What Is Target Panic?

[ElkNut1]

I hear about ones referring to it now & then & have wondered what exactly is the issue with it? Maybe I've had it & didn't know it but somehow worked it out on my own? (grin)

ElkNut1

[Lefty]

Buck or bull fever, on a target,.. sorta
Basically freaking out on a target and not releasing smoothly, jerking the trigger. More like a trigger pull on a shotgun instead of like a proper timed and smooth trigger pull on a rifle

[Elkonthebrain]

I was just talking with a buddy about this. Came across this video on YouTube. http://youtu.be/8IYNH4kRpFg. Hope the link works. Do most of you squeeze you're shoulders together to pull the release?

[jrnorton4]

When you get it, you will know...
I had a bad case of it, still fight it. My thing was rushing the shot, crossing the center dot with the pin and jerking the trigger, not waiting until it settled and squeezing. Got so bad that it got to be how I shot every shot. I switched to a longbow instinctive shooting to get around it for a few years.
When we started gearing up last year for elk, I bought a different bow and started reading up on how to beat the panic. I tied a loop in a string and sat in a recliner watching TV at night, over and over pulling the string through my hand to anchor, then slowly triggering the release. Then I started a counting sequence for every step in making a shot, and shot until I didn't actually need to count anymore. I got comfortable with it out to 60 yds before our hunt last year.
Its a bear to beat it, takes time and a lighter draw weight to train to hold it til its time to squeeze. I still have to go through my sequence every shot.

[Fridaythe13th]

Everyone is different on target panic. For me the less time for the shot the better i just let my natural form of shooting take over. The last deer I shot it was about 5 seconds from the time I seen him, drew and grunt stop him before the arrow was in flight. No time to get nerves. A friend of mine was in last place or near the bottom every year in league, to this day has only missed 1 deer with many deer in the freezer, he is better when the pressure is on.

[Toby]

Paul,

My first reaction after reading your post was to suggest that you close the thread because TP is a that bad. And, if you have never had it, I guarantee that you don't want it. But, I think many have it and don't know it. There are varying degrees of TP, some of the worst cases often result in people actually quitting the sport. It's not buck fever, although the reactions can be similar. Mild forms include "drive by shooting", where one can't settle into a float and simply punches the trigger as the sight pin crosses the intended target. More serious forms can result in not being able to come to full draw, or getting to anchor and collapsing both arms without being able to execute the shot.

People who are very goal oriented are more prone to it than those who are more process oriented. If one puts too much pressure on hitting the X or the bullseye or the 12 ring, and you are a goal oriented person, you may be a candidate. However, if you are process oriented and think more about the shot process and execution rather than where the arrow lands, you are not near as likely to encounter it.

I was a "drive by shooter" for years with my compound. I am currently re-training myself to pull through the shot using a wrist strap release. I had a terrible case of it with my recurve/longbow, where as soon as I would acquire my sight picture, I would release the arrow. It got so bad, I couldn't even get close to anchor and the arrow would be gone. I have re-built my shot sequence so it is very step by step, training my mind to be process rather than goal oriented.

TP, as many of you know, is one of the most common subjects on many archery forums. Many of the top target archers in the world have battled it. It can be overcome, with a lot of hard work, but kind of like addictions, your are probably never truly cured. There are probably a lot of people who have milder forms of it, but don't realize it.

Best advice I can give, coming from someone who continually works to keep it under control, is to develop a very disciplined shot sequence. Think about the execution of the shot, the "task", rather than the goal.

[Wapiti7]

All I gotta say is it sucks. I was kinda self taught...a guy gave me a bow, some old Easton 2315s, a finger tab and about 4 minutes of instruction and left. But once I kinda figured it out, I loved it and would shoot a couple hundred arrows a week. And I think those kind of people are most at risk for developing it (shooting a lot of arrows and not really thinking about the process). Looking back, I think it developed rather slowly until it got to the point that I couldn't shoot worth a crap. I put the bow away for six months and figured it would go away. Wrong. It got worse to the point that a couple times a week I would release the arrow mid draw. And when I would get to full draw, it was almost impossible to even get the pin on the target (much less to float it over it). Almost like the pin and the target were of the same magnetism. I tried drawing down on targets, up on targets, heck I would have tried shooting from a headstand if I thought it might work. I read articles, tried stuff (shooting blank, don't know how many times I drew on my dog without an arrow, etc.) but the only thing that really changed it was going to a release. It was instantly better (not fixed but way better), but I still do things to try and manage it from coming back (shooting blank). The biggest thing I do now is not shoot as much and have found I concentrate on shots much more and if something is out of whack, I address it then and not let the whole process slowly degrade. Back in the day, I was a hell of a lot more accurate shooting fingers (not sure why) but I don't touch that damn bow anymore for fear of a relapse.

