Mental Process during Shot Execution

SUMMIT75

WKR
Joined
Oct 29, 2014
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Always looking for that extra little edge with my form and in this case my mental game. Brand new Critique video. Couldn't find my new true shot coach and my old one is just about done but I am still using it.
Still utilizing a open stance and have since dropped back to 65lbs during training. I have noticed since I have dropped my strength conditioning to focus more on cardio for the coming elk hunts that I have noticed that my elbow wants to collapse when I try to keep it pronated during draw cycle.

My main issue is my mental
process once I get fully settled in. I have got a lot better at intentionally holding for an extra 10-15 seconds and still having a clean shot execution. However one day I'm doing pretty good, the next I completely dissolve back to a very rushed shot. I've tried counting to a solid 10-15 seconds and engaging, it worked for awhile and now I've noticed the counting has cause anxiety in itself. Then I stopped counting and really focusing on my form and picturing my rhomboid as the trigger, which has allowed me a little to relax and control the duration of my "hold" until I'm comfortable to shoot but still having issue duplicating.

My main question and concern is getting others advice on their mental process to allow them to relax and not rush the shot. Any advice?

On a side note I no longer count at all, I've noticed counting up or down to a certain number still leads to a extra anxiety when I get close to the end number. Also I have a Carter Evolution but trying to avoid it till after my elk hunts. I've settled I with my thumb release since I'm more accurate with it than my wrist release but noticed I still do the same thing with both. I'm more less just looking for that "click" in my thought process to let my subconscious to relax enough to let me execute the shot without being rushed.

Also I'm a big believer in John Dudleys expression about "its all about what happens on the line". In other words one thing that has helped a little is to avoid focusing so much on the downrange but let the pin float and focus on what's happening on the line(my form/execution).


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It's 100% mental, as you stated. Anticipating the shot = target panic.

It sucks. Good luck.
 
You're over thinking things to much. If you're drawing your bow to increase how long you can hold it, draw back, hold it till you can't, then let down. Don't get in the habit of shooting when you're form is starting degrade because of muscle fatigue. Another thing would be doing some blank bale shooting to just practice going slow and feeling that perfect shot.
 
You're right, it's all about the mental approach. It's a weird thing, isn't it?

About 12 years ago, when I was still a teenager, I had the worst target panic imaginable. I played around with a dozen or so releases, punched myself in the mouth with back tension a few times, shot blind with my eyes closed (none of that worked). Finally found the release that worked best (it's a Winn Free Flight). I like how securely I can hold it, and I actually use my middle and ring fingers to trigger it. Just found what works for me, after that I got into some good practice routines and just like that my TP was broke in a matter of a couple weeks, after struggling for about 2 years.

Over those next few years I had a couple spells where I started to struggle again. I've been very careful not to let it develop back into full blown TP and found the best thing for me when I yank a shot is just to put the bow down immediately and come back in a few days. That seems to get it out of my mind and I come back fresh and don't get psyched out trying to fix it right then and there.

That's my experience, but I guess to answer your question about the mental process, I try really hard just to mentally block out my release. When I draw, I try to have my pin on target as I settle into my anchor. That helps with that weird thing about TP where you feel like you can't get the pin on target. If it's there right when I anchor, it just simplifies that part of the process. Then I just focus on maintaining my anchor as I rest my fingers on the trigger. At that point I pretty much try to shut off my brain as I squeeze the trigger. I never found much luck with the back tension release, I basically just squeeze like you would a rifle, but like I said, I do it with my middle and ring fingers.

I definitely don't think counting would be good, it seems to me that would activate the same weird mechanisms in the brain that cause TP to begin with. It's hard to describe how I get my brain to "shut off" at the shot sequence, I guess it's more you just let instinct take over and learn to replicate what the good shots feel like. It's like any other precision sport I've played...pitching, golf, basketball, when you are "on", your brain doesn't for one millisecond focus on the fundamentals, just executes based on muscles memory. It's those "off" days where you get all psyched out and you overthink the fundamentals, which usually just makes things worse.
 
