It's a big ask

[Murray]

There is a big difference between a controlled release when the clicker drops and an uncontrolled one, and I think that's the point a lot of people miss... some will pull to the clicker and release, regardless of whether they are ready and in control of the shot or not, the whole shot purpose often being "get through the clicker", those who control the shot may appear to release as soon as the clicker drops, but it's a different TYPE of shot altogether IMO, they release because they're ready to shoot the shot and are not worried about where the clicker might be...

The best way I have of describing it is to "de-focus" the clicker - it has to be pushed to a subconcious level.

Hmmm clickers...work of the But very good if used effectivly. The way I used to shoot with one was to pre-draw aim and come to full draw keeping the pressure on, aiming all the time, anchor, and again keeping the pressure on and as ever keep aiming, when to shoot was decided by the "click" and nothing else. Basically one fluid motion not stopping ever. That was the plan, but did not always work. TP prevented me shooting without a clicker anyway.

I see it pointless to continue aiming after the "click". I suspect most archers would then forward loose. In theory if the clicker goes off premo' then the archer should come down and start the shot again.

Watching most high level archers, I don't think any of them shoot much after the click.

Eventually I had a nasty habit of "freezing" and not being able to get through the clicker no matter where I put it. I feel in my case it was evidence of my archery plague TP, it just manifested it's self in other ways. And probably a combination of poor alignment and poor coaching. Still miss recurve...one day I may return...

[PaulT]

Originally Posted by Murray

There is a big difference between a controlled release when the clicker drops and an uncontrolled one, and I think that's the point a lot of people miss... some will pull to the clicker and release, regardless of whether they are ready and in control of the shot or not, the whole shot purpose often being "get through the clicker", those who control the shot may appear to release as soon as the clicker drops, but it's a different TYPE of shot altogether IMO, they release because they're ready to shoot the shot and are not worried about where the clicker might be...

Sort of agree with this (provided I have read it right).
The clicker SHOULD be used as a trigger and therefore a way to achieve a surprise release, but only if the shot is prepared properly first. This should include achieving all necessary reference points including having the sight pin/ring settled on point of aim. For myself one of these references is checking that the clicker has started to dip down towards the tip of the point. If this is all properly done then there is no danger of clicking before you are ready, if not - come down and start again.
I believe if it is not used this way then the clicker serves no purpose at all.

[geoffretired]

Thanks for all the latest contributions.The clicker is starting to feature large in the TP arena. The clicker is a tool and all tools need to be used with proper control. There are different takes on that. Perhaps the misuse can lead to TP. By" misuse" I mean it is not being used in the way the archer thinks they are using it.
Thanks again.

[Micky]

I shoot compound, and have suffered from some sort of "shot anticipation" (I'm still fighting shy of calling it Target Panic) for about 3 years now.

All was fine in my first season of shooting - I could hold on the centre of the target, or anywhere I wanted to really, and release without any problems. I shot well, got MB and even managed a 1300 FITA all in that first season.

Then it all went wrong. I began to anticipate the release, jerking the bow up or left or right or down, basically ripping the sight off the gold as I released. I punched the trigger, I squeezed the trigger, I tried to BT the darn thing, and still I anticipated the shot. If I was totally relaxed it was better, but as soon as I began to think about a score, or even where I was placed in a competition, the anticipation came back. I have tried not thinking about the score, but you tell me in all honestly if you can ignore the score all the time - I know I can't.

Despite that, with some concentration I began to overcome the anticipation, then I managed to dry fire my bow. The whole thing exploded on me, making rather a mess of my arm, and my bow.

I shot the bow as soon as it was put back together (within half an hour as I was at a training squad) but it scared the life out of me and actually still does. I keep expecting the whole thing to blow up again. I blink when it goes, I jump, I jerk my arm, I am a bit of a wreck really.

So now (2.5years later) I am worse than ever. My scores have plummeted and I'm seriously thinking about turning to recurve! Although, I am working on Geoffretired's rehab plan, and I am hopeful that I may be able to train over it. But you never know.

That, in a nutshell, is my TP story..

[geoffretired]

Micky, I am sorry to hear of your problem. I am glad that you shared it however. I know how you feel; my story is much the same. My tp came almost out of the blue after what I considered good shooting. Yours sounds very similar. It seems to contradict the idea that it is bad initial teaching. Or perhaps the bad teaching came later for you and me. Or perhaps we both went down similar roads and got into a similar state, without being taught. I often think I got myself into this mess. No blame attached, just a set of circumstances came together at a bad time and, bang!
I was so wrapped up in suffering and trying to escape that I never wondered why it had happened.
But more important than that is the idea that it can be prevented. If it can, then the more we know the better able we shall be to keep others from the same fate.
Thanks for your input;it all helps.

[tel]

Originally Posted by Shirt

OK. And you know for absolute certain that when you're hanging about at full draw after the clicker has gone that your draw length isn't changing?

No I don't. But the clicker is a recent addition to my shooting that I'm still not sure I want. I didn't think I was doing badly without it, but it was suggested that I should try it if I wished to go further. Thats what I'm doing but unfortunately without much help other that what I read here.

[PaulT]

Stick with it Tel, all changes take a while to adapt to any change in style or equipment and a clicker is both in away.

That's the real key to using a clicker correctly. Don't ever let it rule you - you rule it.

If everything feels fine as it clicks, then release. If it doesn't, stop, come down and start again. Try not to tense up as you start to draw through the clicker. If you are doing things properly, you should start mentally relaxing during this phase. You have to teach yourself to feel this.

Practice pulling through the clicker and refuse to let yourself release at the sound. Mix up these sorts of shots during your practice until you feel that you have full control over it.

Sometimes when I'm shooting recurve, I'll pull through the clicker and hold for a little while longer without creeping forward and then continue with my release. I still get a good shot. Only do this if everything feels right when you come through the clicker. Just teach the little devil that YOU are in control - not it (so to speak).

[tel]

Sometimes when I'm shooting recurve, I'll pull through the clicker and hold for a little while longer without creeping forward and then continue with my release.

I guess that is what I was trying to get at - just didn't put it very well.