Consistency?

[PigStikker]

When practicing, I have severe consistency problems.  One group of 6 arrows will be 3", the next group will be lucky to be on the target, then the next group will fall somewhere in between and so on.  It drives me crazy and I don't really know how to fix it.  I have identified some problems such as fatigue, rushing myself, lack of focus and breakdown in form.  What can I do to become more consistent in my shooting?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Matt

[AllenR]

While practicing, work stricktly on form.  Don't worry about where your arrows land.  Focus on one thing at a time such as keeping your grip the same from shot to shot, then work on your alignment, then your anchor, etc.  

Some feel that you should work on one thing for an entire session.  Others think that you should work on each part of your shot sequence during every session.  

You do have a written shot sequence, don't you?  If not just write out the steps that you do on every shot.  It will help you make them consistent from shot to shot.

A good coach will help you get this done a lot faster.   Unfortunately, they are hard to find.

Good luck,
Allen

[HAWGDOG]

Quit shooting 6 arrows. Start shooting three or four. If you do something wrong, you can think about it while pulling arrows. The fewer arrows you shoot @ a time, the more concentration you have.
I shoot w/ alot of compounders, and shooting w/ a 1/2 dozen arrows, they lose concentration. And ya know that doesn't take all that much.    But I aggree w/ AllenR, pay attention one thing @ a time.

[carlr2s]

Your shooting too many arrows per end. 3 maximum, I like 2, but I shoot best when I shoot one and retrieve it. Your groups will be real tight with one arrow.  HA Ha

[PigStikker]

Yeah, I agree.  I used to shoot just one and had amazing groups!!!  :D   But I will definitely go back to doing that.  I started shooting more than that because i was wearing a path in the grass just shooting and retreiving one arrow at a time!  Oh yeah, I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but does anyone not shoot real well after a long day at work?  I find that's when I do some of my worst shooting due to fatigue.

Matt

[jhansen]

Matt,
I shoot in the morning before I open my shop.  Then I work on broken guns all day.  I shoot again after I close in the evening.  The difference is amazing.  I never shoot as well after a days work.  I would stop working but shooting arrows doesn't pay the bills.

Like AllenR said you can't concentrate on more than one thing at a time.  What you can do is follow a sequence.  Foot placement.  Grip on bow.  Hook-on to bowstring.  Draw to solid anchor.  Etc.  Imagine it as a funnel where your concentration narrows down to the spot you want to hit just before release.

John