+1 for Shooting the Gap

[jvermast]

I am a beginner archer just recently finishing my first few board bows and after that my first takedown recurve.

I had been trying the "Instinctive" shooting for a while to no avail, typically having grouping (loosely using that term) be considered a group if all my arrows hit the target.

Yesterday I found the gap method and gave it a shot and was instantly amazed. I think it's a great starting point for beginners who don't have those instincts developed yet to shoot instinctive.

[mahantango]

Absolutely. It is the easiest way for a new shooter to develop some consistency. I think many are frustrated and eventually put off by trying to learn "instinctive" shooting before proper form and muscle development/memory is ingrained.

[reddogge]

You'll find as you progress your gaps will become "instinctive" so to speak.

[McDave]

My first rule of shooting is to shoot the way that brings you the most enjoyment, which you are evidently doing, so I should probably just stop there.

However, never being one to follow my own advice, I won't.  If you're not getting good groups when shooting instinctively, then it means you're not shooting using good form.  If you shoot using good form with arrows that are well matched for your bow, you should be getting groups somewhere on the target, if not centered on the bullseye, at ranges of 20 yards or less.  The only difference changing aiming methods should make is where those groups fall on the target.  Focusing too much on a particular aiming method, or on aiming in general, rather than focusing on developing good form will slow down your progress in the long run.

[JINKSTER]

at one time about 2 decades ago i was a very accomplished state level compound pin/fingers shooter..then got married and had 3 daughters..and the last thing i did before mothballing my bows was to buy a Bob Lee TD Recurve...that i never set-up correctly or mastered at all..just recently i've gotten addicted all over again..bought a brand new pse omen..decked it all out..and promptly got bored..very fast..disgustlingly..boringly...accurate..so?..a couple months ago i broke out the recurve and got serious about reading, researching, asking questions and getting and applying some great advise..and for me?..i did the gap/window deal..then got away from the window to a cant and gap..and then in short order developed a working understanding of "instictive"..a lil tough at first to mentally let go and place 110% focus on just the bull..and one must have their form down to a "T" before any gratifying results or faith in the methodology but...when it happens?..instinctive rocks..no more window...no more guessing/judging distance..and shazamm...it's in there..and that's coming from a guy who just a few weeks ago couldnt understand how dudes could shoot a longbow with no window..and now?..i want one.  

But i must add..i like what redogge and McDave had to state..cause it's true...(and dont wanna step on any toes here cause there's some great GAP shooters as well who are not to be discredited)..and maybe it's not for everybody..but for me?..my recent and very limited experience has been that "GAP" was just a stepping-stone too "Instinctive"..and i'm real pleased with the results of that..uhem.."personal change".  

[BeNoIt]

This is coming from someone who JUST started shooting in August with traditional equipment. As stated above the biggest thing that I needed to do was get a solid anchor point and consistent form and as soon as I did that the whole world opened up to me.

I actually set up a 10 yd target in my basement and would go down there several times throughout the day. After I got my anchor fixed I started picking spots on the target and would just try to hit that spot. Things started getting consistent there so I would try to get smaller spots, and smaller until I was hitting things really consistently.

Prior to doing this I couldn't produce a group at 10 yds, 15, etc. However, now that I have done this I can actually pretty comfortably hit groups at 25 yds. I'm not shooting out that far in the woods but I will take a shot at 20 and feel confident.

So, I definitely agree, anchor and form are huge.

[Friend]

Just my opinion - If form is solidly established and you are relaxed at anchor and fluid with the shot execution, then the preferred method of aiming will much more readily reveal itself. Different types of aiming methods can thus be effectively evaluated.

[reddogge]

I find the best practice for your aiming method is grab a couple of judo points and just roam around the woods, field or yard shooting at just about anything at any range from point blank to 50 yards. You will quickly learn to aim and hit close to your target.