Post by: shadowless_nite on February 12, 2017, 12:53:58 AM
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???
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 12, 2017, 06:17:45 AM
Post by: demontang on February 13, 2017, 12:55:20 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 13, 2017, 01:00:54 PM
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
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 13, 2017, 01:04:39 PM
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.:yeah: Blind baleing will help a lot.
Post by: Lucky1 on February 13, 2017, 02:05:26 PM
Shooting at a big target from close range with a light bow will probably help her get her confidence back. :twocents:
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 13, 2017, 02:07:06 PM
Post by: garrett89 on February 13, 2017, 06:47:10 PM
Post by: shadowless_nite on February 15, 2017, 12:42:24 AM
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. :twocents:
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.
Post by: 724wd on February 15, 2017, 09:46:12 AM
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.:yeah: Blind baleing will help a lot.
:yeah: :yeah: :tup: :tup:
Post by: J.Brower on February 15, 2017, 12:06:17 PM
Post by: Torrent50 on February 18, 2017, 09:58:40 AM
Post by: Special T on February 20, 2017, 03:34:18 PM
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
Post by: dreamingbig on February 23, 2017, 12:50:43 AM
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Post by: BoneCollector1 on February 23, 2017, 07:59:54 PM
Post by: RileyTDF on February 24, 2017, 10:35:53 AM
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Post by: shadowless_nite on February 24, 2017, 11:47:53 PM
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
Post by: Seahawk12 on June 14, 2017, 04:44:44 PM
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.