Traditional Archery - What is GAP Shooting

A short video to explain and show you what GAP Shooting is in Archery.
Sorry about the Audio difference, I will correct that on future videos.

[@jstodaro]

Well done!!! .. definitely the best (clearest, easy to understand) 'Intro to GAP shooting' out there, without question!!!

[@MONKLJ]

Very simple, but also very informative, on arrow trajectory using the GAP method of shooting, Thanks that clears it up

[@williammitchell8612]

Thank you for explaining gap shooting with the accompanying illustration that you used. Now I fully understand the principle of gap shooting. Love your videos, many thanks!!!

[@skycaptain4911]

Excellent, clear explanation. Really helped my understanding. Thank you.

[@Soviless99]

ty for talking to me in the only way i can remember stuff!!

[@tomgodzik4721]

Great video. I'm learning a lot from your videos. I have a Black Hunter longbow on the way from China. It's not here yet so I'm watching your videos to put me on the right track. Thanks

[@jtsoutdoorsandmore8136]

great video brother, I'm not much of an instinctive shooter but this video just adds more tools to my tactical tool box . thanks for sharing.

[@dterice8767]

Good information , just started shooting a primitive paddle bow,and when started gap shooting I'm hitting bullseye more often

[@Daylon91]

Shoot instinctively. More beneficial for u

[@timstarks1468]

Thanks Greg....I'm a dedicated Gap shooter....now. Using 25 pound bow to find my anchor point....now finding my finger places for 10...15...25. Feet. Going to buy Samick Sage From John at TWIG ARCHERY

[@NaturalBowWoman]

Thankyou for this simple explanation of what it is. Easy to grasp :-)

[@griiffy2]

Hi, I learned point of aim when I was growing up and used split finger draw and as you stated the gap is huge! So I have changed to a cheek bone anchor, thumb under jaw and feather to the nose and 3 fingers under the knock, a huge difference in target shooting. Most of the kids I am now teaching are bare bow archers and I was teaching point of aim. However, how I will incorporate the gap with the point of aim. I am sure these kids will do well when they get the "Hang of it" I like the alignment of the elbow with the arrow and using the back tension before the release.

[@rosskeeling4982]

I liked this video, but it would have been better if you had made some reference to sight picture.

[@jamesmartin7282]

Great videos! I've been shooting a compound bow for 22 years but I'm thinking about shooting a recurve and I want to learn something about traditional archery first. These videos are a big help.

[@timber4896]

Six years ago.. did you make the switch?

[@unojuno3023]

excellent video

[@timstarks1468]

Using the gap method and aiming Off arrow head...put all of my very first 66 arrows....in a tight 6 inch group. ..my first I now shoot 50 arrows every Am. Every day. Have found my ideal anchor Point.

[@zzlcn]

very useful clips! I love it man,thank you.

[@comesahorseman]

Good, concise explanation. Thanks also for the split-finger vs. three-under grip comparison. :)

[@mr.mischief-9722]

Great Video!!! I found this very useful

[@tonythompson4951]

Great information, thanks !

[@azizizul720]

Very nice explanation...thank you

[@jmstrmp56]

To hit my target with a 22# bow at 50 yards shooting up hill in my yard . I knock the arrow under the knock point on the string and put 3 fingers above the arrow and cante the bow to the side and line the arrow up with the target and use the arrow point and the point on top of the sight window on the riser to set my elevation I imagine horizontal lines at the arrow tip and the point on the top of the riser window . I put rubber bands on the lower lim of my bow the same distance apart as the sight window on the riser so I have 4 additional sight windows , I haven't tried it yet but I bet I can hit at maybe 60 to 80 yards using the marks on the lower lim of my bow with low poundage . I started with compound bow before I went to re curve so instead of gap I use the top of the sight window as a mark or sight pin when shooting in close .

[@sulie8105]

Great video, thanks.....

[@TheRiboka]

I just started shooting for the first time yesterday and all of my arrows were hitting high. This is the first thing i thought of, I managed to hit 4 bullseyes out of about 20 shots on my first try from 18 meters.

