How do you sight?

[Jimster71]

When sighting on the target, do your eyes focus on the target, on the sight ring/pin or do you use another method?

[buzz lite beer]

always a clear picture of the target from start of draw to follow through, I like looking at where I want my arrows to go, string and sight ring are blurred, with using a open ring sight rather than a pin it does reduce the tendency to flash your eyes between target and sight and getting lost somewheres in between.

[Jumile]

When I eventually aim I'm focussing on the gold. But that's after the whole drawing routine during which my sight is looking above the target and slowly comes down to its resting point for aiming.

[JamesR]

Originally Posted by Jimster71

When sighting on the target, do your eyes focus on the target, on the sight ring/pin or do you use another method?

When I draw, I'm looking at the centre of the target and my bowsight is not part of the equation. I usually draw such that the bow is aiming quite high, then I bring it down to 'settle' on the gold. So in theory my line of sight and my stance is the same throught the shot, and I move the bow and hence the sight into my line of vision as part of my draw / aim.

I have, on occasion, started this wrong where I'm looking through the sight and trying to "find" the target, which leads to a lot of unneccesary movement and hence poor form. I also then find it hard to change my focus to the target as I'm concentrating so much on the sight.

[Schme1440]

Gold. You should always focus on what you are trying to hit. Anything else is a waste. Over the thousands of years man has been around we have learnt to shoot and throw projectiles at what we are looking at. Hitting what we are focusing on is part of our nautral abilities. Some more son than others. Why would we do different to what we have done since man first hunted?

[Jimster71]

Originally Posted by Schme1440

Hitting what we are focusing on is part of our nautral abilities. Some more son than others.

I have noticed that if I throw something at an object, if I do it instinctively I will hit it 9 times out of 10. If I think about it, I am much more likely to miss. Maybe I should apply that to archery!

[JohnK]

Speaking as a barebow archer (just in case it's useful):

I focus on the gold, having picked a spot immediately below it where I want my arrow point to be at full draw. I draw up, still focusing on the gold and bring the arrow point down to the right level. I'm aware of the position, but don't focus on it. I find if I try to switch focus from the point to the gold, I lose concentration.

[bkupris]

Recently taken up barebow with trad equipment. What's working best so far is concentrating on the gold only after checking string picture/alignment when I come to full draw and "anchor". I have only tried this indoor (20 yds) so far and not sure yet if this will work for me in the field. I suspect I will have to sort out some sort of gap system for the longer distances and my first chance to practice it will probably be at the field shoot at the Weekender coming up

[Quadratus]

Originally Posted by Schme1440

Gold. You should always focus on what you are trying to hit. Anything else is a waste.

Concentrating on the sight rather than the target is a time-honoured technique used since the dawn of time by plenty of highly successful precison aimers in many branches of sport including archery. It is virtually universal in target pistol shooting and open sight rifle shooting.

http://www.wikihow.com/Shoot-a-Handgun

Its key advantage is making the shooter less aware of inevitable unsteadiness and facilitating focus on process, rather than result. You shoot golds by doing it right, not by just wanting to.

If you get better results this way, Jimster, do it - at least give it a try!

[Duss]

I try to be looking at my bow to see if it is really straight up, with a very vague view of the target, and making sure I am just above the gold.

I then complete anchoring and end by focusing on the target for aiming. That last part only takes a few seconds at most. Optimal!

Looks like Quadratus is proposing.