How long do you hold your draw?

[John J]

When I am shooting, I find that I usually release less then a second after hitting anchor. Is this bad? It doesn't seem to effect my accuracy at all. In fact, it I seem to be more consistent when I only hold for <1 second then when I hold for 3. So, for how long do you hold your draw at anchor and why?

Thanks

John

[BobCo 1965]

In a perfect circumstance, I hold between 2 and 4 seconds after hitting anchor. For me this is the aiming/expansion portions of the shot (which follow transfer).

[Jake Diebolt]

1 second seems to be ideal for me - I've tried holding for longer and find that my form collapses and my release goes to crap.

[TRAD101]

about 1 second then expand and release. any longer
than that and I also start to collapse, I am not
overbowed, it just happens.

[Sirius Black]

About 3 or 4 seconds. Anything less, and I don't shoot as accurate.

[chuckbow]

2 at least!

[ksbowman]

I release as soon as I hit anchor. The last two inches or so of draw are the final alignment time and anchor is go.

[snakebit40]

I just recently started holding for three and anchor, and then continue holding for three more after the shot. That has helped me more than anything.

[SAVIOUR68]

JOHN I HAVE NO SET TIME, ONCE I HIT MY DOUBLE ANCHOR AND START MY EXPANSION THE SHOT TAKES CARE OF IT SELF AND GOES WHEN IT WANTS TOO. IF MY MIND TRIES TO TAKE OVER AND CONTROL THE SHOT [ BIG NO-NO !!!!!] I WILL LET DOWN AND RESTART MY SHOT SEQUENCE. EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT AND THE BEST WAS IS TO SEE WHAT FITS YOUR STYLE THE BEST.

[sinawalli]

Originally posted by SAVIOUR68:
JOHN I HAVE NO SET TIME, ONCE I HIT MY DOUBLE ANCHOR AND START MY EXPANSION THE SHOT TAKES CARE OF IT SELF AND GOES WHEN IT WANTS TOO. IF MY MIND TRIES TO TAKE OVER AND CONTROL THE SHOT [ BIG NO-NO !!!!!] I WILL LET DOWN AND RESTART MY SHOT SEQUENCE. EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT AND THE BEST WAS IS TO SEE WHAT FITS YOUR STYLE THE BEST.

What do you mean by "start my expansion"? Thanks!!

[moebow]

sinawalli,  Expansion happens after reaching anchor and transfer to holding.  It is part of the system of shooting that is taught to archers that really want to learn good form.  If you are interested in the entire process, check out the web site below.  It is the system I teach and can be very applicable to hunting but is often perceived (incorrectly) as a target only process for the shot.

http://www.kslinternationalarchery.com

Arne

[SAVIOUR68]

SINAWALLI, WHEN THE LOAD OF MY DRAW IS FULLY ON/IN MY BACK MUSCLES AND THE SQUEEZING OF THEM WILL GIVE YOU A SURPISE RELEASE IF EXECUTED PROPERLY. AS I SAID IF MY MIND TRIES TO GET INVOLVED IN IT AND TAKE OVER THEN THE SHOT DECLINES FROM THERE. AT TIMES HUMAN NATURE IS TO MAKE THE SHOT HAPPEN QUICKLY DUE TO BUILDING TENSION AND THE FEAR OF NOT HITTING WERE YOU WANT TO. I HAVE PERSONAL FOUND A RELAXED SEQUENCE OF MY SHOOTING PROVIDES THE BEST RESULTS AND AT TIMES I WILL PURPOSELY DRAW AND JUST CONCENTRATE ON MY DESIRED IMPACT POINT BUT WILL NOT LET THE ARROW GO. JUST MY $.02 WORTH. GOOD SHOOTIN TO ALL MY TG BRO"s.

[SAVIOUR68]

THANKS MOE, COACHES ALWAYS EXPLAIN THINGS BETTER.
   

[njloco]

I must try this first chance.

Thanks, again! to both of you.

[njloco]

It works very well, I will start to work this into my form.

Thanks again.

[SAVIOUR68]

NJLOCO, GLAD TO HERE ITS WORKING FOR YA BUD. ONCE YOUR BACK MUSCLES BUILD UP MORE THE SHOT IS ALMOST SECOND NATURE AND THE RESULTS I HAVE HAD ARE SIMPLY AWESOME.

[jackdaw]

I shoot most everyday for 30-40 minutes. I, for a number of years, released immediately at anchor and did well with it. Now ....I pause for a "windage" check with the arrowshaft in relation to the spot I'm attempting to hit. All the while I'm continuing to pull with my back muscles until the shot automatically releases. This pereferal windage check takes only an extra second and it all occurs in one continuous motion. ......good luck.......jackdaw

[chachamooby]

I hold until everything feels right. If you start worrying about how long you're holding it, your draw weight is probably too heavy. Don't ever "just shoot". You can't figure out what you need to improve if you fling and hope. I start aiming before I draw and stop aiming when the arrow hits.

[daveycrockett]

I hold as long as it takes.      

[Guru]

Originally posted by daveycrockett:
I hold as long as it takes.          

But most of the time it's "touch and go"