First shot accuracy?

[TroutGuide]

I seen to miss the spot by a foot or so on the first shot but after that wouldnt dare shoot three arrows at the same spot or I will bust something.  I am only shooting 10-20 yards.  So how do I get better at the first shot since that is the only one that counts.  I have tried one shot sesions but i am still not where  I want to be. I did do a search before asking so please help, or redirect.

I do the same thing at targets as I do when I am hunting.  I take lots of various practice draws before I shoot and while I am hunting I try to visualize where the deer will come and practice drawing at imaginary deer.  I also cheat and shoot the occasional blunt while deer hunting, especially if I have worked my way into pheasants and rabbits.

[foamkiller]

Change your practice routine. Instead of shooting from the same place for several arrows change places. I like to start at around 30 yards, throw several arrows forward to different spots and then pick them up a shoot them at the target. This way every shot is a "first shot". When you shoot groups your mind compensates for every shot.

[Bobaru]

I was where you are.  

It's exactly like a baby learning to walk.  The real only prescription for learning to walk is to walk, then walk some more.  

Here's the real problem which is arrived at in all sports:  We think with our fontal lobes, but we do all our sports activity with our cerebellum, the most primitive portion of the brain.  So, people can attempt to describe how to accomplish a phyical activity, and a person can be open to "understanding" that knowledge.  But, it is the imputing of that to the cerebellum which is important.  

So, even though the first arrow is important, while practicing, they're all imporant (and equally unimportant).  What I mean is to take yourself just about as seriouly as a baby learning to walk.  You will notice that babies don't beat themselves up when they go "plop."  They laugh and get back up and go some more.

I've been in the basement shooting arrows late at night when my arms were so tired I couldn't draw properly.  Perhaps I shouldn't do that; maybe I'll develop bad habits.  But, I don't think so.  I think that shooting 10,000 arrows will lead to some good things.  And, that has pretty much proven to be the case.

G. Fred Asbell has been most helpful to me in this.  It seems with him that it's a "ying and yang" sort of thing - don't always get so serious about little details - instead just enjoy the shooting.  I note that Fred reports shooting hundreds of arrows per day, however.

So, if one arrow goes low, don't adjust up.  Instead, forget about the low arrow and shoot another where you know you should. After a while, you will nail that first arrow more often than the following arrows because you have more focus on the first arrow.

Hope this helps.  Hope you enjoy your shooting.

[TroutGuide]

Thanks guys.  Foamkiller that is basicly what I am doing right now and I hope it will help.  I have a limited range and so all shots are within 20 yds so they are only a couple yards different but it can't hurt to mix things up.  It is just so frustrating knowing I can knock the nock off an arrow I already shot but cant hit a salad plate the first shot. It will come I know.

[TroutGuide]

BTW I do shoot between 20-150 shots a day. I get to shoot throughout the day whenever I choose.  So I think I am going to continue with the random 1 shot sessions.

[arky714]

put a wiffle ball on a string or a piece of styofoam in front of target let blow in wind back and forth ...try this quickest way to improve your shooting mind ...

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Are you high with the first shot of the day or with your first shot in every group?  If you only shoot the first shot of the day high then shott a couple practice rounds before you leave the house.

[TroutGuide]

First shot of the day is usually off.  I will shoot in the evenings but mornings are a little dark.  I might stump shoot from my stand but dont want to make noise.  I have been practicing at a burlap target with a deer shoulder drawn on it and it has been helping. Im getting the feeling for an animal instaed of a target.

