My journey through target panic

[McDave]

I've struggled with target panic over the years, and finally seem to have come up with a solution that works for me.  I would like to present it here, not as "the answer to target panic," but as "an answer that has helped me" in the hope that it might help someone else too.

In the course of my struggles, I've tried everything I could find on the subject, including many solutions that evidently have worked for other people, but didn't work for me in the long run.  Everything I tried seemed to work for a while. When I say "everything," I mean everything from the most respected methods out there to shooting left handed to buying a new bow.  Anything that would occupy my mind would work as long as my mind was occupied with the novelty of the change, but then after a while, target panic would begin to creep back in.

My symptoms of target panic were that my muscles would begin to tense as I drew the bow, and frequently would lock up short of full draw, so that I couldn't draw any further. If I made it anywhere close to full draw, I would feel an increasing urgency to release the arrow, so I was never able to reach full draw and hold, and usually released before reaching full draw.  I could easily draw the bow and hold so long as I wasn't planning to shoot the arrow at a target.  Sometimes I was able to shoot casually with my friends without target panic, but as it became worse, I could never shoot a tournament without a full blown attack.  Interestingly, I never had a problem hunting, where it was just me and the animal.  It only seemed to happen when I was shooting with other people.

Finally I read an article by Denny Sturgis Jr, in the Aug-Sep '15 Traditional Bowhunter, where he recommended looking at the back of the riser while drawing the bow, or in extreme cases, closing your eyes while drawing the bow.  I tried this, and found that I was able to draw to full draw, every time, just like I could when I drew the bow without any intention of shooting at the target.

The problem was, when I shifted the focus of my eyes back to the target, I was usually off target to the extent that I had to make a major adjustment to get back on target, I wasn't relaxed, I still had an urgency to release the arrow too soon, and was making all sorts of other shooting errors, so I couldn't hit much of anything.  Other than that, I was making progress, because at least I was at full draw while all this ugly stuff was going on.

The first thing I learned, with the help of Arne Moe, was how to make major adjustments after reaching full draw, by keeping my "T" alignment from the waist up and moving at the waist.  This wasn't easy, since I had ingrained for years the habit of locking everything down after reaching full draw, but unfortunately I was locked down off target since I wasn't looking at the target as I drew the bow. If I needed to make a major adjustment, I had to learn to break things loose at the waist, while keeping my upper body in alignment.  It helped at first to make sweeping movements across the target to get things unlocked, after which I could make the minor movements I need to make to get on target without wrecking my T alignment.

Then I had to get rid of the residual target panic I still had after I shifted my focus to the target.  After I became confident that I could always draw to full draw by looking at the back of the riser, and that it wasn't just a transitory thing, I began pausing at full draw while still looking at the back of the riser, until any residual nervousness went away, and I was able to relax.  Only then would I allow myself to focus on the target.  I found that if I was relaxed when I shifted my focus to the target, I stayed relaxed as I aimed.  Also, if I was relaxed, I didn't make as many annoying errors around the point of release, like plucking, peeking, failure to follow through, creeping, etc.

My present goal is to gradually reduce the major adjustments I have to make when I shift my focus to the target.  I find that as I get more confident, I can wait longer and longer before I have to start looking at the back of the riser.  If I'm looking at the target until I'm almost at full draw before I start looking at the back of the riser, I find that my bow doesn't drift that far off target, and I don't have to make as many major adjustments.  Note that I say "looking" not "focusing;" I don't focus on the target until I'm ready to shoot the arrow.  I've really come to appreciate my last moment relaxation technique while looking at the back of the riser, so I don't think I ever want to get rid of that entirely. But I would like to minimize the time I'm looking at the back of the riser as I'm drawing the bow in order to minimize any last moment major aiming adjustments I might otherwise have to make.  I can envision a time when I'm not looking at much of anything for a moment as I make sure I'm relaxed before starting to aim.

This has really helped me, and I'm back to shooting pretty good scores in tournaments.  If it has helped me, there is probably someone else out there it might help too, but I know enough about target panic not to say that it would work for everyone.

[Etter]

Have you spoken to joel turner?  I still battle it but my shots are under control now by simply using his method of breaking the shot down into several steps and using a mantra. It really works.

[McDave]

Yes, I have spoken with Joel Turner, and have a great deal of respect for him and his method.  I know it has helped many people, and I would recommend that anyone with target panic give it a try.  I couldn't get it to work for me, but that's the way it goes with target panic.

