The key to YOUR consistency?

[rybohunter]

Besides mental focus and doing the same thing every time, what is the one aspect you personally need to over come to be consistent?

Is it your anchor? Grip? Release? Dropping your bow arm? Head posistion? draw sequence?

I'm curious as to what problems you other guys have to conquer to shoot well

[Jerry Jeffer]

Back tension.

[Matty]

I wish I could say it was one thing, but it's not.  But I would definately say that if my draw sequence isnt right my shots go to pot.  Also my wrist position on my bow hand has to be right too..

[bowfiend]

Concentration and routine. My dog was distracting me today and I didn't follow through properly - put a brand new axis n-fused (with a brass insert) into a fence post. The arrow did not survive the extraction. Anyway, if I don't concentrate on my complete routine through the shot, I have a hell of a time.

[Aggie1993]

Solid Bow arm...then grip  

[R H Clark]

I've come to realize my biggest problem is thinking during the shot.Doesn't matter if I'm thinking about anchor,finger tension,back tension,grip,whatever,it's going to throw me off during the shot.

My new goal is to work on all aspects of proper form on a blank bale untill they are all worked out to perfection and ingrained.

Then I will only need to concentrate on aiming during the shot.

[saltwatertom]

ANCHOR POINT  !!

[Jeff Roberts]

Randy, I believe you are on the right track. If I start to think about what I am doing instead of just letting my instincts take over, my shooting slips. I have shot long enough to trust my abilities and to focus on the spot. Total concentration on that spot is my key to consistent shooting.

[BobW]

pace

[Terry Green]

Proper Alignment Period.

[John3]

If I pick a spot and focus everything else will be correct. My focus is most important and if I get my head right my arrows go where I'm looking. Honestly I think its a timing thing.

I am referring to the sharp focus that enables you to watch the broadhead enter an animal. It's almost as if your brain records this in super slow motion..  Cool !!

John III

[BLACK WOLF]

Originally posted by rybohunter:
Besides mental focus and doing the same thing every time, what is the one aspect you personally need to over come to be consistent?

For me...that's all there is.

Doing the same thing everytime is normally controlled by muscle/motor memory in regards to placing the arms and shoulders into the proper and functional position to shoot a bow. I want that to be controlled by my subconscious by engraining it through perfect practice.

Muscle/motor memory helps control the draw, the anchor, the release and the follow through...if an archer has to think about any one of those things it can distract them from aiming.

When I'm shooting a bow...I want my mental focus to be completely consumed by focusing on the target. I don't want it thinking about anchor point, back tension, shoulder alignment or anything to do with form. That should already be engrained so I don't have to think about it.

If an archer is struggling or focusing on some aspect of their form...I would suggest they work it out until they can consistantly do it properly everytime...and one of the ways archers can do that is by shooting up close at a blank bale.

When I'm aiming at a target...I don't want no distractions entering into my thoughts such as doubt, what's for dinner or how close I am to winning the archery competition. I want complete focus and concentration to be on my target...one shot at a time.

Ray  

[Larry247]

BlackWolf is correct...

[gregg dudley]

follow through...

[T Sunstone]

Upon release both hands do nothing!

[Widowbender]

Try not to think too much....that comes easily for me

   

David

[TradPaul]

Anchor for a period that is both natural and not too quick or too long, alignment and focus.

P.

[tradtusker]

for me its all you mentioned, to shoot really well. but as Terry says if i get my Alignment sorted it takes away all those problems so i go for Alignment for consistency.

[woodchucker]

[GrayRhino]

I only have one bow and don't change my gear or setup.  All the same arrows, same finger tab, armguard, broadheads, etc.  Eliminating the variables and resisting the temptation to unnecessarily try something new.  If it ain't broke don't fix it.  I think that is a real key to me shooting consistently.