How to Overcome Target Panic in Archery: A Guide to Improve Your Accuracy and Mental Focus
The archery rabbit hole is a long and arduous journey. It’s a sport that requires both physical strength and even more mental discipline. It’s a community filled with a passionate group of folks who tend to be hyper focused and suckers for punishment. We all know the bowhunting community can also be pretty divisive at times. One of those things where each sub section seems to think the other is doing something wrong. Compound vs traditional. Longbow vs recurve….etc., etc. However, one thing we all have in common in the archery community is this, target panic will inflict us all at one time or another. It’s inescapable. I hate to break it to you, but it’s your fate as an archer.
Target panic is a psychological phenomenon that can affect an archer’s ability to aim and release the arrow accurately. It’s a massive topic and we are going to explore the causes of target panic and provide effective strategies to overcome it, allowing you to improve your accuracy and hopefully enjoy archery to the fullest.
Now, I’m sure a lot of you have heard about target panic recently. The popularity of Joel Turner’s Shot IQ and his son Body’s insane wins in Vegas and at Lancaster have put the issue of target panic at the forefront of the archery world. I’m not sure I would have even been able to diagnose my target panic without Joel really bringing it to the forefront. I’m not going to give away the secrets to his online course, but I will say it’s worth every penny.
I guess we start with explaining what the hell target panic is…. because odds are you or your hunting buddy have or will suffer from this frustrating phenomenon.
My experience and journey overcoming target panic is a long one. As an adult onset hunter and starting my hunting journey with archery, I probably didn’t set myself up for success on this one. I wish I had taken a few lessons in order to properly learn “back tension” style shooting and have someone correct my weak form. I created bad habits early on and we all know the old adage…… ‘old habits die hard’. At first, I thought maybe I had rushed my shot or been too excited. Buck fever is real, and I chalked my first few misses up to nerves. But after my first harvest, my nerves had settled a bit but unfortunately, I was still making mistakes in the field, some of which resulted in injuring an animal. The stress of not recovering a bull moose sent me into a tailspin where I was questioning if I should even be doing this hunting thing. That offseason my “nerves” translated to the 3D archery range and I knew something wasn’t right. I had always been a fairly decent shot, and this new inability to properly group was sending me off the deep end.
I decided to commit and do the research in order to try and re-learn proper form and technique.
1. Understanding Target Panic:
Target panic is a condition characterized by an uncontrollable urge to release the arrow prematurely, often resulting in inconsistent shots and decreased accuracy. It can manifest as flinching, jerking, or freezing at full draw, making it difficult to maintain a steady aim. In some instances, not even being able to hold the pin on the target. Target panic is primarily a psychological issue influenced by various factors, including fear, anxiety, and pressure to perform as well as poor mechanics and in mostly all instances, learning wrong from the very beginning.
2. Identifying the Causes:
To overcome target panic, it is essential to identify its underlying causes. Some common factors that contribute to target panic include:
Anticipation of the shot: Many archers develop a fear of missing the target or failing to meet their own expectations. This fear leads to anticipatory anxiety, causing them to rush the shot and release the arrow prematurely. This is also known around the range as “punching the trigger”. It’s just as it sounds, instead of a slow, long controlled pull, the trigger is basically slapped with the index finger as quick as possible when the shooter feels they are on target.
Lack of confidence: Low self-confidence and doubt can significantly impact an archer’s performance. Doubting one’s abilities and constantly worrying about making mistakes can trigger target panic.
Inconsistent training: Inadequate or inconsistent training can lead to poor form and technique, making it challenging to maintain a steady aim. This inconsistency can further contribute to anxiety and target panic. Practicing on targets, or even crossbow targets, will lead to huge success.
Shooting the wrong release: Plain and simple, if you want to overcome target panic, you have to switch up your release. It’s how I did it. It’s how countless of my friends did it and I firmly believe it’s how everyone should learn.
Back Tension. Back tension. Back tension.
I used a Silverback from Nock On but there are plenty of other back tension release aids out there. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “I can’t hunt with one of those Darren.” You sure can. I have, and I’ve even harvested a few animals with a back tension release. I’ve also blown my fair share of opportunities fumbling for or dropping my release. Pros and Cons to everything I suppose. I was able to switch back to a wrist release only AFTER perfecting the technique of pulling through my shot and using back tension to shoot. You CAN shoot any release with back tension, it takes discipline, dedication and a strong foundation but it is very doable.
3. Techniques to Overcome Target Panic:
Overcoming target panic requires a combination of mental and physical strategies. Here are some effective techniques to help you regain control and improve your accuracy:
Relaxation exercises: Utilize relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind and body. Practice these exercises before and during your archery sessions to reduce anxiety and promote focus.
Shot timing drills: Target panic often arises from a fear of timing the shot perfectly. Incorporate shot timing drills into your practice sessions to develop a consistent rhythm. Start by holding at full draw for a few seconds without releasing the arrow, gradually increasing the duration. This exercise helps build confidence and control. Blind bailing is another great technique for getting back to basics and building confidence. Basically you aren’t shooting at a target. You are close range (within 5-10 yds) and shooting at something like….a hay bale! Hence the name. Now the worry of aiming is completely removed and you can now focus on the mechanics and creating a shot process you can execute time and time again. A blueprint.
Mental imagery: Imagine successful shots in your mind before executing them. Visualize the arrow hitting the target accurately and feel the satisfaction of a well-executed shot. This visualization technique enhances your mental preparation and can alleviate target panic. Once you aim you have to look past the pins and focus on where the target should hit.
Relaxation at full draw: One of the critical moments for an archer is the full draw position. Focus on relaxing your muscles and maintaining a steady aim while at full draw. Avoid rushing the shot and allow the release to happen naturally. Practice this technique consistently to reprogram your mind and overcome target panic.
Create your shot blueprint: creating a consistent shot process in your mind is one of the most impactful things I’ve done to change my archery game. Every shot needs to follow a very specific set of mental cues to perform consistently.
Every. Single. Shot.
It has to sound the same every single time in your head. Say it out loud to start. If you catch yourself outside of your shot process you must let down and start again.
Here’s mine for an example:
I will shoot a controlled shot
Draw
Level
Aim
Here we go
Puuuuulllllllllllllllllllll
*THWACK (shot releases and surprises me every time)
The goal is to be able to move so slowly through the “pull” portion that you can stop that trigger at any point and let down. The shot should ALWAYS feel like a surprise. Once you start to anticipate the shot going off…. you are screwed.
Seek professional guidance: If target panic persists despite your efforts, consider seeking guidance from a qualified archery coach or sports psychologist. Take Joel’s course. They can all provide personalized strategies and support to help you overcome target panic more effectively.
4. Consistency and Patience:
Overcoming target panic is a journey that requires consistency, patience, and perseverance. It is essential to practice regularly and implement the strategies mentioned above consistently. Remember that progress may not be immediate, and setbacks are normal. Stay committed to your archery journey, and with time, you will notice improvements in your accuracy and mental focus. The hard work you put in creating a shot process will not only pay off in your hunting but in your day to day. This whole archery thing is just forced meditation after all!
Shoot straight folks.
