Mental block

[Rossco7002]

Guys,

Would appreciate your input on what's going on here.

I shoot my most accurately when I have a 2 second pause at anchor. My problem is I can't seem to anchor that long - my shot gets rushed basically.

If I come up  onto target after telling myself I'll deliberately move the arrow off target when I get to anchor I do get the pause, the shot happens and I'm hitting great. If I move the arrow off target after hitting anchor as soon as I've re-acquired my sight picture the shot happens involuntarily.

I cannot come to anchor with the intention of shooting and then hold indefinitely.

This is NOT an issue with being over bowed.

Can this be cured? Must I get a clicker?

Please help!

[moebow]

Try this.  Reverse your process a little.  As you draw, look a the target but DO NOT aim until AFTER you have reached anchor.  You should not have to move "off target" just don't be on target until after you have reached anchor.  Then aim and shoot.

I feel that too many try too hard to keep some sort of sight picture on the target as they draw and that is not necessary and in fact causes many problems of which this is one.  Aim after anchor not before.  See if that helps.

Arne

[TxAg]

Rossco, i do the same thing.....especially if i'm tired. I loke moebow's advice and will try it myself.  Another thing i've found to help is to come to full draw and let down. Repeat. It helps my brain know that i own the bow, it doesn't own me. Afterwards, i hold at anchor better/longer and shooting improves.

[zetabow]

Originally posted by moebow:

I feel that too many try too hard to keep some sort of sight picture on the target as they draw and that is not necessary and in fact causes many problems of which this is one.  Aim after anchor not before.

Arne

I agree with Moebow,with practice you can learn to finish your draw at whatever distance you shoot without the need to pre-aim or adjust aim after anchor, I do this for IFAA Field 10-80 yards, when I get my Scapula rotated and holding load correctly before I start any real aiming I then feel like I could hold indefinitely.

For me Pre-Aiming messes a little with my alignment and it also seems my ability to use proper back tension, as I tend to be fighting with a desire to release which means I never really get my Scapular transfered to that proper holding stage.

[Rossco7002]

Guys - this has been a very simple yet very effective piece of advice! Bizarrely, my pre-aim through the draw process had become so engrained that I needed to start out by drawing with my eyes closed to implement your suggestions but my accuracy has benefited now that I'm only aiming once at full draw. My shot feels less rushed, more controlled and more relaxed as well.

Thanks!

[windrunner]

very informative. i will have to pay closer attention to how i am reaching full draw and aiming.

[Rossco7002]

I've just come back in from another shooting session with my little girl - gotta re-iterate what an outstanding tip this is. As Steve says - at full draw I feel I can hold on forever now and enjoy my sight picture before release. The result - a quieter body during the shot and some real accuracy gains.

Thanks again guys!

[zetabow]

Good for you Rossco.

I'm shooting Rec 3 under in a tourney this weekend and yesterdays first round a marked IFAA Animal was interesting, scored a 514 total (WR is 510) with a crazy 272 on first 14 targets but lost focus on one target on second half which took me another 3 targets to fully compose myself. (28 targets with 560 is max)

Very pleased with shooting form, just need to work on my mental stamina.

[Rossco7002]

That's some outstanding shooting Steve! My real standard come in the Fall when I can hope for shots on deer to test my mental stamina... I'll let you know how I get on!

I've noticed the technique you mentioned above is actually easier to use at longer ranges. This week I was shooting at our place out in the country and was making wonderful, composed shots at 30 yards but yesterday we returned to the city I was stuck shooting my little 13 yard lane in the basement and old habits started to creep back. Any ideas?

[RecurveRookie]

Thanks Moebow,  I had a similar thing going on, and I will take your advice too.  Cheers