What should you do if your arrows are consistently not consistent? After you check your form and make sure that everything is going the way it should it is now time to focus on releasing the string from your hand. This will differ a little depending on if you use a release or if you just use your fingers. The first thing to make sure is that your anchor point is correct. I discussed the correct way to anchor in a previous blog titled “Anchor Points” so you can go and check that out first. After you make sure that your anchor is correct you need to focus on the release of the string. It is important when you use a release that you gently squeeze the trigger and not forcefully pull it. A common term that is used to describe the problem that people who forcefully pull the trigger have is called target panic. This is when the archer pulls the trigger as soon as the sight pin comes on or even close to the desired target. Ideally what you want to do is guide your pin to the center of the target without forcing it to stay in the center. When you have your pin hovering towards the center of the target then it is time to squeeze the trigger of your release. Another problem of forcefully pulling the trigger, “punching the trigger”, is that your hand can move from its anchor point. Between the inconsistency of sight pin placement and the inconsistency of your hand location it is very easy to see why your arrows are all over the target.
Target panic can be developed over time, and with determination it can be gotten rid of over time. I battled target panic for five years before a got it through my thick skull that I was supposed to allow the pin to stay on the target for at least a second before I released the string. There isn’t a really good way to correct this problem overnight, but because it is a mental problem the change can occur soon after you get your mental problem figured out. The release process itself should seem like a surprise every time; you shouldn’t know when the shot is going to go off. If you know when the shot is going to go off or if you make the shot go off you can potentially affect your trajectory of your arrow.
Another thing that you want to focus on when you release is your follow through. As soon as you release your hand should continue in a straight line from your anchor point on your jaw to the top of your shoulder. This is shown above in a picture from centenary archers. This allows for minimal left and right movement of the release after the shot has been fired. This should be a very fluid motion and not delayed. Overall your release can have a great effect on the place where your arrow lands so it is very important to learn these techniques correctly the first time.
Target panic can be developed over time, and with determination it can be gotten rid of over time. I battled target panic for five years before a got it through my thick skull that I was supposed to allow the pin to stay on the target for at least a second before I released the string. There isn’t a really good way to correct this problem overnight, but because it is a mental problem the change can occur soon after you get your mental problem figured out. The release process itself should seem like a surprise every time; you shouldn’t know when the shot is going to go off. If you know when the shot is going to go off or if you make the shot go off you can potentially affect your trajectory of your arrow.
Another thing that you want to focus on when you release is your follow through. As soon as you release your hand should continue in a straight line from your anchor point on your jaw to the top of your shoulder. This is shown above in a picture from centenary archers. This allows for minimal left and right movement of the release after the shot has been fired. This should be a very fluid motion and not delayed. Overall your release can have a great effect on the place where your arrow lands so it is very important to learn these techniques correctly the first time.
No comments:
Post a Comment