I was shooting with a good local shooter today in league and he mentioned that he talks to himself in his mind as he is aiming to "relax himself". I tried to do that but I just didn't know what to say .

He said it shouldn't be something like aim/aim/aim.

I'm usually thinking about my release hand because I am working with a new BT release and it still isn't automatic... I would welcome any mental image aside from my release hand as it can be very self-defeating.

Ideas? Input? Thoughts???

_________
SuperX

Executing a pure release! Any other thoughts will take you to a bad place called...

TARGET PANIC!<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

SQQQQQUUUUEEEEEEZZZZZZEEEEEEEE!

When Im shooting, my mind is absolutely blank and it seems like my body is in auto pilot. I shoot a whole lot better this way

That's a good question. When I first started hunting with a bow it seemed that I was always second guessing myself on what pin to put on target. (at least while still hunting) I was using an old wheel bow then and my mind would be racing &quot;20yd pin,30yd, or should I split them etc.?&quot; That went away after a couple seasons.
Now it seems that I kind of go into an automatic mode and my mind only focuses on the &quot;spot&quot;. It's almost like I don't see the animal anymore and it just happens. Sometimes when trying to explain it to my partners I tell them to pretend they're throwing horseshoes. Just envision it as a &quot;ringer&quot; as you throw (release) and it will be a &quot;ringer&quot; or awfully close.
Kinda bizarre huh?

&quot;Hunt smart, know your target and beyond&quot;

Nothing but the hair or spot on target that I'm going to hit.

Hunting is nature.
It is our nature to hunt.
I'm not a hunting fanatic just a hunting addict.

Once the sight is set for yardage, the bow is drawn, and the anchor point is achieved, it is : AIM, AIM, AIM!!! Everything else is automatic.

Whether I'm shooting barebow or sights, I go through the same mental process. I visualize the sight picture I want as I begin the draw. If I'm shooting sights, I pick my pin as I visualize the sight picture. When I hit anchor, there's only one thing left to think about. All I'm seeing or thinking about is the exact point I'm aiming at.

At least, that's how it goes when I'm shooting good.

Arthur P just gave the most perfect description of the proper shot you will ever read. The conscious mind can only focus on one thing at a time and that thing should be the spot you want to hit. Everything else should be muscle memory.

Its more of a feeling for me than a conscious thought. I am focused on the target and sights, but when I am shooting good, I just have the feeling of confidence and satisfaction that the shot will be good.