I'm sure about half you guys are thinking it only happens to mental midgets. For your sake, I hope you're right, because it flat out sucks.

[Raghorn_Reaper]

For me, target panic comes in the form of not wanting my target to get away so I rush my shot instead of picking that very small spot.

[Wapitibob]

" Do most of you squeeze you're shoulders together to pull the release?"

Nobody that knows what they're doing does that. I've been shooting target archery for 40 years and have never, ever, talked to anybody that executes a shot that way. I only see it on the Internet.

[ElkNut1]

Nope, I do not use my shoulders to release. I pretty much punch the trigger at go time. It sounds to me that one of the biggest issues is drawing to much weight & that's why pins will dance around on some. I'd say those who feel it's an issue to drop poundage & see if it helps steady the muscles & the nerves. Thanks for all the comments!

ElkNut1

[otcWill]

You don't want to know about it, Paul! I read a respected author claim that 90+% of us have it to some degree. I have been going thru some struggles myself. I'm learning to reprogram my shot sequence and I've learned a lot in the process. Any bowhunter or archer can benefit greatly from buying "Idiot Proof Archery" by Bernie Pellerite. I shoot well but that isn't the point. It can be better!

[steviek]

Target panic. I’ve fought with it for years. I put the bow away for about 2 years. Picked it back up in 2013 season. My problem was I slapped the trigger as soon as the pin hit the target dot or I would freeze low of the dot and not be able to move the pin up.

I worked with a local pro shop here with one of the releases that you can set the trigger pull. So if I jerked the trigger the release would not go off. This lost many arrows. I also started practicing with a back tension release. This makes me focus on aiming not on releasing. Not saying I’m 100 % cured but much improved.

[Elkonthebrain]

" Do most of you squeeze you're shoulders together to pull the release?"

Nobody that knows what they're doing does that. I've been shooting target archery for 40 years and have never, ever, talked to anybody that executes a shot that way. I only see it on the Internet.

Thanks. When he brought that up in the video I thought it was a weird technique. I was just wondering if guys actually shot that way. If you don't mind telling. What is your shot sequence you go through.

[Raghorn_Reaper]

In my experience with target shooting and studying, teaching etc, is that after release the shoulder blades should indeed come together after the shot. This is a normal byproduct of a slight pushing and pulling action that creates a sort of explosion at the shot. It promotes good follow through and creates a sort of balance that helps to stabilize everything. If you look at the back tension releases, that is what they do...create back tension. This is taught by almost all of the top instructors even before the interwebs. You can and should try and carry over back shooting techniques even when not shooting a back tension release. Of course, things are always a bit different in the woods and shooting as opposed to punching paper. This is also one of the reasons why a proper fitting draw length is important. Too long of a draw and you never get your shoulders preloaded. I don't find it awkward at all to shoot this way. It should all feel very natural.

[Wapitibob]

There are multiple ways to execute the shot. One thing to know is that you "load" the back muscles when you draw the bow. Holding the bow against the stops, keeps the muscles loaded. At that point, you can pull against the stops as you relax the release hand, You can just pull with no conscious relaxing, you can just "aim" and the built up tension in the draw arm will pull as your hand relaxes unconsciously, you can consciously rotate/squeeze the release/trigger (if your brain will let you). It all depends on what your brain will let you do. The front end (bow arm) is static. Pushing will give you flyers out the side. The relationship of draw length/loop length also is important to get your draw arm in position so it you have room to pull. If your past center it's hard to pull and if you're too short you pull yourself off the dot when the shot breaks.

Most panic comes from seeing the pin movement on the target, getting anxious (anticipation), then afraid to shoot when the pin isn't in the dot. The best practice is to shoot close at a fairly large spot so you train your brain to accept the movement as you execute the shot. George Ryals 10 yard game is an excellent training regimen.

edit: Your shoulders will come together at the shot. My point being, you don't come to full draw then start squeezing the shoulders together. The muscles are already loaded from the draw.

[Toby]

I think a dancing pin is caused by improper draw length in combination with improper D-loop length. Now, the pin is going to float some, the trick is to have your bow set up properly so the float is minimized. A guy on another site describe "spectator shooting", to learn your float. He draws, aims, and let's his pin settle in and begin to float, it takes a while to settle in. There should be a pattern to your float, up/down, left/right, it varies. Don't try to control the float, let it happen. Study your float with no intention of shooting. Draw, observe, and let down. Once you know what your float looks like, then learn to trigger your release, without timing your pin on the target, just trust your float, and execute your shot. Your brain will make it happen without you consciously making it happen.

