How do you align your sight and aim?

It's a subconscious thing. But they make a huge difference.

I recently asked this questions, 

Do you align the sight and target by 

- Looking at the sight pin then putting it on the target or 

- Looking at the target, then putting the sight pin into it

Do you aim by 

- Keep red dot in the middle of the target or

- Align circumference of the sight forming around the target ring"

These are subconscious routines we build since we start shooting, and we barely revisit them. 2 vastly different methods, also with vastly different results.

It is normal for new archers to use the first method to both questions. It is just normal, and it just happens. No one actually teaches us how to align and aim when we go for one of those fun shoots.

Personally, I use the 2nd option for both questions. Here are the reasons for it. 

Take note that these varies according to shooting style and are ultimately personal preferences to help you shoot better. So try them for a month and see which works better!

Alignment: 

When you keep your eye on the target and put the sight pin into it, you keep your focus on the target.

Compared to when your eye follows the sight into the target. This makes it more difficult to align as your vision moves along with your sight pin.

With the focus on the target, you can use peripheral vision to check where the sight pin is and adjust your aiming as required. Essentially, you minimize movement and transition time from setting up to aim.

To note, some archers keep their sight pin at the black / blue rings at 12 oclock while drawing. This reduces unnecessary movements even more, and reduces the time needed to aim and expand

Aiming:

I used to aim with the middle dot. I got a fiber optic sight pin just for this purpose. But after 2 years, I realised that doing this will make me want to have the "perfect aim" before releasing the arrow. Resulting in taking too long to expand and click, or not wanting to expand because it will not be a perfect shot. There was so much focus on aiming that I forget about engaging the good muscles while shooting. (This, if too severe drastic, may lead to clicker or target panic.) This subconsciously stuck with me for 2 years. Even now, I have to remind myself to focus on me shooting, not the target. 

So how do I aim? I get the pin into the target, then try to have a nice "sight picture", seeing that the yellow mostly fills the sight. In essence, see if the colours on the target make a nice circle. Then I tell myself.. "Easy and relaxed expansion and release"

There will never be a perfect aim, and I have accepted this fact. Have you?

I found that the Spigarelli Berti Light sight pin helps me greatly in achieving this. (Not a sponsored post, but some factors for you to consider). The circumference of the shibuya round sight pin is too thin for my liking and I found it difficult to tell where the pin is on the target. The Berti Light on the other hand, is square, with an opaque side facing me. 

- This helps me to see the sight ring better and identify if I my aim is off 

- The cross hairs are so fine that they can barely be seen while aiming, giving me a very nice sight picture.

- The straight vertical side helps me get a good gauge of my string alignment with reference to the sight pin

- The center dot is luminous red, which is really bright. (not the most important), but it helps me get a rough sensing of how 'centre' I am. Though I am still aiming with the sight picture.

I am an advocate for "rough aiming" so that we can bring the focus back to us. 

Execute good shots, not perfect aim