Gap Shooting

[bucksakemmer]

I have been trying to read all that I can find about gap shooting, I understand arrow tip/point and holding below or above the spot depending of distance, Here is my question. when you look at the tip of arrow as the reference point/mark is that at shoot setup or is it at anchor, because I can not see my arrow point at achor because of my farsightedness.

[zetabow]

you can do either method, some Archers setup the gap at pre-draw and draw through to anchor never taking eyes off spot and then release, I prefer to wait till I'm settled into anchor and set my Gap.

If you cannot see arrow point at full draw you could try Gapping off the riser window, you shoot more by sight picture this way,this is also an effective way of gapping. Some people put strips of tape on riser window for each distance then take them off once ingrained into subconscious, very fast way to learn Gap.

[moebow]

For most that use a gap method, the point of the arrow is blurry in their peripheral vision at anchor.  The gap is an estimation of distance below the target not a precise alignment thing.  You should have your visual focus on the target to be hit and all the rest should be indistinct.  I would also recommend that you should not change your visual focus to "check" the position of the arrow point -- it can be very difficult to regain focus and concentration on the target.

[gonefishing600]

If you are far-sighted and can't see the tip of your arrow in your peripheral vision at anchor, than you may have a serious problem that would prevent you from gap shooting all together. You got to be able to see the tip of that arrow in your peripheral vision at anchor or how else are you going to set your gap.

Try this! Take just an arrow, no bow, and get in position like you where going to draw your bow. Hold the nock at your usual anchor like you would at full draw, and focus your eyes on the target. Now you’re in a relaxed position and can practice looking at the tip of your arrow in your peripheral vision at anchor, and are not under any strain. Try this at different distances, and adjust your gap in relation to your distance. It's going to be a little blurry at first, but the trick is to get used to the blurryness where you can effectively use the point of impact (aka. the target) that's in focus, and the tip of the arrow that's out of focus and use the two to set a recognizable gap that can be measured so it can be repeated.

After holding the arrow at your anchor for say 15 or 20 minutes or how ever long it might take, If you can't train your eyes to see the tip of your arrow in your peripheral vision at anchor, than I doubt you will be able to use the gap method very effectively, and probably won’t be able to gap off the riser either.


Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[McDave]

I don't know how old you are, Bucksakemmer, but at a certain age we all get farsighted.  An age which I'm well past.  The idea is to never focus on the arrow point, so even if you're young enough to do that, you shouldn't.  You should focus on the target at all times, and the arrow point should be out of focus in your peripheral vision.  You need to get used to putting that fuzzy arrow point where you need it to be in order to hit the target.  I think you'll do fine at gap shooting; you just need to get used to that.