So how good is your form??
 

Those of you that know me know that I've been shooting now for the better part of 27 years. I was just wondering if any of you have the same problem that I have. It seems that everytime that I practice I have a bad release or flinch of something that causes me to sling a arrow out through the woods.[:@] I don't if it's a loss of concentration or what but it seems that I can never get a completely clean practice round. Does anybody else have this problem or is it just me?

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Ive bein shooting 35yrs and still go thru that .If I new the answer I would be rich and famous.The only answer I have we are not perfect

RE: So how good is your form??
 

dont know what you guys are talking about, if u flinch like that on taget panic, then i hate to see what u do when a big buck comes!:D

RE: So how good is your form??
 

It happened to me so I set my release to have a heavy tension. That way if I do flench it doesn't release. I try to concentrate on being smooth and slow. Wait for the arrow to be released. But don't conciously release it. It should actually be a supprise. Good luck.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

You my friend, are suffering from a classic case of target panic. I've been battling with it for about 3 years now and it's definitely not an easy thing to get rid of. There's been a couple good threads over the summer on that topic that you might want to reference back on.

This one comes to mind: Target Panic Thread

While I never quite took the time to go through some of the more elaborate steps that some people suggested, I found the thing that helped me the most was simply creating a sequence of events in my mind for every time I shot. I would recite these events in order every time I shot, over and over and over. For me it was 1. Draw 2. Anchor 3. Aim 4. Hold Steady 5. Squeeze. I took my sweet time every time I shot to really emphasize the "Hold Steady" and "Squeeze" parts. If I couldn't hold steady or I felt like I was going to flinch and punch the trigger, I would simply let down, take a deep breath, and try it again. After awhile it all starts becoming a habit that is engrained in the way you shoot and you stop making those flinching mistakes.

Hope that helps.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I don't think that it could be classified as target panic because just like last night I shot about 30 arrows in my practice round and only had 1-2 punched trigger shots. It just seems like I can't go a whole round without dinking 1 or two.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Trust me, it's target panic. A mild case of it, but still a case nonetheless. I was the same way. I would shoot great all night and then for no apparent reason jerk while I released and send an arrow off into neverland.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Your getting fatigued and losing concentration.
Start calling your shots. ex. say out loud where your arrow will hit the target.
This will get you more in tune with how your body is reacting
make 10 quality shots ,rest then make ten more shots.
break up your practice routine.
Practice with your bow in hand, do not pull the string back!
Get in your simulated full draw position and practice calling your shots.
This book is excellent "Sight Alignment, Trigger control and the big lie"
By: M/SGT James R. Owens
It's main focus is about shooting a firearms, but 90% of the information is transferable.
Good Luck

Lazer Beam

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Justin hit the nail on the head you have a mild case of TP and now is the perfect time to get rid of it before it gets a whole lot worse.

On those shots your mind is taking over, you see the pin on the target and your mind says shoot quick the end result is a punched trigger and an arrow heading to never never land.

What you have to do is take your mind out of play the best way I have found to achieve this is to start all my practice sessions blind baling my first 15 to 20 shots.
Doing this you get to feel the shot and the surprise release.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I have rarely flung an arrow out into the woods, but when I am off the mark it is one of two things. I either drop my bow arm, or I more the bow to the side trying to peek and see where the arrow goes. I know I have a good shot when after the arrow hits, I have to move my sight out of the way to see where I hit.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I go thru same thing as well. Good teacher told me dont even try to hold completely steady cause it is almost virtually impossbile.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Just last night I was shooting my bow, and worked on a couple of things that really seemed to help bring this back into focus for me. I think one of the most important steps in bow shooting is the follow thru. If I hold my follow thru, I hit right where I was aiming. If I get tired, I rest for quite awhile. You will only develop bad habits if you push yourself while you are tired.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Gutshot

I have had similar problems and it usually comes later in my practice sessions. For me the problem results from anticipating the release and not holding steady on the target after release. Basically poor form.........Keep you sessions shorter and try to pay attention to every shot like that whitetail is really in front of you.......I have also tried Stalker22's trick of setting my backup release heavier than I am used to and that also teaches you not to anticipate the shot.

Good Luck

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I guess I'm pretty lucky. I had a spell about 6-8 weeks ago when I was starting to develope a case of TP. I simply put my bow away and didn't shoot for more then a week. It killed me as I love to shoot but I was a mess. Punching the trigger and I couldn't hold steady(which I think untimately was the cause). I picked up my bow after the better part of two weeks and things have been fine since. It's frusterating, espically when you can't put your finger on the cause.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I always find it helpful if I am strugling to have some one look over me as I shoot to point out little inperfections. I than concentrate on not doing them, and slow down my breathing. My groups are very solid but every now and than, when I develop a bad habbit, I do this. Good Luck to all

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I do the same Gutshot, and especially at 30-35 yards my confidence gets a little tested and i forget to hold my bow arm straight and on target, i tend to push/pull the shots.
Now i just breathe deep and concentrate on the target and holding steady.

Thanks for asking this question, i garnered some great advice from all who responded.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

:eek:I'm just getting good.;):):D

RE: So how good is your form??
 

There was a good article in the latest peterson hunting mag. It talked about practicing 15 minutes every day rather than one hour twice a week. It had mentioned your attention span does not last over an hour and you just start releasing arrows. It also talked about find the same anchor points everytime. If you have a chance read the article, it was pretty informative.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

Symptom is trigger punching, problem is TP.

Couple things helped me. I say ME because andy archery coach in the world will probably advise against the first thing I tell you that helps me but it does work for me...

A. Snap shoot. Draw, anchor aim and shoot. 1,2,3 and don't concentrate on aiming too much. I don't know why but I can stack arrows out to 40 like this but at 50+ I need to slow down. For hunting though....this is how I'll shoot more than likely.

B. Different release. Heavier trigger tension or my favorite is Trufire X-caliper. It has a "release to fire" option...meaning you keep pressure on the trigger and let go to release the string. Can't punch that way and it works as a regular release if you want. Whenever I get "Punchy" I do that for a day or two and it puts me back on track.

C. Back tension. It's not easy and it takes time and you get worse before you get better....but it's the most effective way to rid it for good.

Try a couple of those and see if that helps at all.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

My form isn't all that great, but I try to minimize my errors by using the same anchor point for my index finger against my ear lobe and utilize my peep site and a level on my sight to help keep me consistent. However, once you're into hunting season, it's really important to practice with all your headgear that you'll be using during the season. It's not cool to draw back on a buck and suddenly your hat brim interferes with you concentration or ability to see through you peep. Anyway, practice makes perfect so they say. Find a anchor point, align you peep hole and a point on your sight and practice that way all the time. Good luck.

RE: So how good is your form??
 

dont be so hard on yourself no one is perfect.your shooting 30 arrows it could be somthing simple like fatigue.30 arrows is alot i usally shoot 10 to 15 take a smoke break and fire 10 to 15 more try that and see if it helps ya

RE: So how good is your form??
 

I dont care how good anyone says they are , unless you keep your practice sessions to a half dozen shots everyone is gonna throw an arrow or two here and there!
I know exactly what your talking about , that perfect practice session where their (arrows) all slappin each other and bustin nocks. There always has to be that one fricken shot that just doesn't cooperate!:D