Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: willerstick on January 08, 2009, 10:57:00 PM

Title: Shooting going down drain
Post by: willerstick on January 08, 2009, 10:57:00 PM
I switched to traditional 5years ago without any real trouble shot compound instinctive for about 15years before that. But for some reason this year my shooting went down the drain. I cant seem to keep my focus, am not hitting my anchor, not picking my spotand without a doubt missed more  deer this year than I have in many years. I even went and bought a compound but after shooting it a few times realized all the reasons why I switched. My wife thinks I am loosing my mind and says that I need to make up my mind. I know she is right but I am afraid im going to wound an animal the way im shooting. Please Help. Could really use some good advice
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: Danny Rowan on January 08, 2009, 11:14:00 PM
Jeremy,

Get up to 5 yards from the target. As you begin to draw, close your eyes and concintrate on your form,ie anchor,smooth release. Do this over and over until it is ingrained in your subconcious. Move back a few yards, do not focus on a spot just center of target and again concentrate on hitting anchor and a smooth release, do this over and over.

Once you have done this numerous times then begin picking a spot and shooting, but always concitrate on your form.

Shoot one or two arrows at a time. If you are tired stop shooting and rest a while.

I still do this to this day and I have been shooting for over 40 years. If I have a bad day I move close and work on form. If I get tired I stop shooting.

Danny
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: Mo. Huntin on January 09, 2009, 12:13:00 AM
Ok it sounds like your tripping out here.  First realize that of all the problems in life this aint that big of a deal.  If you don't have some confidence maybe you should take the compound if you shoot it better no shame in that.  Our season is almost over figure it out and be ready for turkeys in the spring.  I think SOMETIMES not picking a spot is another way to say TARGET PANIC.  If you can't hit anchor pull the bow and hold it, aim, hold for a count of two on the spot you want to hit. and release ( you just picked a spot and hit anchor).
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: Mo. Huntin on January 09, 2009, 12:19:00 AM
I ran out of room, good luck bud.
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: sdpeb1 on January 09, 2009, 03:48:00 AM
Just a thought. Tension. I explain this with my golf game but it applies to trad shooting. The first thing that will kill my golf is tension in my forearms and shoulders. In archery it seems the hidden tension is in my upper shoulders. Sometimes I have to concientously think about relaxing my shoulders, especially after coming home from work and I start shooting right away.
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: longstiks on January 09, 2009, 04:19:00 AM
What Danny said   :D .
Denny
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: Killdeer on January 09, 2009, 05:25:00 AM
"but I am afraid im going to wound an animal the way im shooting."

Not if you don't shoot at them. Targets and stumps until you are back in the groove.
Killdeer
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: wapitimike1 on January 09, 2009, 05:56:00 AM
Try switching shooting styles for a while. Some times if your trying to learn some thing new you focus so hard that when you go back it seems natural and easy. Mix it up with some splitvision or point of aim. Take your time it's the off season. I always practice like Dan suggested though, just for focus and form.
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: Arwin on January 09, 2009, 08:07:00 AM
If I'm having a bad spell, I like to go out and stump shoot for a day. Don't think about what your doing wrong because you'll get stressed out. Relax, pick a spot, and anchor. Most of all relax.  :thumbsup:    :D
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: scriv on January 09, 2009, 09:28:00 AM
My advice would be to drink heavily.  Shoot a couple hundred arrows.  As you sober up things should "improve" immensely!  :biglaugh:   Seriously though.  Relax man.  Have fun.  Take a friend and tell jokes or something while you are shooting.  Enjoy the gift that is traditional archery.  My signature says it all.
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: toddster on January 09, 2009, 09:45:00 AM
what everyone else said.  When something happens to my shooting, I stop move back to 5/10 yards and just work on form again.  BAM, everything comes back together.
Title: Re: Shooting going down drain
Post by: Flyrite on January 09, 2009, 11:08:00 AM
You have been shooting a bow for many years so the basics should be solid. I bet that you may have had a bad day shooting, and now have started concentrating on the basics. If you concentrate on the basics you can not concentrate on your target. Start focusing on your target again and let your muscle memory do it's thing. Slow down, relax, enjoy. Regards