What is gap shooting in archery?
Gap shooting is an aiming method that uses the visible space between your arrow point and the spot you want to hit. You keep your anchor and string grip consistent, then place the point a learned distance below or above that spot. Each shooting distance has its own sight picture.
What is point-on distance?
Your point-on distance is where placing the arrow point directly on the mark sends the group into that mark. It belongs to a particular bow, arrow, and anchor combination. Changing arrow length or raising your anchor point can change that distance.
At many distances inside point-on, you hold the point below the intended impact. Beyond point-on, you generally need to hold it above. Very close distances can behave differently because your eye and arrow start at different heights. Measure the result on a safe target instead of assuming a universal gap chart.
How do you measure a gap?
Use a large target butt with a visible aiming mark. Start close enough that your test arrows will stay in the target. Keep the same arrows, anchor, and string grip throughout the test. You need a group that represents your normal shooting, rather than one unusually good arrow.
- Hold the arrow point on the mark and shoot a small group. If you cannot safely predict where the arrows will land, have a coach help with the first test.
- Measure the vertical distance between the mark and the center of the group. A group above the mark indicates that you need a lower point hold to bring it down.
- Test that lower aiming position. Record the corrected hold and shooting distance, then confirm them with another group.
If your group lands 8 inches [20 cm] above the mark, begin by holding the point about that far below the desired hit. Check the new group before writing 8 inches into your notes; estimating the gap at full draw can take a few attempts.
Why do gaps change with distance?
The arrow follows a curved flight path while your aiming reference is a straight line of sight. The gap can grow across the nearer distances and then shrink toward zero at point-on. It does not necessarily become smaller every time you step backward.
A gap measured in inches on the target is different from an apparent gap beside the arrow point in your sight picture. Choose one way of recording it. Notes that say only "small gap" are hard to reproduce after a few weeks away from the range.
What makes a gap chart unreliable?
Changing your head position, draw length, or bow tilt changes the reference you see. A loose anchor can make a known gap look wrong. Check those details before adjusting the aiming point after every arrow.
Use group centers to judge changes. If you also move your fingers down the string, you are adding string walking, which needs its own recorded settings. Keep the aiming method consistent while building your first distance chart.
Questions
Is gap shooting the same as instinctive shooting?
Gap shooting uses a deliberate arrow-point reference. In instinctive shooting, you focus on the intended hit and use a learned sense of direction without consciously setting a measured gap. Some archers blend the two. What matters for practice is knowing which reference you used when you compare groups or change distance.
Can you gap shoot with three fingers under the arrow?
Yes. Three-under places all drawing fingers below the arrow; split-finger puts the index finger above it and the next two below. Either can work if your competition division allows it. The two grips can produce different sight pictures. Build your gap chart with the grip you intend to keep instead of transferring measurements from a different technique.
Should you change arrows to make the gap smaller?
First confirm that the gap is repeatable with your current arrows. Arrow length and flight characteristics affect the sight picture, but equipment changes also affect tuning and point-on distance. Keep arrows safely long enough for your full draw and correctly matched to the bow. Recheck every distance after changing the setup.