breathing?

[ranger 3]

Does anyone hold their breath when shooting?

[mcgroundstalker]

Yes! I'll let it out and shoot... Just part of the routine that works for me...

... mike ...    ...

[Sam McMichael]

I never thought about it. Gee, thanks, now one more thing to clutter my mind when shooting.

[Pine]

I've never thought about it either .

[old_goat2]

If I'm working on long holding at full draw, if I remember to breathe while I'm holding, my shot usually comes off better. Usually i don't remember!

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Over thinking everything these days I swear, shooting tradbows is not difficult unless you make it. I love watching my two young nephews shoot there bows I made them, there minds are not clogged with all the crap they just shoot and have fun like it should be. They don't get on the web and have to think about all this stuff.

I taught them consistent grip and anchor and always pick your spot and man they can shoot and fun to watch.

Breathing      sorry just venting.

Tracy

[Stumpkiller]

Until the crashing through the undergrowth and leaves stops.

[TKO]

I don't think about it but, I know I release during my natural respiratory pause which is a carry over from precision rifle shooting.

[Daz]

Full inhale, slow exhale on draw, pause at end of exhale (which has allowed full back tension), release and follow through.

But none of it is noticed consciously: all work done years ago while building form on blind bale.

[Terry Green]

Most times when the window of opportunity arrives, I am so immersed in point of impact that I don't even remember drawing the bow, much less how I am breathing.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Stumpkiller:
Until the crashing through the undergrowth and leaves stops.

Perfect!

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Originally posted by Zradix:
 

Originally posted by Stumpkiller:
Until the crashing through the undergrowth and leaves stops.

Perfect! [/b]

X2,    

Tracy

[Doug_K]

For benchrest target shooting, I was taught to inhale deeply until you develop a rhythm, and pull the trigger halfway through an exhale to achieve the most accurately placed shot.

I have found that it transfers well target shooting with a bow with training wheels, however in a hunting situation if I took the time to do that I'd miss most of my openings. I haven't achieved enough consistency to bother trying it with trad equipment yet, and I also prefer to keep my target practice as close to what I'll be required to do in the field.

All that said, I don't notice how I breathe when shooting my longbows, but I also wouldn't be surprised to find I release on exhale more often than not, just based on muscle memory.

[lt-m-grow]

I understand folks comments on hunting shots and agree...but the question is about shooting in general I think.

Given that, shooting trad gear is no different than shooting any other hunting weapon.  All good shooters have a good mental game, form, aiming skills, and clean release.  

When the hunting shot comes, my hope is that most of those are committed to muscle memory, but to get to that spot, you cannot bypass good techniques and practice.

Also, I do not believe that trad shooting is easy or we over think it.  Throwing an arrow is easy.  Shooting one well - over and over - is not.

[Draven]

Breathing is important, but just if you take shots at medium/long distance. A kid in the courtyard will care 0. But I know for sure that  an Olympic (archery) shooter cares. It's complicated to explain it because breathing is a significant part of focusing - not necessary of concentrating on something. And you are doing it naturally without thinking.
What breathing is doing after all? Is the engine that is moving (literally) your body, doesn't matter if you want it or not. Quicker you breath, harder for you to keep the body still. You have two options to make it easier for you: stopping to breath right before releasing, or slowly exhaling and the release happens on exhaling. Whatever fits your style of shooting and the environment in which you are shooting.