Pre-Anchor TP

[Rossco7002]

Thanks Arne. What is your mental checklist as you work your way through the shot sequence?

[Ed Q]

Hey Rossco7002,

You have the same TP that I have - the pre-anchor kind that comes when you begin to aim as you draw.  I can come to full draw and hold all day if I don't aim.

I also tried the other way, as most on here have said, to come to full draw and then aim afterwards.  Sure enough, I soon developed a different kind of TP - the kind that appears to afflict those who use sight pins where you are unable to bring the pin (or in my case, the tip of the arrow) to align with the target after full draw.  So beware of that.

If you haven't already, give Joel (Clickerman) a call.  He explains really well what is going on psychologically with our minds when it comes to TP.  Dr. Jay Kidwell's book also gives a great explanation as to what's going psychologically, and the two both appear on the "Masters of the Barebow Volume III" DVD series and talk about TP.

I'll tell you this - I spoke with Joel a few months ago, and the very next day my TP went completely away.  I was able to shoot and actually enjoy shooting without the frustration of TP rearing its ugly head!  Unfortunately, the TP returned again, but I'm trying to keep it in check by remembering my conversation with Joel and reviewing the notes I wrote while speaking with him.  So I still have a lot of work to do, and like Moebow said, it's not something that you can easily fix from one day to the next.  Definitely call Joel if you get a chance.  He can explain it much better than I can.

[moebow]

Rossco,  I wasn't ignoring you, just saw your last question -- sorry.

What works for me: When I raise the bow, my bow hand lifts in line (vertically) with the target and never deviates from it.  The arrow line is oriented to the left (right handed shooter) and as I draw and my string hand comes to anchor the arrow (NOT the bow hand -- it's already there) moves into alignment with the target.  I control the "aim" with the string, the bow hand is simply pointed at the target.  Once I'm at anchor, a quick check (mental) that I am on target and my mind goes to my string hand and I start to think "relax the fingers"  I DO NOT think "shoot now."

I find this simple and effective.  I've shot like this for many years and happily, never had a TP issue.  If a positive thought process for control of the shot isn't working for you, Joel is still available to talk to you and I recommend you give him a call.

Arne

[twistedlim]

Agreed with all above good advice.  I find I like to end my practice with one good shot that I can feel good about and visualize over and over.  It really is a confidence boost when you go to your next session with that shot in mind.