Clicker help please !

[Florence]

I don't currently shoot with a clicker, and to be honest I'm really not keen on the idea, however my guru and a couple of my friends have been suggesting it recently.

I'm not "anti-clicker" as such I'm just not sure that it will be of any benefit to me at the moment, and I'd be interested to see what any of you think.

This is my situation:

As some of you know, I have ME. Thankfully this is well under control at the moment and doesn't present too many problems, HOWEVER....

I am well aware that by the end of a long days shooting I don't shoot the same as I was doing at the start. This is because there are times when I'm just absolutely exhausted, and my main aim is just to finish the competition !! I love shooting, and I want to do my best, but I'm afraid that if I go over to using a clicker, the sheer extra effort that I may have to use to get through the clicker at the end of a FITA may just be too much, and I'll end up in a worse position than I am now. At least as it is I can force myself to get to the end on a bad day and be pleased with that !

I'm also well aware that it's taken me yonks to get to where I am now, and I'm concerned about totally de-constructing what I do and effectively re-learning how to shoot. I'm not entirely sure that this won't be a backwards step. I'm not the fastest at picking up new techniques etc. and I really don't want to just go backwards faster than I got here !!!

At least now I'm not a total embarassment to those around me when I go to competition !

I've been told that "it's the only way you'll win medals", but medals aren't my motivation (just as well cos I'm never going to be in the same league as most of the ladies that I shoot with up here in Scotland) - enjoying it is what drives me.

I know there's been a lot of talk about clicker or not clicker in the past, but I'd be interested to hear what any of you have to say in regard to this especially if you shot for a long time without a clicker and then moved over to one.

[pHz]

caveats first

- im not a hugely experienced archer and only shot for 9 months without one before fitting a clicker (but i WAS pretty resistant to fitting one for a while)

- while i did a whole load of reading and asking questions here and in real life about clickers before fitting what im going to post is based on my PERSONAL practical experience of fitting and using one over the last month or three - you can read all the theory for yourself (hell - just search AIUK for 'clicker' ! )



first - i reckon you need to know WHY youre fitting one (for me it was initially to control draw length but has had other knock-on effects)

then - if at all possible do something i couldnt and get an experienced archer / coach who uses a clicker to help you set it up - i didnt have access to this and it took LOADS of trial and error / videos / photos / tinkering to get it set up to the right length

i personally didnt find it altered my shot TOO much (the main thing i had to adjust into was the idea of 'expansion' - without a clicker you reach your reference points then hold and aim before releasing which obviously wont work with a clicker) - obviously there is some adjustment needed to facilitate the clicker but if your form is reasonably strong i dont think it should be an issue

as the common knowledge says if you fit one its reasonable to expect a dip in scores for a while as you adjust - its taken me maybe three months to get back to the scores i was reaching before fitting it (it was a struggle at times but im a stubborn git and refused to give up)

on the other hand i think its been a positive move overall - my vertical grouping has improved (especially at 60 yards + which was the issue) due to the draw length consistency and it seems to have helped my shot rhythm / timing as well

slainte rob

[WhitehartFB]

what ever you decide make sure it's your choice and continue enjoying your archery.
There is nothing to say you have to use a clicker to win medals, and a clicker is only of any use if it is set up correctly, it should not add any additional strain to your shooting but I understand about tired arms/posture etc, Maybe dropping your limb weight a bit might help endurance, also reducing the physical weight of your bow - all take their toll over a days shooting.

[Thunk]

Florence, I'm sorry to hear about the ME. I have a similar problem to you but mine is MS. I cannot feel what I am doing to any great extent and using a clicker is the only way I can effectively control my draw length.

In this respect the clicker has helped me greatly (although some kind soul decided it would be better if I shot without one and removed it before I could object. Now I'm having great difficulty finding the correct placement again - must make a note of it when I finally find it).

I think that after the inevitable settling-in period you will find it a help. It needn't be set to the point where you have to 'expand' to get the arrow through it, just a bit of extra shoulder rotation should do. If you find it causes more problems than it solves you can always take it off again!

[pHz]

Originally Posted by Thunk

Now I'm having great difficulty finding the correct placement again - must make a note of it when I finally find it).

got an old arrow laying around ?

i have two different arrow lengths for indoor and out so i have to switch my clicker back and forth - all i did was get an old arrow shaft - wrap some insulation tape around it - mark on the tape in permanent marker the clicker position(s) - only takes a matter of seconds to switch settings now - nock the marked arrow shaft and move the clicker to the required mark

slainte rob

[madmac]

I think you have really answered your own queation if YOU dont want to dont .
If someone thinks its a good idea then fine take it or leave it ,If YOU thinks its a good idea then go for it.
I dont shoot with a clicker I have a variation of sorts(vertical and horizontal)I have two clickers in my box and they will stay there.I have shoot a 568 on ports and average 550's with no clicker .

May your arrows fly true and where YOU aimed them

[Thunk]

Originally Posted by pHz

got an old arrow laying around ?

i have two different arrow lengths for indoor and out so i have to switch my clicker back and forth - all i did was get an old arrow shaft - wrap some insulation tape around it - mark on the tape in permanent marker the clicker position(s) - only takes a matter of seconds to switch settings now - nock the marked arrow shaft and move the clicker to the required mark

slainte rob

Why is it that the best solution is so simple that one doesn't think of it?

Thanks for that. When I get the position re-established I'll do just that!

[TWIW]

Hi Florence

I ahve been shooting for over 20 years and have only just, in the last month started seriously shooting with a clicker for the first time. I too am a 1st Class archer, but, unlike you I don't have ME. There have beena couple of good posts, especially form PHZ. And I would totally agree with Whitehart, it is you who need to decide whether it will help you. I am still setting mine up and haven't quite got it right yet.

All I would say is that set it up so that you can still shoot the full day without getting over tired. You are well aware of your limitations so I would say to set it up so it causes you the least amount of strain as possible.

At the end of the day the decision has to be yours and you need to have a clear idea why you are going to use one.

[WhitehartFB]

Originally Posted by pHz

got an old arrow laying around ?

i have two different arrow lengths for indoor and out so i have to switch my clicker back and forth - all i did was get an old arrow shaft - wrap some insulation tape around it - mark on the tape in permanent marker the clicker position(s) - only takes a matter of seconds to switch settings now - nock the marked arrow shaft and move the clicker to the required mark

slainte rob

You can also use your bow square

[tel]

Originally Posted by Whitehart

You can also use your bow square

thats the one Most of us have one in our kit bag/box anyway and mine has bracing height, nocking point and clicker positions all permanently marked - so much easier than trying to remember the numbers!
Anyway, back to the subject in hand...
One of the best nuggets mentioned so far and worth emphasizing was from thewayitwas - "set it up so that you can still shoot the full day without getting over tired". For some reason I can't fathom there is a tendency in many to set it at the very limit of the draw - why? It should be obvious that after a days shooting you are going to struggle to maintain it (I actually know some people who let it out when they start to tire!). If set at a sensible position it can stay there and do its job indefinitely - though I'm not going to restart a discussion on exactly what that job is!