Went out to the shop to shoot some tonight and am totally dragged down about how poorly I shot.
Seems like tonight I couldn't even consistently come back to anchor.
It just amazes me that some days I can go out and struggle so badly with form. Yesterday evening I shot well and hadn't picked up my bow in over a week.
Does this happen to everyone? Or just me?
happens to all, just put the bow away and pick up some other day. don't try to correct or stay at it, if you don't have it mentally or physically, put it away.
Yep
Hummer x 2... It happens to us all, seems that no one is exempt, if the heart mind and soul arent all in sync sometimes its just best to lay it aside for a bit and try again later.
Sometimes the moon stars sun and the rest of the planets just do not align.Happens to all of us.
Does it ever!
If you slump and get really bummed move up to 10 or 12 yards and shoot a few concentrating on form.
Oh yeah. I dropped some poundage and find I am hitting anchor and holding longer now. My shooting has improved a lot.
What? I never shoot poorly. Must just be every other person on this site. Hahahaha :biglaugh:
Wait. I mean I always shoot poorly.
It happens. Lots of good advice. Putting the bow away for a few days. Really helps. Then I personally like to switch up bows too. Something much liter too. God luck. You'll be just fine
It happened to me today. Excuses: woke up tired: worked out too hard at the gym; took advantage of 50 degree temps and shoot outside for the first time in a couple of weeks. You can't argue with a lousy day. Lou
Just you! Never happens to me! :banghead: SERIOUSLY, I believe it happens to all of us from time to time. Don't let it drag you down. Archery is fun, try to keep it fun. Some days when my arrows will not group on the target I grab some blunts and go shoot leaves in the yard.
Happens to all of us.
When I am stressed I do not even think about taking a bow off the rack. Sometimes trying to shoot better when your head is not in it, you can develop bad habits.
I think its better to come back later to save arrows and frustration.
Usually when I shoot good I start looking at my bow saying what is going on! :laughing: it happens to everyone, if I start shooting bad I just stop altogether because it usually will just get worse.
Some days I feel like I could hit a fly between his wings and some days... :thumbsup:
... mike ... :archer2:
I make myself come to full draw and hold on target and count to 5...then let down and do it again...I had (and at times still do) target panic so bad that I couldn't do it without letting go.
Get the mindset that there is no hurry to shoot.
Lyle
Yes, and it is really hard to take on a day right after you are shooting well. Just do as others have mentioned, move in closer and practice your form, or just put the bow away and shoot another day.
I saw some bloopers by Byron Ferguson missing some fairly easy shots, and we all know that man can shoot a bow! Just relax it happens. :thumbsup:
Going through the same thing right now. Its just a slump. Take some time off and everything will come back...jmho
Yes I do, but that is what makes the good days really special.
I'm going through it now to. Started shooting trad. Seriously over the summer and had really great success. I've been trying to improve my form the last couple of weeks and things have fallen apart. I'm hoping a couple of weeks off and a couple of lighter bows I have enroute will turn things around. A sore shoulder and a nock blowing on me has introduced a little target panic I thought I had beat years ago. I still alive enjoy it.
Like my buddies say, "some people golf."
It hits us all bro.Those that say it doesnt,must be the ones that know that they just shouldnt pick their bow up today.When you are having one of those days,either hang it upor get a big bag target that you arent likely to be able to miss at say 10 yards, and just shoot a few with your eyes closed to concentrate on your release and holding the bow all the way to the target.Hang in there.As you can see,this boat is getting pretty full.
Amen Brothers! You are preaching to a really big choir! When I have a day like that, I shoot closer and know that either tommorrow or the next day will probably be better! It usually is. The other day, I missed the bag and watched my arrow skip 40 yds across my yard and drill through one of my old plastic lawn chairs! I said.... "****!, hey! nice penetration!"
When I have bad days like that I just spend the practice session working on various aspects of form. I know(from experience) that I will come out the next day and shoot the exact same way and my arrows will go where they are supposed to - don't ask me why. Probably if I had a coach watching me he could detect some little screw-up that is the root cause of my poor shooting, but I reassure myself with the knowledge that it is a temporary condition and tomorrow will be better.
In any sport even the very best of the best have their bad days.
In any sport even the very best of the best have their bad days.
Yep even Major league pitchers can't throw a strike some days.
