target panic
05-02-2005, 08:09 AM
#21
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
RE: target panic
I seem to punch the trigger, but that's because my head tells me to. When I get my bow pulled back sometimes I want to shoot and not even know that it's going to hit the target[&:]. As soon as my pin hits the target where ever that may be I shoot, there for groupings, well there are none[&o]. In my head I try telling myself relax, aim , squeeze don't punch and then this other part of my head is saying NOW NOW NOW[>:]. It is so frustrating and I know it's in my head but getting it under control seems to be difficult[&:].
05-02-2005, 08:17 AM
#22
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: masontown pa USA
Posts: 851
RE: target panic
I believe target is an issue that developes when people think they have to hold the sight in perfectly still on a target, and nail the trigger when that happens. When it doesn't happen, they start to do something else to correct it - they draw the bow, pointing the bow above/below the target and coming down/up on to the target, when the pin gets to the destination, they hammer the trigger, scattering arrows all over the place. Then what follows is the panic, they draw, and somehow they can't move the bow to the target, in desperation, they throw the bow to the target, and again, hammer the trigger. It all starts from the first time you shot a bow, if you weren't taught to squeeze the trigger, and let the pin float around the bullseye, and FOCUS ON THE BULLSEYE, your probably gonna punch the release, because you didn't learn any other way. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to follow the pin with their eyes. Pick your spot, focus and concentrate on it, let the pin hover around it, and squeeze the release, just like a rifle trigger.
Learning to shoot a back tension is really the only way to experience a perfect archery shot in my opinion. Some people can do it with a trigger, but not many, and not for a long period of time. Look at what the pros shoot, BT releases up and down the board. Those who do shoot the trigger exclusively, probably do quite a bit of shooting with a BT release also. The solution to me is to learn the BT release, shoot it all year round, and a month or so before hunting, sight in with your trigger release, and practice with it just to develope the anchor points and so on. It doesn't need to be a major part of your practicing. After learning the BT release, a trigger will be cake, but don't get to confident, the punches can take over with no warning at all. A back tension release, when learned properly, can make archery 1000 times more enjoyable than you've ever known.
Learning to shoot a back tension is really the only way to experience a perfect archery shot in my opinion. Some people can do it with a trigger, but not many, and not for a long period of time. Look at what the pros shoot, BT releases up and down the board. Those who do shoot the trigger exclusively, probably do quite a bit of shooting with a BT release also. The solution to me is to learn the BT release, shoot it all year round, and a month or so before hunting, sight in with your trigger release, and practice with it just to develope the anchor points and so on. It doesn't need to be a major part of your practicing. After learning the BT release, a trigger will be cake, but don't get to confident, the punches can take over with no warning at all. A back tension release, when learned properly, can make archery 1000 times more enjoyable than you've ever known.
05-02-2005, 11:24 AM
#23
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: target panic
In that case, SoILGirl, I think the best thing for you to do is start over from scratch. Just you and a target butt with no aim spot. Shorten your release so that the trigger is setting back in your finger's second joint. Having it out there on the fingertip is common, but I feel it's a common mistake. The fingertip is too sensitive and too easy to move. Having it in the second joint, it's a lot harder to punch the trigger.
Then, think of your finger as a simple hook. Once you hook it over the trigger, it doesn't squeeze the trigger. In fact, it doesn't move at all. The feel you want to establish is like you're at full draw with someone pushing forward lightly on your elbow. Instead of pulling on the trigger, you want to push that hand back with your elbow. You might want to get someone to help you understand the feel. Get your imaginary bow and draw it to your normal anchor. Have someone put their hand against the point of your elbow and then you try to push it back. The elbow won't move more than an inch or so, but you'll feel your shoulder rotate back and the muscles of your upper back contracting. That is the 'back tension' everyone talks about.
Your entire forearm, wrist and hand will move back with the elbow and, since the finger is attatched to all those parts, it will move back as well, pulling right through the trigger. I know it's hard to understand how that can happen, but it will. Grab your wrist with your opposite hand like it's your release strap, then pull back with your string hand. It's kinda amazing how far your skin will slide over the bones of the wrist. Plenty far enough to let the finger/hook pull back and flip the release trigger.
You might have to have a couple of twists put in your cable(s) and a couple of twists taken out of the string in order to adjust your draw length slightly longer to compensate for shortening the release, but it's well worth it. Adjust the draw length so that you are right on the wall when you're at anchor. That will help the elbow motion trigger the release.
