Instinctive "snap" shooting

[BWallace10327]

I'm proud to call myself a snap shooter.  I reach "anchor" although there isn't any anchoring happening.  It is a fluid touch and release in one motion.  I'm not a great target shot (NFAA 300, 300 Vegas) but I stump shoot great and all of the shots I've made on game have been accurate, resulting in quick humane kills.  I shoot 3d courses better than paper rounds.  I suppose Mr. Hill could not have been more right when he posed the decision between (primarily) being a target archer or a hunter.

[jackdaw]

I'm glad I started this post, lots of comparison and contrast...!! like I said in the beginning, many people comment I shoot quickly.....however, anchor is achieved and I generally shoot well..!! nice to hear the feedback, thank you men..!!

[Locogear]

I'm not exactly sure what all the fuss is about. But just reading the definitions of both styles of shooting, both styles seem to reach anchor, aim, and release. The only difference is one takes slight pauses between steps and holds anchor a tad longer. The other does all three in one single motion with almost no pauses. I think both styles are excellent and I'd be proud to have skill in either one, if not both    lol. Just boils down to preference and comfort really.

[Locogear]

Maybe I came in late haha

[Hud]

Keep doing what your doing. Your fine.

[Someguyincali]

I just started shooting a few weeks ago and I find that if I try to aim after anchoring for more than two seconds I end up way off my intended placement, especially at further distance.  I find myself drawing up and pointing with my knuckle and anchoring, I look at my target while taking a breath in, then out and releasing.  If I focus too much the shot is trashed.

[jackdaw]

I paid special attention to this at the Widdingham shoot and found there are people who maybe shoot even a little quicker on the snapshot than I am.... interesting...

[LongStick64]

I shoot the same way but for me to make it work right, it is critical that the drawing of the string is mostly back movement. This ensures that I won't creep when I get to anchor and release. It also ensures that my shoulders are lined up with each other. Many of the shooters like Hill and Shultz make this look relatively simple but it requires work to get even a Snap shot right.

[Sam McMichael]

Who cares what "they" say. If you are shooting well and are satisfied with the results, just keep on keeping on.

[Jabar]

Yeah, I really don't care 'what they say', but it does irk me that 'they' mislabel it.  Like said earlier, TP isn't snap shooting.  TP is early releasal due to a mental issue, or even unable to let go without panic if you hold.  TP is not just early releasal.

I agree, good thread.  Too bad some one left the forum over this.  His loss.

[Jakeemt]

I really admire guys who can shoot this way. I can if I stay close 15 yards or less but, really even then it isn't that fast and fluid and my accuracy suffers. I think I just lack the natural hand eye coordination for it. I tried for some time but, it just doesn't suit me. I am the steady draw and hold at anchor guy. It's all that consistently works for me. More power to you though man!

[mgf]

I admire the archers who have enough control of their shot to shoot fast or slow as they see fit for the circumstances.

John Schulz said that Hill anchored for 7/8 of a second.  Looking at the videos, I would say that was about as long as he ever held. It was more like, sometimes much less to none.  Even when he was at anchor, it was not a static lock up.  With emulating Hill, the pit falls seem to be draw length control and tempo control.  I had a period where my drawing speed accelerated and when I tried to slow it down, I jerked the last few inches.  Even at higher tempos, it is important to stay smooth and even.

[cab207]

It's interesting when you watch an old Fred Bear video called Bwana Bowman with Bill negley. My favorite part is when his native tracker takes his 100# bow and shoots it, he has a crazy unique style of shooting but is accurate. After seeing that I realized that if it works for you then who cares what others think. You can watch it here   , the part I'm talking about starts at 6:35

[TSP]

That tracker's technique is a great example of how good back tension helps shot placement...and it's not too shabby for handling heavy bow weights either (lol).    

This thread was about snap shooting but it raises attention to an important problem facing hunting archers today...a recurring bias against practicing a fast and uncomplicated) style of shooting (like snap shooting) in favor of a more technical and competitive style focused primarily on achieving maximum target accuracy.  The latter is by far the most popular instuctional approach touted on most barebow recurve chat sites now, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that style for it's purpose.  The problem comes when individuals (including some who visit this site) speak disparagingly of snap shooters or basically of any 'simpler' style that doesn't fit the standard target shooting mold.  I can respect interest in shooting targets with repeated precision, but, not at the expense of insulting those who don't share a unflexing enthusiasm for a more calculated/rigid shooting style.  That is where lies the greatest risk when it comes to welcoming and helping new shooters into archery...the formation of a Hatfields and McCoys feud/disrespect between shooting techniques and their followers.  Learning form isn't just about how we individually choose to shoot, it's also about how or whether we respect (personally and publically) someone else's choices.  

