clickers

[SLOWHAND]

Just my opinion, but I really do believe that the only thing you should you be focussed on both mentally and visually during the shot process is the gold. When aiming, on a well tuned bow the clicker is very close to the sight (not physically but the sight picture-you know what I mean) and I can quite easily see and feel the click even when focussed on the target. Sad to say but for those of us who are over fifty it is harder to re-adjust our eye focus from something a couple of feet away(the clicker) to something twenty yards or more away(the target). Because of this I always spend a few seconds just looking at the target before I start the shot process.
Incidently, I use the clicker as it was originally intended,not as a signal to release but as a draw check.My shot is usually away within a second of the clicker but only when I am happy that the pin is in the gold. I've tried using the clicker as a shot initiator but I find that my scores suffer.

[tel]

Just (this last week) bit the the bullet and tried a clicker - it is going to take some time/practice that's for sure!
I'm not 'giving up before I've started', but I can see me ending up using it the same way as suggested by SLOWHAND - mainly because I've never had a problem holding on target so have always taken plenty of time. Practicing alone the other day I was grouping well using it this way ('Click', am I happy?, loose) - did lose a few nocks though! At the club with the usual varied opinions echoing, mostly on continuation, I was all over the place.
We'll see.....

[joetapley]

Just my opinion, but I really do believe that the only thing you should you be focussed on both mentally and visually during the shot process is the gold.

The argument against this (see 'The Heretic Archer' or Total Archery' for detail) is that if the technique is to pot however well the arrow is aimed at the gold that's not where it goes when shot. The current view (summarised) is to get the archer sorted out with the drawn bow first and then start aiming.

[Tarkwin]

Originally Posted by SLOWHAND

Just my opinion, but I really do believe that the only thing you should you be focussed on both mentally and visually during the shot process is the gold.

Originally Posted by joetapley

The argument against this (see 'The Heretic Archer' or Total Archery' for detail) is that if the technique is to pot however well the arrow is aimed at the gold that's not where it goes when shot. The current view (summarised) is to get the archer sorted out with the drawn bow first and then start aiming.

Both statements are valid.

By having technique ingrained to such a level that the archer instinctively knows that everything is correct - stance, posture, anchor, draw etc, he will be free to devote all of his concentration to hitting the mark.

T.

[joetapley]

If I understand current coach thinking correctly then the archer who shoots instinctively/subconciously can attend major competitions. The archer who controls the shot process is the one who wins the medals.

[Small Monkey]

Originally Posted by tel

'Click', am I happy?, loose)

That's almost it. i'd describe it more as 'am I happy?' if yes, then click, loose. But learning not to shoot just because the clicker went off, rather only when you are ready, is probably the hardest yet most importnat part of using one.

(Deciding you're happy and then making it go click-loose can give a shorter time between click and release, which gives a lower margin for slippage, and movement in the draw.)

[Rik]

Originally Posted by Small Monkey

That's almost it. i'd describe it more as 'am I happy?' if yes, then click, loose. But learning not to shoot just because the clicker went off, rather only when you are ready, is probably the hardest yet most importnat part of using one.

(Deciding you're happy and then making it go click-loose can give a shorter time between click and release, which gives a lower margin for slippage, and movement in the draw.)

I kind of think of it the other way around...
<click> & <not happy> = come down
Trying to reduce any lag time between the <click> and the follow-through.

[little_john]

1) Get a friend to observe your draw length and set the clicker appropriately.
2) Practice your draw but look at the clicker, don't aim. Just get used to the feeling of your shoulder blade coming back that last little bit before the clicker goes off. Don't shoot, come down after it clicks. Make any adjustments to the clicker position until it feels right.
3) Same as (2) but aim this time. Ensure that you have aimed before you are ready to move your shoulder blade back that last little bit. Don't look at the clicker. Feel your shoulder blade and listen for the clicker. Don't shoot, come down.
4) Same as (3) but shoot when the clicker clicks, or as soon after as you can without relaxing your draw arm/shoulder. Shoot one shot with the clicker per end and gradually increase untill all your shots are with the clicker.

[Little Miss Purple]

I have yet to start with a clicker (I'm in no rush). I was told not to bother with it until I became more consistant in my technique!

[Murray]

Originally Posted by Little Miss Purple

I was told not to bother with it until I became more consistant in my technique!

Cool, so let someone train for a considerable time to perfect their technique, then put a clicker on so they can start again. yeah, that makes sense.

I'm joshing a little. It does make sense though to have someone start with the clicker as soon as they can draw to the same length... and then monitor them to get the clicker in the right place.

Tel: I've seen people do the click. am I happy? loose. But frankly, none of them successfully. I'm not saying someone couldn't get there with such a technique, but you'll probably just have to change the process again at some stage. Just look at where you will put the arrow, pull through the clicker and let go. Soooo easy especially if you practice ocassionally coming through the clicker and letting down.