How do you get through the clicker!

[Robin the Hood]

Originally Posted by martin

Oh God help us...

'Of course my son'..

Once again this subject is up. One of the difficulties that arises from the clicker is that when it's used, it is immediately entered as a part of the first rule of drawing....ie. Let's get through that clicker.
It should be only used as a check-point not as a part of the drawing motion, and this is why difficulty enters the equation and it feels like another hurdle.
If it were treated as a checker rather than an indicator I think it would be easier to use...

Paul

[its my party and]

Now you see having read all! All I may add clicker threads before posting. That hiding place will have to be good Martin! I realised that there is no definitive description out there of how to get through the clicker. I don't struggle through the clicker but that exercise done the other day proved that I have a good use for one. As I've said in my journal over the last few months I've only been shooting 18 months and as an archer I believe development of my technique by my own 'feel' method will take over 3 years and as said by others possibly 5 years. I don't struggle through the clicker at the moment but this was a new magical feeling, smooth no elaboration and the feel and execution was different to my usual shot. I've since done it again using the old eyes wide shut technique on a blank boss. And yes having now found 'it' I will develop it into my shot routine. But in doing it my training will include not using the clicker as well.
I think the clicker is close to your heart Martin don't deny yourself there are all sorts of nice colours available to the modern archer! hehe
Still If anyone has a definitive world uniting method please share! 1500 heads are better than one. Although admittedly the background noise goes up if a nice female walks past!

[geoffretired]

I realised that there is no definitive description out there of how to get through the clicker.
Is it worth considering then, a list of things to avoid, or a list of good practices?

[hooktonboy]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

I realised that there is no definitive description out there of how to get through the clicker.
Is it worth considering then, a list of things to avoid, or a list of good practices?

As ever that's an excellent idea, Geoff.

I have to say I found some of Rick McKinney's advice about the clicker pretty helpful (as you would, I guess). One of the points he makes is about "floating" the head, as opposed to getting too much tension into the neck muscles. At the early beginner stage we tend to fix on the concept of anchor as something absolutely immoveable, whereas Mr McK talks about something much more relaxed I think. Can be a hard habit to break too. I certainly pull through much more cleanly if I avoid too much neck tension (and it hurts a lot less!)

Another thing he talks about is not so much equal push/pull, but directing your concentration to the bit you find hardest - so you might be concentrating on the bow arm, or the back depending on your form issues? Not sure I've got this quite right but it makes interesting reading.

And.... personally the open sight ring helps as I tend to over-aim otherwise.

[geoffretired]

Hooktonboy,
Over aiming would go on my list of things to avoid. Over aiming with the bow arm, that is. Visually aiming for longer, all the way till the arrow lands, would go on my list of good practices.
Drawing, only as far as the "click" would also be one to avoid, that can so often bring about a stop in the draw and a mini collapse that often goes unnoticed.
Intending to draw past the clicker is better I feel, and letting the fingers come off the string at the "click".Makes for a smoother follow through.
Confident drawing; not hesitant drawing.

[Zippo]

Originally Posted by Old Bloke

Push and pull eh? Slightly off topic, but do you by any chance get a few arrows going 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock high? (right handed archer).

If I do, what does it mean? Then again, my arrows go all around the target, so might not be the case you're referring to.

[Shirt]

Personally, I've always found prayer a great help in encouraging the thing to go click.

[hooktonboy]

Originally Posted by Shirt

Personally, I've always found prayer a great help in encouraging the thing to go click.

That would be like my own internal "for God's sake, GO, you b****y thing!", then

[geoffretired]

It was suggested earlier in this thread that perhaps we need a whole section of the forum given over to the CLICKER.
Being such a wide subject could I suggest that there are sub-sections within that section.
First ; prayers said when struggling through the clicker.
Second; blasphemous statements made after the clicker has gone.
Third;comments made by onlookers after the clicker has gone, badly.
Fourth;excuses made for the clicker going off when it wasn't supposed to.
Fifth; reasons why clickers should be banned.
Sixth; reasons why clickers should be compulsory
Seventh ; reasons why I don't use a clicker
Eighth; reasons why I do use a clicker
Ninth; reasons why I don't know how to use a clicker despite all the posts
Tenth; how to use a clicker
Eleventh; another way to use a clicker
Twelfth; 100 ways to use a clicker
Sorry about the outburst. I am normally serious about all clicker threads. I've seen so many unhappy faces caused by its misuse.
I couldn't help myself after reading Shirt's and Hooktonboy's posts. So it's not my fault.

[Robin the Hood]

Geoff. What about writing the 'Twelve Commandments' of the clicker...

Paul