execution hesitation

[geoffretired]

As a club level archer, I have experienced hesitation at the build up to the execution of the release. When I shot recurve with a clicker, the final mm or so of the draw became hesitant and the arrow filed away at the rest.
As a compound archer with a surprise release, the last build up of pressure on the trigger became hesitant. Even with a triggerless release aid I can experience hesitation at the final build up to the release.
It seems that in all the above cases, there is an attempt to reach a point but go no further;draw the arrow to the click, but not beyond; squeeze the trigger to the point where it activates, but no further;pull the triggerless release till it activates but not more than that.
I have recently stiffened the setting on my triggerless release. My thinking was that I would need to pull more strongly to activate it. A stronger pull would be less hesitant, I guessed. That should help get beyond the release execution and continue into the follow through. It is early days, but there does semm to be a better flow into the follow through with a less hesitant build up.
I am curious to know if others suffer, or have suffered in this way, and how they solved it.

[Furface]

What has happened in both cases is that you have introduced a negative into your shot sequence, and inserted a premature "stop" command. You are cautious about drawing through the clicker, or releasing too soon, and this is inhibiting smoothness. A physical correction (tighten the pressure) reinforces the feeling that you must not go too far. One approach I have seen recommended is to remind yourself that the "end" of the shot is the arrow in the target. The whole process runs smoothly, and should only be interrupted when that has happened. In other words, try to reduce the anxiety about premature release mentally by concentrating on the entire arc of the shot.

[geoffretired]

Furface, thanks for that.

"One approach I have seen recommended is to remind yourself that the "end" of the shot is the arrow in the target. The whole process runs smoothly, and should only be interrupted when that has happened. In other words, try to reduce the anxiety about premature release mentally by concentrating on the entire arc of the shot."
I can see what you are saying there and I feel sure it is correct. It matches the idea that I have introduced a "stop" command, as you say; so I need to introduce something different and better. Such as, "finish with the arrow in the target".

"A physical correction (tighten the pressure) reinforces the feeling that you must not go too far."
Can I ask a question about the sentence above? I don't follow why the higher pressure reinforces the feeling that I must not go too far. I am not saying the idea is wrong; just that I don't see the connection at the moment.
Thanks.

[Furface]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

...... I don't follow why the higher pressure reinforces the feeling that I must not go too far. I am not saying the idea is wrong; just that I don't see the connection at the moment.

Geoff,
I could have thought out loud a little clearer! What I meant was that ANY deliberate physical means of addressing the problem could reinforce in your mind that a problem is there. Yorker is spot on - clear your mind and let the muscle memory take over.

[geoffretired]

Yorker, thanks for that explanation.

If you dont want to go too far with something what do you do, pull away... so pulling more makes it feel like you are trying to stop yourself from finishing the shot anymore.

I do see the logic in what you say.

Before I increased the pressure on my release aid, I was thinking about clicker users(myself included) and how we seem to approach the CLICK as something to be wary of. ( I'll go up to the cliff edge but slowly; I don't want to fall over.)
By increasing the pressure, I have to pull harder. My thinking on that is that if I was approaching the cliff edge, I'd be walking strongly, briskly, with the intention of jumping off; as would a cliff jumper(if that's the correct name)
The light pressure offers the opportunity to be hesitant/delicate. The higher pressure doesn't allow a delicate approach. A bit like some divers jumping off the top board, run at it to remove the option of turning back.Does that make sense? Is my thinking flawed?

The best thing I found - although I didn't really have this problem much - was just emptying my mind at the point of the release and just let it happen. Just completely disregard all care for the release.

I'm pretty sure that is the way to go. Getting to that stage requires a change on my part as I am too hesitant at present. Thinking differently will help; as in disregarding the release. I am thinking that a physical change could help too, hence the experiments with higher pressure settings.

[geoffretired]

Furface, just seen your second post. I see what you mean now. Thanks.
I have to agree with that.
Changing the pressure is simply moving the problem to a different holding weight, not addressing the problem head on.
Thanks again.

[geoffretired]

Thanks Yorker, I need to learn not to worry so the shots improve.
At present, I'm trying to improve the shots so there won't be a need to worry.
I've got things in the wrong order, yes?

[Good Sir Pete]

I definitely know what you mean. I sometimes anticipate the clicker and my hand seemingly automatically goes to release on it's own before I consciously stop it. My hand usually lurches forward about a cm and I can loose a lot of concentration because of it. Sometimes I come down after this, sometimes I just draw through.

I do wonder whether the clicker is a little too far back if I am anticipating so much. Of course, it could also be purely psychological. (or a mix of the two)

[slartibartfast]

If I were having this problem I would try closing my eyes when I shoot to get the feel of the shot into my head, as it appears the problem is visual, if this works and there is no stall or hesitation in the shot I would immediately put the bow down and run through the shot in my head. I would isolate that part of the shot and run it (like a video clip but also with feeling) over and over until I was happy with it then integrate it into the shot sequence.
Then I would go back, pick the bow up and shoot again (and it would all be fine ) but if things still were not right I would run through the whole thing again.
Hope this helps. Visualisation has fixed so many things with my shot and improved many others.

[geoffretired]

Good Sir Pete,
When I first started compound shooting, I had the same problem, but with the trigger of the release aid. Every now and again I would twitch and sometimes hold the shot and sometimes it would go. Over the top usually.
I now think it was the anticipation causing the back muscles to relax; before the trigger had been activated. Perhaps in your case it is the back muscles relaxing when they think you have reached the clicker; or should have reached it.
Having read Furface's and Yorker's posts mving your clicker forwards might just be moving the problem further forwards in the draw. I can't tell whether your clicker is well placed or not, but anticipating now and again would seem to show that you can get things right most of the time.
Slartibartfast,
Visualisation is something I was recommended to do just recently. I believe it works too, but get forgetful at times.