I have been having trouble with flinching on my bow arm before the release of the arrow. With a gun I correct it by causing a dry fire without knowing its coming but obviously I can't do that with a bow. LOL. I will get close to the target and shoot with my eyes closed and everything is fine. Then when I step back and attempt to shoot from the 20, 30, or 40 yard line by aiming in, I sometimes flinch my bow arm before the shot. The funny thing is that I don't have that problem when I shoot from the 70 and 80 yard line. Maybe I am just being too critical of myself from a closer distance.
2 things---you are thinking too much calm down enjoy the process----#2 too much practice take some time away
Do you know why are you flinching? Bad grip string slaps may do it but that's usually with beginners. Folks dropping their arm to get a peak is another for a miss...but that may not be what you're describing either... Sounds like you've been trying the 'blind bailing'...what sort of release are you using?
My guess is at shorter range where you have a better view of the target spot, you are anticipating and rushing a little. Shoot fewer arrows in practice but hold the pin on target longer before squeezing the trigger. Also you can try adjusting the trigger tension or switch releases so you have less idea when the release will happen. Its all a mental thing.
Beginning of target panic. Google ways to resolve it and follow the advice of a professional or certified coach. A lot of what you get for advice on most forums that I have visited amounts to hearsay and wives tail cures that won't do anything to help.
Definately early stages of target panic. One thing that helps as well is lowing your draw weight some for awhile. Takes some stress off your arm muscles so you can focus more on squeezing the trigger. Instead of aiming at a small dot, make the entire paper plate a bullseye. This helps mentally so your not trying to punch the trigger when your pin gets on a little dot. You wanna get your brain trained to know its ok to hold that pin on a target so making your target bigger has helped me along with lowing draw weight for awhile.
I started using my PSE at 60# and I am still doing it. I feel like I am drawing back a toy because it is so low. LOL. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
I suffered from target panic for a long time, one of the best tips I got to help me get over the target panic and the situation you are describing was to draw back and just aim at the bullseye and count to ten trying to keep my pin on the bullseye, then let down. After a few rounds of that I would start to hold on the bullseye and then shoot. Hope this helps Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Every bow has a back wall. Use it to your advantage. Once you have a full draw keep pulling and let it surprise you went it goes off. The other way is to switch to a T.R.U. Ball HT 3 Finger Medium Release A
Agree on the paper plate comment. That's a problem with most targets you buy - a big object with a lot of smaller circles or squares making you really focus causing the flinch thing. Physically you're ready but mentally your not, or vice versa. Target Panic sucks, been struggling with it for a few years now...
Exactly. Dont have a small dot as your target. Make your target (paper plate size). Use a paper plate and dont put a dot on it to aim at. Use the whole plate as your target so your brains mentally gets comfortable with holding the pin on it. Stand 10 yards from the target and make a routine for a week straight. Draw, hold pin on paper plate, lay finger on trigger, deep breath, squeeze trigger. Repeat for a couple days and then move back to 20 yards and do the same thing. Once you get comfortable doing this, then move back to 10 yards and make a smaller dot to aim at on the paper plate. Draw, hold pin on dot, lay finger on release, deep breath, squeeze trigger. This is just an idea to try. Everyone is different, but you have to find what works for you to re-train your brain. This whole issue is all mental (trust me because I had target panic really bad where i almost couldnt go hunting). I truely get how frustrating it is, I honestly wish I lived near by so i could help in person.
