I have been having trouble aiming and hitting my targets. I was left then right then up, down all over the place. Didn't matter if I was at 10 yards 20, 30. No consistency what-so ever. Then it hit me today, I wasn't aiming at all! I have been so wrapped up in my form that I forgot i have to aim the darn thing. I have the DVD Hitting em' like Howard Hill and following John Shultz form. I have it down very well but was frustrated that I was not hitting my target.
I started to use the indirect aiming method and there it was! Not there just yet but I went from a hay bale full of arrows to a foam plate from 20 yards in less than an hour! Consistency is an awesome thing!

Anybody else have a story like that, lets hear it.

Joshua

And the indirect aiming method is???

Knowing where the point of the arrow is in relation to the target. Not really "thinking" about it. I guess that what it is. Its hard to really describe how how i do it. Hope that helps.

Joshua

It's like throwing a base ball if you look at the point and focus on that point you naturally adjust (mind and body) and it will hit that mark.And it is the way I shoot(Check out my avatar it works)Instinctively.  

WHat IPCjon said!

Joshua   :cool:

Howard Hill used indirect aiming and describes it in one of his books.  So does Byron Ferguson and a lot of other good shots.

Throwing a baseball has no reference point like your arm, bow and arrow sticking out there.  It is also way more dynamic.  At my best I could never have thrown a baseball with the accuracy needed for bow hunting.  It is more like shooting a shotgun for me.  The whole barrel is out there but I don't try to line it all up to aim unless it was a turkey.  No time on fast moving objects to try and align everything.  It is more of semi conscious aiming where my whole focuses is on the target, but the reference is right there in my vision.  I have never looked it up, but I think semi conscious aiming with the arrow is called split vision.  Someone can correct me on that.  If you are consciously aiming with the arrow then it is more gap shooting I think.

That is what i do xtrema. I dont focus on the arrow as much as i focus on the target, the smallest part of the target. I try to look for the atom! hehe. Bore a hole through it as Howard Hill said. I just kind of notice the arrow out there in space.

Is it just me or do most of us have a hard time explaining how we shoot? Maybe its just me. LOL

Joshua

for me it is exactly like throwing a baseball, when i was learning to do that if i over thought it i would launch the ball into center field everytime (i was a catcher) but coach/dad would say "get out of your own head and let it fly" so muscle memory will take over and I would be able to hit a batting helmet on the bag no problem, smae thing when i shoot if i think about it you can count that arrow as lost but if i just relax and let it fly it works much better for me, im still new so Im still working on muscle memory etc. but I know when i release a good one

For me, it is a blend of instinctive and gap shooting.  I am conciously aware of the arrow but it's  definately not the focus.  The greater the distance, the more the arrow reference factors in.  If the target close and I need to shoot fast, like when a pheasant busts out of the brush at 8 yards, I can't recall the arrow at all.  I think it is a very effective style of shooting.

I don't know why so many are against using the arrow for reference.  When I have introduced people into trad, split vision is what I try to teach.  It just seems like a new shooter will put the tip of the arrow on the target and over shoot.  If they learn the general area of where the tip should be, I think it gives them a big head start.  If someone draws and holds at anchor, I don't know how they can ignore the arrow's tip or why they wouldn't use it to their advantage.  

The arrow's tip, however, never should be the focus.  Even with a rifle and open sights, you shouldn't focus on the sights.  Always focus on the hair you want to hit.

Congratulations on making big strides in your accuracy.

The best analogy ive ever heard came from Rick Welch. He said, "when I drive down the road, I can see the hood of my truck, but my focus is on the road in front of me". Don

Where's the mechanical advantage in your hand when your throwing a baseball?

Yeah,,gap shooting has always worked well.

Well Said Batman!!

Just shoot it!!! Instinctive