Panic-shooter

[Missouri CK]

Good advice on Kidwell's book.

My advice is to stop looking for a quick fix.  Their is no quick fix.

You have to decondition yourself so that getting on target or getting the string to your face doesn't equal release.

My best tip is to try to draw up on a real target 10 times without letting go of the arrow.  Get dead on, squinty eyed, single hair picked out, on target before letting down.  Do it 10 times in a row.  I bet you can't make it to 10.  Heck I couldn't do it once when I first started.  Keep working until you can.  Once you've gained control back the key is to keep working on it everyday from here on out.  Get on target and let down more than you release.  Always work on it first thing. Eventually you can decrease the number of times you let down.

I think you always have to have a target in front of you because otherwise it just comes back when you go back to something you really want to hit.  The association of releasing is when you "get on target".  Something that gives you butterflies or buck fever.

 I don't think you are every really over target panic as it will creep back as soon as you stop or until the next time your around you buddies.   You have to make the exercises something you do everytime you shoot not just when you start flinching or short drawing.  I do them at 3-D shoots if I start flinching.
Once you've draw up enough times (and gotten on target) without shooting your brain finally stops trying to anticipate and waits until your really ready to release.  

It is really a cool process to get control over the deep recesses of your brain.  In doing so you will be a better shot without a doubt.  You will have learned a lot about your shooting as well.

[Flints]

Thanks Chris,
  I never thought I would have to de-program myself,but it looks like the way to go.

[Artur]

Flints;

I have an idea on how to help you with the "snap" part of your shooting... There is a Mediaeval re-enactment/re-creation group called the Society for Creative Anachronisms, Inc. (you may have heard of it - or not). The archers in the group(s) hold many competitions, all over the U.S (and in Europe and other parts of the world), and one thing they do is called a "Cadence Shoot". Count out each portion of your draw/release: Take an arrow from the quiver; nock the arrow on the string; draw the string to anchor; AIM; release. Do everything to a set rhythm, and it will start to come together. After a while, you will be able to control how long each portion actually takes, and you will -- hopefully -- no longer be hurrying your shots.

And a way to shoot fast -- without actually hurrying -- is to practice loosing (shooting - but why would you want to shoot your arrows? That would just break them. You shoot deer, bears, elk - you don't shoot arrows..) as many arrows as you can (ACCURATELY, of course) in 30 seconds. I've seen a few who can loose up to 9 arrows in those 30 seconds, with excellent accuracy; I usually get only 5 off the string and into an 8" group.

[Flints]

Artur - I don't know much about the SCA but have seen some sites relating to it; looks like a good time. Thanks for the advice. I am trying to gather up as much advice as possible for future reference. I just received Jay kidwell's revised
edition of his book that has a lot of info on t.p.
At what distance do you practice "loosing"? Speed shooting and getting an 8" group sounds pretty tough.

[Artur]

Flints;

At the risk of going off topic... My "private" practice range (it's off the side of the driveway, in an old shallow gravel pit - if you're driving by and stop in, feel free to use it, just don't trash it!) is approx 30 yrds. The whole idea of "speed shooting" is to do it smoothly and quickly, for those times when a fast, smooth shot is vital. And an 8" grouping isn't really all that great, even at 30 yrds, unless it happens to be centered on the bull's eye -- but that's why we practice, innit?

And the thing about "loosing" vs. "shooting"... It's just about the terminology we choose to use. Like "the car drove down the road": Did the car do the driving, or did the person who was operating the car? It **can** be misleading.

[Flints]

Thanks Artur,

  I live in NH, so the chance of my just driving by is slim but I appreciate the offer. Flints