Anybody shoot with their eyes closed?

[skarcher]

Was working on my release today and thot I'd take someone's advice and close my eyes to concentrate just on the release. Funny thing happened though. I have a fairly small bag to shoot at so I went through my normal routine except for closing my eyes just before the release. Ended up having to replace a couple of nocks. Seems strange that my grouping can be that tight with my eyes closed. Maybe I should try hunting this way LOL

[eric-thor]

lol thats funny and awsome ... ive shot in the dark before but never eyes closed . cant wait to try that.i was slappin shafts in the dark as well

[PAPA BEAR]

i did last year...three times at elk.must of been closed i missed by a mile.      :D

[m midd]

Thats funny, Ive shot a few times with my eyes closed. I wasnt bustin nocks, but it was a fair group

[Flying Dutchman]

We have to do this from our coach! It is part of our training. He says that you feel the shot better in this way. We have to look at the target, then close our eyes, draw the bow and release the arrow. The first time it is a bit scarey. There is no difference with eyes open or closed when looking at the groups.

[yamapup]

I do that frequently when working on form and trying to prevent snap shooting and premature release. pup

[stickbowmaniac]

Man that's some funny stuff .Lol
It is a very good training tool though.

[Rob DiStefano]

try this ...

keep both yer eyes open and learn to relax your brain.

come to full draw, aim, then avert yer eyes from the mark for one second, now at the same time increase your back tension and look back to the mark, maintain the back tension (that is, keep pulling with your BACK), let the string slip off yer fingers while still maintaining that back tension.

[59Alaskan]

After reading Brian Sorrell's book I do as a normal part of my routine.  It allows you to focus on form.  I do as the Flying Dutchman states.  Eyes closed through draw and release.  I don't do this from more than 5 ft away from the target though.  Just do it to focus on form.

[James Wrenn]

I think about half the guys I see at 3ds shoot with there eyes closed.   :D

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

I've hunted with a few guys that are totally blind. And they all shoot better than me. John Rook of Boardman. Ohio for one !!! Its such a pleaser to aim for them. They do there part wonderfully. Maybe we can learn from them .hmmmm !!!

[cbCrow]

I use this technique each and every time I shoot!    I make sure that I am within 5-6' of the target and aim at three dots,approx 1", at the top of bag. I concentrate on the dot and begin drawing,then close my eyes and hold to the count of 3 and let go.Over the last six months this has helped me to be a better shooter from all my practice ranges. It helps me to focus more and to slowwwww down my release. I am now consistantly hitting a 5" square target out to 22 yds., with eyes open.  

[Mudd]

Most days if you saw my groups you could make a case that I might be shooting with my eyes closed...lol

I've not tried it for real but you can bet I will now.

I enjoy shooting at the flame of a candle in the dark. It will sharpen your focus! There sure aren't any distractions when I do this.

God bless,Mudd

[skarcher]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
[QB] try this ...

keep both yer eyes open and learn to relax your brain.

Just when I figured out I needed to relax my body on the shot, now I have to relax my brain too. So much training, so little time........

[KentuckyTJ]

"Stop aiming and just shoot" is what I tell myself often. When I start aiming and getting bad groupings I draw with eyes open but not looking at the spot. I usually look down at the ground under my target. Only right before I release will I look at the spot. Helps me tremendously and is the same principle but may keep you from shooting the family dog.

[Old York]

I've done it blind-bale shooting, for working on my form. A note of caution - make sure your
target and backstop are such that there is no way the arrow can bounce back out and come straight back at you  

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by Flying Dutchman:
We have to do this from our coach! It is part of our training. He says that you feel the shot better in this way. We have to look at the target, then close our eyes, draw the bow and release the arrow. The first time it is a bit scarey. There is no difference with eyes open or closed when looking at the groups.

I agree. It does feel very strange at first, and it certainly increases your ability to feel the shot. I find that blind bale shooting is very helpful for fine-tuning form issues.

If I look at the target for the first half of the draw, I hit pretty well out 15 yards with my eyes closed. If I close my eyes before drawing, well put it this way, I am amazed at the penetration I can get in my garage. When standing in my garage looking at the white caulking dots, there seems to be a pattern. Kinda looks like a duck.

[Bama Recurve]

Sometimes I close my eyes during my draw to calm target panic or prevent an early release. I tend to snap shoot alot. At first, I thought I was using to much bow so i pulled out my 35# to practice controlling my release. However, there was no differnece between 35# and 60#. Still shook, still snapped my release, and I still had problems holding my draw. I finally realized that it was all mental! Closing my eyes or looking away from the spot allows me smoothly draw and hold my anchor point.