Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Hey guys,

I've got some issues that I'm trying to work through and would like to get some opinions on how I should proceed.

First some background.

My bow has new string from vapor trail.
The bow was tuned after having the string put on.
According to several shop people over several visits the bow fits me. (I'm 5'8" and the DL is 28-28.5")
I'm shooting brand new Carbon Express 350's with blazer vanes
100gr field tips

I used to shoot pretty darn good. Then I started screwing with something that worked. I tried going to back tension. I didn't like or didn't have the right guidence to get it right. Then I changed my anchor point to behind my ear, then I changed my relase length, changed my bow string etc...

I've always had week shoulders from over lifting in HS and not lifting correctly. So recently I had my bow turned down to 52lbs. This has made drawing the bow a breeze and I really like it. I was shooting 64lbs before I had it turned down. When I initially started shooting my bow it was set to 72lbs and I could pull that back without much trouble but holding it there wasn't very pleasant (because of my weak shoulder).

I'm having two issues right now that are really troubling me.

1) I can't seem to hold my pin steady.

and

2) I really want to just let the arrow go. It feels like I'm rushing the shot. Causing my accuracy to be truly horrible. Several inches at 20 yards and I used to shoot under 1.5" at 20 if not even better than that.

Any suggestions on how I should start to figure this out?

Thanks

Tom

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Target panic. There are several ways to cure it, but basically what you need to do is reprogram your brain. You need to let your brain know that you are in control and it's not.


If you do a google search for target panic you will get several good methods of curing it. I've suffered from that for years, it comes and goes. Blind bale, blind bale, blind bale.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

I don't get it.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Stat I think it is an over tweaking issue.

I think you have messed with your setup and style so much you have "forgotten" how to shoot. I did the exact same thing5 years ago. I started messing with my DL and back tension releases. I got worst as a shooter. I went from the #1 indoor shooter at our club to not even in the top ten.

2 years ago I went back to my scott release and draw length I have had since I was 16. Slowly but surelyI am coming back to form.

Good luck.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

I agree, i would just go back to the basics and what feels natural for you. You need to clear your head mentally and start over.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Statjunk I can currently relate to you. I had a new vapor trail string put on my bow and changed release to a copperhead xt, and then proceeded to lighten/adjustthe trigger and the adustable strap and ended up with trouble. I had a few flyers, not even on target,very poor acuracy, began to get jumpy and rush to release, adjusted the trigger again, but went the wrong way and lightened it, and had a premature misfire. I started last night when adjusting my release much stiffer, lengthened that release strap back out to comparible to old release and began to more slowly shoot at 20 yards. I guess I am thinking like you and as other have suggested, go back to the basics that have worked and get back to being comfortable.
Good luck.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

The others are right. We tend to mess ourselves up by overthinking things and listening to all of the "coaches" online. I've learned (the hard way) that if you're shooting well and your set up works, don't change a thing. Guys will make suggestions and we'll read what we're supposed to do online, but you have to ask yourself "What will this make better?" If you don't have a good answer, don't change anything.

It's not that we shouldn't strive for improvement, but you have to look at the risk vs. the reward.

Another thing I noticed was that you seem to have made a lot of changes at once. If you want to improve and think a change will help, do it one step at a time. That way if it doesn't work you know it and can disregard it. If you make 3 changes at once and get screwed up you don't know which change has you messed up.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Ummmm, if you anchor point is "behind your ear" then your draw length is probably to long. At 5'8" with 28.5" dl, I would say you might be to long as well. Can't tell for sure without pictures however.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

I'd kinda have to agree w/Bob H, your draw length seems 2 long. Concentrate on your form rather than where the arrow is hitting. There is a very good article in F&S from 2005 on form. The author wrote about a guy name Terry Wunderle. He is a US & World Champion Compound bow shooter. His technique for concentrating on form is what the article is all about. Since I've read that article & applied those techniques, my shooting has greatly improved. PM me & I'll get u that info.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

WOW!! Since you were 16?? They made releases back then?? I aint buyin it!

hehe sorry G-man

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

I'm interested in the posts that are saying that my drawlength is too long. Based on my height what should it be?

Also how do you know exactly how long your drawlength should be?

Also is your draw length different on different bows?

Thanks

Tom

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Tom this is what i have been taught. Right or not it is how I do it.

I like the DL to come to my eye. I have draw a line to show you.

I also like to have a straight line from the arrow through my elbow, again I have a line draw.

I like to stand straight and notleaning back, again a line. Hope this helps

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

A rough way to get a close draw length is stand next to a wall put your chest to the wall and arms outstretchedpalms flat against wall measure fingertip to finger tip take that measurement and divide by 2.5 that will give you a pretty close draw length for you. Germs great pic thats what i'd call about perfect.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

There are a number of things to consider in my opinion.It is certainly wise to make adjustments one at a time and to go back to where you started from if you do not see the desired improvement.Years ago I made sweeping changes that at the time were very hard to adjust to,I had the assistance of professional instruction and a very close friend who was a very accomplished 3d and indoor shooter.The point being,I had a safety net and lot's of available support to help me through the major adjustment.
I certainly have my beliefs as it relates to form,and I wouldn't attempt to or suggest to someone what they may be doing wrong without physically being in their presence or seeing a number of photographs of them at full draw.I would recommend that you get to someone who really knows their stuff,whether a pro shop for target archers or a trusted friend who is an excellent bow technician and have them help you.Getting set up correctly is the first thing you need to do,then you can deal with what may be the mental aspects of shooting.
I feel for you!It sucks when you are not comfortable and confidant about your shooting.Good luck!

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Well I figured out what was going on. It was the sight. The failure of the sight was likely causing me confidence problems causing me to focus to much on holding my pin on the target. I changed my sight and I was stacking arrows again. It must have been moving some how. I know it would rattle every once in a while at the extension arm, but the extension has measured points. I would put the pin back in the divot and tighten it. I guess it was causing more of a problem than I had suspected. No more micro adjust fancy crap for me. Allen screws and lock tight.

Yesterday on my best groups I was about 1"-1.5" at 30 yards and my worst about 2-2.5" at 30. My 20 yard groups were scaring me because I just got new arrows. They were stacked.

I'm so relieved!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

That's good news!

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

Im 5' 7" and I have a 25" draw if that helps. I know what you mean I think I have the same problem.

RE: Holding Pin Steady Problems
 

I'm glad you're shooting better but if it's a form problem or a draw length problem your inconsistency might come back. I used to really struggle with consistency until I got these two things figured out. One day I'd shoot the lights out and the next day I was all over the place.

Is there any way to post of few pictures of yourself at full draw from different angles?

Another thing that really helped me was a longer stabilizer. I went from a Mini S Coil to a Sims modular with a stem, 3 modules, and a Mini S Coil on the end of it. It's long enough now to help me be more steady.