Picking the spot, Can you describe how it "feels"

[swampdrummer]

Just as simple as the title. I know to pick the spot. I've learned that  I don't do it as often as I'd like in the heat of the moment.
When it happens, for me at least. I can't recall much of anything other than THE spot. My eyes seem to be at a squint, more than a wide open, suprised feeling type thing. But I've failed miserably many times at describing how it "feels" to pick the spot and hit it.

Anybody care to try and describe how it "feels"

[slivrslingr]

"Tunnel vision" is about as close as I can describe it, the spot I want to hit is in perfect focus, everything else is blurry.

[Wapiti Chaser]

I just picture the arrow where I want it. When everything is right thats where the arrows goes.
And it feels soooo goooood.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I would have to agree it almost feels like tunnel vision. I just focus on The SPOT and it just happens not always but when it does it's great!

 Seems like on those perfect shots (which are fewer than I would like, LOL) I recount the shot and can't really recall what it felt like. I just know those are the times I had all focus on the SPOT.

[Mike Vines]

You just let everything go except that one LITTLE thing you are looking at disappear.  When you get it you will know.  I love when I'm bird hunting with my longbow and a bird flushes, or is about to land in the decoys.  I get tunnel vision so bad, all I can see is one feather that I have picked out, and I don't even see the bird, same thing happens when deer hunting.  

I guess the best way to describe it is tunnel vision like never before as mentioned by slivrslingr.

[swampdrummer]

good stuff folks! I know when it happens. I'm just struggling to have it happen every time!

I somehow think if I can put a description to " IT" It might help to make it happen more often.

keep it coming folks!

[reddogge]

On a deer it is a little crease or tuft of hair.  On a burlap target it is an arrow hole.  On a 3-d it is a chewed up section in the middle of the chest.

[Soilarch]

Originally posted by swampdrummer:
good stuff folks! I know when it happens. I'm just struggling to have it happen every time!

I somehow think if I can put a description to " IT" It might help to make it happen more often.

keep it coming folks!

What I do may help.

Take the whole picture in.  Now zoom in, keep zooming in like some special effects on a movie.  Keep zooming in until you release.

Sounds chinky...but is easier for me than just trying to pick a really really small spot...or pretending there's a tunnel.

[KSdan]

Gave up on "spot" (never worked on live game for me).  I now use the "button" technique as encouraged by Jay Kidwell in his book.  Has made a big difference.

[BigJohn]

One thing that has taught me to pick the spot is to hang a small fishing float from a string in front of my target. I can really concentrate on the spot and not notice the overall target as much. It has really helped my overall shooting, besides that it's really cool to smack that small float at 30 yards.

[medic77]

I can't wait to feel the way you guys describe but I haven't gotten there yet.  It doesn't work for me for some reason.  It seems like I shoot worse when I focus that hard.  Am I the only one?

[Mudd]

I think there are times when I'm just as surprised that I didn't hit my spot as there are as when I did.
Yeah, I know it sounds crazy hilarious but it's true for me. I'm not  great shot and most likely will never be but it's one of my goals.

The reason I'm surprised with the misses is I sure thought I had that spot drilled in my target mentally but then why the miss? I have to go back and look at my form, which can be tough at times because I've dropped "form" from my mind for the sake of "spot". For me, one doesn't work without the other.
I use a tiny banty sized Styrofoam egg suspended out in front of a backstop not so much as my target as a point of reference.
One of my other goals is trying to figure out exactly how am I using that point of reference. About the time I think I have it figured out, I know I don't. Why? Because there are times when I hit and I didn't think it would or I thought I've nailed it but missed badly.
For me one good shot means absolutely nothing and the same is true of one bad shot but if I can figure out the why and how of both I hopefully can reproduce the one I want and avoid the one I don't.
My bow is an object and will do the same thing every time(assuming there aren't any physical flaws in it) if I do the same thing every time.

When I am successful in pulling off that shot that is "perfect" the only way I can describe it is "Awe!" and believe me, it is awesome!!

I truly think we are talking about the same thing but if I've missed my intended target please let me know.

Your Humble Servant
God bless,Mudd

PS" also if you have a magic answer for me as to how to do it even 95% of the time, please tell me.

[Doc Nock]

Here's a word that comes to mind for me:Exhausting!

Not in the negative sense, but when I am really drilling down, I find I get tired more easily. When I get tired of that level of concentration, I tend to get sloppy.

But true to form, Ole Roy nailed it above when he says that the "spot" is only part of the equation: Form, follow-up and follow-thru are crictical as the 'spot.'

I guess that is why more and more "teachers" are referencing the blind bale! work the bale, run the shot over and over and THEN focus on developing the spot. And each time you start to get sloppy and miss....back to the bale.

My Mind gets lazy doing that, too... it takes a lot of concentration and the world I live in keeps interferring and pushing in ruining the shot. Pushing out the world to focus on the running the shot and picking a spot then gets---exhausting!

But love the results. Still like a kid when that bright nock shows up exactly where I was looking!

[LongStick64]

Make sure you are not over extending, that will cause you to rotate you head away from looking at the "spot". Keep your head in a position that allows you to look at the target comfortably.

[vernon]

Picking a spot sounds easy, but alot of times, either on live animals or 3d/stumping, I forget to focus on a small spot and look at the whole target resulting in a miss or less than accurate shot.  However, unless their is a tuff of hair, mark, or discoloration I have a hard time getting the tunnel vision like people mentioned.  Sometimes I have to picture an imaginary object, like a button or bottle cap, on the intended target which helps me focus even more.  Good luck.

[Shakes.602]

THAT  is why I Cant My LongBows, Ever so Slightly, it Opens up My "Field of Vision" so I can Really Concentrate on that Feather, or Hunk of Fur!!
   Many,  MANY  Practice Arrows, Bad Shots due to My Concentration on the Spot and I let My Draw Slip, or I get Antsy and Turn Into an Arrow Machine Gun by Snap Shooting!!          

[Friend]

Great topic. Please keep it going.

[Friend]

Since my stroke two years ago, my ability to concentrate on a spot has been greatly compromised. My form and strength has not and continues to be addressed using the blind bale. My groups were far better years ago when I had no form and could concentrate on a spot. Concentrating on a spot back then was natural and didn't give it much thought. I used to see only the spot and the arrow shade opening.

To me, picking, focusing and concentrating on the spot is equal to or possibly exceeds form.

Well I have continued to shoot hundreds of arrows weekly striving to use proper form, yet I have been virtually covey shooting. This art of traditional archery has its mystique that I am  incessantly tormented to continue to shoot and shoot and shoot in an attempt to embrace that euphoric feeling when it all comes together.

I must retrain my mind to pick a spot, focus and concentrate. Please keep this valued information coming for it is greatly appreciated.

[DHR]

To me it's like a green light goes off in my head, then it all kind of happens without much thinking on my part.  If I don't get that green light I shouldn't be shooting. I do seem to do best if the "spot picking" starts to happen as soon as I see an animal and decide I want to kill it.

[wv lungbuster]

When I see my target approaching I start looking at the vitals already picking a spot. I stay completely focused on were I want the arrow to hit. I do not take my eyes off of it. I'm not checking my stance or how my fingers are on the string. When the target is in range I drop the string.