Conscious Release??

[Slimpikins]

I will try to describe this in as few words as possible.

I shoot split finger with what has become a reference-style shooting system. I used to snap shoot, and I was really proficient, but the dreaded TP took hold and I found it really difficult to reach full draw. I have since begun reaching full draw before focusing on the spot I am shooting at. I then use some sort of reference, whether it be the arrow or the window of my bow (I could honestly not tell you which one) to settle before release. I fight this:
Some days I can go out, complete my draw cycle, settle my bow arm and consciously release the arrow. Other days, I fight the urge to release as soon as I "Feel Comfortable." I spent about 50 arrows yesterday shooting with my eyes closed throughout the entire draw sequence. I also shot probably 25 arrows by drawing, settling to "aim," closing my eyes, and consciously releasing the arrow. I shot surprisingly good groups when releasing with my eyes closed out to 20 yards. I also walk around the yard with an arrow knocked, draw, settle and think "release," then let down.

My question is this. I am wondering if anyone has similar issues and what sorts of drills do you to correct it? I can tell that my shooting is improving, but I am always looking for ways to improve it further. Thanks in advance!

[Matt Parker]

Shooting a clicker gives me a surprises release. I have shot with a clicker for 3 years and love it. It has totally changed my shooting.

[Slimpikins]

I am trying to avoid the clicker. If I was not seeing improvements I would look into it.  I am not unhappy with where my shooting is, but during the offseason I am trying to really work on it. I appreciate your response Matt.

[Matt Parker]

I had the same problem you were experiencing with TP. I could do ok shooting alone but in a pressure situation TP always came back. Joel turners DVD is really good to watch. If you don't like the clicker maybe you could try the feather to the nose technique. This method and the clicker gets your focus off the shot which really helps to avoid TP. It may not be for everyone but it has definetly changed my shooting.

[McDave]

Using a nonanticipatory psychotrigger rather than a conscious release has helped me. I got the idea from Joel's section of MBB 4, which he develops further in his own CD. I changed his a little so it works better with my static release. It keeps me from rushing my shot, and I can still look at the target as I am drawing the bow, so I'm pretty much on target and don't have to make major adjustments after I'm at full draw.

The tendency to rush the shot is always there, and if I rush one shot, it becomes much easier to rush the next one until it becomes impossible to control. So when I do release a shot before the trigger happens, I focus totally on not rushing the next 3-4 shots until I feel like I have it under control again.

[McDave]

For me, target panic starts with a nervous feeling similar to nervous feelings we get when we experience other uncomfortable situations in life. I'm sure there are many things that can cause this, but one of them would be if a part of your form is not quite the way it should be. So one of the things I look for when I get this feeling is if there is some part of my form that has slipped. If nothing else, it helps take my mind off the nervous feeling and directs it to something more productive.

[Slimpikins]

I like that McDave. Thank you for the advice!

[Jock Whisky]

McDave what do you use for a trigger???

[McDave]

I have a watch that has an interval timer on it. I set it on 5 second intervals; it gives my wrist a buzz every 5 seconds.  I use one 5 second interval to take a deep breath and relax, and the next 5 second interval to draw, hold, and shoot.

[Ravenhood]

McDave That sounds great thanks for sharing. I will try to use it for training like a clicker

[Scott Barr]

McDave,  This is the first I have heard of the watch with the timer. I have thought of this very trigger and was wondering how to get it done. Would you mind sharing what watch has an internal timer?  Thanks.

[McDave]

I started with a Garmin 910XT, which I originally bought as a backup GPS for hunting in case my main GPS stopped working.  It has an interval timer function that gives you a little buzz on the wrist at the end of each interval.  The shortest interval available on the Garmin is 10 seconds, which gave me time to breath, exhale, draw, and hold.  I think there are many other similar athletic wrist gadgets similar to the Garmin that have an interval feature.  Finding out how short an interval they will support in advance of buying one is a challenge, however.

I prefer a shorter interval, like 2 - 5 second intervals rather than 1 - 10 second interval, so I looked around for something else.  The iPhone would be ideal, since I carry it around all the time anyway, and there are all kinds of metronome apps available for it.  The one I use is called Tempo.  Unfortunately, the iphone buzz is too puny for me to feel through my pocket, and I don't want an audible sound that will bother everyone else.  The iPhone metronome works fine through a wireless earpiece, so a lot of times I'll use that.  If I'm just at home practicing by myself I'll just carry the iPhone in my pocket and use the audible beep.  The weakness of the iPhone buzz is also a problem for people in meetings, etc., as they miss their calls, so maybe Apple will improve this in subsequent models.

[myshootinstinks]

I've fought with TP a lot, hence my handle.  My methods to remedy have not been sophisticated. When I'm going through a TP "cycle", I try to keep shooting sessions fairly short, 30-45 minutes. The longer I shoot the more my mind wanders and I tend to revert back to bad habits. I consciously make myself count, 1001, 1002, at full anchor before I shoot, even if I'm sure I'm onto my target to start with. I keep a lighter draw bow to shoot during these remedial shooting sessions. With a 40-45# bow I can hold as long as I need to and focus on form. Like you, I have also shot with my eyes closed but into a hillside with form & release my only concern.

[Bowwild]

I had TP on the right side from about 1984 to 1995. I tried all the tricks (except a clicker) to no avail.  

I changed to LH and it was gone with the first arrow. I'm left-eye dominant so the switch was double good. Of course TP could have "come back" but I know what causes it and can prevent it.

The target and the release are not the last things I think about during my shot process. While keeping my draw and bow arm active I think instead of my back moving my elbow rearward and that "triggers" the relaxation of my draw hand...release.

I can even shoot RH now if I want to, but I don't.