Talking yourself through the shot while shooting at game?

[jonsimoneau]

I have a friend who told me he does this while shooting at deer. Said it helps him to remain in control when the deer offers a shot. Anybody else do this?

[jonsimoneau]

I think he means he talks himself through his shot routine.

[SAVIOUR68]

 
Jon this helps work to train the mind with or with out target panic, good info for solid shot control

[jonsimoneau]

Saviour68 that is good stuff. I can't wait to watch subsequent videos by Joel.

[McDave]

I don't like the idea of talking or thinking myself through the shot in words.  For me, any cognitive thoughts, which are mainly thoughts in words, block my ability to be aware of my body physically. Instead, I like to be aware of the different parts of my body that need to be checked during the shot sequence without thinking about it in words.

This is different from a mantra, which Joel recommends. A mantra is one word or a couple of words repeated over and over.  The purpose of a mantra is to increase concentration on the most important part of the shot, by blocking out all other distracting thoughts. So in that sense, even though a mantra is words, it is the opposite of cognitive thoughts, since it is intended to block them out.  Even though a mantra is words, the words lose meaning as such due to the constant repetition and solely serve to focus your concentration.

I found this difficult to do, at first, since I want my awareness to expand enough to notice any shot problems in time to stop the shot.  Finally, after conversations with Joel, I understood that I have to do both, although not at the same time.  During draw, I expand my awareness to the maximum extent possible.  After I am at full draw, and am satisfied that I am set up properly, then I focus my concentration on holding and releasing the shot.

I'm going to be backpacking during the next week, and will be out of communication for a while, but if anyone has any questions about what I just said, I'll be happy to discuss it further when I return.

[slowbowjoe]

McDave has pretty well described how it works for me. I do most of my thinking between shots, or between sessions; during the shot, my attention is on the feel of alignment and the sight picture.

I think some folks process better one way, and some another.

[tracker12]

There is a great article with Levi Morgan on some training tips.  Now he is a compound shooter but his techniques can easily applied to traditional gear.  Not sure I want to have to tai myself thru a shot.  I would rather my subconscious take over from my training.  But if that's what works for him go for it.

[stonewall]

I'm paying attention to the animal and watching the arrow , I don't ever remember thinking about drawing and shooting. It just seems to happen . But if I'm target shooting I go through a shot sequence

[RC]

I focus on the critter and by shooting a whole lotta arrows the shot happens without thought. RC

[jonsimoneau]

RC I like your answer too. Obviously it works for you. You're a machine!

[Terry Green]

No I am too busy focusing on the window opening and then I'm too immersed in aiming to the point that sometimes I don't even remember drawing the bow.

[Steelhead]

Ideally it happens naturally and without too much conscious effort.

I think picking the spot is the about as complex as it gets from a conscious standpoint.Then the shot should flow naturally.Not much difference than making a throw in baseball or shooting a jump shot in the heat of moment in a basketball game.All your practice should allow you to put it together without much cognitive interference.

Trust yourself,commit to the shot and shoot.My brain gets in the way if I think too much.

I rely on my 1000's of practice shots to get me thru my hunting shots! When I practice, I can pick apart almost every shot, and tell you what I did right or wrong! When I take a hunting shot, I don't remember much of anything about the mechanics of the shot.

Bisch

[Fritz]

My brain can only handle one thing at a time. I burn my form in during practice, but at the time of the shot my only conscious thought is "pick a spot".

[curlis]

For me, thinking too much is a bad thing!

[Sam McMichael]

I try to concentrate on "the spot". When my visual focus wanders, I screw up the shot, no matter how much I try to maintain good form. In short, I shoot where I look, which can be very, very good or very, very bad.

[flier]

Hey guys , I'm new here and fairly new to archery. These are some great thoughts and a great thread
    I have been hunting for several years and I'm also a long time Japanese sword drawing practitioner in an art called Iaido and I used to run a study group a few years ago. I've been doing it for over 15 years. I think the reason I enjoy traditional archery is because all these concepts are very similar to the mind set when drawing a sword. Plus I love to hunt.
     The Japanese word for some off these concepts on this thread is called "Mushin. (Moo-shin)" it means "no-mind" . In other words when you train long enough at a routine you wont have to think about it when faced with duress or a conflict. The only way to achieve this is good instruction and repetitive practice over and over and over. I'm a born and bred American but over the years I've found that us as Americans are consumed with why something works or how rather than just practice  practice practice and focus on the journey rather than the result. My teachers that were from Japan always forced me to keep things very simple and with small steps. As an instructor myself This can be difficult with our culture here in the West.
     Myself I'm still simply workin on proper form and fundamentals I find the arrows will hit the small circle in the target sooner or later. I will worry about a perfect arrow when my form and release will allow me to judge my arrows. I personally don't think an arrow test kit will do me any good until I can properly send it to the target lol. So i am still seeking proper instruction and GOOD practice.
     A great read to check out (although nothing to do with archery but a lot to do with this concept when holding a traditional weapon) is called "the unfettered mind" it speaks of this "no mind" concept
      I highly recommend it.
      Now I'm no expert in archery but i find that THIS part of it I'm pretty well versed in.  So I'm happy to finally contribute somewhat on this forum LOL.
     Great thread!! Thank you!

[flier]

duplicate , sry

[Sirius Black]

Asbell teaches against it. Takes away from being an instinctive shooter.