Now, get in front of your blank target butt. Stand no more than 5 yards away. Before each shot, take a couple of deep breaths, in through the nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. Imagine blowing out all the stress and anxiety you feel with each exhale. You want to feel relaxed. Draw, anchor, aim in the middle of the blank target butt and concentrate on making a slow, deliberate squeeze in your back muscles to push your elbow back, so that finger/hook will move through the trigger. You might have to do that, and only that, for a month or two before trying to shoot at a target again. You want to ingrain the proper feel for the shot into your subconscious. When you do go back to shooting at a definte target and you feel the problem start creeping back, return to the blank bale.
I would suggest a back tension release, but I hate those things. When I tried one, I wound up punching myself in the face almost every time I tried to draw the bow.[:@] If I didn't have target panic before trying one, I did afterwards! Well, release panic anyway.
Actually, if your bow is long enough to keep you from pinching your fingers off, you might find out you're better off to buy a tab and switch to shooting fingers. I know, everybody raves about releases, but there are a lot of people who might find out they shoot better with their God given fingers than they can with a release, if they'd only try it.
Then, think of your finger as a simple hook. Once you hook it over the trigger, it doesn't squeeze the trigger. In fact, it doesn't move at all. The feel you want to establish is like you're at full draw with someone pushing forward lightly on your elbow. Instead of pulling on the trigger, you want to push that hand back with your elbow. You might want to get someone to help you understand the feel. Get your imaginary bow and draw it to your normal anchor. Have someone put their hand against the point of your elbow and then you try to push it back. The elbow won't move more than an inch or so, but you'll feel your shoulder rotate back and the muscles of your upper back contracting. That is the 'back tension' everyone talks about.
Your entire forearm, wrist and hand will move back with the elbow and, since the finger is attatched to all those parts, it will move back as well, pulling right through the trigger. I know it's hard to understand how that can happen, but it will. Grab your wrist with your opposite hand like it's your release strap, then pull back with your string hand. It's kinda amazing how far your skin will slide over the bones of the wrist. Plenty far enough to let the finger/hook pull back and flip the release trigger.
You might have to have a couple of twists put in your cable(s) and a couple of twists taken out of the string in order to adjust your draw length slightly longer to compensate for shortening the release, but it's well worth it. Adjust the draw length so that you are right on the wall when you're at anchor. That will help the elbow motion trigger the release.
Now, get in front of your blank target butt. Stand no more than 5 yards away. Before each shot, take a couple of deep breaths, in through the nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. Imagine blowing out all the stress and anxiety you feel with each exhale. You want to feel relaxed. Draw, anchor, aim in the middle of the blank target butt and concentrate on making a slow, deliberate squeeze in your back muscles to push your elbow back, so that finger/hook will move through the trigger. You might have to do that, and only that, for a month or two before trying to shoot at a target again. You want to ingrain the proper feel for the shot into your subconscious. When you do go back to shooting at a definte target and you feel the problem start creeping back, return to the blank bale.
I would suggest a back tension release, but I hate those things. When I tried one, I wound up punching myself in the face almost every time I tried to draw the bow.[:@] If I didn't have target panic before trying one, I did afterwards! Well, release panic anyway.
Actually, if your bow is long enough to keep you from pinching your fingers off, you might find out you're better off to buy a tab and switch to shooting fingers. I know, everybody raves about releases, but there are a lot of people who might find out they shoot better with their God given fingers than they can with a release, if they'd only try it.
05-02-2005, 01:49 PM
#25
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 26,274
RE: target panic
If all else fails. Run to the target, pick it up and drop kick it. Then run to it and kick it some more. Then fall to your knees in front of it, pull out your pocket knife and stab it until you are out of energy.
It wont help you target panic, but sure feels good when you get all up tight.
It wont help you target panic, but sure feels good when you get all up tight.
05-02-2005, 02:30 PM
#26
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location:
Posts: 174
RE: target panic
http://www.nj-hunter.com/articles/vi...25C1475B0A6D0B
This is a link to an article I wrote about target panic. It may not cure you, but it will give you a better understanding of what TP is, and how to overcome it. Its a three part series, so you will have to find the main page from there, and scroll down to the showcase for the other two parts. THis link is part one....read all three, it should help you to an extent.
Good luck overcoming it, and take care---Matt
link to my target panic article...
This is a link to an article I wrote about target panic. It may not cure you, but it will give you a better understanding of what TP is, and how to overcome it. Its a three part series, so you will have to find the main page from there, and scroll down to the showcase for the other two parts. THis link is part one....read all three, it should help you to an extent.
Good luck overcoming it, and take care---Matt
link to my target panic article...
05-03-2005, 01:13 PM
#28
Spike
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 22
RE: target panic
I had target panic for about 3 years and it caused me to miss some nice animals. My problem would be that as my pin came down on the target, it would stop and I couldn't get it to go the extra few inches before shooting the release. I finally reversed my pin approach and instead of coming down on a target, I start the pin low and raised it up to the target. It worked great for me and I haven't had a problem since.
