So I'm lacking in my consistency.....I'm just curious if someone can offer some advise on my shots. For the most part I have about a 3 inch group. Mostly, I shoot a hair low, but I contribute that to squeezing the trigger as I raise my bow up and don't wait for the sight to be in the center of target. I experience what I believe is anticipating the shot or jerking the trigger. I will, in times, catch myself pulling the bow forward with shaking with out the bow going off as if I was going to shoot.(best I can explain it) Some of my groupings are tight while others are 5-6 inch group. I would like to be more consistent in my shots to have more confidence. I would like some advise on how to consistently have tight groups not just hoping or it. I would guess I am anticipating the shot not waiting for it, but how to I solve that? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, I know this group has some expertise.
shot consistency
- Thread starter westenvy
- Start date
tdcour
Veteran member
I refer to this as target panic. I'm pretty sure we have all been in your spot more than once. What style if release are you using? Do you typically do long shooting sessions with lots of shots or shorter ones?
missjordan
Veteran member
One easy thing you could practice is just drawing back your bow without shooting it. Draw back, take a deep breath, relax and let it down slowly. I'd do this several times and after awhile when you draw back while remaining cool and collected then I'd shoot. This should help you with your form and ease your thoughts when you practice with your bow
CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
Missjordan gave some good advice. I would also suggest going to 10 or 15 yards, drawing, centering your sight, and then close your eyes. Then strictly focus on slowly squeezing the release. If none of this helps, try firing the release with your middle finger. Anything you can do to break that trigger finger-brain habit will improve your shooting.
Call some of the local archery shops and ask if they have an experienced archers that do lessons. I did this about 6 years ago and the the guy actually did a few sessions with me and he fixed my issues. Having someone watch you shoot to identify problems is easier. One of the many things he did was I would pull my bow back and aim from about 3 yards away and he would pull the trigger on the release so you just focused on the anchor and the aim, he wouldn't tell you when he was going to do it either so it was a complete unknown of when that arrow was leaving. I got lucky this guy was freinds with the USA women's archery coach so I felt like I got some good advise.
tdcour
Veteran member
Without knowing your release, the odds are you are shooting a "trigger" release as I like to call them. Make sure the trigger isn't out at the end of your finger as well. Get the release in between the second and third knuckle (the biggest knuckle and the one closest to the tip). This will keep you from jerking on the trigger. Next, learn how to hold the bow with your back muscles rather than your arms and shoulders. Hold the bow and pull it apart while trying to squeeze your shoulder blades together. Lastly, pull through the shot while using your back muscles instead of firing the release with your finger. It definitely takes some practice, but I would definitely take Crimson's advice and do this at extremely close range. I actually did it at about 5 yards. The biggest think is to basically reset your mind. You have to make each shot count with proper form and release to change the habit you have right now. Good luck!
Thanks for the help. I believe I'm shooting the Trufire Hardcore release. It's a trigger release. I try not to shoot long sessions since I can feel my shots suffer if I shoot too long.
back releases are outstanding and have made me a much better shooter, if you know for a fact your arrows are flying true, and bow is tuned then has to be form. those long sessions can be really good for you, shooting will obviously get worse the longer the session but don't let that discourage you. its still helping your muscle memory and eventually that will pay off big.
You have tp and I'd venture to guess your form isn't consistent and your anchor may not be consistent with placement every shot. Same with grip. Those all influence accuracy.
You need to use back tension to fire your release.
This is wrapping your finger around the release, and using your back muscles to slowly "pull" the bow apart. Your hand should slide a little in your release strap, and that should send off the release. Don't squeeze the trigger, just wrap the finger around but so it doesn't fire.
Also watch how your pin floats. You'll never hold it still, watch how it floats over the bullseye, learn how it moves from 0-5 seconds. This way you know when your fatigued and when it's time to just let down and try again.
Also NEVER FIRE WHEN THE SHOT FEELS BAD. Every hunter knows before they release if the shot feels good or bad. If it feels bad or not ordinary DONT EVER SHOOT. This will reinforce TP.
Hope this helps.
You need to use back tension to fire your release.
This is wrapping your finger around the release, and using your back muscles to slowly "pull" the bow apart. Your hand should slide a little in your release strap, and that should send off the release. Don't squeeze the trigger, just wrap the finger around but so it doesn't fire.
Also watch how your pin floats. You'll never hold it still, watch how it floats over the bullseye, learn how it moves from 0-5 seconds. This way you know when your fatigued and when it's time to just let down and try again.
