Archery target panic is a widely discussed subject among target archers and bowhunters; It can hit even the most advanced archers, and make it hard for them to take the easiest shots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most archers manifest it as difficulties with aiming their shot and holding the bow steadily. It can hold anybody back from reaching their full potential, but working through and beating target panic can be simple if you have the right gameplan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The process of beating target panic:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, solving archery target panic comes down to breaking down the shot process and breaking the bad habits that caused it. In this article, I’m going to cover what target panic is and how it\u2019s caused and discuss the best ways to cope with target panic and ultimately solve it. I’ll also cover ways to prevent it before it even starts manifesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Target panic is a phenomenon some archers experience, where they find some aspects of shooting the bow psychologically difficult. Most archers experience it by freezing whilst trying to take a shot, shooting without aiming the bow, flinching, or becoming unable to properly draw the bow. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be really frustrating. The problem with target panic is that it\u2019s usually developed over time with beginner to intermediate archers, but it can also hit the most advanced competitive archers. It usually manifests as archers improve and try to get better shooting scores and better groupings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, if you understand how it\u2019s caused, you can break the pattern and work towards coping and eventually solving target panic, or even avoid it before it even starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most experts agree that target panic is caused by a habit of pulling the trigger with an unsteady sight. The archer’s brain starts expecting the shot, making the archer flinch before taking the shot. When the phenomenon develops, it causes the archer to freeze.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a beginner archer, it\u2019s quite hard to put the sight pin exactly on the aiming point of the target and hold it while pulling the trigger. You have a lot of things to focus on at the same time. This makes most beginner archers slip into a habit of wobbling the pin around the center of the target and pulling the trigger \u201cwhen it feels right\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This creates a hand-eye reflex. The archer basically gets used to pull the trigger when the pin passes through the center of the target. This only becomes a problem if he tries to up his skill level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the archer tries to increase his score, he becomes more stable and able to hold the bow steadily. But psychologically he feels like he\u2019s not ready to take the shot yet. This quickly becomes the familiar freezing before the shot. As the archer continues training this quickly turns into flinching, early shots, and inability to pull the bow to a full draw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eugen Herrigel, famous archer and writer of “Zen in the art of archery” has explained it in his quote (link to source)<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shot will go smoothly only when it takes the archer himself by surprise. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n When you’re expecting the shot, your impulse responses will always affect it. And this quickly turns to target panic. To beat it, you’ll have to learn how to catch yourself by surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already suffer from archery target panic, coping with it might be hard, but there are ways you can work towards that. First, try changing your release aid style to a hinge release. Your release can increase your target panic because your mind gets used to the way you’re pulling the trigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many archers find that by using a hinge style release aid they can overcome their archery target panic. The main reason for that is that the hinge release surprises the archer regarding the shot timing. If you can\u2019t tell when the shot is about to happen, you can’t flinch before it does. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By using one with a proper technique you may be able to start making progress. You can also change your release type temporarily – after working on your technique, change back to your old release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re conflicted about which hinge release to buy, I’ve detailed my top recommendations on the recommended gear page<\/a>. My top hinge release pick will be great for you, but even if you decide to get a different one, I’ve detailed what you should consider when choosing a release aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also lower the draw weight on your bow. A high draw weight can aggrevate your target panic, and since we’re going to perform time intensive exercises, you should lower your draw weight to a low, comfortable setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, this is simply the first step of a process, not a quick fix. You\u2019ll now need to break your developed negative habits and hand-eye connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step of breaking down your form is to eliminate the aiming part of the shot. To do that, begin by shooting close to the target or backstop, with your eyes closed. This is usually referred to as \u201cblind shooting\u201d. This will start breaking your hand-eye connection. You will learn to feel the correct shot position and to relax while taking a shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important that you start this step by lowering your bow draw weight if possible, so you\u2019ll have an easy time pulling and holding the bow. You will keep your poundage low throughout the process, until the last step. If you aren’t sure what your current draw weight is and how to adjust it, try reading my post about measuring your draw weight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Repeat this exercise and try to stay consistent. Work on repeating the same shooting process, shooting position and focus on having good form. Keep practicing until you find yourself feeling comfortable and relaxed during the session. When you can keep proper shooting technique while feeling calm, without feeling the shot timing prior to the shot, you can go to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you are able to blind shoot, we should introduce more stimulation, by practicing some \u201cblank bale\u201d sessions. Place a target without an aiming point and shoot from close proximity to it, this time with your eyes open. Don\u2019t try to aim or use your bow sight yet – you should still concentrate on your form, similarly to the previous exercise, but without closing your eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can still practice blind shooting on an occasional shot to get the feel but focus on keeping a good form and a clear mind with your eyes open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you feel ready, start trying to use your sight, but still aim toward a blank bale target, without an indication of where the arrow should hit. On the first session try aiming without pulling the trigger – just aim and hold your bow sight steady for a few seconds, and rest of a minute. After this session, which will break the immediate shooting reflex, you can practice by actually taking the shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Practice the blank bale for a few sessions, moving back to a higher distance marker whenever you feel comfortable while taking the shots on your current distance. As you began at about 5 yards, move back by 5-yard increments until you reach a 20-yard blank bale shoot and feel completely relaxed and calm. Remember to shoot one arrow at a time, so you don\u2019t have a precision indication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This video that details a similar process and is really helpful<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 1: Understand target panic and its causes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is archery target panic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What causes archery target panic?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Switch to a hinge style release and a lower draw weight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Blind shooting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Blank bale shooting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n