Does anyone else suffer from this??

[Sean B]

I have a huge problem with shooting infront of other people.  for some reason, I get hung up when people are whatching me shoot.  I usually end up short drawing or snap shooting, pretty similar to target panic.  Put me in a hunting situation, or shooting alone, and I'm just fine...full draw....anchor...hold...release.

I was just wondering if anyone else is a head case like me??

[Safari Scott]

I hate it too, especially if they are all quiet and expectant - but often when people are talking to me while I do it I'm not really concentrating on the shot and the body takes over again.

[Converml]

Course, everyone does and has to learn that it's a matter of being able to focus the distractions out or learning and conditioning yourself to just enjoy shooting and not caring what others think. Some people's personalities make it easier for them to do that than others but you are far from alone.  

[joe skipp]

I had that problem years back. I was the worse shot in our group and I always put so much pressure on myself, I fell into bad habits. Everyone telling you what to do.

Finally found someone to cure my habits and developed the mentality I don't care how I shoot in front of others and learned how to block out everything around me and just focus on the target.

Like every sport, archery is mental. Bad thoughts mean bad shots, positive thoughts equal good shots. The more you shoot with people, the more comfortable you should become.

[Pete McMiller]

Shoot for a beer often enough and you'll learn to block them out.  It's either that or pay all the time.

[LongStick64]

It's the same with many, ever talk to a group of friends, no problem right, now step in front of a group at work or business and the pressure rises. It's all about acknowledging it and doing it enough to make it more familiar. It's the need to look good, to impress, that takes away from the focus required. Most pro's acknowledge the crowd is there but they don't focus on them, they keep the focus on the game.

[ron w]

Welcome to my world........You have to block it all out. When alone, talk yourself thru each portion of the shot and make it a habit. When in a group or crowd....do the same thing, it will help a lot! The other thing that helps ....when at a 3-D don't keep score, just mark "K" for a kill shot "W" for wound and a miss is a miss. Takes a lot of pressure off....lol! Most important .... have fun!!

[Red Beastmaster]

I tried qualifying for a local clubs Eagle Eye competition for the first time a couple years ago. For $1 you got two chances to hit an orange sticker on a deer target. I had never tried this before in all the years they have done it.

It was just my buddy, myself, and the guy I gave the dollar to. First shot hit the sticker. I made a joke and said I paid for two shots and I was taking them. Second shot was also in the sticker!

The next day was the shoot off to decide the winner. After waiting for my turn for 1/2 hour I finally stepped up to the stake in front of several dozen spectators. Holy crap I could barely pull the bow back! Needless to say, the sticker was safe with my poor attempt. I did manage to hit the deer though. It was then I realized I should probably start breathing again.  

[tarponnut]

Absolutely! Clients are always asking me to try out this or that bow, and I really want to, but hate shooting in front of other people.I want to say "sure, go for a walk and I'll try it out",lol!

I can shoot in front of a few close friends but that's it. Good thing bowhunting is a solitary sport(for me).

[daveycrockett]

Me too.

[JoeM]

The more you do it the better it'll get, then you will actually start to enjoy shooting in front of people. I used to suffer from this years back but now I just enjoy shooting and knowing I can make the shot.  Remember don't get stuck thinking, don't miss,  think I'm going to put it right there.

[Sam McMichael]

Not as much of a problem as it once was. Sometimes, though I just plain choke. Oh well, if I had to depend solely on hunting for all my food, I would shoot a .30-06, not a bow.  Once I realized it is a game, it was easier to become a kid again and play without caring what others think of my shooting.

[tarponnut]

By the way Sean, you shot good in front of Irv, me and Shooter.

[Huh]

I am a total headcase and it doesn't matter what the weapon is...

I never had this problem playing hockey though, so I guess I would suggest wearing a helmet =)

[South MS Bowhunter]

Don't get me started or talk with my buddies "Possum Head" or "Pascagoula Archer" on here unless you want to wind up with the worst case of TP youve ever had! It is a form of TP and I have suffered for years with the exact thing you described. But mine has progressed to now where even by myself it is a nearly impossible task at times to get to full draw and at times the sudden uncontrollable release of the arrow yikes!

[Dave Lay]

I can't shoot if my dang dog is watching me !!! Lol.   I shoot pretty well when it's just me, put me around some folks and my form goes out the window and i can't hit crap ....

[Shawn Leonard]

I am just the opposite, I shoot worst in front of people because I tend to relax too much and loose my concentration. I will close my eyes when we are in turkey blind together if that will help!    Shawn

[petalumapete]

I always choke in front of people. I've gotten now so I try to practice with people watching and try to shoot in groups.

Is still a work in progress but getting better very slowly

[old_goat2]

If it's people that I don't know, I usually shoot better, we have a walking path next to our archery range and when I know people have stopped to watch me shoot, I think I concentrate harder and aim better because I usually shoot great. When it's friends, I just step up and shoot too fast cause I'm comfortable I think, lol.

[2Blade]

Im alot better at it then I use to be. I treat the pressure like a hunting situation and just try to do my best. I try to focus on my pulling and not releasing or anchoring that will all happen on its own when the time is right. It sounds like your dealing with a diffirent form of TP.