Also NEVER FIRE WHEN THE SHOT FEELS BAD. Every hunter knows before they release if the shot feels good or bad. If it feels bad or not ordinary DONT EVER SHOOT. This will reinforce TP.
Hope this helps.
I think the two biggest things that help me with consistency is making sure my grips the same every time and then making sure I continue to pull on the back wall of the cam all the way through the shot. I really think a consistent grip is overlooked a lot. I had a hard time with it until I stated removing the actually grip on the bow so my hand could just sit directly on the metal riser.
25contender
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
After your bow is tuned and shooting decent you really have to remember one thing. I have to remind myself about this from time to time myself. A bow is a machine and to make that bow shoot the same every time you as the shooter have to do everything exactly the same every time you shoot that bow. This is so important. Even a finally tuned bow will shoot like crap if you don't have a routine to make the shot. Just moving the anchor spot a very little every shot will make the bow shoot different every shot. Everything you do before, during and after the release can and will effect the shot. Somethings effect the shot more than others. Develop your own shot routine.
Brings up a great point, if you creep forward your dl is probably too long also, which can affect accuracy, if the dl is really long. You can probably get away with a little long if your repeating your form, and routine EVERY shot.
Also to add bows DONT CREEP, shooters do.
All these tips are spot on. The only thing that I might add is. Follow through. Keep the sights on the target until after the arrow hits. I had a bad habit of wanting to see where I hit so bad that I would move my bow after the shot but before the arrow cleared the rest. When I did, the group opened way up.
Great advice by all. I really started shooting better when I did a few things different. First, have the same grip each shot. Fine tune your draw by adjusting your release. I Anchor with a nuckle under my ear and into my jaw bone and my nose on the string. I want my trigger finger in front of the trigger and wrapped around it just barely touching. If I get on the target and am ready to shoot, then move my finger, that micromovement will ruin the shot. When I draw, I want my bow sights above the target, I find my anchor, breath slowly, level my bow and lower my bow slowly to the correct pin. I find it is easier for me to lower the bow and hold steady, than to raise the bow and hold steady. Once on the target, I still continue to breath. I read once, that after 7 seconds with not breathing the body will begin to fatigue in the form of small shakes or micro movements. I also use mostly back muscles to hold the bow and to release. Just before release, I think " follow through" and don't try to see the arrow.
I know if you have a Pro watch you shoot, you will pick up some good ideas. A couple more ideas. Shoot longer ranges - ranges where you fear of losing an arrow, this will make you focus and concentrate on good form. Shoot 10 good arrows, only 2 at a time in 5 sessions at 50 to 70 yards. Using good form and working on your technique this will really tighten up your groups at 30 yards and in. Next, don't overshoot. When you get fatigued, that is when bad things can creep into your shooting. When I am training for a shoot or for season I will end my shooting session with this exercise. I move up to 30 or 20 yards, draw the bow and then hold it for 2 minutes at full draw. I concentrate on breathing and using the correct muscles, and at 2 minutes then I start to shake. I then concentrate and settle that pin on the target and make a good shot. I pull out another arrow, draw and hold it for 1/2 as long, then make a good shot, then do a 3rd arrow for 1/2 as long as the second and then shoot a good shot. This will really condition your muscles. Don't start out with 2 minutes unless you shoot alot. Start with what is right for you, and then increase as strength increases. Hitting the gym will help as well. Best of luck.
I know if you have a Pro watch you shoot, you will pick up some good ideas. A couple more ideas. Shoot longer ranges - ranges where you fear of losing an arrow, this will make you focus and concentrate on good form. Shoot 10 good arrows, only 2 at a time in 5 sessions at 50 to 70 yards. Using good form and working on your technique this will really tighten up your groups at 30 yards and in. Next, don't overshoot. When you get fatigued, that is when bad things can creep into your shooting. When I am training for a shoot or for season I will end my shooting session with this exercise. I move up to 30 or 20 yards, draw the bow and then hold it for 2 minutes at full draw. I concentrate on breathing and using the correct muscles, and at 2 minutes then I start to shake. I then concentrate and settle that pin on the target and make a good shot. I pull out another arrow, draw and hold it for 1/2 as long, then make a good shot, then do a 3rd arrow for 1/2 as long as the second and then shoot a good shot. This will really condition your muscles. Don't start out with 2 minutes unless you shoot alot. Start with what is right for you, and then increase as strength increases. Hitting the gym will help as well. Best of luck.