Working Joel Turner’s program

[Etter]

So, last weekend I decided Im going all in to end my target panic once and for all.  Ive got four months til the season and Im dedicated to working it every day of that.  I will no longer shoot uncontrolled arrows. 

I retook Joel’s online course, set some clickers on some bows and using a handy clicker on others (still my favorite).  Im still very up and down with my mental focus and struggle with collapse at times.  One shooting session I shoot 20 perfectly controlled arrows and the next Im smashing arrows against the walls of my basement.  Ive spoken with Joel. Hes a fantastic and dedicated teacher and with his help Im gonna lick this thing finally. Ive wasted WAY too much time hunting with hope.  I had an Ah Ha moment last night but sometimes I have those and am back at square one the next day so we will see but Ill chronicle progress here. 

Btw- one more plug for the handy clicker. This thing (to me) is by far the easiest and most stress free psychotrigger I can run

[The Whittler]

Jim Casto has a very good program from what a lot of people have said.

[CEW]

Stick with it Etter. I've been using Joel's process for a couple years.
Using the process eliminated the target panic quickly. With using a trigger clicker etc. good form in getting through the trigger is extremely important.

Tom Clum, Jake Kaminsky, both have some good video's out there that can help with that side of it.

The SPT drills that Kaminsky has a video on is a good tool to help learn how to get through the trigger and work  your shot out.

[McDave]

I have taken both Joel Turners' and Jim Casto's programs, and for me the most important advice both give is the power of letting down.  For me, target panic meant a compulsion to release the arrow before I was ready.  I still have that compulsion, and probably always will, although not to the disastrous level that I did when I had full blown target panic.  I find myself at full draw knowing that I have a sight picture that will result in the arrow hitting 6” to the left of the bullseye, for example, releasing the shot anyway, and seeing it impact in the exact spot I knew it would.  That's actually pretty good shooting; too bad they don't give any prizes for that.

Anyway, when I find myself repeatedly doing this, I go back to letting down.  If I’m not able to let down or hold for a sufficient time when I actually plan to shoot, I plan in advance to draw and let down shots that I have no intention of shooting.  Drawing, holding until I have the sight picture I want, and then letting down helps to put me back in the frame of mind I need to be to actually shoot in a more controlled manner.  Sometimes I have to draw and let down every other shot for a while until I beat back that particular bout of target panic.

This is no substitute for going through the whole program, whether it's Joel's or Jim's, but it does seem to help when you fall off the wagon.

[Etter]

Had my moment last night and realized (even though I knew this already) that if I just made the psychotrigger happen, the anxiety would die away. The waiting and not moving is my worst enemy ever.  It’s very hard to keep my mind in that place but it’s getting easier every day.  This is definitely my way to complete control.  I cant imagine where this will have me in four months.  Ready for bears for sure!

[buddyb]

I have TP really bad and its really frustrating. I release before I'm on target and try as hard as I can I'm not able to get on target. I pretty much quit shooting for years and it never left.

I've contemplated trying a clicker to see if it will help.

[Etter]

Dont “try” anything. It wont help.  Buy Joel’s online course and work it.  I tried for years to take teaching and still do my own thing. It doesnt work

[Etter]

Im 8 days in and I feel like Im finally on the other side of the fence.  I know how to do it now. 

[Possum Head]

Fantastic anyone whose ever been plagued with it can certainly celebrate your victory 👏

[snag]

Everyone is “plagued” with it to some degree. May not be every shot too. Glad you find value in it.

[stevem]

I got ahold of Joel's "Iron Mind" video about 4 years ago.  It has made a vast improvement in my shooting.  My big takeaway is having a "process", instead of just shooting arrows.  My trigger is an extention of a feather, sort of.  I twisted up a paper clip to stick out a bit more than my cock feather and tape it in place.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Congratulations! Remember that you have to make it work for you. So long as you keep approaching it that way you will do well.

