When to move to a clicker?

[geoffretired]

I would agree with Jimbo too. Too many things to think about too soon can lead to more problems. For some, a clicker can help the learning process so a reasonable draw length can be experienced. For others, it can be the last straw.If an archer is comfortable with their draw,even if it is not very consistent in length, they could usefully move to the clicker. They need to have some explanation as to how it can be used.

[Vanya Goud]

Surely this depends on whether an individual has a particular issue that a clicker would help. If you have a comfortable draw and solid reference point you might not need one. Are your 1s and 3s high and low or left and right? Personally, I found a clicker a great help as I was a terrible "creeper", I would get to my full draw and then creep forward before I released. Of course there is the added bonus that my arrow now stays on the rest in a howling gale.

[joetapley]

As soon as you're feeling comfortable with your bow, and you need the "next step

The problem I have with this is that using a clicker is an integral part of the shot process with any modern coaching teaching. It's rather like saying "we'll wait till you're feeling comfortable till we take the next step to alignment or back tension".

[Ffish]

Originally Posted by joetapley

The problem I have with this is that using a clicker is an integral part of the shot process with any modern coaching teaching. It's rather like saying "we'll wait till you're feeling comfortable till we take the next step to alignment or back tension".

Good point there Joe, but isnt it usually the case that most beginners start on the wooden bows, which dont have provision for clickers, and it's usually only possible to move to a clicker setup once you've bought your own bow (assuming it isnt a wooden bow)?

Therefore I'd have to assume that as you're getting used to your new bow anyway, there are a number of things to think about without having to concentrate on this (unfamiliar) new gadget.

Which is the position I'm currently in - I'm used to my bow's weight, balance, poundage, etc, but now I want to start improving consistency, hence introducing a clicker.

[sarahjrd]

[quote=Ffish]Good point there Joe, but isnt it usually the case that most beginners start on the wooden bows, which dont have provision for clickers, and it's usually only possible to move to a clicker setup once you've bought your own bow (assuming it isnt a wooden bow)?



I had a clicker on my first wooden bow, actually 2 diffferent ones at different stages. One had a sticky pad to stick to the bow, the other went on my sight. The second was better because i was only starting archery and my draw lenght grew over the weeks so my coach could move the cliker to suit me.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by sarahjrd

I had a clicker on my first wooden bow, actually 2 diffferent ones at different stages. One had a sticky pad to stick to the bow, the other went on my sight. The second was better because i was only starting archery and my draw lenght grew over the weeks so my coach could move the cliker to suit me.

That's precisely what I've got, currently got the 'under-sight' clicker attached and will experiment with that, if my draw-length doesn't match it I'll try the sticky-pad clicker.

[sarahjrd]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

That's precisely what I've got, currently got the 'under-sight' clicker attached and will experiment with that, if my draw-length doesn't match it I'll try the sticky-pad clicker.

At the moment i have the cavalir one that goes on the sight bar for the simple reason that i have a small draw lenght.(23) and if i cut my arrows that short they are too stiff. The one downside to this clicker is that it makes loads of noise!

[Bald Eagle]

I agree with Jimbo and Merlin. Confidence is the key,when you are at ease with your set up then put on a clicker but get some help from your coach in how to use it. It needs to be set forward at first, so when you draw and it goes off, release!. Then move it back towards you in increments, each time releasing when it "clicks", until you get it back to your reference before it clicks. This will take up a night of shooting, you can't do it in 10 minutes! Also, try to keep the arrow moving as you get to your reference, 'cos once you stop it is hard to get through,it should be one smooth, disciplined, movement, which will come with lots of practice.

[Random_guy]

Difficult to know what to say to this. I'm definately one of those who wishes they had started earlier with a clicker.

I'd been shooting 6 months before i put one on the bow and it was a struggle to get used to. My technique, despite letting me shoot fairly well indoors (546 portsmouth) was incompatible with a clicker (i'd developed a habit of overdrawing and then 'settling in' to my reference point).

For the first month or so my shooting really suffered, then as i got used to it, i started shooting better again.

I fell into the trap of coming through the clicker becoming the be-all and end-all of the shot, and to hell with everything else. Had i put it on earlier it's possible that things such as alignment and backtension may have played second fiddle to the clicker on a more permanent basis.

Another novice who started at the same time as me, on the other hand, put his clicker on his bow and imediately shot better.

Bottom line, it will almost certainly help, but how quickly and easily....who knows...

[JohnK]

I'm going to disagree with BE here. When setting up the clicker, you don't simply set it forward and release as it goes off. All that does is to teach you to release on the click regardless of where you are in the shot sequence. Here are the steps I use:

1. Get a friend or coach to watch you draw from the side. They can then move the clicker accordingly.

2. Put the arrow under the clicker and come to full draw. Do not try to pull through the clicker. If it does go off, don't release. Your helper can then make fine adjustments.

3. Draw up and pull through the clicker without releasing. This will teach you how to draw through it without worrying about where the arrow is going.

4. Finally, draw as before, pull smoothly through the clicker and shoot your shot. If you've followed all these steps carefully and your helper has done a good job, you can be confident that you can easily pull through the clicker without making a big deal of it.