Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: newhouse114 on October 19, 2014, 11:20:00 PM

Title: New mind game for release
Post by: newhouse114 on October 19, 2014, 11:20:00 PM
I have had problems with getting a "consistant" release, ever since I went traditional about 6 years ago. Even with the difficulty I have with releasing in the same manner every time, I manage to shoot decent scores on paper. With a recurve and carbon arrows, I average right around 245 on a standard 300 indoor round at 20 yards. I average just about 225 with the long bow and cedar arrows. I have been playing around with a new mental game when I release. I no longer think about the tension on my fingers, trying to get a smooth release, back tension, or anything other than; simply pointing my fingers at the target when I am lined up properly. When I want to release the arrow, I just point my fingers where I want the arrow to go. Keeping that in mind has increased my long bow score about 10-15 points in just a few targets. It seems to help the same on the 3D target. Might not be anything new (but it is new to me) and has helped with my release tremendously.
Title: Re: New mind game for release
Post by: jonsimoneau on October 20, 2014, 01:24:00 PM
What do you mean by pointing your fingers at what you want to hit?
Title: Re: New mind game for release
Post by: newhouse114 on October 20, 2014, 01:35:00 PM
On my release hand, when I want the arrow to go, I point the fingers holding the string at my target. Like I said, it is a mind game I play with myself. If I concentrate on "pointing" my fingers, rather than releasing the string, it helps eliminate plucked strings and other inconsistencies.
Title: Re: New mind game for release
Post by: Diamond Paul on October 20, 2014, 02:30:00 PM
If you shoot above 240 indoors with no sights, you are pretty consistent.  I don't know if you gap or not, but most instinctive shooters would not approach that score.  Most trad shooters in general that I've seen would not, either.  I think whatever mental approach helps you to achieve results is great.  I just focus on feeling a slight increase in tension around my scapula and think, "relax the hand."  I like the release to just happen as a result of the back tension increase, just like shooting a back tension release on a compound.  When I consciously decide to shoot, I usually don't shoot very well.  It happens when it happens.
Title: Re: New mind game for release
Post by: newhouse114 on October 20, 2014, 02:54:00 PM
Things pretty much go on autopilot in hunting situations. My wife went on a short dall sheep hunt with me about 20 years ago and commented later that I "transformed" when the sheep were spotted. I become 100% focused on the quarry and everything else is just background noise so to speak. Punching paper is an entirely different game to me that requires "intentional" mental discipline.