concentration help

[LocDoc]

Icoast, I hit the ball on an average of once out of every 3 or 4 shots. As for the comment the about the crouch. It's called the 'combat crouch' used by police around the world. The same stance is still taught today. I don't watch too much T.V. But I was a cop once.

[bayoulongbowman]

Doc, didnt mean anything negitive by the comment , but the crouch is old school ...10+ years shot IPSIC...hey what ever works , I always say ...God Bless...mark#78

[LocDoc]

"Old School' huh Bayuo? Boy do I hear that more and more these days. Funny, I don't feel old!
Have a good one and keep em down range.
LocDoc

[Glasspoint]

Doc Nock,

Ain't hit 40 yet and I'm already compromised        !

[Douglas DuRant]

Focus on the spot! We all know you need to do this. However focusing on the spot doesn’t take that long.

It is natural since you want to make absolutely sure that your shot goes in to take an extra second or two and stare at the target. You know “ just to make sure” the shot is on target. This act can be counterproductive because it results in a condition called “focal dystonia”. Focal dystonia just means the longer you stare at something, the image well begin to fade. “You can still see what your looking at, but it’s image on the brain is no longer vivid. So you need to shoot while the first flash of the target is blazing in your mind.”

I quote Dr Amberry from his book “Free throw”. He talks about the mental side of shooting free throws, and covers the aspect of focus and concentration for shooting.

He says think of concentration as in a concentrated solution. A solution not muddy with thought. It doesn’t mean try harder which can create tension in the body and throw your shoot off. It may seem counterintuitive, but what you really need to do is remove the thoughts in your mind to concentrate fully on the shot. One way to keep your conscious mind from putting thoughts in the way of your concentration is simply not to give it time to think. Another way is to use a mantra. Something like counting 1, 2, 3 or repeating the word follow through. An empty mind or a reassuring word like follow through will allow your body to perform without the tension caused by  thoughts which distract from your concentration.

A preshot ritual with practice becomes a sort of auto hypnosis which is familiar and sets the stage for the body to preform the shot. This shooting ritual should be preformed for every shot. A simple opening and closing of the hand to check your grip, and putting pressure on the string with your fingers prior to drawing the bow might work. You should be concentrating on the process of shooting, and not the outcome of the shot. This familiar ritual will help to clear the mind and reminds the body of how the shot you have practiced should progress.

I do recommend reading “ Free Throw” for the insight it gives about the mental side of shooting. Dr Amberry shoot 2,750 free throws without a miss at the age of 71. He had to have the mechanics of shooting down pat, but he also had to be able to control his focus and concentration to do so.

[lcoast]

LocDoc, thanks. That is nice shooting. I am gonna start with it as soon as i can make my area safe.

Douglas, concentrating on the process of shooting is a good way to explain it for me. I find that I am always running it through my mind, the steps of the shot, anchor push and as long as i am focused I shoot well. I know I do it while hunting also.


=keith=

[Doc Nock]

Doug,

Just got back to this... I've heard similar testimonies to such things, but not put quite that way...thank you!!  It clicked.

I do the same goofy ritual each shot...it slows me down a bit to do it, but it helps me with some shoulder control I have to exercise due to issues there.  It means I'll never be a snap shooter or "quick draw" with a bow, but the ritual helps me.

This year, by way of point, I was totally caught off guard when 4 doe came in from an unexpected location and I didn't have my bow in hand. I was pretty jazzed getting set up... big lead doe caught some movement and tensed but didn't flee.

She hit my scent trail I'd laid down and just stretched out her neck. I had to pull and let down 2 times afore shooting!  Talk about pressure... she kept switchin ends on me, but the trailing deer turned her back to the spot I needed and even through watery eyes, I just "looked" where I wanted and next I knew, the nock was stickin outa there!  

I think the first two draws on her got me sorta ticked at her indecision and I calmed down...but it was always the same ritual.

Now, that "focus and spot" thing still is tempered due to lost visual acuity, but I do concentrate my vision to a particular area.

Thanks again for your input. Very helpful.

Glasspoint...     Thanks...!  I needed that!  

[Douglas DuRant]

I have found a number of things that Dr Amberry says in his book that have struck a cord with me. Many conclusions I have come to over the years seem confirmed, and articulated in a way that make them clear.

I think what he says has particular application to shooting "instinctive" or letting your subconscious aim. However, I think his points about the mental side of shooting are helpful no matter how you chose to shoot and aim.

Anyway, if you find any of this helpful, then I find it very gratifying to provide the information. And no I don't shoot baskets, but like the rest of us on this site love to shoot my bow.