Shot sequence.

[trad_in_cali]

I wanted to share with some of you (and ask for input) the importance of a step-by-step shot sequence. I have these steps that I've drilled time and time again and they help my concentration noticeably, especially if distractions are present (like at a 3D shoot).

1) Feet placement: I look down at them. That means now I'm shooting, everything else is out.
2) Get the arrow from quiver and nock it.
3) look at my spot. From now on I stare at it
4) bring bow arm up and align body (feel the alignment)
5) start breathing from belly
6) bring arrow to anchor (continue breathing)
7) lower scapula in back, make sure bow arm does not rise
8) Feel 2nd anchor and relax both hands
9) Feel relaxed, ensure push and pull
10) Release/follow through
11) when arrow hits target, lower bow arm
12) rest at least 20 secs for another arrow

Hope this helps others.
Marco

[Cherry Tree]

I have never thought about doing something like this before but it makes a lot of sense to do. Thanks for sharing!!

[fireball31]

I concentrate on three step shot sequence personally. 1. pick a spot 2. draw to anchor 3. release.

If I concentrate on a long shot sequence like that I start to develop target panic.  I do notice that I tend to do the same things anyway, but I don't consciously do them.

[McDave]

especially if distractions are present (like at a 3D shoot)  

That seems to be my biggest problem.  The feeling is that half my brain is shut down, I'm thinking about the distractions, and I lose the ability to focus on the shot.

I've found that proper breathing, which you refer to in your steps, is the key to getting my focus back.  In my case, it starts before the shot.  It doesn't take much, I just have to remind myself to slow down my breathing, fully inhaling and exhaling, starting about the time it's my turn to shoot.  The key is to focus on my breathing as I prepare for the shot.  That means that I'm not thinking about the shot I'm about to make, or the shooters around me, and I'm particularly not thinking about how good or bad a shot I made on the last target.  What I'm thinking about is the air going in and out of my lungs.  "Thinking" is probably not the right word to use, since that implies words, but all my mental attention is focused on my breathing.  

You can't tell yourself not to be distracted by things going on around you; it doesn't work to tell your brain not to do something.  What you can do is to tell yourself to focus your attention on your breathing, which gives your brain something to do other than be distracted by other things.

I've never had this problem when shooting at an animal; for whatever reason, it's always been easy for me to focus my attention under those circumstances.  But it's easy for my attention to get fragmented by other people.

[fedora]

I shoot horrable around other people, but concentrate much better alone and on animals.  My sequence is:

1. put arrow on string
2. place deep string grip
3. stare at target
4. feel anchor touch my cheek bone, tip of thumb on eye brow
5. push grip
6. release

If I fail to make sure I am pushing I drop my bow arm.  I have just got the push pull concept and need to ingrain it as second nature.  Prior to this I always wondered what was ment by push pull, until I started to figure it out.  Now that I have my groups are much tighter.

[bbold]

This year I have been makeing sure I go through my shot sequence at each target and my shooting is better.

[Shinken]

Here is my shot sequence - my *secret* to LH shooting - an integration of extremely helpful Trad Gang member dialogues - especially McDave - Rod Jenkins - Rick Welch - Anthony Camera - Fred Anderson - and the list goes on and on....
------------------------------------------
Repeat and visualize it....

Say it out loud:  “This is *my* 12-step shot sequence for the perfect arrow.”

1.   Shoulders perpendicular to the target
2.   Nock an arrow
3.   Rest the bow
4.   Align the fingers
5.   Hook the string
6.   Inhale / exhale
7.   Draw / inhale
8.   Anchor on face
9.   Count…1001…1002 (Pick THE spot!)
10.    Expansion   FT with solid bow arm (FT = follow through with bow arm)
11.    Conclusion   FT with solid bow arm
12.    Exhale    FT with solid bow arm

Shooting is really, really good these days.  Unfortunately, I am really, really right-side dominant so it looks like my LH shooting is not going to get over 45# at my 29.25" draw length.  I have been shooting LH since September 2009 now.

Have a great 2010 hunting season!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[Earthdog]

My own sequence goes.

Aquire target,this is the begining of aiming and is maintained throught the shot.
Correct stance,
Grip the bow,
nock arrow,
grip string,
Draw,
anchour,
Settle,
Release/follow through.

That's the base of it,but I can spend a lot of time breaking any one of those down into another long list all of it's own.

I don't normaly use this in any place other than my back yard.
During both competition and some times while hunting I will do a mental check through before I decide to take my shot,but really these steps are used to ingrain the shot sequence to a subconcious level so that it becomes automatic and I don't need to think it through.

The day comes that I step up to the line and try to go through all those steps in an effort to actualy shoot better there an then,will be the day that I know for sure that near on 40 years of practice has been a waste of time.

Distraction,,,,is a mental issue.
The shot sequence is a physical issue.
Trying to use the physical to control the mental,,,is not going to work,,it has to be the other way round.

Distraction needs a mental fix.

[Gene R]

I understand McDave's frustration completely. Hardly any problem with TP alone or with critters but around people and a 3D shoot, it can sure raise its ugly head.

[SHOOTO8S]

Changing priorities prevents us from performing our best under pressure...whether at a target event or hunting shots. Guys shoot lights out in the back yard or with their buddies, but change the surroundings and the train runs off the track. How many know hunters that are deadly on does, but have a real problem shooting bucks...and the bigger the buck the bigger the problem ? If pressure affects you, its the perfect time to really make your shot sequance the priority...and the only priority, not score or the results of a shot.

[bowbenderman]

I agree, if I really try hard not to mess up, guess what I mess up.  It has to be a sub-conscience thing.  I have learned that aiming is not the final thing in a shot, I felt that when I thought I was on target I had to let it go. This is not true.  I am working on the completion phase of my shot now.