[@jameskelson1891]

I think this is a really easy to understand explanation of gap shooting.I also think I am too old to understand the appeal. When I grew up everyone shot split fingers. Well almost everyone shot split fingers. The other choice was Apache style using the thumb and one or two fingers to grip the arrow and string. Part of the appeal of archery was the challenge of instinctive shooting. Many people wanted higher accuracy and the use of sights on simple bows was common. For a while I used a glued on cork with a pin stuck in it. Later I got a simple sight with an aluminum bracket I taped onto the riser. After a while I decided I did not want a sight and would remain with instinctive shooting.Now it seems that 3 under, gap aiming and often string or face walking have become popular. I can certainly understand that accuracy will improve but I still don't get it. Why not just use a sight? I don't see anyone shooting "traditional" with a sight. Instead traditional now means shooting 3under and gaps which were never used in the past.

[@thismightwork4360]

I will use this as textbook 😳👍

[@daleelbert9858]

informational and insightful

[@CharlesSmith-fm4wm]

Thank you very informative

[@garychynne1377]

NOT A BAD VIDEO. THANK YOU GARE

[@beefmelt]

I much appreciate .

[@Sangey_archery]

What would the gap look like at 60 meters?

[@johndevries2570]

As you have said, there is tons of questionable info out there and some of it indicates that my draw length of 27 1/2 inches will result in a large gap plus I draw split finger, which I can of course change.

[@TradArchery101]

I cannot see how draw length can affect your GAP. Unless you figure that draw length and arrow length are related. . I shoot as long of an arrow as possible to help decrease my GAP. My draw length plays no part in it.

[@nedgar6969]

All okay Jumpmaster!

[@jays.2327]

Hi there! First of all, I admire your videos, they've learned me a lot! Now I habe a stupid question: isn't the gap the same, with an anchor of the index finger in the corner of the mouth shooting three under, compared to an anchor of the middlefinger in the corner of the mouth shooting split finger? (Same archer, same bow, same arrow etc.) Just wondering....

[@TradArchery101]

Great Question and I have learned that there is no absolutes in archery. There is a slight difference when done as in you example. Will that make a difference? Yes, but how much of one?

[@jonathonaltmann4493]

Thanks for the video. Just wondering whether you have one on gapping beyond your point on. I've heard some people say you should use the Point of aim method and I've heard some people say you should gap at the bow e.g if I use my shelf as point on, I gain 10m from my point on, problem being my riser starts covering where I'm aiming so I may as well be using point of aim.

[@TradArchery101]

Great question. I still GAP. The trick is to either imagine of find a spot above your target to aim at. I understand for some people this is uncomfortable. But for me, I always used “Kentucky Windsor” when shooting and was an easy transition

[@johndevries2570]

need a slight clarification. Are you placing the arrow head on top of the target?

[@TradArchery101]

Personal choice. It can be on the bottom of the spot or covering it. Those are the two most common.

[@walterbarber6630]

What is the difference between instinctive shooting and gap?

[@TradArchery101]

If you boiling it down to the absolute basics, one is conscious and the other is not.

[@compasshernandez4661]

noob alert: I'm just getting into archery and have yet to get a bow of my own and arrows, so I haven't nailed any sort of consistent anything. Apparently without a known set of values (draw length, weight, arrow specs, etc) at my command I guess I'm screwed, but I still want to understand the basics for when I do. The gap is essentially knowing the arc your arrow will follow, right? Is there a time when an archer does not need to know this? It seems that if gap shooting is a method, any other method that doesn't utilize this particular calculation is destined to be less accurate. Am I somehow missing something?

[@TradArchery101]

You are not missing much. GAP is knowing the difference between point of aim and point of impact for different distances. In other words, knowing your trajectory. String walking is another aiming method. But instead of adjusting where you aim (In SW, your arrow is always on the target), you adjust where you grab the string. Does that make sense?

[@BennyCFD]

You do not need to know draw length, weight, spine weight, tip weight or anything. If you aim exactly bulls eye on all your targets with shot to shot consistency at say 10, 15, 20, 25 yards your arrows will consistently land on the same spot for a given distance. For example. At 10 yards if you're shooting consistently your arrows let say will shoot 8 inches high. To hit a bull eye you need to aim 8 inches lower every time. For different distances as show in the video your gap will change. So Its just a matter of shooting enough at known distances you can figure it out. And archery is 90% shot to shot consistency and good form.

