So I started in January alongside my son (8); got a Hoyt Ignite and a wrist release, got him a Ruckus.
Things went well - we progressed, I moved onto a proper sight, went backwards. Got used to the sight, progressed.
Went outdoors, my aluminium arrows wouldn't reach 60 yards, got a set of ACGs - 80 yards was now okay.
Upgraded my bow to an Origin and increased the poundage to 55 (from 50 on the Hoyt) - all fine and groups were fairly decent. Shot in the pouring rain, scored okay but trashed three arrows and the wrist release appeared to stretch - my anchor point was suddenly behind my head. Shot my first tournament, a hell of a slog and found the non anchor point a real PITA but did okayish (but last in my group!!), felt a bit despondent, decided I needed a shorter, solid release. Tried a really decent wrist release and a hinge thanks to two very helpful members here - the wrist release was much better than mine but I wanted a shorter distance to the d-loop. Had a good go with the hinge and ended up really nervous - literally shaking with worry on each draw. Sort of started to get the hang of it but lost two ACG arrows (found one though).
Bought a Carter Plain 1 thumb release as I wanted the security of a "closed" hook and a full finger loop - initially tried to shoot it like a back tension release and got nice results - 5 yellows and a red (very near the yellow) at 80 yards but accidentally hit the trigger twice and lost two more ACGs...Decided to try it as a normal trigger release and was okay in the garden (20 yards) then shot last night more to get sight marks in.
TOTAL disaster - I was completely all over the place, missing the target at 50m (usually I'd get all/mostly yellows), lost FOUR ACGs but but found two thanks to the great guys at our club. At one point the release didn't seem to work at all and by the time it did, I have no idea where the arrow went (it was down the range though - not dangerous!). I actually just stopped shooting and packed up and watched my son - I have lost about 5 ACGs now, ?25 each, all since changing from wrist to hand held release; I can't actually afford to lose any more.
So... I was borderline going to throw in the towel last night. I've spent a FORTUNE on kit (I'd say around ?2k since January) but seem to be chasing my tail. I improve (and enjoy it) then go backwards. It's now costing me a lot. My coach is adamant that the hand held release is the way forward but I'm starting to wonder.
Has anyone got any suggestions? Clearly I'm not using the release right and it appears to go off almost randomly (I didn't plan on a "surprise" release device but this seems to be one). I've also found myself in the slightly odd position of being a bit "nervous" of my bow.
So hang in there, practise to death in the garden at very short ranges, give up on the release and go back to wrist or just cry a bit?
On the upside my son shot really well. As he gets better I seem to get worse.
Things went well - we progressed, I moved onto a proper sight, went backwards. Got used to the sight, progressed.
Went outdoors, my aluminium arrows wouldn't reach 60 yards, got a set of ACGs - 80 yards was now okay.
Upgraded my bow to an Origin and increased the poundage to 55 (from 50 on the Hoyt) - all fine and groups were fairly decent. Shot in the pouring rain, scored okay but trashed three arrows and the wrist release appeared to stretch - my anchor point was suddenly behind my head. Shot my first tournament, a hell of a slog and found the non anchor point a real PITA but did okayish (but last in my group!!), felt a bit despondent, decided I needed a shorter, solid release. Tried a really decent wrist release and a hinge thanks to two very helpful members here - the wrist release was much better than mine but I wanted a shorter distance to the d-loop. Had a good go with the hinge and ended up really nervous - literally shaking with worry on each draw. Sort of started to get the hang of it but lost two ACG arrows (found one though).
Bought a Carter Plain 1 thumb release as I wanted the security of a "closed" hook and a full finger loop - initially tried to shoot it like a back tension release and got nice results - 5 yellows and a red (very near the yellow) at 80 yards but accidentally hit the trigger twice and lost two more ACGs...Decided to try it as a normal trigger release and was okay in the garden (20 yards) then shot last night more to get sight marks in.
TOTAL disaster - I was completely all over the place, missing the target at 50m (usually I'd get all/mostly yellows), lost FOUR ACGs but but found two thanks to the great guys at our club. At one point the release didn't seem to work at all and by the time it did, I have no idea where the arrow went (it was down the range though - not dangerous!). I actually just stopped shooting and packed up and watched my son - I have lost about 5 ACGs now, ?25 each, all since changing from wrist to hand held release; I can't actually afford to lose any more.
So... I was borderline going to throw in the towel last night. I've spent a FORTUNE on kit (I'd say around ?2k since January) but seem to be chasing my tail. I improve (and enjoy it) then go backwards. It's now costing me a lot. My coach is adamant that the hand held release is the way forward but I'm starting to wonder.
Has anyone got any suggestions? Clearly I'm not using the release right and it appears to go off almost randomly (I didn't plan on a "surprise" release device but this seems to be one). I've also found myself in the slightly odd position of being a bit "nervous" of my bow.
So hang in there, practise to death in the garden at very short ranges, give up on the release and go back to wrist or just cry a bit?
On the upside my son shot really well. As he gets better I seem to get worse.