CRASHED AND BURNED

[shreffler]

One of the things I have found help me the most is going out in the back yard and going through my shot sequence, but with NO intention of releasing an arrow.

I get set, breathe, and in my head tell myself come to full draw but whatever you do DO NOT release the arrow. This allows me to go through my sequence, come to full draw, and practice good form without any pressure of having the arrow go where I intend.

I come to full draw and hold for a few seconds, usually pick a spot, then let down. I'll do this multiple times and it really helps burn the memory of coming to full draw in your brain.

[bigbadjon]

There seems to be a huge stigma in the bowhunting community about shooting with a clicker. I think clickers are great especially for people who routinely short draw. The problem with anchor points and feathers on the nose an such is that you can lean into them and still cause a short draw. If you are at anchor and the clicker goes off it is a sure thing. I set mine up so I come to full draw, aim, then put on the back tension til it clicks, then release. It really imprints what back tension feels like and you don't have to suffer from target panic to benefit from one.

[BobCo 1965]

Yes, agreed, this happens.

However, I would recommend that you shoot as much outside of your normal comfort zone as possible. Take advantage of these situations as they arise.

[reddogge]

As far as shooting with others and being nervous, I learned a long time ago when playing golf and the foursomes were stacked up on the first tee I'd become very uptight and nervous with all the people watching and probably would make a bad swing with a bad result.

Someone told me the other golfers really aren't interested in what you are doing, they are only interested in what they may do so they really don't care what you do. That simple realization helped my greatly to relax no matter how many people are watching.

I carried that same philosophy to the archery course and it has worked.

[Gregg S]

A lot of very good suggestions. Several have different points but are intertwined with out suggestions. For example, I haven't been competing in the last few years (no time) so just the thought that this is a competition had my heart racing. I know that is stupid since these guys weren't even in my class. If I had shot a few this year it probably would have less impact on my nerves and I would have been more relaxed and had fun. Also I knew deep down that my shooting was not what it should be so it was just a matter of time before the wheels fell off. If I would have admitted that to myself before the shoot I could have worked on a shot sequence or the clicker and then I would have had something to fall back on when I began to feel pressure but after the first two targets my confidence was shaken and it only went down hill from there. I am getting a game plan of what I need to do. I am going to change what I have been doing though because it may work pretty good at the range by myself but under any pressure at all the wheels may fall off. Time to get to work.