I took Joel turner's course about 6 months ago and it helped me immensely. I am not a natural archer. I have to work my ass off to be as good as some guys that can drag the bow out at the beginning of August. My shot process is basically straight from Joel and it emphasizes concentration.

I do find that if I place too much focus on what's going on with my form that I lose focus of my aim and things fall apart. At the same time, it doesn't seem to matter where or how much the pin dances as long as I really watch that spot and pull through slowly and deliberately.

His website is Hunting and Shooting Classes

He's also a hell of a nice guy and I still pester him constantly with questions and he always replies helpfully.


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There is a difference between a surprise release and having zero idea when the thing is going to go off. most of the top guys say they get to a point where they are happy with their float, then start their release sequence, they now its going to go off within x number of seconds, but not the exact moment. this combined with making sure I pick a spot has greatly improved my shooting.
 
What your doing now is maybe of a recipe for disaster. Meaning that your allowing your eye and brain to AIM while your shot process is breaking down and getting into fatigue. This is not good in my view. Maybe Im way out in left field but here goes....

Im no coach by any means but I think you should to take the AIM out of the equation or your could to develop a BAD case of TP subconsciously due to the fatigue factor and shot going off.
Either dont aim, or let down.

Try this. DO the same as in the vid, but get CLOSE to the target like 2-3 feet, so sure your on target. Do the same thing but this time close your eyes once you get to anchor, and let the shot process happen. This way your are disconnecting the visual aspect of aiming, and letting the body and brain focus on the FEEL of the shot and as it begins breaks down. Basically blank bailing but you've removed the aiming factor completely and the brain has to then focus on the feel of the shot process and the fatigue / breakdown. DONT PEEK< your not aiming just shooting close up.

Also have you ever sat down and thought of your shot process and what goes on at each little step, from grip, to breathing, to draw, anchor, aiming and release, and most importantly the follow through? I mean ALL the little tiny things in between.
You'll be surprised at the number of steps there are in the process. I did this and came up with 14-16 little tiny steps in my shot. It all happens in 15 or so seconds. Pre-draw to follow through.
 
I shoot a lot all year round, so that by hunting season there is no mental aspect to it. It's so ingrained in me that I don't have to think about it or have any anxieties over it. There have been times I'm out hunting and have an arrow nocked and am at full draw and consciously wasn't even aware that I was shooting. It just kind of happens......engage the target.
 
I shoot a lot all year round, so that by hunting season there is no mental aspect to it. It's so ingrained in me that I don't have to think about it or have any anxieties over it. There have been times I'm out hunting and have an arrow nocked and am at full draw and consciously wasn't even aware that I was shooting. It just kind of happens......engage the target.

pretty much the same with me. i may have one thing i'm reminding myself to do (lately it's to follow through) when setting up but once i'm anchored and aiming i kind of go on autopilot and just trust that my subconscious is going to do the rest. i find it similar to golf in that way. i may have a swing thought during my setup but once the backswing starts i'm just along for the ride.
 
pretty much the same with me. i may have one thing i'm reminding myself to do (lately it's to follow through) when setting up but once i'm anchored and aiming i kind of go on autopilot and just trust that my subconscious is going to do the rest. i find it similar to golf in that way. i may have a swing thought during my setup but once the backswing starts i'm just along for the ride.

Anyone who plays golf, that's a perfect analogy.


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Anyone who plays golf, that's a perfect analogy.


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And anyone who has ever seen a video, Charles Barkley's swing = target panic.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLOlxVNSzcg
[/URL]

In this video you even see him go through relatively smooth practice swings then it completely breaks down over the ball. Sometimes the wiring of the brain just goes awry.
 
And anyone who has ever seen a video, Charles Barkley's swing = target panic.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLOlxVNSzcg
[/URL]

In this video you even see him go through relatively smooth practice swings then it completely breaks down over the ball. Sometimes the wiring of the brain just goes awry.

Every time I see that it blows my mind, I have no idea how that can even happen.


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