Got target panic real bad!

[mk1]

One of the reason coaches get in a flap about introducing clickers early to archers is that use of a clicker requires a degree of consistency, so its though you need to get that consistency first when in actual fact a clicker can help you obtain it.

Often archers who are learning (and others!) don't get any feedback on how consistent thet are from arrow to arrow with regard to draw length apart from a coaches observations. Yes OK the arrows go high or low depending on there being more or less power behind them, but there are other factors that can cause high/low arrows. At least with a clicker if it won't click or you come through early you know that something in your system hasn't been set up correctly and you can then work at establishing it whether it be focusing on standing up straight, keeping your front shoulder down or having the same reference point. It gives you a vested interest in focusing on these points or to put it another way adds some discipline to the learning process.

[Marcus26]

Well I introduce a clicker at day one and so far have had excellent results from students who have done this.
Believe me you will NOT improve untill you put one on. If you shoot through the clicker the clicker will survive. If you damage a fletch then glue em back on. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Originally Posted by namrehtaew

No. I have never used a clicker. The reason being I am a beginner and the concensus of opinion in the club is that I should get the fundamentals of form and technique right first before cluttering the mind with something else to think about. I can see the reasoning for trying a clicker to get round the TP but I am wary of releasing before the 'click', stripping the fletches and breaking the clicker!

[ASW1973]

Anyone who has advised you NOT to shoot a clicker and filled your head with fears of it are criminal
Clicker is a necessity! put it on the bow from as soon as possible and negate most of the problems that people suffer from due to cognitive control of an automatic skill.

[geoffretired]

Murray posted this in the "off topic" section.It is one of Michael Jordan's(world's best basket ball player) top ten secrets.
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
It seems worth remembering when we struggle with our form, too.

[John (OSF)]

Try to get things into perspective RELAX

It may be an idea to have a break from archery for a while, as does anyone really need a hobby that brings unwanted stress into their life?

I'd be more inclined to listen to the successful commercial coaches on the forum as they will know what works as their income depends upon it. Archery/coaching is just a hobby for gnas coaches and therefore can be very patchy qualitywise imo

[namrehtaew]

Originally Posted by Marcus26

Well I introduce a clicker at day one and so far have had excellent results from students who have done this.
Believe me you will NOT improve untill you put one on. If you shoot through the clicker the clicker will survive. If you damage a fletch then glue em back on. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

No, I'm not quite ready to give up yet. My last post was rather downbeat and despondant because I had just had a very bad practice session! I am much more level headed about things now and realise that there are a lot more things to try before throwing in the towel.

The book I had been looking for, ' Instinctive Archery Insights' by Jay Kidwell arived today. And yes I will be trying a clicker very soon! So I have a lot left to do!

Thanks all for your helpful and interesting input. I will post again in a few weeks to let you know how I am progressing.