Freeze refers to the act of holding the bow and arrow steady and motionless for a brief period just before releasing the arrow. This technique is crucial for shooting accurately in archery and is also known as anchoring.
To freeze effectively, an archer must follow these steps:
The first step in freezing is to achieve the anchor point. This is the point at which the archer draws the bowstring back to their face, typically just below their chin or at the corner of their mouth. The anchor point is critical because it ensures that the archer is holding the bowstring back with consistent pressure and that their posture is correct.
Once the archer has achieved their anchor point, they will hold the bow and arrow steady and motionless for a brief moment, typically a few seconds. During this time, the archer should focus on maintaining their posture, keeping their grip on the bow firm, and holding the bowstring back with consistent pressure.
It is important to note that the archer should avoid tensing up or holding their breath during this time, as this can cause unnecessary movement or shaking. Instead, the archer should maintain a relaxed but firm grip on the bow and breathe naturally.
While holding steady, the archer should focus their attention on the target. This means keeping their eyes fixed on the target and ensuring that their sight picture is steady and aligned correctly.
If the archer needs to make any adjustments to their aim, such as moving the sight pin slightly, they should do so at this time to ensure that their shot will hit the target accurately.
Once the archer is confident that their aim is steady and accurate, they will release the arrow with a smooth and consistent motion, maintaining their focus on the target throughout the shot. It is essential to release the arrow with a consistent motion and avoid any unnecessary movements that may cause the arrow to veer off course.
Here are the reasons why freezing is so important:
Freezing helps ensure that an archer's aim and posture are consistent throughout the shot. When an archer freezes, they are holding the bow and arrow steady, ensuring that their aim is not affected by any unnecessary movements or shaking. This results in a more consistent shot, which is essential for hitting the target accurately.
Freezing is essential for improving accuracy in archery. By holding the bow and arrow steady and focusing on the target, an archer can ensure that their aim is accurate and that they are aligned correctly. This results in a higher likelihood of hitting the target and can help an archer improve their overall accuracy over time.
Freezing can also help control nerves and anxiety during a shot. When an archer is nervous or anxious, they may be more likely to make sudden movements or lose focus, which can result in an inaccurate shot. By holding the bow and arrow steady and focusing on the target, an archer can maintain their concentration and control their nerves, resulting in a more accurate shot.
Freezing can also increase an archer's confidence in their shot. By holding the bow and arrow steady and focusing on the target, an archer can feel more in control of their shot and more confident in their ability to hit the target. This can result in a positive feedback loop, where increased confidence leads to improved accuracy, which in turn leads to increased confidence.
Finally, freezing can help an archer improve their form and technique. By holding the bow and arrow steady and focusing on the target, an archer can ensure that they are using proper form and technique throughout the shot. This can help an archer develop muscle memory for proper form and technique, resulting in more consistent and accurate shots over time.