[@EdWard-ht1en]

Most of it is arrows to. I use 4" turkey feathers on all my arrows vs vanes. 400 spline Easton 5mm fmj arrows fly really nice with 100gr points, 78gr inserts and x3 4" turkey feathers. My go to arrow is 400slpline Easton gamegetters with 125gr inserts and 4" turkey feathers but only get good distance with the 55# limbs. Feathers sllow them down alot but adds alot of stability. On the Easton XX75 s I'm trying out shorter feathers and lighter points and inserts on the next batch. Plus they have the special edition camo shafts right now. Who doesn't like camo? I get great accuracy on the xx75s at a distance though with gap shooting outdoors. Get into building your own arrows if you already have access to bows, until you really know what bow you want. I'm using a Southwest archery 35# Spyder XL with fast flight string on a bear weather rest. Also have a Samick sage 62" with 35# and 55# limbs and fast flight string. Bear weather rest are tough and affordable. Plus you can pull off an old one and add a new one easily. I carry two extras when shooting. Maintain consistency on your bow. Find a local pro shop, got x6 Easton storm carbon arrows with 3" feathers and points for around $35.00 and they're a decent arrow. Just don't go too light on the arrow vs bow poundage, look that up before purchasing arrows. 125gr points are great on the storms but I'm still tuning them since 100gr points weren't consistent. Gap shooting will up your game after you find your niche. But between two different bows you can get similar results with the same arrows. Learn tuning the string brace height and arrows and the gap shooting method will make more sense. You'll also become more consistent and not ruin your equipment.

[@kevinsprouse8046]

is gap shooting more accurate than instinctive ?

[@TradArchery101]

That is tough to answer. It really depends on the person. I will say that GAP will help you to become more consistent.

[@graphguy]

I know nothing. I have gun hunted since I was 8. I am now self learning tradition bow and am shooting 3 under instinctively. I shoot a 45# with 26.5 draw length and practice at home at 25 yards. I could not imagine trying to hunt using gap shooting, maybe I’m wrong... but it seems that only instinctively shooting can address all the fast moving aspects and changing aspect of real life hunting. For example a buck bouncing past you at 30 yards... gap ain’t going to cut it.

[@TradArchery101]

Why would it be hard? You simply aim either higher or lower. With firearms in the service it is call a "Lead" or "Kentucky Windage". Not many Trad archer shoot past 20on a hunt and next to none shoot at 30 on a hunt. So, let's use your example, Buck at 30. Well my 47 pound Colt is set up for point on at 30. So in reality it is even easier, I just put the point where I want it to hit. Now if it was 20, my point would be just about on the bottom of the chest. Takes no thinking and when done long enough, it become instinctive. I do not go "Okay it is 25 yards away, that means I must aim 6" low , and six inches from where I want to hit is....". Nope, I just look at the animal and I know the yardage and where to aim automatically. I simply draw, and I know it is right by how it feels, then I release.

[@Kirsty-q7f]

Awesome vid mate but whats a 'jejectory'😂 jk

[@lynes3751]

Im suprised cus my brain always did this instinctively after an hour of archery andbwould try to find the perfect angle

[@Daylon91]

Completely unhistorical but so is sports archery. The draw etc. Then people have the gaul to say something about traditional archery is wrong.

[@richardduvall6512]

Why will no one just put out a simple short video on how to get started in this instead of a long drawn out half video

[@TradArchery101]

Because if we did people would complain that it was too short and we left something out

[@icap8830]

I’ll have to disagree! The arrow does not climb up! you would think it’s climbing but in fact it’s all got to do with the line up of your arrow in a straight position from your eyes 👀 point of you. Now eventually it would decline after 50 yards due to speed and gravity.

[@TradArchery101]

It does climb, because we add an angle to it. Very rarely do we hold a bow flat and level. If we did then what you said would be true.

[@WV591]

So GAP Shooting is 100% opposite of instinctive shooting.

[@TradArchery101]

Yes and no. At first it is. You must know the distance (Hence the term "GAP") from where your arrow points to where you want it to hit. But over time, your mind learns this distance and you no longer have to think about it. GAP, can become instinctive.

[@jessiegarcia8465]

Tra-- jectory not ta--jectory

[@TradArchery101]

7 minute and 33 second video and that was your takeaway ....... oookay then.

[@paulclare6589]

string walking is way better....the push movie will show you.

[@TradArchery101]

Awesome that you think that. Meet the guys from the Push at ETAR, they GAP!