Yes , I'm creeping forward off the wall as I aim . I just put it on the draw board with a scale and it looks like my stops may have been a little long taking me beyond the valley . I'll shoot it tomorrow and see if that helps. Does that sound about right Rav .
Shortening the draw length by adjusting the stops sure won't hurt. But I expect there are bigger issues at work. Maybe these tips will help. If not perhaps we can tackle some things one on one through PM, email or phone call.
Creep usually is one of three things:
#1 - Draw length too long for the shooter
#2 - Shooters stance is closed to the target
#3 - Improper finger position on the trigger
Without proper draw length or stance it is easy to begin forward creep as you start concentrating more on aiming and the release. The key to solving this is back tension and how you achieve it. Using your arm to pull against the stops leaves all kinds of issues like bounce and excessive load. But if your draw length and/or stance is not correct the arm is about the only way you can maintain back tension. Ideally, you want to draw against the stop, maintain tension with your back by trying to touch your shoulder blades together and then while maintaining that even extension aim and pull through the trigger.
Finger position on the trigger is equally important. Two things happen if the trigger is too far forward. First you feel as though you need to reach for the trigger. This collapses the back tension and moves the draw arm forward. It also places the trigger on the most sensitive part of the finger creating anticipation of the shot. As your body anticipates the shot it relaxes and transitions from
holding the bow to
catching the bow. The result is a
Creep & Jerk usually resulting in a low right flyer. Proper trigger position is
in or slightly
behind the middle knuckle. This makes the trigger almost impossible to punch and requires back tension to achieve proper release. If done properly even a wrist caliper release can become a true tension release. You should always be surprised when the release goes off rather than knowing precisely when it is going to go off.
A great practice/training tool is the Carter Attraction release. It can be used as a thumb release or a pull/true tension release. Myself personally, I use it as a true tension release when I start catching myself creeping. After twenty or so days of working on my back tension I will change it to the thumb release for another 10 to 15 days before going back to my normal release. In thumb mode I wrap my thumb completely around the trigger and still use it as a pinky/back tension release. This is also a great method of training when fighting target panic as I do.
NOTE: Any time you begin working on back tension basics it is important to begin with your eyes closed. Then transition to shooting blank bails after a half dozen session or more. Once you feel as though you have a strong control over your creep problems start aiming at a large spot and reduce size every two or three days until you are back to your normal target size.
