OVER COMING TARGET PANIC - DRAW CHECK

[howie]

Previously, when shooting my recurve, I wouldn't always reach full draw b4 the arrow was gone or I would short draw and my accuracy suffered. I read and article and watched a video tape that explained how to use a draw check or Clickety clicker. They are simple to install and easy to use. To briefly explain, one section containing a flexible piece of metal is taped to the belly of the limb just above/below the riser, a sting is attached to the flexible metal and ties onto the string. Upon reaching full draw and solid anchor, a slight bow arm push and string hand pull, (back tension) bends the flexible metal tab making a CLICK sound and you release. Now this is an amazing piece of gear that will have you reaching full draw every time. I find my solid anchor, and then push my bow hand at the target till I hear the click and release. You need to play with the adjustment till you get it right, but stick with it and short drawing, target panic will be a thing of the past. I couldn't and wouldn't shoot my recurve without one, they are fantastic. Give one a go and I reckon your shooting and accuracy will improve. I would like to hear from others who have used one and their thoughts or just ask me a question and I will try and assist you. Howie

[Mick Smith]

Howie

Target panic is a strange afliction. If you didn't already know about it, you would think someone describing it, was pulling your leg. :D It's very weird indeed. When I have it at it's worst, I simply cannot come to full draw. It doesn't matter how light or heavy the bow is. I get to a draw of around 26 inches at that's it, my normal draw length is 28 inches. When I try to force myself to draw further, I start to get the shakes badly. It's not my tired muscles causing the shaking, it's a battle between my conscious brain and my subconscious. Like I said, it's weird alright. :?

I have always been able to beat this condition in the past, yet it comes back every now and then, without any obvious reason. The way I combat the condition is to stand fairly close to the target butt and come to full draw without actually releasing. I then let down and then go through the process again and again. This little exercise reinforces what it should feel like in my brain. After doing this perhaps a hundred times, I will try actually sending a few arrows into the butt, but as soon as I start stopping short on my draw, I'll go back to drawing without releasing for a while. It takes hours and hours to get my form back to normal.

I have heard of clickers. I know they are an excellent way to circumvent this condition. I haven't actually used one though. The fact that they can't be used in most traditional competitions is probably the major factor in my decision, that together with the fact I love hunting rabbits and I'm sure they would pick up on the clicking noise. They're hard enough to bag already without making it harder. If I ever had a dose of target panic that I couldn't get rid of, I suppose I would give them a try before hanging up my bows for good. Yes, it can be that bad. Many experienced archers have actually given up their archery because of this afliction.

I'm glad the clicker worked for you. I can empathise with anyone battling this insidious condition. :wink:

Mick

[Scott]

What bought me undone here awhile back is when I picked up a samick woodsman ( the bowmerang) and shot it for about a month, hunting and target. I have a long draw of near on 31", the woodsman realy started to stack at about 29". You can imagine what happened when I picked up the compound again. I was letting her go before the pin had settled on the target, damn frustrating for a while. It took me quite a while of self dicipline and agreat deal of practise to correct it.

[howie]

Regarding the use of a clicker in competition, I do not know the rules as I only hunt. The clicker can quickly be removed if required. Regarding hunting, I have shot lots of bunnies, a few boars, billies, foxes, dingo's and a red stag with the clicker on. Using double sided tape and some soft material on the clicker, you can almost totally elimate the click to the point it is just a very soft click sound. In the past I have removed the clicker and found I was going back to my short draws, replace the clicker and 2 or 3 shots later I am back on target. Hope this helps

[Mick Smith]

It sounds like I might have to buy one and try it out. :wink:

Mick

[Paul R]

The clicker sounds like it could be a good solution for some people Howie.

I'm lucky to have not suffered from target panic very often or too severely.

On the odd occasions that I start to release some of my shots too soon, I have found a simple solution that works well for me. I position myself a few meters from the target but, close my eyes and shoot about 20 arrows, concentrating on drawing and anchoring properly. It works well for me when it comes to any problems I am having with my draw or release and I can do it at every practice session if I feel the need. It has also worked well over the years gaining consistancy when I have changed and experimented with my form.

[Al Kidner]

I've been in a long running battle with "IT" for about a year and I'm happy to say that I've put it behind me. A BIG help was this book from 3Rivers...

http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?c=4&s=18&p=92&i=7867

I'm sure you can get it anywhere but I ordered mine from 3Rivers. Make sure you get the revised edition. I didn't shoot an arrow for weeks. Just stood infront of my target bale and drew to anchor, held, and than let down. One has to "reprogram" the puter. Take a look now...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/th_MVI_0510.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/?action=view&current=MVI_0510.flv)

I also view this shooting footage on my puter weekly as well.

