I've been reading on here about target panic, snap shooting, etc. etc. I've been trying to figure out why someone has to hold at full draw for more than a second. It's like lining up a shot with a rifle and saying I had him in the crosshairs for three seconds before I pulled the trigger. I can understand shooting long distances taking more time lining up a shot but how long does it take to line up a 20 yard shot.

I'm not a target archer but can tell you when I'm shooting at hunting distances when I hit full draw I'm on target. I really can't see any reason for holding at full draw. You can call me a snap shooter or tell me I have target panic but I'm telling you that's horse pucky.

Hunting pigs usually does not give you that option, look, draw to anchor, swing and release. All in the blink of an eye.

I guess it all depends on what works for you personally. But I do know that without exception every barebow archer I've worked with has benefited from slowing down and not shooting as soon as they hit anchor. As a matter of fact, right now it's the #1 thing all three of the JOAD kids I privately coach are working on...slowing down. When they slow down they shoot great. When they don't, not so much.

There was another thread recently asking people if they can keep something like six arrows in a row inside an 8" paper plate at 15 yards. If that's someone's goal in accuracy, then a lot of fundamentals really don't matter. I mean, we can snap shoot with floating anchors, variable draw lengths, inconsistent cant, and probably mismatched arrows and still do that. The more someone expects from their accuracy the more the details matter.

I agree and I am like you but holding at anchor works well for people too. Different strokes for different folks.

""The more someone expects from their accuracy the more the details matter.""

Yep. Maybe you're happy with what you do, and you really needn't be concerned with what others do I suppose. Learning fundamental form is a good thing, and as mentioned above, some folks idea of accuracy is just different than someone else's.

Most people short draw and use snap shooting as an excuse.

The internet age has caused the youngsters to over think just about everything. Us old folks have lost enough brain cells under thinking is a survival technique. I shoot both right and left handed and have some sort of glitch shooting right handed. Simple solution. Shoot left handed.

DDave

I snap shoot because I can.

If someone wants to hold at full draw for 10 seconds, I couldn't care less. Just don't try to tell me I'm not doing it 'correctly'.

Sometimes I hold a bit longer at full draw just to maintain “more than enough” strength to be certain that I’ll hit my desired anchor EVERY SINGLE TIME and that I’ll be able to launch my arrow from a solid platform. Not a whole lotta good shooting happens when there's a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on....

So yeah, I often make it a point to settle deeply into my anchor while I verify that I’m lined up properly and expanding into the shot.

I also routinely practice touch-and-go, because In a hunting situation you don’t always have a lot of time to worry about target-grade accuracy and I like to know that I can shoot quickly and decisively and still make a very solid hit. And sometimes I just grip it and rip it, because I cannot for the life of me hit a moving target if I’m thinking about anything but that spot that I want to hear it. Are you.

For some of us, it's not that we "HAVE to hold at full draw for more than a second", it's because we can and want to. I normally plant anchor for a second, then it's gone, but often vary the timing of my shot sequence and hold longer at full draw, or hold then let down. It helps with control, strength, and is good practice for some situations that may be encountered while hunting.

For the record I don't shoot fast or snap shoot, I take my time to get to full draw, I settle in and release. Holding a extra second or two wouldn't change my shot. If I miss it usually is more of a concentration problem than a form problem. I can't speak for target Archers but I sure like to watch them shoot long distances. I can understand taking more time for their shot. I'm just saying if you watch some of the great shots in the past they do not hold at full draw for very long.

Guys -

1. A full second is a lot longer than you think.

2. 99.9% of the guys who believe that holding for longer than (what they consider) a second at anchor isn't necessary, rarely reach anchor. Just watch 'em.

Viper out.

What are you comparing it to? All compounders think we Traditional shooters all snap shoot compared to them, if they are watching us. I hold long enough for my bow arm to settle and everything to line up. To some I shoot fast to others I shoot slow. My perception is I hold long enough. DANNY

Are you hitting what you're shooting at consistently? Is what you do repeatable? Are you having fun? Inquiring minds want to know. ) I've shot running rabbits without knowing where I pulled to, and I've shot a 4 for 20 at 60 yards a couple times by holding a second or two. If you are consistent in hitting what you want to hit most of the time, I'm happy for you...no matter what it looks like.

