Main Discussion Area > Shooting and Hunting
Target Panic; group therapy
PeteC:
Anyone else out there interested in starting a "group therapy" for target panic. I'm willing to share some things that have helped me,and I'd like to know how others find ways to cope with the affliction. I have shot the barebow now for 52 years,getting my first real longbow when I was 6.I never had any formal lessons, and learned some basics from my dad.I learned to shoot pretty good,and had no problems until a few years ago,when I realized I could not draw an arrow without releasing it.(I could'nt just"let down" the string after hitting full draw). I thought it was odd,but I was still hitting what I aimed at. About 3 years ago I realized I had a problem. Upon hitting full draw,I "locked up" off of target,then,when trying to point,my release would "go off",whether I was on target or not. That was about the first time I heard the name,"target panic",and realized a lot of folks were struggling with it. I read every article I could find on the subject,and tried many "cures",but nothing worked for me.Then, last year,I read 2 pieces that approached the "disease" as a "Form" issue,that, because of poor form,mutated into an "Organic" mental condition,that if left un-checked,becomes a chronic problem. These articles changed the way I approached my problem. To begin,I had to concentrate on good form,then convince myself that I had a strong enough "will" to release the bowstring when I wanted to,and not when my sub-conscience said to. My personal success came when I asked myself a question when I hit full draw. " What am I going to do with it now?" This simple change of thought processes allows me to point at my spot,increase my back pressure,then answer my own question by either letting down the string,or a crisp release. I still have target panic,but, if I practice this method, coupling good form with the "self aimed question",my confidence has soared this past year,and my shooting is at a level I'm happy with. I realize this description is pretty vague,but that would be where the group therapy comes in. If there is already one of these things going on ,let me know,we can drop this one. God Bless
PeteC:
Wow,that's great.I figured somebody else might have the problem as well. Guess not. God Bless
Urufu_Shinjiro:
Give it some time, things can move a little slow around here sometimes. I've never had the issue but I'm still new enough to my style of shooting (thumb ring and horse bow) that I'm still consciously thinking about everything I'm doing, in fact my issue is usually thinking too much, lol
jimmy:
My name is Jimmy and I am a bowaholic and I suffer from target panic. Most of my target panic comes when I'm hunting. I think it is more subversive or subliminal when I am target shooting. When I'm hunting deer, especially in the early season having not seen one in a while, I pretty much freak out inside when one starts walking towards me. I get to where I feel like I can barely breath and my heart feels like it is going to burst. It is serious target panic. If they mill around for a while, and I can get a good look at them, I get used to them and calm down quite a bit. I wonder if they feel the same way? Later in the season, if I've seen a lot of deer, I get much more comfortable around them. Overall, in a hunting situation, I don't believe there is a cure, unless you can somehow teach yourself to control your emotions. As far target shooting, I don't know when I am panicking and when I'm just distracted. It is more deep down inside, very psychological. I seem to best when my mind is totally blank and I feel like I'm staring a hole into the target. It is literally "getting into the zone". I haven't figured out how to channel this. If we could, we would all be giving ol' Howard Hill a run for his money. It is the same way with me when I play pool. Usually decent, but every once in a blue moon, you get "into the zone". This tells me it is possible to be "that good", but it is extremely psychological. Of course, all the physical techniques and consistencies are very necessary. So as far as an overall cure, I haven't found it, but I'm still looking for it. It all has to do with controlling one's emotions.
PeteC:
A few years ago,when I first realized there was a problem,it only affected my practice. I had enough concentration during a hunt to make a clean shot. However as time passed,(and confidence waned),it crept its way into my hunting as well. I think part of is that I strive to shoot "perfect",and if I miss even by a couple of inches at 20 yards,I'm very hard on myself, and I believe this is a major contributing factor to TP. I agree with you Jimmy that TP in incurable,and that one must always practice with that in mind,and follow a regimen to keep your mind in the place where you can control your shot. As I first mentioned.unless I override my sub-conscience,every single shot,with my "question", "what now",I'm in danger of releasing early. Thanks for responding. God Bless
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