Sometimes I wish the tolerance message was a mandated permanent sticky on every new thread opened on every archery website out there.  It could solve alot of 'misplaced enthusiasm' and arguments before they become contentious or insulting.  We need to be reminded.  Like my dear Mom used to say, there are times when a slap up' side the head can be a good thing.

[reddogge]

I'd never disrespect jackdaw's shooting because I've seen him shoot and he hits what he is aiming at. Besides I want one of his bows....this one...Ed HOLCOMB 59' KODIAK 47#! It shoots like a dream.

[jackdaw]

may have to will it to you reddogge....!!!! you ARE the man...!!

[jackdaw]

TSP really nailed it square on the head..!!!! There are quite a few archers who come on here straight from the compound realm, where "aiming" and "holding"" are the "dominant " form..!!
I'm very impressed with the quality feedback from all of you...meaning perhaps it is a topic many of you think about..???? I will continue my Snap Shooting style....it works for me..!!!
however, it cost me having my dear shooting buddy Monkeyball from posting on here. Wasnt mad at me...but sometimes things get a little rowdy where opinions are concerned. Hope to see him back on here.....he is a true asset to any site he pontificates upon....LOL...

[Mo0se]

I'm one of "those" competition 3D stickbow shooters, and I don't care how you shoot. While I can understand some hunting shots may require different timing, but basing every shot on snap shooting timing whether you are shooting targets or game, they are the same thing, just a target. In my mind there is no difference, you still have to hit the mark whether it's a live animal, a 3D target, or paper. A target is a target.

The comments I've heard are quite ridiculous at some 3D events. things like, "If the target had fur on it I'd have hit it" No...sorry you wouldn't have hit that either. I'm not condemning anyone or trying to be offensive, it's just observations. I can practice fast shooting as well, I can do well at that if the hunting situation calls for it. But always remember, when you put all your chips on one style, your are in fact teaching your subconscious that this is always the right way to shoot, when in reality one style does not fit all. Let me clarify, I have a sequence that I follow every time I pick up a bow. I do it the same every time to build consistency.

Which snap shooters often do the same thing, but the difference is, by teaching my brain and muscle memory that it's ok to take 5-6 seconds at full draw to make a shot. Many of the folks I see simply cannot do that. They've taught themselves that is what a shot is supposed to be like. Not every shot requires a rushed pace, even in hunting situations.

Our brains will always take the past of least resistance, at full draw the weight immediately starts a sense of urgency to get rid of it. To overcome this urge you have to teach yourself that it's ok to hold. I'm not saying every style doesn't have it's place, but try to expand your experiences and then decide whats best. To simply say I shoot this way because Howard did is short changing yourself.

Todays top 3D shooters, which also translates into the same hunting accuracy, have experimented with literally all styles of shooting and all types of equipment. It's not by luck that the top guys score like they do. I hope none this is taken as offensive or degrading, it's not the intent. My intent is to show you there are more than Howard's or Johns way of shooting, and it takes experimenting and thinking outside of the box to improve. Truth be told in my experience, hunting is way easier than maintaining your shot sequence and performing well at high levels of competition.

[BWallace10327]

I've been in group with "those" competition 3d shooters at some bigger outdoor shoots. Its fun to watch someone hit 12's and a rare 10 when attempting very challenging, and sometimes long, shots.  The majority of these types of shooters (that I have shot with personally) were 3-under gap shooters.  Having a mastery of that style can really lead to some impressive consistency, on 3ds and on paper.  I doubt that I will ever get that good at target shooting the way that I do, although my style of shooting has rarely let me down in a hunting situation, where there is rarely time to analyze the shot, figure on an appropriate gap, draw-anchor-expand-expand-expand-release.  I don't think I've killed an animal with my bow that would have allowed that.  While I may never break 200/300 on NFAA 300 round or shoot 12's and 10's throughout a 3d shoot, I have plenty of reassurance knowing that I've never arrowed an animal that did not quickly and humanely go down.