Anchor Point!!!

[leewillis92]

Time after time, I can't reach my anchor when looking at a target.  When I have an arrow nocked and just pointing at nothing in particular, I can reach it each time and hold it for 2-3 seconds.  When I even look at the target before I shoot, I let it loose before I reach my anchor and have shots all over the board.  I have been trying to do a double draw (I draw not looking at the target and then again (at the target) and shoot) but after time that doesn't work.  I have my father spotting me when I shoot and he helps me and tells me when I don't do good but even that is failing now.  I have shot at a blank bale, and probably need to do that again, but it still seems to not have any affect when shooting at a specific target.  Advice?  Should I get one of those draw-check clickers?  Thanks a ton, very much appreciated.   -Lee

[Ryan Sanpei]

Lee,
I've experienced the very same thing.  I'll share with you what helped me.  The first thing I did was I dropped down in bow weight "just to get the feel" of what I wanted to do.  I used the lighter bow to train my mind to help ensure a consistant shot sequence.  The second thing for me was that I needed to ensure that I was engaging my back muscles.  Using my back muscles to "keep the shot strong". Thirdly, I keep two things in mind "hit and hold".  Hit anchor and hold.  I don't like to blind bale for this particular issue.  I like to practice this "hit and hold" at distances 15yds of further. Try this, look at the desired target focus on the desired target.  Go through your normal shot sequece, but don't release the arrow. Hold until you aquire the sight picture and let down. Practice this over and over again. Do everything you would normally do but don't release the arrow.  Train your mind and body to get a feel of the complete shot sequece before your release.  It seems like you are already trying things like this, but now focus on the intended target "make like you want to shoot it", but don't release the arrow.  Once you get a feel for it then you can start to release the arrow.

Remember now this wont help for every shooting stlye, and it will not help everyone.  When I shoot I like to pre aim with my bow arm pointing at the desired target, and I like to hold at anchor, but remember now if you hold at anchor you need to also focus on back tension or else you shot my tend to collapse and it may also affect your release.

Ryan

[BRONZ]

Target panic.  I've had the same problem with both my compound and recurve.  Luckily, I was able to fix the recurve.
I like the suggestions already given.  Something I like to do:  Formulate a shot sequence like, "Hit and Hold",  "Ready, Anchor, Release", etc.  On the cue that means let the arrow go, have someone else say it.  My two year old daughter is great help.  I say, "Ready" (anchor), "Set" (hold your anchor), and then I when she says "Go", the arrow is on it's way.  Get's you in the habit of being at full draw, aiming at something you WANT to shoot, and not releasing prematurely.  
Next, never think it's just going to go away.  You have to be disciplined in practicing drills that will help with the issue.  Above all, be patient, and remember to enjoy archery.

[fleetus]

Read what I and others said over on the Target Panic thread.  It is a known problem and it can be beaten.  But I can't emphasize this part enough, you cannot bandaid this problem and be shooting well in a few weeks.  It takes a RE-COMMITMENT to archery form.  Almost like starting over, but you will regain your skills more quickly.  Take a break for at least a week or two.  Then pick up your bow, the lighter the better, and start pulling it back without arrow nocked and hold for as long as you can.  Keep doing that until you surpass 30 seconds COMFORTABLY (not shaking).  Concentrate at full draw on isolating you back muscles until you are squeezing your shoulder blades together.  you'll find that holding like this requires serious strength!  Now go back out with the arrow nocked and do the same thing in front of a target.  Draw, Anchor, hold for 30 seconds, let back down.  Once you feel good about your form and the back tension draw again, Hold for 30 seconds and release.  Now you're on the road to recovery.  I use a heavy 70# bow for strength training and a light 30# target bow for form training.  Works for em.  Haven't had the dreaded TP for 5 years.

[cvarcher]

Why we all start at 60lbs or more Ill never know. Get yourself a bow with a draw weight of about 35 lbs or so. Go to a flat large field with plenty of blunt tipped arrows.Looking at the horizon draw the arrow right to your anchor and hold. Youll be able to do this easily. Pause and subconciously look yourself over. bow arm, feel the fingers on the face, look at the sight picture.Now get ready to release.Holding the hand on the face firmly just open the fingers while you maintain the pull .Hand should stay on the face and a little back from anchor upon release. Bow arm stays exactly where you had drawn.In other words dont move after you shoot.As you continue shooting keeping everything nice and slow dont shoot anything closer than 50 yards .This should help get comfortable with shooting the bow.

[pdk25]

Am I missing something.  I didn't see leewillis92 post what weight bow he was shooting?

[cvarcher]

53lbs@ 28" . on the bottom of his post.

[BLACK WOLF]

If you're using the Blank Bale to engrain an aspect of your form...you need to make sure you are allowing yourself enough time to engrain it within your muscle memory and subconscious.

My mistake has been that I would get to board with it...and start shooting targets when I first felt signs of getting better after just a few practice sessions or even within the same session.

It can take up to a week or more of just shooting at the Blank Bale to do what you want it to do.

Just for comparison...it has been told that some Korean Olympic archers are often taught by shooting off of a cliff for a year with no regards to aiming so they can totally engrain and develop good consistant shooting form.

Most of us don't need or want to take it that far...but it is interesting.

Ray