THE TRIGGERED RELEASE – AN ANALYSIS

Archery involves a complex series of actions culminating in the RELEASE. The release can only be affected in one way, i.e. the relaxation of the muscle group controlling the fingers. For consistent shooting at a high level this action must be automatic, i.e. without conscious thought. The mechanism for affecting this lies in the cerebellum. In ‘Non-Clicker’ shooting the stimuli for bringing about the release are:-

Visual – the sight is correctly located

Kinesthetic – it feels right.

Each is continually varying. No one can hold the ‘PIN’ on the centre of the ten ring nor is it possible to maintain absolute constant muscle tension. The result is that the cerebellum is in receipt of continually varying signals. The release, hopefully, arises when these simultaneously attain an optimum level. In simple terms, the archer co-ordinates his convulsions, lets go, offers up a prayer and grabs for his binoculars.

By contrast, the ‘Clicker’ provides a discrete, unambiguous signal. Relieved of its owners devious visual and muscular machinations, the cerebellum welcomes the signal and sends out appropriate instructions. With the shift of attention from the visual to the auditory, the hitherto ‘target-shy’ archer is thus enabled to aim freely and concentrates his efforts o increasing shoulder (we hope!) pressure in order to activate the clicker and thus trigger the shot.

In much the same way that vaccination virtually eliminated smallpox, so the clicker all but banished target-shyness. The majority of modern archers use the device simply because it has become standard practice and appears necessary to the achievement of higher scores. Unfortunately, far too many use it without a cleqr understanding of its function and as a result run into all kinds of trouble.

MOUNTING A CLICKER

Assuming a constant physical setup on the part of the archer, there is clearly an optimum draw length for which the clicker must be set. This can only be found by trial and error, with the help of a friend is the best way to reduce the error aspect. Blind drawing to a ‘position of comfort’ is the best way, with the friend noting the position of the pile in relation to some reference mark on the bow. If the variation is fairly wide, it is best to settle for a position near to the greatest draw length rather than some average value. There are more problems associated with under drawing than with the reverse.

When the draw length has been determined the clicker should be mounted, bearing in mind two often neglected considerations:-

Let us now summarise the virtues of the clicker:

The Elimination of target shyness.

Since most archers start to use the clicker before becoming afflicted with that dreaded condition, it is less relevant now than it used to be.

Constant draw Length

A minor point – there are other equally effective methods. Most archers who claim to use a clicker purely as a draw check are kidding only themselves.

The prevention of ‘CREEPING’

Provided that the increases in of draw length necessary to activate the clicker is brought about by shoulder pressure, we have the prime factor in the elevation of shooting standards, attributable to the clicker.

On the debit side we have:-

The development of a ‘clicker only’ reflex.

In other words, the archer shoots on the ‘click’ regardless of the visual and muscular states.

Unwanted tensions

These arise during the course of desperate attempts to ‘come throught the clicker’ usually in the face of a rapidly collapsing bow arm and shoulder (the self extending arrow syndrome)

The problem of Wind Shooting

Keeping the above in mind, let us now move on to the proper mounting and use of the clicker.