George,

I've shot 19 on every station, 20 on about half of them, but never shot 20 at 60. I thought myself out of it once when I got too lazy to glass the target, assumed I was hitting a touch left, and aimed #4 a hair right. First three were in; 4th was out to the right, exactly where I aimed it.

I got real close to a 20 once on the 80 walk-up. Pooched it on the first arrow though. :)

If you have something that's working for you why would you wonder these things all you are doing is putting more junk in your head!

Ever here this phrase a bowyer had to keep it simple stupid.

There's a lot to be said about that.

Keep it direct and to the point get my drift.

All this BS you guys get involved in is like listening to the news!

Ronnie,

"All joking aside I don't know anything about 4 for 20 at 60 and such. Greek to me."

George was referring to a perfect end in NFAA field archery, all four arrows in the center 5 ring for a total of 20 points. With respect to George's comment about shooting 4 for 20 at 60 yards, that means stacking all four arrows in bullseye that's 13cm, or about 5 1/8". That's no easy task.

Think I'm gonna take up golf.

This trad stuff is just too demanding anymore.

Everyone is always telling everyone how to shoot.

I agree with Viper.

I agree with Viper.

"99.9% of the guys who believe that holding for longer than (what they consider) a second at anchor isn't necessary, rarely reach anchor."

Really?

I hold for at least a second but it may be longer if needed for some reason If am not ready for the shot. I may even have to let down and start over. I like shooting lighter poundage bows especially for hunting when a long hold may be needed.

When I hit my anchor everything is already lined up and it's gone! Olympic bow with sights...whole different ball game!

I have my wife time it many times just to see, I hold between .5 to 2 whole seconds no more. and I draw a slow smooth draw, it's easier on everything instead of just yanking the string back. Plus I am steadier and more solid when I release.

Slowing down on the release is helping me feel whether I'm at full draw or not ,

On a moving target you kinda need to send it. Stationary, what's the rush?

My way or the highway thread.

Awesome, Craig.

We could pack our bows along too incase we see any groundhogs digging holes in the fairway:)

Just keep shooting OP!!

I've always hold at least 5 seconds or more on my target that's the way I always done it

A quick shot hunting most times will work but for targets like paper or 3D you need that time to settle in. A quick shot on target sometimes will get you a 5. To each their own.

I'm afraid some took this as a how to shoot thread. What I wanted to know is why hold at full draw for so long. When you reach full draw do you than adjust your aim to the target and than hold. I'm trying to understand why after your on target at full draw why you would hold any longer. I'm trying to figure out how holding longer would improve accuracy. I was just wondering why. Seems some folks on here are a little touchy.lol. pS. I don't care if you shoot standind on you head.

Will -

I've said a lot of times and didn't think it has to be repeated. "You hold AT ANCHOR" as long as it takes. But you have to know what it takes.

There are two problems with your statement about reaching full draw and adjusting your aim.

First, a lot of people never reach "full draw", again just watch them. Second, "aiming" is the last thing you have to worry about at anchor (literally). Unless you're only shooting at very close range, getting the "solid anchor", making sure you're in alignment and holding tension THROUGH the shot have to be established BEFORE you finalize your aim. Without that, it's kinda like shooting a super accurate rifle with loose sights.

Sure, some people can do the process faster than others, but more often, the "fast" guys only think they can.

Viper out.

Thanks Viper, that makes sense. That's the part I was having trouble understanding why at full draw, bow arm locked , cocked at full draw and on target why anyone would hold longer.

Having the control to be on target or the kill spot is a very handy skill. Shooting off the sight picture only can get you in trouble.

I always felt full draw was full draw. Holding time becomes variable depending on personal preference, and events. No two shooters do everything exactly the same.

Will Tell to answer your original question, for shots 30 yards and under, I will reach full anchor and when it feels right I release (I would guess in a second or less). If I'm shooting past 30 yards and need to start gapping I will hold a little longer at full draw to make sure I'm lined up before I release (this time varies depending on how far I'm trying to shoot, 80 yards is a poke for me on the target range). This is the only reason for me personally to hold longer once I reach anchor before I release and it does benefit me on longer shots.

Supernaut describes the shooting typical of many excellent archers I have known over the last 55 years.

It works for me and that all that matters to me. I would hardly call myself an "excellent archer" but I have fun and like to hit what I'm trying to hit.

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