P.S. learning to properly trigger a limb mounted clicker is an exercise in frustration, but taught me so much about the proper archery movements. It's worth mastering before you decide which psycho trigger will be your go-to method.

[Shan]

I took the Shot IQ program several years ago and continue to watch modules when I encounter difficulty. To me now the correct sight picture only triggers one thing - movement to my shot execution phase - not release. When you get that programmed, it’s much easier to separate the aiming from the shot.
Always a mental battle but that’s why we love it so much!

[Etter]

Now I find myself in complete calm (mostly) because all I have to think about is squeezing that button on my trigger.  Its not a shot anymore.  It’s just “pressing, pressing, pressing”.  When that trigger goes, My arrow will go with it and correctly.  I bet it took 500 arrows to get there but here I am. 

[The Whittler]

Good for you. Now shoot some arrows and keep at it.

[TSP]

The concern I have with Joel's approach (from what I've seen of it on websites) is the length of time involved with the draw sequence...which seems to be a product of 'consciously overthinking' the shot sequence in general.  Not that it doesn't work, Joel is obviously a very good shot and well-versed in the psychological aspects of shooting, but speaking from experience a very loooong hold at full draw not only increases the possibility of new (or worse) TP demons, it also raises the very real likelihood of developing shoulder problems especially with hunting (higher weight) bows.  Keeping the process simple and uncluttered might not result in competitive target shooter accuracy on every shot but neither does it invite unwanted/unnecessary psychological or (worse yet) long-term physical risks for the shooter. 

So with respect for Joel's methods, it IS possible to shoot accurately without overthinking the shot.  Developing good form (which basically means developing good alignment and with high emphasis on simplicity of process) works quite well, especially for hunting scenarios at reasonable distances.  I suppose the approach one takes for their shooting style depends on where their priorities are, which is as it should be.

[Etter]

The concern I have with Joel's approach (from what I've seen of it on websites) is the length of time involved with the draw sequence...which seems to be a product of 'consciously overthinking' the shot sequence in general.  Not that it doesn't work, Joel is obviously a very good shot and well-versed in the psychological aspects of shooting, but speaking from experience a very loooong hold at full draw not only increases the possibility of new (or worse) TP demons, it also raises the very real likelihood of developing shoulder problems especially with hunting (higher weight) bows.  Keeping the process simple and uncluttered might not result in competitive target shooter accuracy on every shot but neither does it invite unwanted/unnecessary psychological or (worse yet) long-term physical risks for the shooter. 

So with respect for Joel's methods, it IS possible to shoot accurately without overthinking the shot.  Developing good form (which basically means developing good alignment and with high emphasis on simplicity of process) works quite well, especially for hunting scenarios at reasonable distances.  I suppose the approach one takes for their shooting style depends on where their priorities are, which is as it should be.

I can bench press 425lbs. (At least I could before covid closed my gym) but I have been unable to pull my 50 pound recurve to even half draw before on a deer.  These issues are all between my ears and I can no longer go flinging arrows at stuff. Honestly, if you listen to many trad podcasts and follow some of the competitive shooting, there is almost nobody now shooting triggerless.  It does work well for some people but I think theyre rare.  Even the greats like fred bear and howard hill had target panic

[TSP]

Etter, I agree that strength isn't the primary factor with TP.  I also agree that how one mentally approaches their shot is important.  My point is, a simple approach to shooting can be just as productive and in some ways even more productive and rewarding than a complicated or lengthy process.  After 30+ years of shooting 'seriously' (beyond boyhood string-and-alder bows and arrows) I've come to find the KISS approach to archery much more relaxing and enjoyable than punching bullseyes...but I understand that for some the mechanical/psychological aspects of building their best shot are more appealing.  To each their own.  For sure, life is too short to chase someone else's rainbows.

[Etter]

2 weeks of extreme dedication to this program has changed me 100 percent.  I truly wish I wouldve done this the day I picked up a trad bow.