Target panic/

[coachcw]

funny more poundage helps me 

[boneaddict]

Maybe you have to concentrate more to pull it back and it keeps you mind from wandering.   

[RadSav]

A lot of folks make the mistake of thinking good accuracy practice is good target panic medicine.  Doesn't usually work out that way.  If you are getting bit by TP it's best to abandon accuracy practice for awhile and put 100% of your efforts into TP control. 

Really sucks to be getting bit just before hunting season.  The few times I got it badly just before season I found it best to just quit shooting all together during hunting season.  I don't even shoot at small game or stumps those years - only big game!  The time off seems to help.  Then after early season I can give it 100% of my attention and get the upper hand.

[boneaddict]

Interesting.     You've shot trad.  Have you ever had it with that?

[WALLEYEGUY]

Lots of good advise here but the last ditch effort when nothing else works is to switch hands.  Not the best solution (expensive) but will fix the problem.  Do not remember his name but we had an Olympian who competed in two different Olympics one right and one left because of this problem. I just took up muzzle loading, was an accuracy freak and could not get past it, one of these days I will start back with my off hand.

[RadSav]

Interesting.     You've shot trad.  Have you ever had it with that?

Never had it with traditional bows.  I don't anchor long enough for my mind to panic about nothin 

My trad style is a lot like Fred Bear.  Not really snap shooting as I do anchor, but I do get blamed for doing it by those who aren't paying attention.  Most of my trad kills were during my worst target panic years.  I just ditched the training wheels once hunting season got close.  Though I've never had bad target panic shooting animals.  Maybe if I shot animals with spots on them

[D-Rock425]

I developed a horrible case of this Target Panic and it took me atleast a year to cure myself of it.

30 years and I am still not cured.  Once and addict always an addict   I now manage it most days.  Thanks to great coaches.  But won't be winning 3-D shoots...even with a good pencil and eraser!

everyone can win with the right pencil.

[coachcw]

Maybe you have to concentrate more to pull it back and it keeps you mind from wandering.   

Squirrel !

[RadSav]

I developed a horrible case of this Target Panic and it took me atleast a year to cure myself of it.

30 years and I am still not cured.  Once and addict always an addict   I now manage it most days.  Thanks to great coaches.  But won't be winning 3-D shoots...even with a good pencil and eraser!

everyone can win with the right pencil.

You should have been around, trying to win 3-D shoots, in the mid to late 80's.  Last guy to turn in his score card always won  

[Jonathan_S]

I developed a horrible case of this Target Panic and it took me atleast a year to cure myself of it.

30 years and I am still not cured.  Once and addict always an addict   I now manage it most days.  Thanks to great coaches.  But won't be winning 3-D shoots...even with a good pencil and eraser!

everyone can win with the right pencil.

You should have been around, trying to win 3-D shoots, in the mid to late 80's.  Last guy to turn in his score card always won

That is hilarious.   

[blackveltbowhunter]

 IMO target panic is simply an exaggerated symptom of the bigger virus, flinching. Once you catch it you can beat it and become immune, but there is no "cure". Heres the rub, everyone is born with it. And I am willing to bet the majority of shooters have it. In a way you are blessed as you have the symptoms to exaggerate the problem and get you back on the path to the podium! The equipment of today is so forgiving that many errors in shot execution go unnoticed. I know it did for me. But once you figure out your shot process and what makes it "click" you will not "panic" again.

[RadSav]

If only my problems were "flinching" related I would be dancing a jig   Unfortunately with true target panic a flinch is only the result of the underlying problem.  I have often thought of giving hypnotism a try.  Seemed to have worked wonders for John Smoltz

[blackveltbowhunter]

If I had serious panic, hypnosis would probably be the very first thing I would try. From what I have researched (which is very little mind you)  it appears much of  hypnosis is based on mantra and concentration in the conscious leading to release of the subconscious. Exactly what is needed when looking at a target, pins, and executing the shot. If I can essentially lull the aiming to sleep with.my eyes open, then I have nuthing but shot execution on my plate to worry about. But I have trust issues  

[BULLBLASTER]

I had a time with target panic. Blind bailing and a lot of it helped me out. As well as getting and learning to use a hinge release. The goal is to make the shot execute automatic. So all you need to consciously do is aim the pin. It usually helps me to draw back and aim without shooting and then let down also. Do this 5-10 times a day for a week without actually shooting any arrows and then after that when you do shoot make sure that all the shots you shoot are actually good shots. If I force a bad shot I put my gear up for the day and try again tomorrow.

For me it seems that target panic never truly goes away once it sets in. It can just be controlled to various degrees.

[pianoman9701]

"Blind Bale" work with no aiming point, just focus on the draw,anchor and release. Do several sessions without even aiming. Do this at just a few feet or just a little more than an arrows distance from the bale. Get close enough that you can shoot with your eyes closed as well and hold your draw before release.

20-25 arrows everyday. It cured mine in about a week several years ago.