind. THAT is a great concept. I will try it tomorrow to see if it will help me. The idea is so simple but so very important when it comes to target panic, thanks for the help. Gene

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
I concentrate real hard on not ever totally stopping rearward pressure to maintain a dynamic release.

Can you explain how you do this Terry, do you just slow the rate of back contraction?