Time Off well Spent

[LongStick64]

Well safe to say I've been too busy at work since April to shoot as much as I normally do. Finally got my chance today and my shooting form is super solid and I feel stronger on the shot.
Just a thought is is possible that by shooting much we our form begins to suffer from the wear and tear even though we don't necessarily feel it ?
I always thought that I needed to shoot as often as I could to burn in the muscle memory, but I'm starting to believe this is exactly what slowly erodes form and introduces bad habits because you nurture them slowly. By taking time off or reducing the amount you shoot, you maintain your form by limiting your shots to only "good" shots.
Or am I over thinking this.

[longrifle346]

Yer just gonna have to face it...we have an addiction with no rehab clinic and no 12-step cure!
I'd agree with it LongStick if all I did was shoot paper but that gets boring to me quick. I may be shooting the same target but I'll hunt it from a tree stand or coming to full draw from behind a tree and leaning out to shoot. Throw pin pong balls out around my stand and shoot'em. Different circumstances, different angles. Different muscles, different practice.

[Flingblade]

I agree.  I use to shoot just about every day and eventually started to develop tendinitis in my bow arm elbow and pain in bow arm shoulder.  My shooting suffered.  I now shoot about 3 times a week and take a week off once in awhile.

[straitera]

Strange but true to me also Pete. After a short recess (week or so), I always feel great about my shooting. Just great to out shooting again I guess. Maybe absence does make the heart grow fonder?

[dragonheart]

In sports they call it "overtraining" syndrome.  Shoot enough, too much and you are not fresh and energized.  I am way guilty of it and working to obtain a more disciplined and sane practice routine.