Author Topic: Hold, hold, hold..... (Read 1781 times)

Swampman · « **on:** February 12, 2013, 11:46:45 PM »

I notice when watching the Rick Welch videos on youtube he tells his students to hold, hold, hold at full draw. Nearly all the good shooters that I watch do. I know it helps my shooting a lot.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2013, 06:12:37 AM »

Is that rather then releasing the moment after you come to full draw?

Swampman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:30:04 AM »

Correct, some folks say you should release the second your index finger touches the corner of your mouth.

pastorp · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2013, 12:16:58 PM »

That's pretty much the way I was taught to shoot a recurve or longbow. Draw & release in one fluid motion.

when I was 25 years younger I could hold a 75# longbow but not anymore. I can only shoot about 45# now if that, with proper form.

Regards,

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:48:23 PM »

I too limit myself to 45#. I can shoot more but not with good form.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:53:20 PM »

never been able to shoot well
with a recurve holding long.
i do much better snap shooting.
i think different folks have to kind
of find their own path as far as form.
my bud has always shot with the fingers
of his bow hand extended, even after
he cut one nearly to the bone, but he
still does it.

pastorp · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2013, 02:15:15 AM »

I had given up gun hunting and had several custom longbows and a couple custom recurves until about 10 years ago.I was having so much pain in my shoulders that I sold or gave away all my bows & associated gear.
I don't have the pain anymore since I quit archery but I would like to try it again. Just afraid if I do the shoulder pain will return. That's why I stick with smaller caliber rifles. Maybe I could get away with a 40# bow though now. Just don't know how much my shoulders have really healed. I know I can't lift much over chest high and I'm real careful doing even that.

Regards,

cwlongshot · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2013, 02:25:39 AM »

With a stick bow, snap shooting as taught by the greats Howard Hill and Fred Bear are what I have always done as well.

''holding'' is a compound trait when using sights. Not useful at all with no sites and instinctive shooting... its like ''second guessing yourself'' seldom fruit full...

I use to shoot archery all the time even compeating and doing quite well. But a vehicle accident in 2003 left me with a cracked vertabre and the inability to shoot bows any longer... in the years since I have been able to take it up, but cannot shoot more than 8-10 shots from my compounds before discomfort. BUT my 30 & 45# recurves seem to be less damaging. I am able to shoot a couple doz arrows before having to quit.

CW

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:55:33 AM »

Howard Hill actually seems to hold for a split second. Fred was a snap shooter and said he hoped nobody would copy his form.

Here's one of the videos I was taliking about. Listen to Rick (probably the best shot in the world) say hold, hold, hold.

sharps4590 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2013, 02:19:16 PM »

I can't snap shoot worth spit and never did like it...I don't like to hold long either but for me there must be a hesitation at full draw. Not second guessing, kinda like a very quick instinctive, unconscious check of form and sight picture, a mental relaxation. Then as smooth a release as I can perform. Sometimes I even hit what I'm shooting at!

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2013, 02:41:17 PM »

Fred Bear recommended releasing at full draw to keep from shaking keeping your eyes on the target. I shoot better that way. I can't hold it long. My son was trying to hold and missing bad. Told him the Fred Bear style, he tried it and next day he was hitting inside a 2" circle everytime. To each his own.

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2013, 03:09:03 PM »

Sounds like you need lighter bows. Here's the interview where Fred says he hopes nobody trys to shoot like him.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2013, 03:20:58 PM »

Pastorp - Like you, I gave it up to to shoulder pain. I'd already dropped to 45lbs, but can't even shoot that much now. Gave all my stuff to a young man I know. Now, I'm itching to try again. I'd like to have a longbow that pulls 38-40lbs. That would limit my deer shots to real short distance, but I sure miss being in the woods with a longbow.
Concerning holding at full draw, I could never do it. I hold about 2 seconds, long enough for me to know I've accomplished concentrating on the spot.

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2013, 03:41:34 PM »

Two seconds is all we are talking about.

lakota · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2013, 07:27:14 AM »

I hold a second or two at full draw as well. Some of the shooters in that video look like they have their elbows too high to me. I always get a numb and tingly ring finger in my string hand if I dont keep a level elbow on the string arm at draw,

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2013, 12:29:06 PM »

I've been working at holding and it's made a huge improvement in my accuracy. 6" five shot groups at 27 yards.....that's good for me.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:16:27 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on February 27, 2013, 12:29:06 PM

I've been working at holding and it's made a huge improvement in my accuracy. 6" groups at 27 yards.....that's good for me.

Bare bow Swamp? VERY good I would say!!

CW

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:28:12 PM »

And a longbow at that. I try to shoot 30-40 shots a day. I start at 12 yards, then 15, then 20, then 27 which is as far as I can go without opening the gate into the front yard. I rarely shoot from the front yard but I can shoot 35 if I open the gate.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2013, 02:15:35 PM »

that's what practice will do for you.
most folks nowdays aren't devoted
enough to put in their time to practice
with their archery tackle or firearms
to get to where they can make the
proper shot.
s-man is to be admired for putting in his time.

dougk · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2013, 04:39:55 AM »

I found with my 45lb recurve I hold the shot longer. When I shoot the 55lb and 59 lb recurves I do not not hold log at all.

After seeing the video that Swampman posted on the second anchor point I feel more confident in shooting the heavier bows with a short hold.

Spanky · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2013, 10:46:43 AM »

I hold for a second before releasing the arrow. I've got a 65# longbow and a few 40-45# recurves and I definitely shoot the lighter bows better. The 65# is really too heavy for me to shoot well.

Spanky