Finally seemed to beat my Target Panic....

[USN_Sam1385]

I have been struggling for over a year with getting to full draw without releasing the arrow. I would get 90% of the way there and be unable to prevent myself from releasing the arrow prior to getting that final 2 or 3 inches of draw using my back muscles.

It only happened when I was actually attempting to shoot the target. I knew I wasn't overbowed because if I looked at an inanimate object that I KNEW I was not going to shoot, I could draw all the way back and hold forever with ease.

Even when I would tell myself that I was NOT going to release the arrow, and just to draw to full draw and then let down easily; I would always release the arrow, like it was completely out of my control. Was pretty crazy.

I beat the target panic by utilizing a new drill, and somehow it put me "BACK IN CONTROL" of the arrow. I know that sounds crazy, but it was like I could literally NOT control or prevent myself from releasing the arrow.

I beat this TP by coming to that 90% draw and then closing my eyes, taking a deep breath and coming to full draw, feeling my back muscles utilize and come to my anchor with my eyes closed. Then I would let down from full draw with my eyes still closed and then only at that point would I open my eyes.

Somehow this let my mind know that I was back in full control of the draw and not releasing the arrow, and simultaneously developed what the proper draw should feel like.

I am shooting better than ever, but I do on every shot have to remind myself to KEEP DRAWING, especially when I am 2 inches away from the anchor point and every muscle fiber in my body is saying RELEASE.

Just thought I would share with you guys, might work for someone else. My TP was BADDDD. Let's hope that I can keep it at bay.

Good for you!  My tp was exactly as you've described.  Only thing that helped me was to take control of my shot and concentrate on the back-- just like you.  :^)

[-Achilles-]

I used to have it bad.I have had every kind there is too.For me the problem was I was just overbowed.Once I got a lighter weight bow it went away fast.

[ericmerg]

mine was the same thing i used the bridge program withen 4 hours of blank baling i was straight back in control im starting to snap shoot again but i have control over the shot now so i can stop myself and shoot a few at 10yrds with full control

[CLICKERMAN]

Closing your eyes shuts off your subconscious and allows you to CONCENTRATE  on a movement.  Congratulations on your success, but realize how you are doing that.  You have to tell yourself to keep drawing, that puts the concentration into the muscles groups that are required for drawing your bow.  Keep doing what you are doing, but recognize what thoughts are going through your mind.  Control your thoughts by talking yourself through the shot.  What you say is what you think.  Direct your mind where it needs to be in the different aspects of your shot by saying the words that mean those movements.  

A word of caution, if you are still allowing the subconscious to tell itself when to release, it will try to learn your shot and attempt to shortcut it eventually.  So stay in your game, know your thoughts, control them with words, but beware of the subconscious gremlin.

Joel Turner

[limbshaker]

Dude, I'm goin through EXACTLY the same thing now. People just don't understand how you "can't" just "not release". It's freaky, and I know how it goes. I hope your method works for me, thanks for the tips! Glad someone else understands I thought I was losin it for good!