Target Panic

[BWallace10327]

Is it likely that an increased awareness of target panic and all of the ugly symptoms associated with it a primary (or one of the) cause(s) of said disorder?

[McDave]

I'm aware of two possibly different things that are commonly called target panic.

The first is where the shot goes off before the archer reaches full draw, without any anxiety or nervousness associated with it.  This is a purely subconscious phenomenon, caused by the subconscious mind short-cutting the shot sequence.  Since there is no conscious thought associated with this problem, I don't see how an increased awareness of target panic could bring this on.

The second is where there is an increasing feeling of anxiety or nervousness as the bow is drawn.  The archer may feel a loss of physical strength or a disconnect between mind and body while drawing the bow, even though these things don't happen when he draws the bow knowing that a shot is not going to be fired.  This problem is caused by conscious thoughts interfering with the shot, such as doubt or a fear of missing.  The fact that these fears aren't  rational doesn't mean that they aren't real, anymore than a person's depression isn't real even though it is not directly associated with any particular thing that might be going on in their life.  Since this problem was brought on by conscious thoughts, I can see how it might possibly be triggered by thoughts of target panic.

[fnshtr]

Wow Dave: Very well thought out and articulated!!

[reddogge]

Target panic is a lot like the shanks in golf. I try not to think about it, read about it, or watch anyone with it shoot.

It can also be what I call a flinch where you just flinch a shot way off the mark.

It can be a double clutch where you sort of jerk the string but don't release and then release.

It can be an inability to release or release properly.

[moebow]

I agree!  I don't think you can get TP by knowing about it OR thinking about it any more than you can get a cold by thinking or knowing about it.

TP is simply thinking about the wrong thing at the wrong time in your shot sequence.  Aiming at the wrong time is the top reason (IMO) and letting the subconscious run the shot rather than the conscious mind.

This discussion is a little like religion though, what folks BELIEVE is what they believe and often no amount of logical discussion will shake or change a belief.

I think we all know the symptoms of TP but many are unwilling or unable to adjust the thought process required to conquer it.

Arne