Blank bale shooting vs. shooting with eyes closed

[jonsimoneau]

Here is something that may help some of you who are working on form. It's been helping me. We all know that to better or form it often helps to take the "aiming" out of the equation. This may be especially important for some who have trouble reaching their anchor. I've done a lot of blank bale shooting but the problem with it for me is that my mind still tries to "pick a spot" even on a blank bale. So what I do is simply shoot with my eyes closed at very close range. It helps me to feel what I'm trying to work on without having the distraction of aiming. I know this is not a new concept but it may be helpful to someone here.

[njloco]

When one does blank/blind bale shooting, one is supposed to keep their eyes closed, that is why one stands so close to the target, to make sure they don't miss.

[xtrema312]

So true. I have resisted blind bail.  Not sure why.  Probably partly from not having a nice chest level and good size back stop.  I have been doing it some this last week or so indoors while working out some issues. Shooting blank bail short range is okay, but blind bail is better.   It is kind of like when someone looses site they become much more in tune with other senses.  When you close your eyes you really become aware of the muscles, tension, pressure and position.  One of the first things I noticed was what my sting fingers were doing and my string hand follow through became very constant and smooth vs. the  usually mix of almost static or a little too dynamic.

[Green]

If you don't have a large target, and are worried about hitting something, focus your eyes on the tip of your arrow....you'll know you're going to hit the bale, but you're not aiming.

[skilonbw]

I always try when shooting for practice to take a couple of shots on the blank bail, I find this helps with form and I do the blank bail out to about 10yards for this really helps form to draw blind and feel the whole shot at this distance.

[skilonbw]

I always try when shooting for practice to take a couple of shots blind on the blank bail, I find this helps with form and I do the blind shooting out to about 10yards for this really helps form to draw blind and feel the whole shot at this distance.