Thoughts on Target Panic

[Flingblade]

Ron,
I use the feather to nose but haven't tried shooting without a trigger.  I know the gremlin will take over the shot again very quickly if I do.  That said, I have been doing some bare shafting to get arrows tuned for my longbow and didn't have any trouble.  I fought tp for 15 years before I found this website and I am just glad to have a system that works.  I am going to try a clicker after hunting season to see how I like that.  Tried one briefly in the past but tore it off my bow when the clicker cord kept getting hung up in brush while hunting.  
Lee,
I have had the same experience and have found that for me it was not concentrating on the right thing.  My mind really doesn't like to give up the aim to the subconcious.  If I am correct you are the one using the index finger and thumb touching as a trigger?
toby,  
One of the things I have been doing to help is separate the draw and aim from the execution of the shot.  I draw off target to anchor.  Then move the arrow on target and aim.  Then I mouth bleat to practice stopping the deer.  Then I start the mantra and focus my concentration on my back muscles and elbow coming back.  If my concentration is right there isn't any delay or problem with bringing the string back.  If I am still thinking about aiming or anything else it sticks and I try to let down and start over.  I don't do this all the time just another way to practice.  I recently took a shot at a squirrel where I came to full draw and followed the squirrel as he made several jumps until he paused long enough to start the mantra and execute the shot.  The string came back and the arrow went right where the squirrel was but those buggers are far faster than deer at jumping the string.
Sorry for the long post guys but I like to hear other shooters experiences using Joel's system.  Thanks, Gary

[toby]

Gary,

That's a great post. I have trouble bare shaft tuning, I just got a new longbow and tuning is not going smoothly, so I rely more on paper tuning with fletch, not what I prefer.
    I think your observation about concentrating and giving up aiming to the subconscious is spot on, at least that is exactly what I am dealing with.
    I am trying something similar, I look at my arrow/riser as I draw/anchor, then aim, then try to think pull with my rhomboids. This seems to be helping, I was pulling with my arm and that was literally going no where.
     I am going to stick with it, just wish it was as smooth as shooting in one continuous motion.
Toby

[Ron Vought]

I have found that once you eye the intended target the aiming process is complete. The next thing I do is think about pulling to anchor and let the clicker tell me when to release. You actually have to break down the shot sequences into several stages to be successful. I would aim and draw in one sequence and nothing was telling me that I was at anchor so my subconscious mind would tell me to release. My goal with the clicker is to come to full draw and when the clicker goes off I am there and release on command. If I release before the clicker goes off which is somewhat common when first starting this program I then measure that shot as a failure and need to work harder on the next shot by analyzing first what I did wrong. Normally its just improper use of back tension that is at fault. If everything is right with the sequence including back tension you feel very little resistance and the weight of the bow feels minimal.

Ron

[toby]

Ron,

It sounds like you have a good plan. Keep us posted on how the clicker works for you. That is something I have considered as well. May go that route.

Toby

[Lee Lobbestael]

Gary yeah I touch my pointer finger to my thumb. I have been lucky enough to get two shots at deer this year so far and I used this psychotrigger and here are the results! The shots felt great!
     

[LongStick64]

For myself the way to conquer TP was to develop a dynamic shot sequence. I believe the reason I was having my issues is that as Joel says, when you come to full draw, tension and anxiety increase, your mind naturally is working against you, wanting you to release the string so you release the tension/anxiety. Forcing yourself to hold only makes it worse in my opinion. There has to be balance in the shot. If it takes you 1.5 seconds to draw to anchor, holding for 5 seconds is going to transform your shot from dynamic to static and ruin the balance or the rhythm.

[toby]

Lee,

Could you explain in more detail how you use your finger touching your thumb as a trigger?

Thanks
Toby

[Ron Vought]

What I do is look at the intended target, draw slowly but normally hit a wall around the corner of my mouth which is almost a full anchor and where the TP gremlin is located. I think to myself keep pulling until the clicker goes off right in the corner of my mouth at full anchor and using the back tension to get the full draw and anchor.

Ron

[BWallace10327]

I have shot with a tab or a glove for years, and I can't deny that I love the traditional aspect of it.  I was snap shooting all of that time and created some very unsavory habits that wouldn't hardly ever allow me to come to full draw while looking at my target or my hand giving out implicitly as soon as I anchored (target panic). I spoke with Joel Turner of Ironmind Archery and he gave me some great advice on how to combat target panic. Retraining myself proved to be more of a problem than I expected and upon further thought I realized why exactly.  I have had ms for a number of years and the most attacked portion of my central nervous system is what controls my right hand.  Creating a new neuropathway ( repetitive shot sequence) is much more challenging and time consuming because of this.  I don't think its impossible, but defiantly improbable.  Some day it might work out, but until then I will shoot a mechanical release with a wrist strap.  I shoot three fingers under, so when I use my release my anchor is right where my index finger would be.  I have not noticed any spine issues with my arrows.  I have noticed a huge increase in accuracy because I can slow down my shot and concentrate on every aspect of it prior to the release. I just know that I would no longer be able to shoot in tournaments in traditional class if I quit finger shooting all together. Its too bad that a mechanical release is not "trad" but an ILF take down with adjustable center shot,       I have shot with a tab or a glove for years, and I can't deny that I love the traditional aspect of it.  I was snap shooting all of that time and created some very unsavory habits that wouldn't hardly ever allow me to come to full draw while looking at my target or my hand giving out implicitly as soon as I anchored (target panic). I spoke with Joel Turner of Ironmind Archery and he gave me some great advice on how to combat target panic. Retraining myself proved to be more of a problem than I expected and upon further thought I realized why exactly.  I have had ms for a number of years and the most attacked portion of my central nervous system is what controls my right hand.  Creating a new neuropathway ( repetitive shot sequence) is much more challenging and time consuming because of this.  I don't think its impossible, but defiantly improbable.  Some day it might work out, but until then I will shoot a mechanical release with a wrist strap.  I shoot three fingers under, so when I use my release my anchor is right where my index finger would be.  I have not noticed any spine issues with my arrows.  I have noticed a huge increase in accuracy because I can slow down my shot and concentrate on every aspect of it prior to the release. I just know that I would no longer be able to shoot in tournaments in traditional class if I quit finger shooting all together. Its too bad that a mechanical release is not "trad" but an ILF take down with adjustable center shot, adjustable tiller and draw weight is.   tiller and draw weight is.

[Lee Lobbestael]

Sure Toby,
I pick a spot, draw and anchor with my pointer finger open on my bow hand. In my mind I tell myself keepmovingkeepmovingkeepmoving and I consentrate on moving my index finger toward my bow. When my finger touches my thumb I release. It very simple and I don't have to add anything to my bows or arrows.

[toby]

BWallace and  Lee, thanks for sharing, glad you both have found a solution.

I am going to try your method lee.

Thanks again
Toby

[Lee Lobbestael]

Cool let me know how it works for you.