Stress shooting.

[Shadow Cat]

I got to spend a lot of time while I was in the military shooting. One thing I learned about was what happens to the body when shooting under stress. Your heart rate increases, your breathing increases and if you are not careful, you can get tunnel vision as well as a lot of other things.
Something we did was PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and PRACTICS SOME MORE, with stress shooting. Nothing will come close to the stress of real battle but you can make the body have some of the same reactions.
When you are practicing, put your bow down and do a few wind sprints and IMEDIATLY pick up your bow and shoot a few arrows quickly. Do this at 10 yards. You will get the idea about how much you will be moving when you shoot. My suggestion is to do this for a while until you see how your body reacts and you give your self time to make the corrections you need to hit your target accurately. When you have mastered the 10 yard line, move back to 20 and repeat. You will get better at controlling your breathing and your heart rate to reduce the amount of movement you see on your site pins.
This is an EXELENT drill for shooting guns as well (that's what we used it for) for defense training. A big bull elk will get your heart pounding and so will a criminal when he has broken into your home at 2am. Keep your self calm and focused and most importantly, aware of your surroundings. That is called situational awareness. Do you see any twigs in the way of your arrow? Where is your child? Are there any cows that are going to bust you? Is there another criminal in the room? Do you see how they can relate?

[Cougar]

That was an interesting read. I'll try and do that with the gun to practice.

[Coasthunterjay]

wow this can be related to all those who modrn firearm hunt. My father was in the marines and he taught the same thing to me and my brother as we hunt. Also taking a deep breathe and resighting before pulling the trigger.

thanks for the reminders, they help!!!!!!

[Shadow Cat]

There is a lot to learn about stress shooting. It does not matter if you are shooting a handgun, rifle or a bow. I don't know of a single person who "knows it all" when it comes to shooting. We can all learn a lot from each other and that is my personal goal.

[Fesup]

I was a range coach for a bit in the service . it helps too keep your eyes open. amazed me how many guys shoot with there eyes closed .Ha!  Id say Boy where the hell ya from.?  the answer I always got? New York.  Ha! dont know why.

[hogsniper]

This is very cool that u are doing this....In sniper school the students have to do this and it is very interesting to see them at first and then see them shoot after a few days practice...Do some sprints, push ups and then spin in a circle a few times...make sure u dont over do it to where it could be dangerous. Great post Shadow....Justin

[dbllunger]

Totally agree and I also do similar "Stress" type shooting.  I also shoot from every possible position and angle I can think of.  You can not put enough variances in your shooting.  I will pack a target to super steep hills and shoot all different ranges to get a true understanding of proper hold.  Books, computers, are nice reference points to start from but you have to actually test to verify the data.  How many guys who have hunted some of these Eastern Wa. units that have never actaully shot down or up a hill at almost vertical angles?   I have NEVER had another hunter admit to that form of practice.  I know there are some that do, but most never take the time and effort to find out.  I also shoot with fingers as practice just in case my release breaks or has other problems.  Also do some instinctual shooting with out sights.  You just never know when a problem will occur and you have to be able to do your part if a certain piece of equipment fails.  Don't forget to get a true understanding of your arrows trajectory, time of flight, etc. at all distances you will be shooting.  That limb twig may look out of the way, but the arrows trajectory will possibly cause contact.  As everyone knows it only requires a blade of grass or a single leaf to totally destroy an arrows flight.  Understanding and knowing the techno stuff will make your shooting skills and accuracy subtantially higher then those who don't.  Bottom line is you can never practice enough or with enough variety.