Help Me Figure This Out

packer58

Very Active Member
Aug 24, 2011
916
0
Loma Rica, Ca.
Yesterday I shot in the annual Yuba Sutter Bowhunters 3D shoot and about half way through I noticed that I started to get what I think may be a little target panic. The problem I was having was no matter how hard I tried I COULD NOT hold my pin on the spot, the best I could do was hold just under it. It felt like there was something stopping my bow arm from coming up any higher. I normally shoot in the low to mid 800's but sunday it was all bad.

So, anybody have experienced with this issue or have any suggestions on how to go about getting over it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks , Chuck
 

packmule

Veteran member
Jun 21, 2011
2,433
0
TX
Sounds like the Winter caused a loss of muscle memory and it got to your head. 3D is more mental than golf, so get back at it, see the pin cover the arrow as it hits the target a few times and you'll get back in the swing of things.
 

velvetfvr

Veteran member
May 6, 2012
2,026
0
Nv
Packer I hate to say it; but it's tp and its better to relearn how to shoot while you have time.

You need to try shooting with a back tension method. That's either buying a hinge, thumb or using an index. But you have to use back tension. No squeezing the release of punching.

I bet you have an index trigger. Start by coming to full draw. Float your pin over the spot at 10 yards. Do this 5 times. Don't shoot. Learn how your pin floats. Then for a 6th time, float the pin, but put your finger resting on the trigger. Lightly wrap it around the trigger but don't set it off. Then use back tension to kind of pull the bow apart, your finger should act as a hook, your hand will probably move back, thus your finger will set the trigger off. While doing this, just focus floating the pin on the spot. Don't think about the release going off. Once the release goes off, it should be a surprise. Let the pin float. It will hit the bullseye dead center if you float over the spot, no matter if the pin is a touch low, high, left or right when the release sets off. But you have to learn your float and make the shot a surprise. This takes ton of time and practice. Don't shoot distance. Do this for several weeks. Relearn how to train your brain to aim, back tension will be second nature. Soon tp will be gone.

Also don't EVER, I MEAN EVER shoot when it feels bad. If you feel tired, shaky, rushed, floats bad, DONT SHOOT. This will reinforce TP. I will sometimes draw back 3 times and not shoot because it didn't feel right, once it did, I hit what I wanted.

Also don't expect bullseyes at all for the first couple weeks. Work on learning how to execute the shot perfectly. Develop your method. The rest will come together.

My best advice is I would personally get a hinge, make an account on archerytalk.com, PM Padgett and get his articles. It will make you a much better archer.
 

velvetfvr

Veteran member
May 6, 2012
2,026
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Nv
Back tension is a method of shooting a hinge, thumb, or index release. It isn't a type of release. I only shoot and hunt with a hinge and back tension; it makes shooting more enjoyable.
 

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,844
2,227
Eastern Nebraska
I went through this about ten years ago. I found that shooting at a blank target, with no bulls eye, at ten yards helped focus on form and release again. Also drawing back and aiming without shooting multiple times helped to relax my form- Its weird how easy it is to aim when you know your not going to release. This helps you realize just how much of a mental game this is. You can work through it for sure- no stress packer.
 

wa-hunter

Active Member
Apr 24, 2014
235
7
my girlfriend has the same problem except she has a hard time bringing her pin down low enough to get on target. as the guys above have said shoot very close and just practice getting pin on target without shooting. also get a very large target and shoot with your eyes closed at 10ft or so and just practice on form and pulling the bow apart when shooting with back tension release. very mentel thing she will shoot great for a while then develop it again and has to go back to shooting close again. go to your local archery shop also and talk to someone there about it. they were very helpful for my girlfriend.
 

packer58

Very Active Member
Aug 24, 2011
916
0
Loma Rica, Ca.
Just came in for lunch and read all your responses, all of it sounds like good solid advice. I'm sure it's a mental thing and hopefully i'll get over it using some of the methods you guys suggested.

Thanks again, Chuck
 

velvetfvr

Veteran member
May 6, 2012
2,026
0
Nv
Just came in for lunch and read all your responses, all of it sounds like good solid advice. I'm sure it's a mental thing and hopefully i'll get over it using some of the methods you guys suggested.

Thanks again, Chuck
Chuck it's good your revognizing it now. The first thing to rid tp us admitting you have it.
 

RUTTIN

Veteran member
Feb 26, 2011
1,299
0
Kamas, Utah
I agree with the above, I had this same problem a few years ago. Started shooting real close to the target with my eyes closed focusing on relaxing my muscles and pulling through the shot, every shot you should try to execute the same way every time. After a few hundred shots this way I started shooting good again. Luckily have not had this problem again. Good luck to you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

JNDEER

Active Member
Mar 11, 2011
337
0
I have had that problem as well (low pin holding). Something with the mind wanting to "see" the thing your trying to hit. At least that is what I boiled mine down to. So, I had to convince myself that it was ok to not "see" what I am trying to hit and only pull the trigger when my pin covered that "spot" that I first had to convince myself I wanted to hit.
 

packer58

Very Active Member
Aug 24, 2011
916
0
Loma Rica, Ca.
Also, have you had your eyes checked recently?
I have not but its on my list of things to do before retirement this summer. I know my eyes are going down hill, having to glass the relatively close stuff way to much. As far as shooting the bow my pins are clear as day but the target/spot is blurry for sure. Hopefully I am a candidate for Lasik surgery, do not want contacts and definitely don't want to wear glasses with all those hassles.