[MRD]

I read the same article as you McDave, and it has helped me tremendously as well.  I too enjoy the time looking at the riser to settle in to anchor, and RELAX, both mentally and physically.  When all is ready I then move to aiming.  I'm usually pretty close as I set my arm before drawing and it's only minor adjustments needed to aim. I even made it work when shooting a couple of pigs this past winter. Asbell would be horrified!  I think what it was most beneficial for was to break the "sight picture as triggering release" and moving the commitment to shoot phase much further down the shot sequence.  Still working on expanding thru the shot.  Trying to rid myself of the dreaded collapse.  Still a lot of work to do, but feeling like things will improve.

[McDave]

With me, it was looking at the target as I drew the bow that triggered target panic, not what I was thinking about.  I think it is beneficial to clear one's mind of distracting thoughts while shooting, but that wasn't what was causing my target panic.  Methods that deal with target panic by focusing on the most important part of the shot process, like "keep pulling," were not effective for me, if I was looking at the target while I was concentrating on the mantra.  For some other person, whose target panic is triggered by the distracting thoughts themselves, concentrating on a mantra might work better than my method.

I too, MRD, continue to be plagued by all the normal errors we make, but my shooting has improved a lot since I learned to relax while looking at the riser, before shifting my attention to the target.

I waited a long time to write my post.  Although I thought I had found a method that was effective for me in eliminating the main part of my target panic, which was getting to full draw and holding, my shooting hadn't improved that much.  The final key was learning to relax before shifting my attention to the target.  After I learned to do that, the frequency of all the normal errors we make from time to time dropped way off, and I felt confident enough to suggest this method for someone who may be suffering from this particular type of target panic.

I still think there is a place for a mantra.  For example, MRD, you might try using the "keep pulling" mantra suggested by Joel Turner to reduce the occurrence of collapsing or creeping, since it is a slight relaxation of back tension prior to release that causes this problem.

[jabodnar]

Thanks for sharing McDave.  As you stated, nothing is a cure all for everybody, but I'm sure your experience will help some.

 

Originally posted by McDave:
 The final key was learning to relax before shifting my attention to the target.  

This is something that has helped me a lot too.  I haven't had issues with getting back to anchor, but my TP seems to be a drive by release.  I'll get back to anchor, focus on my spot, and occasionally as I'm getting everything lined up my brain anticipates it and I'll release before I've settled in.  Often times resulting in a pretty heavy pluck on the string and a very poor follow through with my bow arm.  It feels like 3 seconds, but when watching film I'll be at anchor for 1/2 second.

I haven't had to go as far as looking at my riser, but I have started keeping my target slightly out of focus.  Only when I've felt my body relax b/c everything has been brought into proper alignment, I'll zone in on the spot. It's very hard to describe, but when I can get my body into that relaxed state, I can then burn a hole in the target and get a much cleaner release.

[McDave]

"I haven't had to go as far as looking at my riser, but I have started keeping my target slightly out of focus. Only when I've felt my body relax b/c everything has been brought into proper alignment, I'll zone in on the spot."

That's where I'd like to get to.

[Firstlight]

Thanks McDave for taking the time to write up your success in dealing with TP.

I have used the same technique and I have found it to be helpful as well.

This instinctive Archers Magazine article from 2000 by Jim Ploen goes into a lot more detail with respects to much of what you have mentioned.  I think you'll relate.

I couldn't find the original article so I  hope it's ok to post this link to a forum I'm not very familiar with, as I think the article can be very helpful to others with TP.  Scroll down to find it...
    http://staf.trinitylongbowmen.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=857&p=7566&hilit=champion+target+archer+back+in+the+60%27s#p7566

[MRD]

Still working on the mantra for the expansion of my shot.  Or more accurately, concentrating on the movement to get me to conclusion and using the mantra to do that.  That concentration takes a lot of practice to master, and I'm a slow learner :-)
I've been working with the form master to help focus on the movement.  I'll shoot some blank bale, and then go stump shooting with it.  Not trying to hit anything but getting to anchor, aiming, and then expanding.  Any lapse in concentration while doing it and the formaster let's me know.   I'm hoping that  with the aiming aspect included I can learn the proper amount of focus to keep on the target and the back tension, and run my shot sequence even under stress.

Even if I have to look at the riser to get to full draw for the rest of my life, I'm okay with it.  It's helped me gain control of my shot, and if that's what it takes, I consider it a small price to pay.

[McDave]

Thanks for posting this, Firstlight.  I enjoyed reading Ploen's article.  It appears I am trying to reinvent the wheel!  That's okay; I'm just glad I'm making progress again.  Interestingly, I have the complete set of Instinctive Archer magazines on a DVD.  I wonder how many other good articles I may have missed?  

I believe Rob DiStefano offers these DVD's for sale, if any others would like to obtain one.

