How to maintain focus?

[2Blade]

Today I was shooting and I wasn't shooting that good then next shot somehow I focused so hard that my bow literally disappeared during my shot and I hit dead on at 30 yards. After that I couldn't maintain my focus to even come close to that. What do you guys do to stay honed during the shot and make that arrow go where you want?

[McDave]

From everything I've read, instinctive shooting requires a level of focus that is hard for the average human being to maintain.  Which is used as an "excuse" as to why we don't do as well in tournaments as sight shooters.  Well, no one likes to make excuses, but it would be interesting to see how an excellent instinctive shooter and an excellent sight shooter would compare on a roving course where each got only one shot at each target, and all targets were at unknown distances from 10-40 yards.

But the gist seems to be that if you want to maintain a high level of focus, then the best way to do that is to fire only one arrow, retreive that, and then fire another one from a different location.

Personally, I don't like to do that, because it's too much walking and too little shooting, so I just concentrate my focus, pitiful though it may be, the best I can.

Sometimes it's interesting to reverse the question.  I usually shoot a few arrows in my backyard in the afternoon after I come home from work.  Sometimes they group, and sometimes they don't.  When they aren't grouping, I can usually identify some source of stress that is preventing me from focusing.  Sometimes the source of the stress isn't on the top of my mind, and my arrows spreading all over the target serve as a visual indication to me that I may be burying some issue that needs to be addressed.

[Terry Green]

If your mind is astray.......so will your arrows be.

Try and remember this...

The most important shot....is the one your are fixing to MAKE!!!......Always.

[Bonebuster]

I believe McDave is right on the money with the stress thing. Its part of why shooting a bow is good medicine. Out with the bad, in with the good.
Positive thinking. A good deep breath. The draw weight of your bow, be it 40 lbs or 75 lbs is not even something you notice. Its as effortless as walking. Don`t worry be happy.

Keeping that cutting edge focus can be difficult at times. Shooting one maybe two arrows at a time helps me, but sometimes thats not enough. I cheat by keeping the smallest speck on the backstop that I can see. Or when stumping I always choose something tiny to shoot at.

Try shooting at brightly colored paintballs. A cut off aluminum shaft works good for holding the paintball. Just stick the cut off shaft in front of your backstop. You will be amazed at how often you hit that tiny .68 caliber ball. Its alot of fun, and its easier to focus on the tiny bright spot.(My kids love it)

Sometimes nothing works. I just can`t focus. Thats when I go get something accomplished. It makes me feel good to get something done (god knows there`s plenty that needs to be done) and next time I get the bow out I`ll do better.

Relax, concentrate as you reach full draw, release, follow through. Don`t worry be happy.

[2Blade]

Thanks guy I think one of my problems is that im to lazy to pick a small spot so I pick something a little bigger. Yesterday me and my girlfriend were out shooting she had a .22 I had my bow she shot the can and I wanted to look like a pro lol so at 15 yards I strained to pick her bullet hole on the can but I nailed it 2 times in a row.

[Molson]

Originally posted by Terry Green:


Try and remember this...

The most important shot....is the one your are fixing to MAKE!!!......Always.

             

Absolutely!!!!

[SteveMcD]

If your mind is astray.......so will your arrows be.
 

Terry is absolutely right. And his shooting is awesome, as well.
 
I think focus or lack there of, sometimes gets confused with Confidence. You see this in good shooters. When they set up to shoot their "focus" or intent is that there is every expectation that they will hit their mark - period. They step up to the shot, take their time, form is fluid and purposeful, deliberate.
In many shooters that are just starting out or have target panic the problem is that, there is worry and doubt about hitting the mark. Because of that doubt, usually form breaks down somewhere, anticipation, no follow through, dropping the bow arm or peeking over the arrow. Proper form will bring proper shooting and proper hits, that will build confidence. Then you will say to yourself, I've made this shot hundreds of times, there is no other thought or reason as to why that won't happen this time. And if you get a flyer.. no big deal, the next shot will fix that.

[2Blade]

Good tips im still trying to get rock solid form somethings up with mine I just dont know what.

[Black Gold]

Byron Ferguson said that he only shoots 3 arrows in one session multiple times a day.  He said that 3 is all that he can maintain the necessary level of focus on.....

[Doug R]

I shoot from one to five arrows at a time depending on how long I can maintain my focus without getting sloppy with my shots.Somedays it one shot go pull it and shoot again. I also think that shooting at the same prctice spot at the same target gets boring and you loose foucs.Sometimes I think we dont realy realize it but its true. Try a judo or blunt at an empty plasic bottle around the yards for a few shots and then shoot a couple at the practice target. I bet your focus will be sharper,mine ususaly is. Change things up a little.

[2Blade]

Does our mind get tired is that why after sevral shots we start to get sloppy? I try to do all types of diffrent shooting simulations thats why ive been doing alot of moving targets id like to get in to shooting moving game like running deer I want to make sure I can do everything in the field so I have the advantage over the animal so to speak I hate being caught off guard or not being able to make a shot because I dont think I can do when the deer is in range. Does anyone have any fun shooting tips that also helps benefit skills and keep the fun?

[mcgroundstalker]

Hey Nick...It takes alot of "focus" to shoot groups of any kind with trad gear...Some guys like myself have no interest in shooting groups or dimes for that matter...Guess I'm just that way... When starting out you NEED proper form...A small group of arrows shows you have that down...No need for a 3" group at 30 yards though.

What makes me tick is stump shooting or roving around the woods taking ONE shot at a blade of grass...Distance unknown...A blowing leaf...Sometimes a bumble bee...Get the picture?

Use bright feathers and your mind will remember trajectory and compensate naturally...This kinda works for me...That is the only person I can speak for...Won't be writting any books on the subject...But having alot of fun at it!!!

... mike ...

[2Blade]

I find it harder to shoot groups then it is to stump shoot ive always felt if I cant shoot a group im a bad shooter. I mentioned before I shot terrible at stumping and shot great on my deer target now that has changed ive spent more time stumping then 3-D and I can hit great out stumping but a bulleye gets me. So really if I shoot good at stumping im good enough to hunt?

[Bow n' errors]

I recently re-visited the old "pick a spot" idea in shooting instinctively and it has really paid off.  Instead of shooting at an orange target dot or other target spot, I leave all target spots off the shooting bale and just pick a small, distinguishable spot on the target butt, like a change in color of the bale or a piece of different colored material, and keep changing which spot I concentrate on with each shot.  It has made quite a difference for me.  Something about using a round spot or target causes me to have trouble concentrating on it and hitting it.  Since I took this other approach, I've been able to really hone in on a particular spot, even a small one.  Pick the spot before you start your draw sequence, forget everything else and concentrate on that spot all the way through the shot sequence and follow through.  Hopefully, it will translate into being able to pick a spot on that animal and go for it.   Works for me, good luck!