hesitaton length

[shakeyslim]

trying to keep shot timing consistant using reduced hesitation time(works better with wing shooting actul hunting situations)
 i was just draw and hold till shot felt right , am now working on reducing the hesitation to approx 1/2 sec,and do pullthru from there, its working great for me, i've been doing for about a month now seems to be easy to train to results are good

[xtrema312]

I hit full draw and find my anchor then back tension until the shot.  2-4 seconds most times from anchor to shot.  I am trying to work on some faster shots now and then just to try and be ready for a fast shot when needed.  Most times longer is more likely than shorter for deer so I am also trying to do some long holds.

[Cable Guy]

I read something a little while back about hold time.
I think it said that the longer you hold at anchor, the lower your poundage goes...is this true?
Perhaps someone else can add to this as its been brewing in my head for a while and Im not sure.

Chip

[57HOP]

The only explanation I have is:  As you hold at full draw, even for a few seconds your muscles will fatigue. Unless you constantly add more effort, you will lose "creep" and lose draw length, and with it poundage, and cast.
I was taught to continue to slowly inhale, increasing back pressure till releasing.
Same whether with sticks/fingers and wheels/releases.

[Bruce Martin]

It would happen to some degree with organic bows like self or bamboo backed bows. If the bows are well made I don't think it would matter much at normal hunting distances. In fact, holding until the shot is right should be an advantage to making it count. Of course I believe you can train yourself to release quicker but I think the learning curve for consistent accuracy with that method is longer for most of us. Some have the natural talent and can get it on consistently and quickly but I guess that ain't me.

[Greg Skinner]

I did some testing with my chronograph and found that I actually gained 3 - 5 fps using a fluid pull-through release over a solid-anchor,hesitate type of release.  I'm not sure exactly why it happens that way, but as 57HOP noted, I think it has to do with subconscious relaxation of the bow arm and back tension muscles even when you are focusing on maintaining back tension through the release. When my timing is right I seem to shoot pretty well with just a slight hesitation before release.  The problem is that I always feel as though I'm not quite in control of the shot, so overall I do better if I slow down and use the solid anchor and hesitate the way Rick Welch teaches - even though I might lose a few feet per second arrow speed.

[elkhunter752]

Like xtrema and Greg, I like to hold my shots longer, usually 2-4 seconds along with some longer holds for practice in hunting situations.  I really struggle with quicker shots and tend to lose a lot of accuracy if I don't hold at least for a second before I shoot.

[zetabow]

I would say it doesn't really matter if you gain or lose 3-5fps the important thing is you have the same consistent gain\\loss of speed shot after shot.

Snap pull through I doubt you get this, likely a better chance with a 1-2 sec pause and correct expansion and would be around 1 fps using a clicker correctly.

The goal isn't to get best speed but to get the same arrow speed with your form.

[Quinn]

I pick a small spot on the target, draw to anchor while boring a hole in that target spot. When it feels right I let 'er go. Usually works out to about a second. I find if I hold too long I start to 2nd guess myself and then it all falls apart.

[Doc Pain]

I have a technique that works for me and keeps the release dynamic.  I come to almost full draw, which is my middle finger in the corner of my mouth.  As I increase my back tension it continues my draw and I am only talking about 3/8 of an inch here until the cock feather touches my nose, then, I just let go and keep a steady bow arm.  Remember, I am aiming the whole time because the arrow is being drawn straight back and for me this keeps everything inline including my drawing arm.  Because of this when I let go, my drawing hand follows through straight back.  This keeps me from drawing short or allowing my anchor to creep forward if I have to hold my anchor for any reason.  I've worked on it with my eyes closed so much that I absolutely refuse to let the arrow go until the feather hits my nose.

[doowop]

I set my bow arm, find anchor, set sight picture, kick in the back tention and release. Takes about 4 seconds.

[Bonebuster]

For me, there is a fine line between holding too long, and not holding long enough.

I take as long as it takes for everything to "settle in". Probably about four seconds.

If you shoot often, and your bow is comfortable, creeping is not an issue with proper use of your back.

[Bonecracker]

Interresting thoughts! I used to hit my anchor and release all in one motion! Now I have two anchor points. My index finger in the corner of my mouth and my shield cut feather touching the end of my nose! When they meet and all the stars in the sky line up, I release!! LOL!!

[bearsfeet]

I have 2 anchor points my mid finger in the corner of my mouth and my thumb nuckle on my jaw bone. I get to that spot and hold for about 1-2 seconds. I like to change it up and sometimes hold for as long as I can just to practice hunting situations. For me personally I have to practice like every shot is the one or I lose my focus.

[Paul WA]

I come back to my anchor point and then pull through the shot until the top feather hits my nose and release.The nock position is a little above cock feather in. This keeps my release at the same point at all times. Just started doing this with some coaching from a friend, its very tiring as I havent used the back muscles before...PR

[bshunter]

The longer that I hold, the better I tend to shoot, that being said...I TRY to keep pulling through the shot.