Hope this helps.

al.

[perry]

I had the worst case of target panic I have ever had at the 3D nationals last year , completly blew myself out of a place .Been fighting IT off and on for nearly 30 years . I loose focus at the moment of release and throw the shot away but in the past I have used a draw check to good effect . regards Perry

[Paul R]

Very nice Al, no panic there. :D
Your as steady as a rock mate.

[hugearm]

i get it during ABA comps :( worst time to get it

[NormGunston]

Coming from a FITA recurve background, I initially found it tricky to maintain a consistent draw length without a clicker when shooting barebow. I have found degrees of target panic in all disciplines of archery, and will reinforce what others have posted before me- lots of "blank bale" form practise is the cure. Out of curiosity, I purchase a Clickety Clicker, but did not install it. I feel they are an excellent tool, and in many cases would overcome the symptoms of target panic (even for the long term), but are a remedy rather than a cure for the problem for the traditional archer. I say try it and see, but begin with blank bale drills.

[Warlocke]

I personally have never had trouble with target panic, but it sounds like a motorneural problem.

I will apologise for the technical jargon in advance, but through my experience working with top level athletes, the symptoms sound about the same.

Re-programming the brain is a complex procedure.

As the brain accepts information on a priority basis, based on survival instincts, the longer or more often a stressor (the weight of the bow through the string) the greater the urgency for the body to adapt favorably to that stressor, providing the means for adaptation are available.

This system is called "Eustress adaptation" where change can occur favorably to environmental factors providing these factors are not degrading to the systems resources.

Constant practice at preferred drawlength will help, but the best method would be time held at full draw.

The longer the brain can assess a length the more natural it becomes in subconscious calculation.

The draw weight would, in some circumstances, have to be reduced to allow the holding time but the longer a draw can be maintained the more this drawlength is imprinted in the subconscious.

The reason for this is the way the brain communicates with it's musculature and the way musculature responds to stressors.

The brain sends commands to the musculature through Efferent cells telling the musculature to contract to a certain position, then Afferent cells in the muscles motorneurons inform the brain that the musculature is in the desired position, what should it do next?

The original signals are learned through previous experiences and are imbedded in the subconscious.

But when this practice is forgotten, or corrupted, through overtraining, overuse or injury the information has to be reprogrammed.

The shakes experienced when trying to extend drawlength are caused by a phenomenon called Golgi Tendon activation, where the body, unsure of the consequences of contracting the musculature into this area, uses the opposing musculature in a tug-of war to try to reduce the contraction of the musculature used to obtain drawlength.

This safety device is, in a lot of cases, responsible for hamstring tears in footballers.

[howie]

I have a rule or rules about telling people what to do, happy to advise and help, but thats it. With that said, when I first purchased and installed the clicker, I was somewhat a disbeliever at the comments I had read, indicating that by using the clicker would immediately help with target panic. But with patience and persistance, I overcame the short draw, not reach anchor, etc syndrome. I recommend everyone who suffers target panic at least try a clicker for a month. I think they cost about $25 maybe 30, a worth while investment. One aspect I found assisted me greatly and I am happy to advise other SUFFERS, when you come to a solid and consistent anchor, push your RELAXED bow arm at the target till everything feels right. At this stage I am intently focused on that spot, and continue to push, my string fingers remain at anchor after release, (corner of mouth) bow hand/arm is still pointing at target. Perhaps you could try these pointers that have helped me greatly.

[pete w]

TP is something fortunately I just don't understand, but it has to be real for those that have it.
Many swear by the clicker,so it has to be of some value.
What I can't understand is why a click sound can overcome the problem and the feel of the hand on the face can not.
It is ,as I see it a way of knowing you are at full draw when you hear the click. How can this be diferent than telling yourself to hold on untill you feel your hand anchor against your face? One is a sound, the other is a feel. Both are sensations that you use to know when things are right.

I hope I never have to answer this myself from experience,but I realy can't understand this.

[perry]

The joy of target panic is that it is differant for individuals because we all think differantly . Maintaining form is not that big an issue for me ,keeping all thoughts of how I am performing in a tournament or wont my mates ride me if I stuff up this easy shot at a trophy class pig AGAIN is the hard part for me, lucky I dont get performance anxiety in the sack my life would really suck then .
I find if I am worrying about the previous arrow Im buggered . My advice for target panic is lots of bare bale practice ,put pressure on yourself with betting drinks when your practiceing with your mates and remember you can only shoot 1 arrow at a time -the previous ones out of your control . regards Perry