Teaching Target Panic

When I first started shootinig, I was given rudimentary instruction on a wooden self bow, by someone only slightly more knowledgeable than I was and was then left to my own devices.

Eventually I graduated to an early model recurve bow (a Trueflight I think - I'm talking 50 years ago). From then on, my shooting gradually deteriorated to the extent that I had the worst case of target panic you could imagine. Hell, I couldn't even lift the bow onto the target and start to draw before I released.

Without any coaching I managed, within a year, to make an accommodation which allowed me to shoot reasonably well. How and why I did this I will discuss in some detail later on, if people are interested.

Over the years, I have got out of and returned to archery on a number of occasions and was able to keep target panic under control. Nowadays, I don't experience it at all, because I understand now what causes it and how to stop it.

I don't have tiime right now to go into this issue in detail but I thought I would raise it as a preliminary matter and see if there was any interest in people knowing how to get out of this mess if you are already in it and how to stop beginners from experiencing it at all.

Normally I am extremely reluctant to give advice for a variety of reasons and what I have to say on this issue will prove to be controversial, so I'm even more reluctant than normal. But I understand that there are people on this forum who are or have been in the throes of target panic (or gold shyness or whatever else you want to call it) and may appreciate some help from a person who has suffered from it and gotten out of it.

I can give you one small hint about why people experience it, almost universally, when they start in archery. It is because we teach it to them. Of course we don't know that we are doing this but we are, and part of the problem ( a major part) lies in the fact that we teach all beginners to shoot using a recurve bow.

That should be enough at this stage to stir up a hornet's nest. I won't get a chance to do any more about this until tomorrow at the earliest but you might give some indication if you want to read what I have to say.

[Little Miss Purple]

I think it would be great for you to continue with this one as you never know when you might need it!

[robbo]

i would like to read more about this subject timujin.

controversal or not, if we have knowledge of the symptons then we can diagnose the disease earlier so the infection won't cause too much damage.

...(gonna change my username to robbo M.D)

[geoffretired]

Hi timujin,
I have had it for 14 years and have started rehab four weeks ago. The information I am working with is spot on. It's in my journal.
I am sure you are right about how it starts. Could there be more than one cause??
I think it would be a great idea to work on prevention; after all, suffering is no fun and cure is a long hard road with lots of regressions. I can't wait for the next instalment.

Originally Posted by robbo

i would like to read more about this subject timujin.

controversal or not, if we have knowledge of the symptons then we can diagnose the disease earlier so the infection won't cause too much damage.

...(gonna change my username to robbo M.D)

I had TP from the day I picked up a bow. I will add more about this condition later and how I manage to cope with it. But I must stress TP is NOT a disease and no one can be infected by it from someone else. It is all in the mind.

[wingate_52]

Now I know about TP, I may develop it. If I am doing really well, I do get panicky during the last few shots. I breath my way back to calm, then win. Just sometimes I am beaten on handicap, so long as I pass 1440 I am satisfied.

Ok people. I've done the first section on target panic for those that have it and want to get rid of it.

You'll find it on my journal.

There is more to follow later on.

Hope this is useful to you.

[geoffretired]

It makes fascinating reading. I like your story line approach. I would agree with the idea that some are more prone than others because of their mindset;I'm one of the " more prone " variety. I have seen many archers go part way down the route that you have described. I see it as trying to do too much with too little. Running before they can walk. We practise disappointment rather than a good technique.
For many people, archery is fun and they don't want to spend time learning the real nitty gritty of sound technique. A quick fix, now and again, is what they ask for. I feel that they would change their view if they could be moved forward in time to see themselves six months down the line.
I feel that a sound technique allows more enjoyment. It certainly would reduce much of the head shaking and frustration that some go through.
You have pointed out the danger signs. It is good to have the advanced warning signs and have a chance to put things right before the TP gets to the heart breaking stages. It's good stuff! Roll on part 2.

I've just completed an addendum to my first Journal Entry on Target Panic, with this one aimed specifically at those experienced archers who, for one reason or another have acquired the symptoms of TP and their shooting has gone to the pack.

I've had to do this addendum based on logic and intuition as I have never experienced the type of TP I descibe in this new section.

I believe that what I say about it will work and urge anyone with the problem to give the methods described therein a try.

Good luck, all of you.

[geoffretired]

Having read the addendum, it is clear that you are passionate about this aspect of shooting. I think we both are and for similar reasons. You have put in a huge amount of effort to get this far and I expect there is more to come.
I noticed rgsphoto said he'd suffered from day one. I feel it would benefit the journal if the ideas of others could be incorporated into your work. That may take it outside the "journal" section but that may give it a more prominent place in the forum. That may be a good thing, too.