Target Panic!!

[missed mallards]

Throughout this summer, I have been fighting the myth I’ve heard as “Target Panic”. It has struck me something awful and it has been something I just can’t shake. I don't know if a confidence thing, or something that just happens, but it sure as hatis been something I'm dealing with.

To sum it up:
Coming to full draw and settling my pins, I look like a pro. It’s a smooth transaction. However, the moment I reach for my trigger on my release everything goes haywire. I started noticing this when I quit shooting “Spots” or smaller round targets due to switching to a block target. It has progressively got worse, and now it seems I can barely concentrate on keeping the pin anywhere on the freaking target. It’s almost like I “Can’t get right” or chew gum and walk at the same time. As you guessed, the moment I’m near my target, the release is punched and the arrow is sent down range. Now, I ain’t going to lie, I’ve robin hooded, I’m torn vanes, and my groups are ok. But, as far as comfort, I can’t quite get there and I find myself not settling on my target, but finding it, a big problem at ranges over 20 yards.

Figured I’d see what a man can do to fix this, or if this is fixable? I love to shoot, and enjoy it, but dead gum it, I can’t seem to shake it.

[Relentless]

Back Tension Release

[Weatherby5]

are you shooting with your dominate eye. Also shoot a deer target and you will relax a little, main thing is practice and get a big backstop and shoot at pie plate size targets at 40 or 50 yds, then when you shoot 20yd it will feel like your 5yd away

[tombstone]

shoot with your eyes closed from about 5ft for 2-3 weeks (blind bailing). Pay close attention to each step. Gripping the bow, drawing, picture the pin settled on the target, press trigger slowly etc. I fight it. I will be good for a while, then have to go back to blind bailing. Never have faced it when hunting, only practicing.

[aweyerman]

How much weight are you holding? It could be physical stress when you try to settle on to your target, your back hurt any?

[GearOut]

shoot with your eyes closed from about 5ft for 2-3 weeks (blind bailing). Pay close attention to each step. Gripping the bow, drawing, picture the pin settled on the target, press trigger slowly etc. I fight it. I will be good for a while, then have to go back to blind bailing. Never have faced it when hunting, only practicing.

+1 - just shoot a ton of times straight into the target from a very close distance only focusing only on your release

[Dutch Dog]

Start with closed eyes as tombstone said, then begin opening your eyes. Don't pick a small target, instead have a large target (your block target..the whole target) as long as your pin is ON the block target you need to start squeezing the trigger. Start BIG then move smaller...by next moving to a general area on the block target, lets say a quadrant. as long as your pin is in the quadrant regardless of how much you may or may not be moving you should be squeezing the trigger. Eventually you'll get to where you can hold perfectly still on a spot and hold your finger on the trigger. Try holding on the spot with your finger on the trigger and NOT shooting. This will train your brain into thinking that just because it's there you don't have to punch it off before it moves. Squeeze one then don't shoot one. It may take a while to do, but if you do this I promise you it will go away. Not saying it won't come back, but if it does you know how to fix it.

[missed mallards]

Thanks for all of the replies.

After shooting yesterday, I knew the elemenent of surprise would be something I need to find. As weird as it was, and after shooting blind for several shots, I tried something of a different sort. I tried to completely drift my mind off of my hand/finger movement. It wasn't easy, and I'm currently looking for a backtension for the ultimate surprise, but for now it's a great improvement.

Aweyer: same weight I've shot since I was 16, somewhere around 65, and no my back is fine! Arms are a different story thou.

Dutchdog: I gave that a try today, and about chit myself as my mind has always been programed to 'shoot'. Needless to say, it took more just 'thinking' about it, than actually shooting. It's a freaking mind game and is something I've got to work on. it seems, 'knowing' when the release will fire is the biggest problem. I had to steadily talk to myself to get any sort of a group, and it helped, but it isn't routine yet so I'll be giving the BT release a try, shooting more blind shots, and just trying to get back into the draw cycle again before I add the pressure of a target to hit.

I've got a live one in this group, but compared to yesterday, I'm feeling a lot more confident that's for sure. I just need to step back and work on the fundamentals, thats for sure.
15yd group btw, shouldn't be any stranglers at that range.

Bow Target 1.JPG

Bow Target 2.JPG

[aweyerman]

Your arms might just be worn out. Same as working out you gotta rest in between if you're shooting everyday you might want to lay off a day or don't shoot quite so much when you do shoot.

[Dutch Dog]

Anyone care to wager how many busted lips are about to occur with using the back tension release? Those things are DANGEROUS to say the least. Do not shoot that realease around other people until you have completely mastered it, and ALWAYS keep it pointed in a safe direction. You're bow will go off when you least expect it and QUITE often when you don't want it to. I'm serious, use extreme caution when using the back tension release.

[Relentless]

Anyone care to wager how many busted lips are about to occur with using the back tension release? Those things are DANGEROUS to say the least. Do not shoot that realease around other people until you have completely mastered it, and ALWAYS keep it pointed in a safe direction. You're bow will go off when you least expect it and QUITE often when you don't want it to. I'm serious, use extreme caution when using the back tension release.

Definately...Saw a guy on AT shot through his kitchen window, went into his fridge...his wife was doing dishes...

you could go to a truball chappy...it can get hairy, but not quite back tension. stil get to where you won't be punching your release...

Tombstones advice was about the best there is...it will be fixed if you continue to do it.

[4dawgma]

Have you tried a new target, I'm plotting some off like this for the hunting camp

[D Boe]

I have a buddy that went through this before and he began shooting a surprise release. It cured his entire problem. Let me know if you want more information on how to do this. Good luck..

[Relentless]

A back tension "suprises" you if that's what you mean...first time I've ever heard of it as a suprise release...

Only thing is once you figure out back tension (especially if it clicks when the release loads) you'll punch it too.

[Bigpoppa]

I have never even heard of anything like this nor do I really understand. Just shoot! It's not rocket surgery!