Clickers...What do you think?

[Random_guy]

Ok, i'm probably just stirring here, but leading on from another thread, where the clicker debate arose, it's pretty obvious that alot of people on here have very strong views on when these should be introduced and each have their own reasons.

I'd be very interested to hear different people's views on this and more importantly, their reasoning (as opposed to just 'it worked for me/ my student', which is obviously completely valid experience, but i'm looking for a logical arguement if possible!)

My reason for asking is recently i've been shooting close distance 20 yard/
18m stuff i.e. portsmouths and FITA 18's and, despite a clicker helping me tremendously at longer distances over the outdoor season, i've yet to match the scores i was shooting indoors without a clicker. I *believe* this is due to me STILL not finding a consistant way to come through the clicker, causing left/right variation, whilst up and down is good. However, whilst this is negligable compared to the up/down variation i'd get at long distances through not using a clicker, indoors at 18m it seems to become the limiting factor in my scores, where up/down isn't as much of an issue because of the short distance.

Now i'm well aware that i'd be unlikely to be knocking on 1000 fita's door without a clicker (999 on skye, wasn't impressed!) but indoors i have met people capable of shooting relatively high scores without a clicker.

Don't worry, i'm not planning on giving up my clicker, but it has got me wondering.

So any views on clickers are welcome, feel free to rant away!

[Meddler]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Meddler]

Originally Posted by Random_guy

Now i'm well aware that i'd be unlikely to be knocking on 1000 fita's door without a clicker

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay back (1977) I shot a 1000 FITA Star without a clicker... so it is possible.

I then went on to a clicker and made it through the 1100 barrier (1981).

A clicker is a tool.
Not everyone uses them properly.
Not everyone can set them properly.
It is not a cure-all.
There is controversy about clickers.
They were originally used with archers suffering from target panic.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.

And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go away and do something useful...

[geoffretired]

Random Guy could you clarify for me what you want the logical arguement to be about? Is it when to use a clicker or how, or why your scores are no better indoors with one?
On a different note(although this might be what you want to know) if a clicker helps your groups at long range,it sounds like it is making you more consistent.
If it is not making you more consistent at short range, is it logical to suspect you are either using it two slightly different ways, or shooting indoors differently from the longer outdoor?);

[PaulT]

High scores can be achieved without a clicker, but higher ones with.

You are better off sticking with the same setup inside and out and learning how to use it more consistently.
I suspect the reason you are finding it more difficult indoors may be a symptom of 'over aiming' i.e. spending too much time aiming and therefore taking longer to come through the clicker, therefore more inconsistencies.

IF this is the case try this - coming to full draw and aiming, drawing until the clicker dips around the point of the arrow (just before it clicks) and then either pulling or pushing through the clicker (which ever is your preferred method).
This is the best way I can describe "setting up on the clicker" which means that you should be finishing the shot the same way every time and therefore to more consistency (with practice).
Hope that makes sense.

[Shirt]

Without meaning to pick on random_guy in particular, has anyone ever noticed that people who say "I shoot higher scores without a clicker" generally are only shooting scores that are good relative to them? E.G. a 520 portsmouth may be good for them, but it's not exactly nationally competitive... if there's someone out there that's shot a 580 FITA 18 without one, I'd be very surprised.

[bluebow]

Originally Posted by PaulT

High scores can be achieved without a clicker, but higher ones with.

I would modify your comment a little. High scores can be shot with or without a clicker. But consistently high scores are shot with a clicker.


I was once told by Steve Hallard that he knew an archer who could shoot 1200 recurve FITA's without a clicker. However the consistency was lacking and the following weekend the same archer could have struggled to break 1000.

A clicker should bring a higher degree of consistency.

[cecile]

The clicker may be a trap for some archers who have not yet acheived consistency in their archery form and technic. They tend to misunderstand the true aim of the clicker and focus too much on : I shall pass the click, I shall pass that damn' click !!!
As a result, they have big big difficulties to make improvement; indeed, they do not improve and seldom regress...

So, the main criteria for suggesting the use of the clicker is: consistency of the form.
I think this is very important. For some archers, a few weeks of initiation might be sufficient. However, for some, much more may be needed... This is up to the coach to choose the right moment when the archer is ready for such a tool.

As for its influence in results, I think no first class archer may remain a first class archer without the clicker. It is as important as the cushion button! The reactivity to the clicker of top archers may be rated. It was proved that the best ones have a very high reactivity to the click. Generally, the less the time after the "click" is, the best the result's.

[wingate_52]

I shot for a year without one. I put one on the bow and struggled for months. I have improved my technique and scores outdoors and cannot wait to return indoors where my improved technique will give me better groupings and scores. I believe that the clicker will enable the archer to improve.It has for me.

[Bald Eagle]

Because of the shorter distances indoors, you can get away without using a clicker. You can also get away with lighter poundage, untuned bow, larger diameter arrows, limbs on upside down, 20 strand string, no stabilisers, the list goes on. Try it, as long as your tecnique is o.k. you can get away with murder indoors!