[Wapiti7]

There are some great tips on this thread, but they are form related. You guys have not had what I believe is true target panic. It is not form related. It is a mental block. Best comparison I can think to describe it...anybody remember Mackey Sasser? He was an absolute stud catcher, dude had a hose. However, after some time in the big leagues he got to the point where he flat out couldn't throw the ball back to the pitcher. It had absolutely nothing to do with his form, it was a mental thing. The funny thing is if the fastest dude in the NL tried to steal, he would throw a strike to second and get him by two steps. Yet, the very next pitch he would bounce the ball back to the pitcher or throw it 15 feet over his head. Ultimately ended his career. Steve Sax had it too. I can assure you when I went through this, it wasn't poundage related, didn't relate to draw length and little had changed in shooting form.

[Wapitibob]

I never said tp was form related. I had it and am well versed in the different types that people I shoot with have had over the last 40+ years. Be it holding low, high, drive by and hammer, drop and hammer, I've seen it all. It has nothing to do with form. It's a mental problem that almost always starts with people shooting at too small of a target for their aiming ability. Which is why blank bale shooting is a waste of time for anybody that has target panic. Shot execution, yes, panic when shooting at a target, it's a waste. Sticking a new archer 20 yards from a vegas target is about the worst thing you can do.

[Gselkhunter]

TP is mental and comes in many forms. Rapid heart beat, vision blur, rapid breathing, muscle shake to mention a few. They all come down to the same thing, the mind doesn't believe the body can make the shot. The good part is TP can be overcome. One of the ways is put the bow away for a while. And when you bring it out shoot just a few arrows and quit. Don't worry if you hit the bull, just shoot. When you shoot don't try to hold on the target, instead bring the ping up to the target and release. Just get smooth and shoot short distance, it will come back.

[mandrroofing]

For me, target panic comes in the form of not wanting my target to get away so I rush my shot instead of picking that very small spot.

This is what i do and it has cost me some animals.this mixed with adrenalin,im working on this now but the only true test for me will be when im about to take the shot on an animal...

[Toby]

Improper draw length doesn't cause TP, the wrong draw length causes your pin to "dance" instead of float. Get your dl right and your pin will float instead of dance. Let it float. It is not possible to hold the pin still on the target. The harder you try the more the pin will move. One form of TP is to try to time(punch) the release as the pin crosses the target. Using the second joint from the tip of your finger is much better than using the tip of your finger.


Wpitibob mentioned trying to shoot too small of a target for our abilities, bingo!

[poisonarrow]

I notice that I always shoot better with a smile on my face.

[jrnorton4]

" Do most of you squeeze you're shoulders together to pull the release?"

Nobody that knows what they're doing does that. I've been shooting target archery for 40 years and have never, ever, talked to anybody that executes a shot that way. I only see it on the Internet.

Thanks. When he brought that up in the video I thought it was a weird technique. I was just wondering if guys actually shot that way. If you don't mind telling. What is your shot sequence you go through.

1.Finger on top of release
2. Bow up
3. Draw and anchor, get as comfortable as possible
4. Check sight level through peep
5. Pin to the target, floating
6. Finger to trigger, watching the pin float
7. Squeeze

Sounds strange, others may do it differently, but that's what I did. When I first started back shooting, I even counted out loud.

[Elkduds]

2 parts of your brain are vying for control when shooting. One part shouts instructions, calculates range/wind/drop, replays criticism and past mistakes. The other part does what it knows how to do through training, practice, and experience hitting the mark. Since we spend most of our time and energy using the loud, bossy part, that one wins when pressure is on. You can teach it to STFU, or @ least go stand in the corner and let the natural part do what it knows best.

JR4's countown is an example of keeping the bossy distractor busy. GS's nonjudgemental practice illustrates putting the distractor in time-out and focusing on the instinctive, quiet, successful part. There are plenty of strategies for this, here is mine: Visualize. A calming breath w slow exhale while the picture in my mind becomes clear, the arrow flying to the mark and disappearing into it. I don't decide to shoot, I just let go when the picture in my mind matches what I see in the sight. Often I don't even realize I've released. I learned this shooting recurve, w months of practice. There are several good books on the subject, my favorite is Inner Game of Tennis by Galwey.

[dtrkyman]

A little late for a reply but if you do not know then I would suggest keeping it that way! Unless you are already struggling with your shot!

[DaleL]

It is something you definitely don't want. Shooting with a back tension release helped me.

[welka]

I am fortunate to shoot 7-10 deer and try for an elk every year. It can show up out of the blue, but I can be 7 for 7 on deer and on the 8th deer TP occurs. Usually for me it is when I didn't stick to my shot sequence..... Calm, find the V, which pin, hold after shot. Pick a shot routine and do it EVERY SHOT during practice and it will help train your brain to do it even hopefully when a monster shows up. The other routine I started a couple years ago is controlled breathing. I can't say I remember to do it every time, but when I do, it helps. I read it in a magazine that was talking about cures for TP. At the sight of a shooter, inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, release slowly for count of 4 and repeat. It really helps calm you down. Good luck to all.