Stage fright tp??

[Flingblade]

The form of target panic I have is that I cannot get to full draw.  The worse it gets the earlier I release; sometimes not even getting to half draw.  I've learned alot from this site in the last year that has enabled me to get control of the shot process and enjoy shooting again (by myself in my backyard).  I shoot using the shot sequence described by Joel Turner in MBB4.  I come to full draw and pull through the shot until the feather touches the tip of my nose, then release.  I thought I had enough control to start shooting in the winter 3d league at the archery shop near home.  I was wrong.  For some reason when I try to shoot in front of other people the short draw tp comes back in full force.  I shot my worst round last night at the league and decided if I can't figure this one out I was going to stick to shooting by myself but that reduces the fun and I hate to let the enemy tp steal that from me.  Has anyone else experienced this or am I alone on this one and any suggestions on overcoming this?

[Bullfrog 1]

Like the Nike saying JUST DO IT. I shoot most of the time by myself but if you want to shoot good or without tp in fromt of people you must do it. My dad used to make me come apart. I just wanted SO bad to shoot good in front of him. One day I just went over there and invited him to come watch me. It was a disaster at first but after a while it got easier and easier.    BILL

[McDave]

This is one of the most common kinds of TP, both from my own personal experience and per Dr Kidwell. I think the first thing you need to do is to make an agreement with yourself that coming to full draw is the most important part of the shot for you right now; that you're going to come to full draw even if it means you shoot over the back of the target and lose your arrow.  For the moment, you're going to have to give up your idea of releasing when your feather touches your nose; instead, you 're going to have to hold it on the end of your nose for a slow 3 count. During those 2 seconds, you're going to relax all the muscles you've tensed up in your arms and fingers (but not your back tension!)  Then you're going to increase your back tension even more until your shot goes off. Eventually, you may be able to go back to releasing when your feather touches your nose, but it complicates things too much at this stage of your TP.

The same thing happened to me with the clicker.  I used one for years without trouble hunting or at the range.  Then, one day I began to anticipate the clicker and couldn't get to full draw.  The simple of it is, that the feather to the nose, like the clicker is not a cure for the demon.  It's simply a method to trigger the response to shoot.  

I would recommend getting the Volume 3 of MBB and follow Rod Jenkins' instruction to the letter.

Good luck to you.  &%^$# stuff--anyway!

[fatzboys]

im with you brother.i went to a 3d shoot today.frirst one in well over a year. i get real nervous shooting around people.i cant even warm up at the range before hand.i got to my first target went first and guess what happened? yep missed it.i ended up shooting a pretty good score,but man i was shaking and felt weak . i think what i started to do was slow way down.i took more time when it was my turn.did my pre shot routine like i was in my back yard.picked a spot and drew back nice and slow and just kept pulling.just like you told me.slowing everything down was key to me.i ended up with a 306. 40 targets,17 tens,12 eights,8 fives,and three missed. Even the other too targets i missed felt like good shots.so your not alone,you no you can shoot its just finding out what can get you focused on that stupid target.hang in there man.we can do this....

[britt]

flingblade I can relate. I just got back from a 3D shoot. First round I shot 163 out of 210. For me this is a excellent score. Then second round I went back too old habits; snap shooting,short draw,and dropping my bow arm. Second score was 111 out of 210. Iam not going to give up. Iam getting some help from a guy in Loveland,CO and also Iam going Rod Jenkins clinic in Cody,wY. My moto is "keeping coming back".

[Cecil]

For me setting up a solid shot sequence was the key. I was listening to some guys a couple years ago and one of them said the best advice he ever got was to learn the shot in the back yard and take that same shot to the tounament. mbb III has some real good info on building a shot.

[tuscarawasbowman]

I used to shoot with a "touch and go release". That used to happen to me until when I switched to a 1-2 second hold per Rick welch all my problems went away. My personal experience was that I was so focused on releasing that arrow as soon as it hit my anchor that I would get panicky and short draw. Now that I hold I can get settled and relaxed I never short draw.

[reddogge]

I think we all have a certain performance anxiety when shooting in a crowd. It's the same as golfers tensing up on the first tee. The thing I taught myself about golf is the others really don't care about your game but are only concerned about THEIR games. That realization made me more relaxed. I try to bring this attitude to the 3-D course too. Most people are so into their own problems they hardly notice what you are doing so relax and let it happen.

[momo]

hi i have been doing this a while and have shoot with the best i belive all of use still have a little target panic esp in front of a bunch of people at a big tourament or in a small crowd the mind is a strong thing i belive if you try to forget the people around you and think full draw before every shootand relax get to full draw look at your spot always pick a spot aim small miss small relax and let go forget the people and have fun  dont keep score for a while

[Tall Paul]

I had/ have the same exact problem, Flingblade.  But it's like alcoholism/addiction; it never goes away completely.  Your mind always wants another drink/lost arrow. I'm eight years into TP recovery.

What has saved my archery career?  Get close to a large target, come to full draw,count 1,2 to yourself and shoot.  Half the time you release. Half the time you don't, you let down.

You have to teach the brain, that just because you came to full draw, doesn't mean you are going to shoot.

I wish I had better news for you.  But then again, mine was ingrained by years of shooting with poor form.

[Tall Paul]

Originally posted by McDave:
[QB] This is one of the most common kinds of TP, both from my own personal experience and per Dr Kidwell. I think the first thing you need to do is to make an agreement with yourself that coming to full draw is the most important part of the shot for you right now; that you're going to come to full draw even if it means you shoot over the back of the target and lose your arrow.

McDave is dead on.  Do this first!

[Flingblade]

Thanks for all the responses and advice.  McDave- I started with the hold the feather to the nose and count to three.  It is working and I can feel the control on most shots.  I'll know next week how I perform at the league shoot.  Jim-  I watched MBB3 last night and plan to get a blank bale and start Rod's technique of blank bale and bridge but I don't think I have time enough for that until the league is over in March.  It was amazing to see all the high level shooters on there talking about target panic and none of them agreed on what causes it or how to overcome it.  Momo-  I will try to forget the people around me next week.  Hard when there are arrows zinging all over and lots of distractions.  Your response made me think of how Tiger Woods handles the pressure shots.  He seems to be in some kind of a Zen trance.  Back to the drawing board...errr blank bale.

[McDave]

I should warn you that when you force yourself to hold at full draw for two full seconds, at first you're not going to shoot very well, because your body is panicking against the very thought of it. After a while, you will begin to relax as your body begins to accept it, and then you will begin to enjoy shooting more and your accuracy will improve accordingly.

[kbetts]

I have performance anxiety.  I can stare a monster buck in the eye at ten yards, but put me in front of people and I shake like a leaf.

Last night before my league shoot I drank a couple of beers since I wasn't driving.  Shot a 270 out of 300.  I felt so much better lol!

[momo]

i  also have friend that drank a couple beer to relax but i nevr have but to each there own i myself hold at full draw for a long time most of my friends ask how i do that it just practice like mcdave saidat frist you might not like it but if you practice hold at full draw for a second or to  you will inprove. and a lot i remember the frist time i shoot infront of about 200 people in the best of the best i was so nerviousbut i pull it together and made good shoots