the Mind

[Jock Whisky]

After reading a lot of posts on shooting technique here and dealing with a bit of target panic over the years I came to the conclusion that I've been practicing the wrong stuff. I used to practice my grip or release or deep hook etc. Then I'd just "focus on the spot" and let 'er rip, usually with mixed results. But there's more to it.

 Then read Jay Kidwell's books and posts. I also read a post by someone who referred to a Korean coach who said "if your shot sequence was correct you could not get target panic" or something to that effect. That got me thinking and that's always scary.

As I was working on the drills that JK recommends I thought about the old saying that archery is 10% physical and 90% mental. Well as far as the physical practice goes I do ok. I already know how to grip the bow, how to use a deep hook, how to draw and anchor with good back tension, how to release and follow thru. I still work on them but if archery is 10% mental than I'm overlooking 90% of the process...the mind.

So I changed my sessions such that I'm constantly telling myself to "work the mind" and not just the body. I use JK's drills. I watch my shot sequence?  Am I committed to this shot etc. All I can say is Holy Crap, what a difference it makes. Especially the part about "Am I willing to commit to this shot?"

Maybe this is obvious to most people but I've sure missed the boat. It seems to be working for me and I'd be delighted if it can help someone else.

JW

[McDave]

How many shots do you let down, compared with how many shots you shoot?  I really need to start letting some shots down, particularly in tournaments.  Nobody I shoot with ever does, so it's not going to be an easy thing to start doing.

[zetabow]

It was me who had the training from Korean coach and made that comment.

What a shot sequence does for me is it enpowers me to commit to the shot but to also abort the shot at any time when it doesn't feel right, the aim is just one step in the shot sequence, no more or less important than any other step,I find this keeps everything together and doesn't let the aim interurpt my form (normally back tension).

One training exercise I did last week and I found this helped my form and groups, once I'm settled into aim I start the expansion counting 1000,2000,3000, the release happens somewhere around 2000 (still subconscious suprize) but the back tension feeling has continued to 3000, I will only use it during training but hope it will be ingrained into my subconscious shot sequence, I discoverd a weakness in my form of stopping back tension to soon after release (more so in pressure situations)and I'm finding this technique a great help.

Following a shot sequence starts off on a conscious level but because it's so complex were hoping to transfer most of those more complex movements to the subconscious and only become consciously aware of the sequence when things dont feel right.

hopethisisof some use to you

[Jock Whisky]

McDave
Not very many yet but it's truly getting better. I've just started this routine so more to come. I have a 3D shoot in a few weeks so that will be the first test.

Zetabow thanks for the comment. It's been a game changer. I find the commit/abort decision to be very helpful as well. So much better than the ol' "burn a hole in 'er". I also find the back tension needs to be maintained beyond the release and am working on it. When it all comes together it's magic!

JW

[McDave]

When you say "back tension needs to be maintained beyond release," I wonder if that is actually happening, or if it's really more just keeping the shoulder blades in the release position as a part of your follow-through?  Can you really maintain tension against a force that is no longer there?  Imagine playing tug-of-war and the other team let's go.  Can you keep tugging?

[zetabow]

Kirsk Lee shot cycle  

If you read the part about follow through it states to continue back tension for several seconds after release.

Some parts of target shooting arn't practical in 3D/Field shooting but I try and use as much as possible when conditions allow.

[snakebit40]

What book did you read?

[Jock Whisky]

There are a couple of books I found helpful Snake. Vipers Shooting the Stickbow was one and Jay Kidwells 2 books "Instinctive Archery Insights", the original and the revised edition. Jay has come up with the only explanation of target panic that, to me makes any sense.

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by McDave:
When you say "back tension needs to be maintained beyond release," I wonder if that is actually happening, or if it's really more just keeping the shoulder blades in the release position as a part of your follow-through?  Can you really maintain tension against a force that is no longer there?  Imagine playing tug-of-war and the other team let's go.  Can you keep tugging?

Tension is actually being held. It is isotension with no visable movement upon the final position of the follow through. Personally, I like a 2-3 second rule of thumb for consistany purposes instead of when the arrow hits the target.

[Javi]

Holding until the arrow hits the target most often refers to holding the eye on the target until the arrow has struck the target preventing peeking at the release..

Since back tension is a group of muscles causing the lower tip of the scapula to move towards the spine  and has a limited range of motion which should be reached during the recoil of the arm at release, I see no reason to hold beyond reaching that limit.

Now if you are talking about the practice of expanding the chest to move the arrow past the clicker on an Olympic bow, then I can see a benefit as it would stabilize the upper torso.  But that's a whole 'nother kettle of worms...

[zetabow]

The idea is to give me a strong shot\\conclusion, I found in some tourneys on long shots the moment just after release the back tension would relax, by continuing the feeling of back tension has made some nice improvements to my shooting specially on the longer shots.

I've had good National\\International tourney results the last few years so for myself at least I feel my form is proven and heading in a direction I want it to go.

Just trying to pass on what worked for me to help others up their game,it's not for everybody as Archery comes many varied and different forms. For those wanting to try I hope it helps them as much as it did me.        

good luck