You need to get over to the shooters forum and read up on target panic! before you get into a real mess. trust me. its time esp this time in the season to think about working on form for a bit and dont worry where that arrow goes.
Had one of those days today. The harder I tried the worse I shot.%$$#%%^^%%$ :banghead:
Some days it just ain't worth getting out of bed and going to the archery shop!
Bisch
Happens all the time :dunno:
yep
sometimes I can shoot the wings off a bee.
Other times I couldnt hit the wing of a 747 at 10 yds.
I think shooting in part is hugely a mental game.
Yea you have to have proper mechanics, but like the line from Cool Hand Luke "if your mind aint right"
You arent shooting well.
Best to lay it down and shake it off.
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. :archer:
My shooting on Monday was OK at my range at home(25yrds). Got to indoor range for practice with the boys from our club and couldn't hit the target at all . (20yrds). I stopped and went back yesterday by myself at ten yards and one arrow,concentration being the key. Maxx
This thread makes me feel better - If I pick up a recurve and shoot poorly I can usually grab a longbow and shoot it well - don't know why but it works that way for me. Since I usually shoot a longbow poorly, maybe I should start with that and go to the recurves - ha!
everyone goes through it...when I see it happening this is what I do.
- go out and draw bow with no arrow on string and focus on target but hold at full draw for 2-3 seconds and then let down slowly. I do that a few times.
- then if that went well I will draw an arrow back while focusing on target at about 5 yards again....not shooting but letting down slowly after 2-3 seconds.
- if that goes well then I pull back same speed, routine, etc as before....focus and hold and then release when it feels good. If I pluck string or drop bow arm then I draw again and close my eyes that close...and release arrow concentrating on bow arm, release, back tension and keeping hand to side or rear of anchor after shot.
- then I shoot only ONE ARROW at a time...taking my time with breaks in between until I am able to once again focus, hold momentarily, and release as I intend.
I think we all need a refresher or tune up after long lay off from shooting...and also during seasons as I tend to shoot less during a season as I am in woods every spare moment. :)
Try reading "Zen in the Art of Archery"
What Brock said works for me I have started doing the drill from Kidwell book. Instinctive archery insights to prevent target panic. They work for that and this.
If you were new to say golf you would think nothing of going to the club pro to take some lessons. And especially after an afternoon after losing your golfballs in the rough.do you think something magical is going to happen oneday and all of a sudden after practicing yourmistakes you will put them all in the center?find a professional coach and cough up the bucks. Its the successful. Protocol.signed. been there done that.
Man, glad to see its so much of a widespread problem, some days I'm Howard Hill and some days I am over the hill. very frustrating
Yep. Some days I'm glad I built such a good backstop!
Don't hold on so tight. ;)
I need a beer.
I'm glad I'm not the only one!
I think what ddauler typed above might be appropriate possibly?
It may not just be a bad day or one of those days.
I read you were having trouble getting to full draw.Not being able to get to full draw is often a sign of target panic.A really strong guy with all the power he needs cant get to full draw and shoot comfortably if he has this symtom of target panic with even a light bow when (shooting at a target).Nothing to be ashamed of if thats the case!!!Many superb shots have had to deal with the gremlin if it gets in thier blood
I think you can retrain your body and mind if this is the case?I am sure you can!Hard work,determintation,diligence and a good knowledge base is of utmost importance to address the issue if you think it is what is getting in the way of descent shooting.It wont happen overnight.No magic bullet.I think your game because of your frustration and obvious desire to improve and your love of archery!
Thier are many other symtoms and all lead to poor shooting.Some folks have it and dont know it.
I would do a search in the Shooters Forum on the subject and see what you think.
Thier are excercises and programs you can follow to overcome it if thats the problem.Jay Kidwells book Instictive Archery insights is worth a serious look and the Zen of Archery mentioned above.
Stay positive and work smart to get better.
I was at a point of not getting to full draw and spraying arrows all over the place and wanting to break my bows arrows etc and give up.It is frustrating.I am much better and enjoy shooting now and get to full draw,havce a dynamic release and hold on target well.I am having some seroius fun and alot less frustration.
I was a very good shot before this TP stuff got started years ago.Placing high in 3-D shoots and harvesting alot of game.With the TP symtoms absoluty horrible!
Not saying you got it.But its possible.
I would recommnd a light bow to begin retraining your form and your mind slowly overtime.Be patient.Dont beat yourself up to much either.
All the best!