Target Panic! 100% Cure Rate - Let's Put it to the Test

[S.C. Hunter]

Practice at distances that are unfamiliar is the only way to grow your confidence. You must believe you can make the shot or you will almost surely miss. Traditional archery is alot like golf you can only do what you practice and believe in what you have practiced. You look at a target and swing the club, you look at a target and loose the arrow. I know this sounds to simple but good golfers and good archers only think of the task at hand. The form and technique is already ingrained through practice and form drills. I don't know any good golfers or archers who walk up to the shot and go through a checklist before execution, they just know where they want the arrow or the ball to go and send it on its way. Most may have a trigger or single thought such as anchor point or back tension or pull through release, etc. I have played enough golf and know my swing well enough to feel a distance without having to know an exact yardage, I do the same with a bow in my hand. I shot at a practice target last weekend a large elk unknown yardage and on the first arrow hit about 8 inches low second arrow was nearly perfect shot. checked yardage afterwards and the elk was 58 yds. I just felt the shot? You must believe and be surprised when you miss.

[J-KID]

I think you meant to post this on another thread, however, I agree Kerry.  One of the chapters in my book is called "Confidence Breeds Success" but then I ask where confidence comes from?  Of course the answer is preparation.

What we are dealing with when we speak of target panic is very similar to what many great golfers experience, causing some to leave the game.  It's a putting malady called the "yips."  It's a premature stroking of the ball before the backstroke has been completed.  It's involuntary and seemingly uncontrollable.  The long putter has recently been a help in that regard.  You shoot handguns so you would understand the concept of the flinch where a persons hand begins to move up and back (premature response to recoil) even before the projectile has ignited or with an empty chamber.  In archery, there is a premature hold before the target can be acquired (where you lock up just off target), a premature release before anchor or a premature draw where you can't get to anchor because it feels like you are shooting a 120# bow.

[Earl Jeff]

I been shooting for close to thirty years with target panic and the only true cure I can use is a clicker. Haven't tried much else.

[Cecil]

I use some of J-Kid's things one is  the button. but after whatching Rod and Larry in masters of the bare bow 3 I have done alot of close bale work but I think what has helped me the most is setting up my shot in steps and shooting close. and now the two things that use to be the most important I think the least about and that is aiming and my release.I have battled TP for a long time. but I am notising the more I do get my shot down the TP is fading away.but it does take time.

[hunterbob]

Well contacting Jay was the best thing I could of ever did for my shooting.After just one day of doing the drills and shooting my shooting has turned around 100% I can come to full anchor and not short draw and I am hitting better than ever.and my arrows are hitting with authority now and right were I want them to go.and that is with my hunting weight bow of 57#.I thank you Jay.And I will be ordering your book.do yourself a favor guys and gals get in contact with Jay it will be the best thing you ever did for your shooting.

[Flingblade]

Jay,  I just wanted to update you on the progress.  I went to a friends property yesterday and shot at targets set up in sand banks from 80-100 yards.  Amazing!  I was able to draw to anchor, do the drills, and control the release at that distance!!  Before reading your book and using the drills I would have never dreamed that would be possible.  I was actually laughing out loud after the shot at the amount of control I was experiencing!  My accuracy at 30 yards was very surprising after shooting at the longer distances and it was so much fun to watch the arrow fly 100 yards.  Thanks for putting all the fun back in archery for me!!  Your advice to continue to do the drills every time I target shoot and a few drills a day keeps the TP away was very helpful! and

[bowbean]

Jay, I've been reading about target panic. I freeze on the bottom of the target and my mind says release. The problem only gets worse the harder I try. HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[J-KID]

Kevin,
Sent you a PM.

[50@25]

Jay,
Been shooting for 3 years.. Recently started with TP--.. Very frustrating.. My problem is premature release..usually used to anchor quite well until about 3 months ago..usually have trouble when shooting in 3D tournaments..

The last shooting of the year is next weekend...

If possible ...Please help..

[J-KID]

Jesus -sent you a pm.

[SaMbO2]

Jay,
Ive been shooting for 12 years and i get TP off and on and ive never really stopped it so i made my form kinda around it but now im starting to not get to full draw, but the main problem is i cant hold the bow at full draw.

please if you could help me that would be great.

[brian brooks]

Jay,  I could also use some kind of help.I'mm releasing before i get to my anchor.Cant make my mind not do it.HELP

[J-KID]

Samuel and Brian, PM's sent.

[50@25]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH JAY..your tips have really helped me..

[anchorman]

Jay Ksbowman told me you have the answers..I like many have trouble drawing and holding at full draw at times I am a half inch or longer from coming to anchor before I release. Are theur any drills or exercises a person can do? Thanks Lonnie

[J-KID]

Lonnie, PM sent.

[barley40]

Well Jay, I just now found the thread because I usually hang out around bowyer's bench. I started building hickory bows and shooting instinctively and thats when the TP set in. I started with recurves about 40 years ago. I can hold ancher left handed but can't get to full draw my normal right handed way. The longer I try to hold and concentrate the worse the shot. At longer distance, forget it.

[J-KID]

Dayton, PM sent.

[Ranger58]

I just found this thread and I'm excited with the prospect of finally getting over my TP!  Back in the day with the training wheels, I was a pretty fair shot.  Up to and including shots out to 65yds.  I was getting ready for a western hunt and then it happened!  I couldn't get onto target at all.  Nothing I did would allow me to move a pin onto the center of the target.  It got so bad that I quit altogether.  Then I met a friend who got me into traditional/instinctive archery.  It was amazing!  I thought I found the holy grail!  Then over the years IT started slipping back in.  Now, IT's back with a vengence!  I have trouble describing exactly what IT is for me, a mix of missing my anchor at times, complete loss of concentration at the point of anchor, snap shooting, and a real loss of confidence.  If I keep my shots to 15 yards and under I can generally muddle my way through; but, I feel like I'm missing out on the satisfaction of achieving accuracy at longer distances.  You have no idea how many shots I've passed up because of my time with IT!

[Bowwild]

Make the shooting process more important to you than the result.