What it target panic..?

[MikeW]

Exactly. I don't get it..seriously.
I've read a bunch of topics on it and really don't understand what it is. Can someone explain what it is in a few sentences?

[McDave]

Target panic is a mental block that prevents you from shooting as well as you are physically capable of shooting. One example of target panic is if your brain unconsciously triggers your release before you reach full draw. Another example is if your brain doesn't allow you to aim (whether instinctively or with external references) at the spot you want to hit.

[South MS Bowhunter]

I can tell you how it effects me. I can aim at pretty much anything I don’t want or plan to shoot and come to full draw every time and pick a spot with pretty good focus. But let me plan to shoot and it like a psychical wall keeping me from coming to full draw and I loose all of my focusing powers and release prematurely. Even with somebody coaching me to full draw and with all of my mental power realizing what i’m going through it’s like somebody literally pushing my draw arm elbow keeping me from full draw at times, very very frustrating!

[limbow]

You don't want to know, and it's a good thing you don't  

[bowhuntingrn]

I believe my 14 y.o. is suffering from an extreme case right now. Without an arrow on the string, he can come to full draw and anchor without difficulty. Put an arrow on the string and the only way he can get within 3-4" of full draw is with his eyes closed, sometimes not even then. He's so worried about putting the arrow in the X, that his form goes all to hades, no matter how much I try to coach him. I just ordered him a bow 10#'s lighter to "start over" even though he's been shooting traditional to some degree for a couple years longer than I have.

[Steelhead]

I think ther are different forms and different degrees of target panic.Not being able to get to full draw when shooting at a target even though your plenty strong enough to do so is one form.

Snap shooting can be a symptom.

Freezing off of the target and not being able to get back on target.

An inability to concentrate and not letting things happen naturally as you would like to.

An inability to stay in control of the shot and prematurely releasing even though you know your not at solid anchor or correctly aimed or both.

Buck fever might even be considered target panic in a way.

Thier are probably other symptoms.

You could probably find threads about this archery Malady in the Shooters Forum if you did a search thier and ways to cope and or address the issue.

I know you dont have it.But maybe someone who sees this thread can look for suggestions thier.It can ruin archery for a person and is no joke for the toxiphilite.Jay Kidwells book is highly recommended for archers struggling with target panic and may be worth a look for folks dealing with it.It takes time and effort and dedication to control and or beat.

Some poeple give up on archery who have it and who really love archery.Great archers with lots of talent get it too sometimes.

[Bjorn]

It is a fear of failure in a basic sense, and has many manifestations as described already. Diagnose and treat it early if you can!

[Possum Head]

On all the threads I've read on TP I think the getlemen above explained it best and I'll add this, if it has to be explained to you, you probably dont suffer from it! If only CVS sold a cure.

[Covey]

Originally posted by limbow:
You don't want to know, and it's a good thing you don't    

Amen brother....Amen!

Jason

[Rick Richard]

You will know when you have it.  I believe the best prevention is to include regular methods in your shooting routine that would keep you from getting into those bad habits.  Many times I go through the process of shooting, but never release the arrow.  This trains your brain that it is control of the shot and what good form is to be.  Like mentioned before, I think TP is a fear of failure.

[Javi]

Target panic is the archer being “result” oriented rather than “process” oriented... Once you learn to focus on the process and not the result, target panic becomes a non-issue....

[tj69]

McDave,
very good explanation!
Thats it.
Its a hard fight. Never thought I have to struggle with that problem, but it can affect everyone without warning.

[MikeW]

OK makes sense now, thx. guys.
   

[JamesKerr]

Target panic is the urge to shoot an arrow before you are ready to release the string. I should know I had a severe case of target panic that manifested itself in snap shooting and the inability to hold on target. I cured mine by using the push release which basically trains you to release only when you purposely engage back tension and slightly pull your hand back when you release.

[Caleb Andes]

Some questions are better left unanswered..

[fatzboys]

wanting to hit the bulls eye so bad but cant wait to do your part

[dragonheart]

Originally posted by MikeW:
Exactly. I don't get it..seriously.
I've read a bunch of topics on it and really don't understand what it is. Can someone explain what it is in a few sentences?

If you have to ask, you don't have it.  You are very fortunate.  You want to know very little about this issue.

[Cecil]

Not being in control of the shot.

[Ed Q]

Some really good explanations so far in this thread.

Here's a webpage from Dr. Jay Kidwell, an archer and a psychologist who devoted an entire chapter on target panic in his book, that explains a bit more about it and the pyschological/mental cause of it:

 http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/TargetPanic/TargPan.html