How to avoid target panic for most (but not all) archer/bowhunters

[AJ the TP Guru]

Ok, so maybe the word, "avoid," is a little too strong. How about "partially insure against"?

Simple - do two things:

1) shoot a lower poundage bow

2) shoot a shorter draw length

These two things were brought home mightily this week when I underwent arthroscopic surgery on my bow shoulder. It had gotten so bad, I started falling into the old bad habits symptomizing TP. Better to do something about such a thing now rather than later.

It is easy to visualize the origination of the calcium deposit on my shoulder tendon which grew so large that it needed to be cut out - physical therapy (which I'd also undergone) was no longer going to cut it.

It was eight years ago when I bought my first "new generation" compound with pins - I'd previously shot an older compound instinctively. Thing was, I still thought I needed to be pulling 70+ lbs. and drawing 31". Wrong!

It took two years, a lot of pain, bad shots, and another (though embryonic) round of target panic to get me to realize I could rachet the bow down to 60# and use a 29 ½ in. draw just as well, and with a whole lot less issues. Nevertheless, it proved too little too late in the long run.

So do yourself a favor, and try a lighter bow with a shorter draw length . . . and forego the kind of week I am undergoing.

[Parker1]

Crossbow

[AJ the TP Guru]

Nubbin' Buck says crossbow, huh?

Not even close!!!

[Christianhuff]

Wth!

Nubbin' Buck says crossbow, huh?

Not even close!!!

You are correct sir, not even close!!!

[Rack Ranch]

Shorter draw length? You mean install an overdraw?

[AJ the TP Guru]

Shorter draw length? You mean install an overdraw?

Well, I guess you could do that, but most of the newer bows have adjustable cams or at least replaceable ones. What I did on my Mathews was to buy a new cam for $80. Some of the best money I ever spent... even though it was still two years later than I should've taken that corrective action.

Now if you're talking trad, there's no reason for overdraw - just adjust your shooting position to one that's a little more open, and a shorter draw length will naturally ensue.

[Tower43]

Switch to a left handed bow or crossbow if you are having joint pain

[AJ the TP Guru]

crossbows & switching sides. How did I manage to get on ArcheryTalk? Sorry, I thought I was still on TBH.

[AntlerCollector]

crossbows & switching sides. How did I manage to get on ArcheryTalk? Sorry, I thought I was still on TBH.

You tell 'em

[AntlerCollector]

I had shoulder surgery and had to lower the poundage of my bow from 70 to 45 and basically start all over. After a few months I was able to build up the muscles again and get back to shooting like the surgery never happened

[TxHunter06]

crossbows & switching sides. How did I manage to get on ArcheryTalk? Sorry, I thought I was still on TBH.

You tell 'em

Lol x2

[Rat]

Good stuff AJ.

What this boils down to is stability. One cause of target panic is what I call "drive by shooting"; but it has many other names like punching the trigger and swing shooting.

With a draw length too long or draw weight too high you are unstable at full draw. This leads to the pin not being held steady on the spot. With the pin not being able to be held steady the archer tries to hit the release as the pin passes in front of the spot.

Every time you miss that opportunity to hit the release at the exact right time, you are subconsciously programming your brain to try something different the next shot. This is what leads to punching the trigger.

For the shot to break clean we need to be able to have everything as repeatable as possible during the shot sequence; and we just can't do it with our form or our equipment being out of tune or ill fitting.

Not to mention the toll it takes on our bodies when we do this; as AJ has just been through.

A shorter draw length is more stable, and promotes better form, than a long draw length. That's why we always say it is better to be a little short than a little long on draw length.

Same thing with draw weight, less is more when looking from the perspective of stability. If you start to get tired before the shot sequence has run its course you will start to loose stability.

That's not to say you can't have perfect form and fit and still have target panic, you can; and that's what AJ's DVD is great for curing. But no amount of mental agility is going to overcome bad form and bad fitting equipment.

[Rat]

Shorter draw length? You mean install an overdraw?

An overdraw does nothing for draw length; it only affects arrow length. You need to actually use a shorter draw length; get different modules, a new cam, short string the bow, whatever it takes to get the actual draw length down to where you need it.

You can read all about it here:
Draw Length: Understanding, Measuring and Tuning

And Here:
Draw Length: The rest of the story

[Tower43]

crossbows & switching sides. How did I manage to get on ArcheryTalk? Sorry, I thought I was still on TBH.

Sorry thought you were looking for input when you created a public forum.

And target panic is a bunch of nonsense, I can't believe someone would pay money for that

[AJ the TP Guru]

Rat knows whereof he speaks.

What most younger guys don't take into consideration is that the more arrows they shoot out of a heavy bow (even though they may be quite capable of handling the weight), will affect them later on should they choose to continue shooting the bow for years to come.