Shooting went to hell

[6X5]

Here's the problem: I am an experienced trad bow shooter that shoots well enough to win or come very close to winning every 3D shoot I enter. When I practice I score the targets (McKenzies)3 small kill zone 2 large kill zone and 1 body hits outside the kill zone but nothing for any hit below body line,antlers,ears,noses etc. My normal average is 2.7 pts per target with my recurve and 2.4 pts per target with my longbow. I have been using the same Black Widow recurve and longbow for several years. Yesterday I averaged 1.4 pts longbow and 1.8 recurve with several misses. I wont say I never miss but its darn rare. I went to hell and haven't a clue what happened. Nothing has changed on my set up and just last weekend I shot my normal scores. I have never had this kind of slump. I checked and rechecked my form and everything felt good. One clue is a lot of the low scores and misses were high shots.The only other thing that has changed is that I am just finishing a series of Predisone meds to try and stop some excruciating pain I have from an old wound. Predisone is like adrenaline I am told and I'm wondering if this could be the cause. It has made me extremely short tempered this last week. Any suggestions or knowledge on predisone would really be appreciated.

[Clay Hayes]

Don't know about the drugs, but when I have a bad round and get upset, I just spiral down and down.  I don't think anyone shoots well when they are aggravated or woried.  I have to set the bow aside and relax.  Do whatever it is that calms me down.  Fishing, reading, etc.

Everyone has a bad go every now and again.  When you get mad at your shooting, then keep shooting, it genneraly makes things worse!  Good luck.

ch

[George D. Stout]

The mind controls the body.  I got out of competitive shooting because I thought I had to win.  The more I thought I had to win, the worse I shot.  It started to become too important and wasn't why I was shooting anyway.  Once the fun goes away, so does the scores.

If you go to the next shoot, thinking about what you did the last shoot, you will not shoot well.
Let the score cards in the clubhouse for a few times.

[Art B]

Yeah, those meds can really screw up your shooting fore sure. Another problem could be a worn tab or glove. I see that way to often.-ART B

[Ray]

I am no doctor but predisone is a steroid.When your body is to sick to build itself up it is prescribed.No refills-youll note.
 Hope you get well(rest up).

[joekeith]

Prednisone can really mess with you at times.  But if you suffer from pain for long enough it can become  your friend.  I know it's hard on ya, but I've been taking it for years now, and have to bump up the dose every once in awhile.  I also am on the Fentanyl Patch, Synthetic Morphine.  Your body can handle alot.  But sometimes it needs a break.  I go day to day and hope for the best.
Good luck, take care....  

[Diamond Paul]

Sometimes, you just have a slump.  If you only shot bad one tournament, you are not in a slump yet!  If you let it bother you, you will be in a slump shortly.  Illness and medication can throw anyone off their game; chalk it up to a bad week and forget about it.  Hope you feel better soon, Paul.

[Chris Wilson]

Sometimes, you just have a slump. If you only shot bad one tournament, you are not in a slump yet! If you let it bother you, you will be in a slump shortly. Illness and medication can throw anyone off their game; chalk it up to a bad week and forget about it.

Pretty much sums it up.  Some days are just better than others and, if you shoot long enough, you have a bad one on occassion.  The key is to get over it and move on.  As Paul mentioned, one bad shoot doesn't make a slump but, if you let it keep bugging you, it can definately be the beginning of one.

[Jedimaster]

Prednisone can make you jittery among other things.  If you are not used to taking it regularly then it's effects are more likely to be pronounced.  You may not necessarily notice it but it may be affecting your coordination and concentration not to mention mood.  I would blame it on the medication and move on.  Chances are you will return to normal either way. At least for now you will not lose sleep over this if you can accept that you are not at your best on the medication.  Believe me, I've taken it off and on and I always feel it.  One thing is for sure, I wouldn't change anything until you are off the meds a few days.  If you mistakenly identify another "problem" you run the risk of screwing up what you were doing right before.

[GroundHunter]

Lay off, chill, when you start back, don't try as hard. Just relax and shoot the way its s'posed to feel.