It seems I never really got rid of my target panic from last year, and now it is back. It is really bad. I tried shooting a few times and missed the target completely a few times. Then sunday at a 3d shoot i missed 5 times, which is more misses i have had in a year or so. I broke all but one arrow. My shooting days are going to be put on hold for a while. Any suggestions would be great. I know blank bailing will help a bit.
I've had It before when I shot compound and I've had target panic while shooting a recurve Instinctive. It really sucks and It's very hard to shake If you got It bad!! What I found that worked for me was only go about 5 yards away from the target and hold that pin on there for as long as you can and practice from there for a while. Get comfortable from there and slowly back up and do It again and so on. One other thing too that helped me when I was still shooting compounds, I quit shooting In a league. Paper targets were bad habits waiting to happen for me. Good luck, It's frustrating.
As Steve said, paper targets are pretty bad for it, but bag targets can be pretty bad as well. I have helped two of my buddies through it by just having them shoot 3-D targets for awhile along with making up some fun games while shooting. The 3-D targets seem to just be more comfortable for people to aim at and after awhile of my buddie shooting them, we went back to a blank target and would just put up different items to shoot at for fun, soda cans, small pieces of papers, nocks, ect... Anything to get them from concentrating to just shooting. It worked for them, hope that helps.
Like these guys said, just go to a comfortable close range, and simply draw back, hold the pin on target, let down, repeat. Do this a little while to build that confidence back up, and you should be able to shake it. Guys like Rob, Matt, and Matt, and others with more experience may be able to give you specific drills to do as well. Good luck, and know a lot a people go through it (I know I did).
I hear you MOmighty. I'm about to drop out too. (For me it's more about pain than anything. Pain combined with some funky numbness. Between this and my technohunt league, I'm going through about about 60 ibuprofens a week to keep my shoulder functional. Honestly, I'd be taking more but my stomach protests.) As far as spots and x's go... ugh. If fish and deer had x's on them they might be safe from me. In fact, the hardest 3d target for me is that darn leopard. I've decided it's because it's covered with spots. Try shooting the 3d targets and just going for a kill, instead of points.
MO, PM me your number and the best time of day to call you and we'll shoot the bull for a while. We'll see what's going on.
Christine you better get that shoulder looked at. Momighty, Good luck, Rob can help get you back on track.
I did see one last Spring. He told me to stop shooting bows. Said if I wanted to shoot stuff, to get a crossbow. He also said he could fix it surgically but as long as I keep shooting, "I'd just tear it up again." He was not the most helpful individual. Tho' he did (after I asked) give me a cortisone shot which was awesome for about a month. Unfortunately, orthopedic docs covered by my meager insurance are almost all in Chicagoland or St Louis (where my work offices are located) So I have to drive a good distance to find a different covered doc or pay big bucks out of pocket. Or I can be in pain and whine about it.
Mo, get some judo points and scatter some tennis balls around. Have fun shooting at them! No stress, no competition. Have a beer! You'll shake (pardon the pun) the jitters!
Better yet, get some judos and take a walk thru your woods and do some stump shooting! For me its the best practice there is!
