What to do when having a bad practice night?

[Junction hunter]

Last night I was shooting POORLY. The harder I tried to correct the worst I shot.
When having a bad night of shooting; Should you stop shooting for the night to keep from getting into a bad habit or should you keep shooting?

[Izzy]

Stop, open a beer and read a book or build some arrows.
             Izzy

[just a bit outside]

You know, when that happens... I know it isn't going to get better because I'm just gonna keep getting more frustrated and then I never shoot well. So, I put the bow down, grab a nice single barrel bourbon, and enjoy a movie or a game from the comfort of my recliner. Or, I'll play with my dog for awhile. Then, I'll pick that bow back up in a day or two when I've stopped thinking about how bad I was shooting. Somehow, it works everytime.

Greg

[James Wrenn]

Personally I just stop and go do something else.I just don't care about shooting just to say I done it.If I am not in the mood and it shows in my shooting I consider it wasteing time to keep on unless it is just something in particular I am trying or working on like tuneing arrows or shooting in a new bow.jmo

[Kevin L.]

I agree with the other guys. Never practice bad habits. Just put it away and go do something else. I shoot bad enough when I'm not having a bad day, no need to practice that way.

[buckeye_hunter]

When having a poor night of shooting...

I shoot until I ACCIDENTALLY get one to go in the bulls-eye. Then I quit for the night having shot my best arrow of the night. Even if I have to walk up to the 5yd mark to get it done, I always quit on a good arrow. Then, like the others said, go do something else.

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Rick Ellis from striker bows also gave me some good advice once.  He said, "Don't worry about the last arrow you shot.  Just worry about this one and focus on shooting it right."
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My 2 cents,
-Charlie

[clear]

I guess I am hard headed. I shoot till its better or I cant sleep at night. At 1 good shot or a good group.

[BONE]

Tim--When I have those days I first try to analyze the cause of the bad shot and try to fix it. That works most on the time only if you keep a cool head,if you let yourself get bent out of shape and up-set it will not work. Take a break and come back to it later and usually you will shoot better.Works for me YMMV.--------Bone

[robtattoo]

Beer, bath(beer?), book (beer?), bed (cocoa!).  :D

Unless you can pinpoint exactly what you're doing wrong, pack it in. You'll only frustrate yourself.

[AllenR]

After each good practice shot, you should think back over the shot and visualize that good shot.

Then when you make the inevitable bad shot, immediatly visualize the good shot.  

Once you have your form established, I don't think that you can learn anything from a bad shot.  Try to put it out of your mind and focus only on your good shots.

This seems to be working for me.  Every bad shot that I make is because I let something about my form slip.  If I re-set by visualizing a good shot, it usually corrects the form flaw for the next shot.  If not, I take a few minutes out, get closer to the target and focus on my form again.

The exception to this is if the bad shot is a result of equipment failure.  Obviously, if that's the case, you have to stop and get it fixed.

Hope this helps,
Allen

[trapperDave]

Originally posted by buckeye_hunter:
When having a poor night of shooting...

I shoot until I ACCIDENTALLY get one to go in the bulls-eye. Then I quit for the night having shot my best arrow of the night. Even if I have to walk up to the 5yd mark to get it done, I always quit on a good arrow. Then, like the others said, go do something else.

x2

[BLACK WOLF]

If you're having a bad night of practice it's usually caused by not being able to focus...and if you're trying to focus on a multitude of things at the same time such as aiming, form or other things that may distract you...you're bound to have a bad practice session.

My suggestion would be to get up close to your target...preferably a blank bale or back stop so you can just focus on one aspect of your form at a time with no concern for aiming. When you focus on one thing at a time...the mind has a much easier time managing that...than trying to manage many things.

Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

Definitely don't force yourelf to practice while practicing bad habits because they will eventually get engrained within your subconscious if you keep doing them over and over again.

Ray  

[inthecrease]

Originally posted by buckeye_hunter:
[QB] When having a poor night of shooting...

I shoot until I ACCIDENTALLY get one to go in the bulls-eye. Then I quit for the night having shot my best arrow of the night. Even if I have to walk up to the 5yd mark to get it done, I always quit on a good arrow. Then, like the others said, go do something else.

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x3

[elkbreath]

a good night to throw a throwing stick...

If you ain't enjoying it, why are you doing it?  You won't get better until you can smile.

[inthecrease]

Originally posted by buckeye_hunter:
[QB] When having a poor night of shooting...

I shoot until I ACCIDENTALLY get one to go in the bulls-eye. Then I quit for the night having shot my best arrow of the night. Even if I have to walk up to the 5yd mark to get it done, I always quit on a good arrow. Then, like the others said, go do something else.

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x3

[dagwood64]

I put it away. Do something else. Then later on I try to analyze what I was doing wrong or watch one of my Traditional DVDs (Masters of the Barebow I & II, Become the Arrow, etc) , sometimes while watching them I see something I forgot or was doing wrong and it jogs my memory.

[scriv]

I get close if I must.  Shoot a good shot and then quit.  Always end on a good note.  The mind is a powerful thing, keep it on your side.  

[pdk25]

Guess I'm stubborn too.  I just buckle down and concentrate and that usually fixes the problem unless I am too fatigued.  Then I will take a few minutes rest and start up again.

[BobW]

Time for 2-fingers of Jack on the rocks.... some days your head just isn't into it

[Hattrick]

Jim beam & coke works for me!!       somtimes beer-but Jim is better