Although Ploen discusses "aiming," I don't think the aiming necessarily has to be with reference to an outside object, such as the arrow point.  After all, the magazine is Instinctive Archer.  I think everything we have discussed is applicable to instinctive aiming as well as reference aiming.  I'm not sure it would work with snap shooting, but I don't think instinctive shooting is limited to snap shooting, either.

[Dan Jones]

McDave,

I'm glad to hear that you're making progress against the panic.

 I have three questions if I may: First, how do you draw the bow - bow arm fully extended, then the draw?  Or a swing draw? Second, do you hold the bow vertical or cant it? Third, how long are you at full draw with your technique?

That article by Jim Ploen in the old Instinctive Archer magazine is perhaps the best single thing I've ever read on target panic. Unfortunately, the target is still a flickering flame for me. The way to put it out continues to elude me.

Best wishes,  Dan Jones

[McDave]

I use a modified swing draw, where I draw with my bow arm fully extended, but not locked.  I draw about halfway as I am swinging the bow up, and the remaining half after I have raised the bow fully.  I exert some pressure with my bow arm shoulder toward the target as I'm drawing the bow to keep my shoulders in alignment, as they tend to open up as I draw otherwise.

One thing that is sort of in flux right now is what to do with my string hand as I'm drawing the bow.  If I draw my string hand straight back toward my face, I seem to get on target better, particularly when I'm looking at the back of the riser during the final moments of the draw, but I get shoulder pains when I draw this way. OTOH, if I draw away from my face, so my drawing forearm stays more in alignment with the arrow during the draw, and then bring my string hand into my face as I reach full draw (Arne's rotational draw), I don't seem to get shoulder pains.  I guess the answer is pretty clear: I should draw Arne's way to avoid the shoulder pain, but I still find myself drawing both ways.

Each of my bows seems to have a preferred cant so the arrows go where I'm looking.  I prefer an upright bow with very little cant, but I prefer even more to have my arrows go where I'm looking!

I haven't timed my hold, but I would guess I spend about 1-2 seconds at full draw looking at the back of the riser, relaxing, and checking my alignment.  Then I spend about 1 second focusing on the target.  I think when I get better at this, I would like to spend no more than 1 second looking at the back of the riser, but I will spend as much time as it takes to feel relaxed and confident.  I would like to extend my time focusing on the target to 2 seconds, because I still feel like I'm rushing my shot a little and spending a little more time focusing should increase my accuracy.

[Firstlight]

Originally posted by Dan Jones:


 Unfortunately, the target is still a flickering flame for me. The way to put it out continues to elude me.

...well, I am not fully there yet either but in the "backyard" I can do pretty well.  

How I deal with the "flickering" flame  (that desire to let loose the arrow ) is to practice getting to anchor, count to 2 or 3, then let down.  I do this a few times before I shoot and then again randomly while shooting.

I also practice kidwell drills of aiming off, figure eights, etc, coming back to target BUT only releasing every few shots.

While doing all this I use a shot mantra.  For me its', "draw" while I'm drawing the bow.  Then I arrive at anchor, a two point anchor.  Once I'm anchored in my mind (mantra) I say anchor, followed by, keep pulling keeping pulling.  While saying "keep pulling" I can feel the back tension increasing and my hand comes back around at release.  

I don't use the mantra all the time, maybe I should.

I'm really trying to slow things down.

Also, practising in "pressure" situations is very important.
 
But before doing that, it's important to get to the point where you know and are comfortable getting to full draw, staying there a few seconds then let down.

Also, looking at the back of riser or shelf is very helpful as has been mentioned.  

If it doesn't feel right, let down.

Once you have been doing this a few months or more you'll know what a good anchor, back tension, etc feels like and when you choose to shoot with it or not.

I'll often take my first 5 shots at a blank bale.  a few just drawing and holding.  A few feeling a good anchor and back tension.

Then I'll do the same at 25 yards and then begin shooting.

The longer i'm doing this it's easier to "make up my mind" to shoot the way I want to, but it's taken months and months of shooting and I'm not always there.

If your willing, it will come, but first things first.  Get to full draw, anchor and literally enjoy the site picture.  Stay there till the strong desire to loose the arrow passes.

Control will come back in small waves but eventually it turns into a shot sequence with control.  

That's my .02 cents.

Paul

[Dan Jones]

Firstlight,

Thank you for your ideas on how to cope with the damnable panic.

Not to discourage you in your efforts, but I regret to say that I tried all of those approaches and more over a period of decades with the panic. Some things didn't work at all, some "cures"  proved to be temporary, and some things, such as roving rather than shooting at a conventional target reduced the panic level, but in the end I was never able to regain full control of the release.

