Aiming strategies

[Cakemeister]

One of my problems at the moment is aiming- I have a habit of focusing on the red at about 4.00 & have to force myself to move onto the gold. I know aiming should be subliminal- but I've also found that I shoot better when I'm consciously thinking about the gold (sounds obvious)- is there a way of altering my mindset other than painful electrotherapy?

[Murray]

Why don't you just carry on aiming in the red at 4 o'clock and set your sight accordingly

I read a book by Berine Pelorite ( not sure or the spelling). Probably the best book I heave read about shooting compound. Some of the aiming techniquesmay transpose to recurve. He advocated burning a hole in to the gold. Looking for the middle of the x or the very print the x is made from. That intensley. Aiming is the only conscious thing you should be doing. Every thing else should be sub conscious. During the shot sequence it should go something like..


draw and anchor keep the preassure on, place the sight ring into the gold does it look good? Yep. Start the motor, the motor refers to the release sequence. That bit should be a surprise. All the time the motor is running subcosciously you should be consciously aiming/looking at the middle of the middle of the middle. I shoot with an open ring, I don't shoot well with a pin or cross hair. I look at the target not the ring it's self.

Do you shoot with a clicker by the way? What does it feel like forcing yourself into the gold? I am wondering if you may be suffering from target panic a little?

[DOH!!]

are you shooting "one eye open" or both open, shooting both eyes allows to see what you are going to hit, keeps the head still, the sight pin will be blurred, just allow it to "float" round the gold.

[silver streak]

i also shoot both eyes open and with a very large apeture. This may help you out. give it a go

[Marcus26]

Nothing wrongw ith active aiming. Some people are brilliant aimers, and some are not, go with your strength.
Try a different sight apature, like a Titan Scope, or just be stronger and put the sight where you want it.

I shot with a ring for years but have lately moved to a tiny dot as I did not aim as tight with the circle. I believe circles are excellent, but you have a tendancy to not aim as well with them. A dot you can aim tighter but have to be careful you don't stop your shot process.
I've shot 3 indoor PB's sincle changing to a dot.

[GeoffT]

Marcus, Not sure I agree with you about dots and rings............

I read an article a few years ago about how the brain automatically lines up concentric circles. This helps to centre the scope in the peep, the circle in the peep and the circle with the gold. It also helps you to focus on the centre of the gold and not the sight.


By the way ....can't agree more with whoever mentioned Bernie Pellerite's book "Idiot Proof Archery". If you only ever buy one book on archery, make sure it is this one.

[PaulT]

Originally Posted by Cakemeister

One of my problems at the moment is aiming- I have a habit of focusing on the red at about 4.00 & have to force myself to move onto the gold. I know aiming should be subliminal- but I've also found that I shoot better when I'm consciously thinking about the gold (sounds obvious)- is there a way of altering my mindset other than painful electrotherapy?

It sounds like you know the right way of doing it ("thinking about the gold") although the word should be "focusing", but you're not sure how to do it. The answer is just PRACTICE. Also try practicing focusing on something other than a conventional target face to teach your brain how to do it, one without a 'red'. Try shooting at small spots on an otherwise blank boss and just focusing on them for a while before moving back to a target when you feel ready. The only way to change your mindset is time and effort I'm afraid.

[Murray]

Originally Posted by GeoffT

Marcus, Not sure I agree with you about dots and rings............

It varies individual by individual. There are too many good archers shooting with dots/pins/crosshairs (of various sizes) to say it doesn't work.

Personally, a dot messes with my head, so I shoot (recurve) with an open ring. I've tried crosshairs, dots, flourescent pins, etc. but open works for me.

In terms of aiming, I just look at where I'm going to put the arrow, and make the shot. If I make the shot right (which right now is proving to be a real challenge!) it's in the 10 ring.

[Marcus26]

That's fine Geoff I don't agree with you about Bernie's books. Everything I have read of his fails to impress me.

There are advantages and disadvantages with both methods. Talking to Tim Cuddihy about why he shoots a dot and he said with a circle he is more relaxed but his groups are not as tight. With a dot he over-aims a bit (which interupts his process) but finds if he keeps his process working he groups better.

I would consider good dot use an advanced technique and not something for those who are struggling with their shot process.

I read an article a few years ago about how the brain automatically lines up concentric circles. This helps to centre the scope in the peep, the circle in the peep and the circle with the gold. It also helps you to focus on the centre of the gold and not the sight.

I agree, but is that the best thing? My own testing in the last year is starting to indicate to me that it may not be.