Tuning your "instinctive" - Newb

[Zradix]

I'm pretty new at this too. I noticed at first I was sighting down my arrows to the target. I'd try shooting at different yardages eventually which really trained my mind to learn the arc of the arrow. All this was done while sighting down the arrow. After I was reasonably decent at that I started to almost ignore the arrow and just concentrate on the target. After 8 months of 40-50 every day or two so I'm starting to come around. Lots of work but really satisfying when the arrows stat hitting where you want em. Work smart and have fun!!!

[Chuck Hoopes]

Alot of good suggestions here-
 I would suggest since your shooting error is vertical, that any thing you can do to get your eye closer to the level of the target is going to help.- Bend your knees, squat,whatever. It will reduce the amount of calculations that your subconscienous mind has to make at incredible speed to send the correct instructions to your body so that it can make the right moves to make the shot. Anything you can do to reduce the amount of calculations, will reduce the amt. of possibly incorrect or hazy info. your body reacts to, the better off you are going to be.  Simply put, keep it as simple as possible, reduce angles _(both Horizontal and Vertical) when possible.
  On another mental front,  I have found, that when I have a bad shooting days (also bad golf days)its because I am trying to MAKE it HAPPEN, rather than LETTING it HAPPEN--if you get my drift-- We often get in the way of ourselves--relax, let your mind and body do its thing - its incredibly capable.  Anyway, reduce angles where ever possible--Its a Good thing-can do you no Harm. Is this a GREAT sport or What!!!

[onewhohasfun]

KISS! If you are brand new at this don't complicate things by over-analyzing every thing. Pick a spot, anchor and push that bow arm towards the target. Shoot and have fun. Don't expect immed. results. Your brain is still in compound mode. Take a deep breath and enjoy the beautiful flight of that ball of feathers. I think frame of mind has as much to do with good shooting as proper mechanics. Enjoy yorself, Tom.

[Corn Stalker]

Something else I just thought of while scrolling through. I may only shoot 1 arrow during a session....if it is the right arrow. By that I mean, if my form was on the money and the shot "felt good" I might stop there for a while.I found it helped my subconcious to remember for the next time. Regardless of accuracy in the beginning. I stump shot all summer with 1 arrow that way. It forced me to relax and make the first one count. Hard to do right now I know but something to think about.

[Kevin Winkler]

Heh! Tim,

I see that you have gotten started at the Trad shooting!

I went through some of the same struggles as you are right now. I know that it can get pretty overwhelming at times, but try to keep it fun.
Don't work on to many things at a time! When you practice try to work on one thing at a time.
One time you may just want to work on blind bale shooting a focus on your follow though, next time work on anchor, then another time work on your release.....you get the picture.

It will take some time, but it'll be worth it. I think I still have your address, I have something else I'm going to send your way.

Kevin

[Roy Steele]

Anchor point,bow arm up,follow through.Your brain will do the rest.

[inn8hunter]

Thanks again all. Hmm...Kevin, now you got me wondering. I read through most of the book you sent, now it is my son's turn to start reading it.

Tim