For years I resisted surrender, but a while back  I switched hands from left to right, and so far I'm panic free. However, I try to remember what Satchel Paige said, "Don't look back because something may be gaining on you."

Good shooting,  Dan Jones

[McDave]

Another article by Jim Ploen.    This one was posted here on TradGang by Rob DiStefano.

In researching Jim Ploen on the Internet, I was personally inspired to read that Jim was still competing in 2013 at the age of 85.  Anyone know how he is doing now?

[tstone]

I recently figured out the "relaxing while concentrating on the target at full draw" deal myself. That seems to be the key for me, especially on the first couple shots of the day. I have to make a conscious effort to relax and settle in to my form for the first couple shots. Drawing, coming to anchor, focusing on the spot, then letting down without shooting a few times has helped a lot. Hope you continue to improve.

[Scott Barr]

Once again, thanks McDave for your detailed response. I thought it would not work for me as I have tried it before....I thought. However, today at the range I gave your technique a try again. Wow! For some reason your method really worked for me today. Focusing on the back of the riser while checking on my form and relaxation before focusing on the spot reminds me of one advantage that rifle and compound shooters have. They are able to keep their finger off the trigger,  only placing their finger on the trigger once they are ready to execute the shot. Your method offers this same check-off step before committing to the shot.

I just returned from a Wyoming antelope hunt where my adrenaline induced premature shot went high as my fingers released before I had completed my shot sequence. I never had another opportunity and came home empty. Needless to say I have been worried about this repeating itself as I am about to depart for a Montana elk hunt.

Thanks to your post, I am more confident that I can control the adrenaline and shot sequence should I get the chance in Montana.

[MRD]

Hey Scott. Good luck on your elk hunt!  As stated in my previous post I used this technique to shoot a couple of pigs last winter. I was so tired of short drawing on game or not settling into anchor I decided to look at my dot on the back of the bow, get to anchor, and aim.  But not shoot. Just to get back in control. While at anchor and aiming I realized I was calm and focused and went ahead and shot. It was big moment for me to realize that I don't have to shoot until I'm ready. There is no rush.  I'm working on moving the commitment to after aiming. Before I knew I would be shooting when I started to draw and that led to a lot of problems.
This method has helped me tremendously and has been helping for almost a year and a half. Not a temporary fix but a real change for the better.

[Draven]

Although Ploen discusses "aiming,"... I'm not sure it would work with snap shooting, but I don't think instinctive shooting is limited to snap shooting, either.

It depends what "aiming' means to you. For me is the complex process happening in the brain once the information from the eyes was received that will move the bow hand up to the correct elevation for the distance the target is without knowing 'how did it happened'. It just did. The peripheral vision, gaping or any other method are just adjustments or validations of the initial aiming. Focus is not aiming per se. It is the mental process of eliminating any exterior/interior disturbances between me and the target. Once we can understand this, we can repair what was damaged. Interesting article nevertheless. When someone is trying to control the aim is causing a lot of damages to himself, and this is what target panic means to me: cognitive control of the aiming that is pushing the body to predict the actions and your skills and techniques acquired stop counting. A couple of failures (especially in front of a crowd) and you are set for disaster - just because you did all what you thought it was enough to achieve the result and it didn't happened. The key word is "thought" when it was enough to trust your brain / skills / techniques. At least if you shoot instinctive.

Just one question if I may. Why an instinctive archer thinks that once at full draw he is starting to aim? For me this is the essence of disaster IF I am an instinctive shooter. I try to override my brain instead following the natural course of the shooting:
1: aim - look at the target and let the brain take the decision for me regarding how high the bow hand should be.
2: when bow hand is up, aiming is done. I get rid of the "noise" by focusing on one spot.
3. release. when stillness of my entire bow hand structure will enter in conflict with the moving muscles brain will send the command to relax the fingers to the arrow hand - the weak link - and the body will not be damaged.

[Dan Jones]

Draven and others:

I think that the shooting style you're describing is what some people call the "grip it and rip it" method - aim first by focusing intently on the target or "spot" - then draw and release immediately upon touching anchor.

In my experience that can be an extremely accurate way to shoot a bow, especially for hunting purposes. However, for some people, that style of shooting can lead to -or can contribute- to TARGET PANIC. Target panic has various forms, but one is loss of control over the release.  I shot a "grip it and rip it" style very well for a number of years but then I discovered that I could no longer   control the release. Except for shots at very short distances, I simply could no longer reach full draw. At partial draw - WHOOSH - the arrow was gone.

That was many years ago, and despite a great deal of determined effort, I have never been able to regain control of the release.  

My message to you or anyone else who shoots the "grip and rip" style is please be aware of the possibility that it could lead to the frustration of long term target panic.