Yes, Lee, I think you have spoken for many of us in what you wrote. I, too, have been in the process for the last year or two of trying to establish a more deliberate shot sequence. For me it is a matter of feeling as though I am in control of the shot. Sometimes I shoot extremely well shooting quickly and just pulling through the shot without ever hesitating at anchor. However, I am inconsistent using that system all the time. So, in the interest of consistency and control, I have worked very hard coming to a solid anchor and taking a little longer for the shot.
However, it is extremely difficult to undo years of mind and muscle memory. With every shooting session I still find myself rushing shots and then "double clutching" as you call it in an effort to regain control.
Last summer I spent about 5 weeks doing nothing but close up blank bale shooting. I felt that I was making good progress, but I had no feedback to tell me if I was really gaining what I wanted. When I went back to targets I still found myself rushing the shot and falling back into the old habits, so I decided I had to conquer the problem at that level since most of it was mental.
What finally has helped me the most is to shoot at my 20 yard target, but to consciously make the decision that whether I hit it or not does not matter as much as keeping my form consistent. That way, I still have the mental element of having to focus on a target, but I'm not attaching a desired outcome to my shot other than executing it the way I want. By practicing this way, I get the feedback I need to know when I do make a correct shot, but I also take the time to analyze what I did wrong if it does not fly right, all the while knowing that even if I miss the target I am aiming at it is OK if my shot has been executed with correct form.
How something as simple as shooting a bow can be that complicated is a question I ask myself on a regular basis. It's like I have to trick my conscious (or maybe my subconscious) mind into not caring whether I hit the target or not, and yet know that in the end my objective is to hit it consistently. This rambling may not make much sense, but if you have ever had trouble with control of your shot, some of what I say may ring true.
At any rate, for all those of you who are in the mode of changing to a more deliberate style of shooting, I wish you well and believe your effort will be worthwhile in the long run.
Topic: I'm pulling a "Tiger Woods" (Read 1261 times)
