New mind game for release

[newhouse114]

I have had problems with getting a "consistant" release, ever since I went traditional about 6 years ago. Even with the difficulty I have with releasing in the same manner every time, I manage to shoot decent scores on paper. With a recurve and carbon arrows, I average right around 245 on a standard 300 indoor round at 20 yards. I average just about 225 with the long bow and cedar arrows. I have been playing around with a new mental game when I release. I no longer think about the tension on my fingers, trying to get a smooth release, back tension, or anything other than; simply pointing my fingers at the target when I am lined up properly. When I want to release the arrow, I just point my fingers where I want the arrow to go. Keeping that in mind has increased my long bow score about 10-15 points in just a few targets. It seems to help the same on the 3D target. Might not be anything new (but it is new to me) and has helped with my release tremendously.

[jonsimoneau]

What do you mean by pointing your fingers at what you want to hit?

[newhouse114]

On my release hand, when I want the arrow to go, I point the fingers holding the string at my target. Like I said, it is a mind game I play with myself. If I concentrate on "pointing" my fingers, rather than releasing the string, it helps eliminate plucked strings and other inconsistencies.

[Diamond Paul]

If you shoot above 240 indoors with no sights, you are pretty consistent.  I don't know if you gap or not, but most instinctive shooters would not approach that score.  Most trad shooters in general that I've seen would not, either.  I think whatever mental approach helps you to achieve results is great.  I just focus on feeling a slight increase in tension around my scapula and think, "relax the hand."  I like the release to just happen as a result of the back tension increase, just like shooting a back tension release on a compound.  When I consciously decide to shoot, I usually don't shoot very well.  It happens when it happens.

[newhouse114]

Things pretty much go on autopilot in hunting situations. My wife went on a short dall sheep hunt with me about 20 years ago and commented later that I "transformed" when the sheep were spotted. I become 100% focused on the quarry and everything else is just background noise so to speak. Punching paper is an entirely different game to me that requires "intentional" mental discipline.