Solutions for target panic in a youth shooter???

[shadowless_nite]

Heres the situation..... my 10 year old daughter soon to be 11 in June has had her bow since she tured 8. Got it all fitted and set up and shooting from the get go. Started with your typical backyard practices at 10yds for the first year. Then this last summer we did the introductory class at the local range for people of all ages and she accelled very well at 10yds and was shooting bullseyes. We would shoot a few 20yd rounds and she did alright just needed some practice since it wasn't the regular distance.

This last December during winter break we finally decided we should adjust her draw length to the right size. When we did the pull weight changed drastically even at its lowest allowable setting. She could barely draw back. So we decided to scale the draw length back until it reached a comfortable weight with slightly longer than original draw but still shorter than her suggested draw. During the course of adjustment that day and the next few 2 or 3 times we practiced at the range her confidence has dropped to almost nothing and she has developed a very bad case of target panic. Pulling the bow back only to blindly pull the trigger as soon as she finishes drawing back without any hesitation to aim or focus.

I will gladly admit I am not the best coach/teacher...but anyone got any secrets to resolving target panic in a emotional 10 year old girl who has lost her confidence to even want to keep shooting her bow???

[Jonathan_S]

I'd suggest make it fun, put up a balloon for each shot and I bet/hope she stops punching it right away.

[demontang]

Do you have access to a large target bail? If you do have her stand a few feet away from it, with her eyes shut have her draw the bow settle and then shoot. My son gets target panic much like you describe and this has helped him. Make them think about settling in to the shot them making it not worried about the pins or target just focus on the settling and then a slow release.

[BULLBLASTER]

The biggest thing to get past is the aiming without having to fire an arrow instantly. If you can have her draw back and aim but then let down a few times a session would be good. Also a very large bullseye to aim at will help.

One of these draw tools will help to be able to draw and aim without firing

https://www.amazon.com/Tru-Fire-DCT-Trufire-Draw-Check/dp/B003DQU0RG

This and also some blind bail shooting like demon tang stated

[pianoman9701]

Do you have access to a large target bail? If you do have her stand a few feet away from it, with her eyes shut have her draw the bow settle and then shoot. My son gets target panic much like you describe and this has helped him. Make them think about settling in to the shot them making it not worried about the pins or target just focus on the settling and then a slow release.

Blind baleing will help a lot.

[Lucky1]

Turn down the poundage or get her a lighter weight and lighter pulling bow. I think we all shoot better when we aren't struggling mightily to draw and hold the bow.
Shooting at a big target from close range with a light bow will probably help her get her confidence back. 

[carpsniperg2]

I like the draw, close your eye technique and you have her hold and then you release the arrow. I have done this with a few people and it seems to help.

[garrett89]

Back to basics. Like people shooting without follow through and wonder why the shots are pulling up and whatever direction they are staring at. You tell them slow steady squeeze and controlled breathing. Same would go for shooting a bow. Back to basics and calm controlled breathing.

[shadowless_nite]

Turn down the poundage or get her a lighter weight and lighter pulling bow. I think we all shoot better when we aren't struggling mightily to draw and hold the bow.
Shooting at a big target from close range with a light bow will probably help her get her confidence back. 

Bow is just a smidge more in poundage than it was before trying to adjust the draw length. Poundage and pull  aren't the problem at this point. It's the urge to just hit the trigger.

We are starting from scratch again. Except this time the bow will be closer to her draw length. While draw length/poundage will be slightly up she will be back to the beginner class at the range where quantity is less important than quality of a shot and she can build confidence shooting with beginners agan without the pressure of targets or other shooters intimidating her. What I don't want is for her to build into a poor form due to shooting a draw length far too short for her pull especially  at the rate she's been growing at.

On the plus side, while at the range talking to the guys over there, they showed me a release that doesn't have a trigger which will definitely come in handy for her to practice pulling back without letting off a arrow.

[724wd]

Do you have access to a large target bail? If you do have her stand a few feet away from it, with her eyes shut have her draw the bow settle and then shoot. My son gets target panic much like you describe and this has helped him. Make them think about settling in to the shot them making it not worried about the pins or target just focus on the settling and then a slow release.

Blind baleing will help a lot.

 

[J.Brower]

Have her try shooting a handheld release instead of a wrist strap release. I had a slight problem with target panic before switching to one. It is an easy squeeze of the hand instead of using the itchy trigger finger. I bough the Tru-Ball max pro 4, its a good release for the money, about $100. At some point I plan on upgrading to a Scott or something a little nicer, but for now the Tru-Ball does the trick. Some people love them and some hate them. I know there are some brands that come in different sizes to fit smaller hands as well.

[Torrent50]

I would consider looking up Joel Turner at Ironmind Hunting.  He's on the web and Facebook.  He has an online course as well as in person classes and is phenomenal at teaching shooting and defeating target panic.  Might be something that you could take yourself and then be able to pass along to your daughter.  One of the things he stresses is only shooting perfect shots and learning to let down if it isn't right, as others have mentioned.  Learning that drawing the bow doesn't automatically mean releasing the arrow.

[Special T]

Blind bail shooting is great for working on form. Something about focusing on how it feels with out the thought of where the arrow goes helps a lot.
This last weekend I shot at a 3d and was shooting to the left. Closing my eyes on draw made me realize I want squeezing my shoulders together like I had been and returned my shots back to where they were supposed to be

[dreamingbig]

Buy them a carter evolution and commit to a year with it. Problem will be solved.


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[BoneCollector1]

Get the carter evolution !!!!!!!!! Listen to every nock on podcast you can ! Carter eco is a little spendy but will work !

[RileyTDF]

Hey man my wife went through some bad target panic. We got her the Accubow and it made a HUGE difference. Take a look at them.


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[shadowless_nite]

Thanks for the info everyone! The ideas and info is greatly appreciated.

We worked with a dummy release a little more. And she will start her intro class again on Monday where she can start from scratch comfortably. I'm not quite sure how such a large mental block formed in such a short amount of time. She is aware of it and knows not to do it but does it anyway for whatever reason. I guess it's the joys of a adolescent daughter mixed with frustration. And while there are plenty of great ideas on here many of them are hard to apply to a emotional preteen girl. I don't know any 10yr old girls that are willing to sit, listen and apply what they heard in a podcast about archery... Lol

[Seahawk12]

It will turn out fine. Be patient.
My 12 yo daughter has been shooting for 2 years now.
On Saturday i adjusted her draw length from 21.5 up to 24 and she got to experience some of the same issues with increased draw weight and a slight regression in precision.
My response to the situation is
1) explain that it's normal to get your aim right again.
2) go back over the basics (loose grip, anchor point, breathing, follow through.)
3) treat it with good humor. Kids are perceptive and pick up on our emotions easily. Don't allow anything but positive to show on your face, in you body posture, or in your voice.
When Anya acts discouraged after a practice round i try to crack a joke and also remind her that getting good at anything is all about repetition.
In the long run our kids just want to spend time with us and they want our approval. So, be patient and have a good time.
Best of luck.