[Whump]

Whump Sez: Try this; hold your bow out with an arrow on the rest just like you are going to draw on the target, fingers on the string, point the arrow toward the target spot. Play the shot out in your mind and visualize the arrow headed to the target.Take 15 - 30seconds to do this and give your brain time to work out the shot. Start your draw while still holding the bow at arms length, concentrate on the spot and shoot. This will help your concentration to make the shot. Have as serious a mind set on making that first shot as you can muster. If it doesn't work the first time don't give up. Start doing this at about 10yds until you are satisfied with the results.. You will have to establish some type of yardage and aiming system into your brain and that will not happen if you keep changing your yardage until you master one distance.You know the drill, then move back to 15yds and so forth. It may sound elementary but that is what your mind is doing when you miss the first shot and then shoot flys of the wall on the next shot. The hunters first shot system is strictly a mental exercise and you should already know that since you can bust nocks on your second attempt.As you master this system you will be able to do this faster and faster until it becomes a snap shot if needed. But the process takes some time so don't give up.  Obviously you can shoot your bow well so that is not the problem.       Hunt safe.

[cbCrow]

I usually shoot between 30-40 arrows 5x a week and to avoid what you are experiencing I shoot 9-12 arrows at the blank bag from about 6'. It helps me to loosen up and get me ready to do my regular routine.

[Ravenhood]

I shoot the same arrow during practice, never have had that problem.

[wapiti1997]

Don't try to hit a salad plate starting out...  aim small miss small...  It sounds like you first miss a large target then drill the arrow you just shot.  Start with a quarter sized target..

[AllenR]

The solution probably depends on the reason that you are missing the first shot.

Are you simply not focusing?
Is your form different on the first shot?
Are you aiming differently?

Once you know why you are missing, you will probably see the solution.

[TroutGuide]

No.  I am shooting at either a very small bullseye or a spot picked on an deer outline.  Just like in a hunting situation so this is why I am concerned.  There are no quarters on a deer.  And I never aim at an arrow they are too expensive..  If I am trying to shoot groops I aim at the same target or spot I picked to begin with.  I want to be acurate not precise.         But things seem to be getting better after shifting to a deer profile and aiming for a spot on burlap instead of the red dot.  

Ravenhood  I shoot the same arrow some time and a matched set other times. How was your response supposed to be helpfull?

[ishoot4thrills]

Maybe try "split vision aiming" or "gap shooting".

[Flingblade]

I have the same issue at times.  I have read Asbel's writing on how instinctive should be as easy as throwing a baseball.  Frankly, I couldn't hit a paper plate at 20 yards with a baseball on the first throw either.  Takes some warming up.  I guess that is why I rarely pitched.  I think there has to be some form of aiming other than instinctive; like split vision, gap or something to achieve first shot accuracy.  The problem is compounded when you have been sitting on stand in freezing temps for several hours before your "one shot".  I wonder how many could hit a paper plate with a baseball at 20 yards after sitting motionless for hours in freezing temps?  I'll bet not many.

[joe skipp]

Whether I'm heading out to bowhunt or start a practice session in the backyard, I always warm up in my shop shooting at my back from 5 yds away.

I make a point to shoot at least 5-6 arrows to loosen up the old bones and make sure my form is there. Then when I go out to practice or hunt, I'm ready for the first shot. Never go out cold and expect to be as accurate as you are after shooting for awhile.

[S.C. Hunter]

Best way to describe it is see the shot first in your mind. Your brain doesn't know rehearsal from the real thing. This is why we experience the same sensations when on a virtual ride vs a ride where we actually move. See the shot and feel it. This is why your second shot is better you now have a focus on the small target. Most have the opposite problem. More people will often have a very good first and even second shot, then they try to keep it up and try to hard. They try to create the form and release that produced those results and become so technical they don't trust what they are very capable of doing on auto pilot. I know this sounds crazy but how many times while driving do you think about brake pressure needed to stop, or how soon to start your turn. Do you have a death grip on the wheel like you did when you were learning to drive? Do you count every light and read every street name to find your way home? I doubt it very much, with repetition and new found skill we trust our ability to drive that car and get home safely without thinking about every move we make. We know we can and we just do it while having a conversation or listening to a talk show or drinking coffee etc. We just do it.

[TroutGuide]

Thanks guys lots of good stuff.  I still have a long way to go but I am a lot more confident now.
Brian