‘Target panic’ is something that affects most archers to some degree at some point, and in Olympic-recurve terms can be explained as the tendency to release as soon as the sight-pin covers the gold (hence other names for the phenomenon exist, such as ‘Gold Rush’). While more associated with recurve, target panic can be just as much of a problem for barebow archers.

Solutions for target panic

While there are no hard and fast answers to this, the following are a few pointers that I personally have found helpful.

• Move closer to the target – a lot closer if necessary. When shooting close to the target it becomes far easier to feel the shot because we focus more on what our bodies are doing – at long distance focus shifts to conscious aiming.
• Forget scoring for a while; focus solely on correcting your technique.
• Try shooting with your eyes closed (safely, from a short distance). This makes it as easy as possible to feel the shot.
• Count to three at full draw. You might want to try a few variations on this, such as starting at three and counting down to one – whatever works for you. I also knew a recurve archer who at full draw mentally counted out by saying “Rob… Says… Shoot!” (not out loud, of course!). Again, whatever works for you.

If you have any other tips or suggestions for countering target panic why not post them in a comment below?