Posted this on AT and thought some here may find it interesting or informative or helpful. If not, my apologies for the lengthy post.

After finally coming to terms with how I am going to deal with one of the most common issues in archery, I thought I'd share with folks my 29 year relationship with what I now affectionately refer to as "my old friend TP." My apologies for the length (blame my HS typing teacher), but I post this in the hopes it may help someone.

Target Panic, or "TP" or "target anxiety" or whatever we choose to call it, is often the topic of conversation among archers. I don't have to tell many of you the stigma it carries with it and how many archers believe you shouldn't talk about it lest you become afflicted. It is a condition that is more often denied than admitted, and because of this - more often left untreated than treated. It's also more common that most people realize and anyone who has shot competitive archery for any length of time, gets to deal with it sooner or later. Like the Paparazzi, it is often a price of success in this sport.

I first met my old friend TP on a field archery range in 1988. At that point, I had been shooting a compound bow with fingers and a simple sight pin bracket as was popular at the time. I owned one bow and it was my hunting bow. But I enjoyed shooting and joined the local "bowhunting club" to participate in some field archery and early 3D events (in those days, 3D was actually 2D paper animal faces and flat foam cutouts!). So that was my first real taste of competition rather than just bowhunting. Because I wanted to be competitive, I practiced. A lot. I loved to shoot so I was out at that practice range several times a week, whenever I could break free from classes and working. But despite the practice, my shooting was getting progressively worse. I wasn't sure the reason until one day I realized that no matter how I tried, I simply could not hold the pin on the spot I wanted to shoot. I could get close, but then the pin would freeze up and I would do a "drive by" shot - releasing as the pin passed the spot.

I can remember exactly where I was standing when I finally admitted to myself I had a problem. Why couldn't I just hold the pin on the spot? I had no idea, and really nobody to ask. So the fun of shooting was escaping me, and I hated that. I loved to shoot. It had been my lifetime companion and reliable friend growing up and I didn't want to ever quit shooting. So, I decided that was my excuse to try traditional archery - something I had wanted to do since I was a child. I got a takedown recurve hunting bow and learned to shoot "instinctively" like the guys I had seen at the club and the videos I'd seen of Bear and Pearson and Hill. At least, that's what I thought they were doing - aiming without aiming. LOL

It worked for me. I no longer had to deal with a sight in my field of view and just knew the arrow was "lined up" in my peripheral vision and eventually figured out when to release. I became pretty proficient with that method too, winning quite a few local 3D events and placing well in the TX traditional championships in Jacksonville, TX in 1990, despite being half the age of all the other guys there. I won or placed 2nd in our Forestry Conclave archery event for three consecutive years with that bow. I was happy with that, was having success hunting with the recurve, and all was good for the next 13 years. Turned out shooting without aiming worked well enough to send my old friend TP packing on a long journey and I was not sorry to see it go.

In 2003, I was still happily shooting a traditional bow when someone talked me into shooting an indoor NFAA 300 round for a benefit event. I'd never shot a 300 round before but I couldn't say no to the cause so I signed up figuring I'd do okay. I suppose I did do okay for someone shooting a 63# longbow and 2020 legacy arrows off the shelf, but at that event I got my butt handed to me by a gentleman old enough to be my father, shooting a lightweight metal recurve with no sights. He beat me by more than 40 points and I wanted to know how. Bob Wolff was his name, and he became my target archery mentor for the next few years. He patiently explained his aiming method, and encouraged me to give it a try. So I did. And after a 13 year absence, my attempt to use the arrow to consciously aim was all it took to bring my old friend TP back for a visit. Again, I remember exactly where I was standing when it came back. Try as I might, I couldn't hold the point of the arrow where I wanted to, and the "drive by shooting" returned. I was disgusted.

Fortunately for me, another archery mentor - Larry Skinner - had watched the whole process of me trying to learn to aim again. It took some time, but Larry can be quite persuasive and he convinced me to "put a clicker on that bow!" ha, ha. I was very reluctant because I really enjoyed and identified with traditional archery and in my view, clickers and sights were not traditional archery. But I swallowed my pride and gave it a try. Larry told me it would cure my TP and to my surprise, he was absolutely right. Literally overnight, I was able to hold on the spot I was aiming at as long as I needed to. So I cobbled together an old used Hoyt TD-2 recurve setup, Check-it sight, aluminum long rod, clicker and all, and joined the ranks of the Olympic Recurve shooters. The rest as they say, is history. Archery was never easier for me. Who knew a $10 piece of spring steel could make such a difference? Well, Larry knew, and I was grateful for his intervention. So a few months visit was all my old friend TP got, and off he went packing again for the next half-dozen years or so.

Fast forward to 2010 and my longing to shoot target barebow (and frustration that I never really figured it out) finally had me back shooting barebow. Turns out that a few hundred thousand shots through a clicker over the course of 7 years is great medicine for target panic. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I could aim with just the arrow, and shoot pretty well without a clicker. In 2011 I shot the NAA Indoor Nationals and managed a respectable 530 average over the two days, taking 3rd in the U.S. that year in senior men's barebow. I was very proud of that and quite happily rolling along in my "new" role as a target barebow archer. I had even started to eye some of the state barebow and TFAA trad. records as goals for the next few years.

I think that having some success and then "getting serious" about target barebow was the open door that my old friend TP needed to walk back into my life. Once again, I can remember where I was standing, during the TSAA state indoor event, when he came calling. Even though I recognized him right away, his return was not a welcome one. I did what many folks do, and tried for years to deny it. Like the old friend we all have that isn't as welcome as they once were, but they aren't going to leave you alone and you aren't going to ask them to leave. So there you find yourself, standing there having yet another conversation with them.

My eventual solution once again was to pick up the Olympic rig and try to use the clicker to train my way out of the TP. This was a timely move since the 2012 Olympic trials were around the corner, and despite being 42 years old, I was still capable of shooting the OR at a pretty high level. So I trained for those trials with the O.R. knowing I was training for barebow at the same time. It was a "win- win" solution because it led to my highest indoor and outdoor scores of my Olympic Recurve career in 2012, and a respectable finish at the trials event shooting against full time archers, most of them half my age. So mission accomplished in 2012, and in 2013 I was eager to return to my first love and old nemesis, target barebow.

The first goal on my "to do" list in 2013 was the NFAA state traditional record, which I thought was within my reach. I set up an NFAA trad rig, figured out my 16" gap, and spent the winter practicing and shooting local events to prepare, and the preparations went pretty well. I broke the old record (albeit with the aid of the newly approved 12" stabilizer) by quite a margin, and toasted my newly achieved goal with a steak dinner and a good cold beer. Things were good and I figured I had finally done all I wanted to do with the Olympic bow and would just shoot barebow from that point forward.

That glowing feeling lasted for exactly one week. A week after the TFAA state indoor event and my record setting performance, I found myself stringwalking and aiming on the spot for the USArchery indoor nationals barebow event, alongside my friend Rick Stonebraker. Rick and I had some great battles that year indoors and out, and that is still one of the most enjoyable years of my shooting career because of him. Unfortunately, that day at Nationals, my old friend TP found me again and once again he was most certainly not a welcome sight. I shot well under my average that weekend, and Rick being the veteran he is, knew why. But being the friend that he is, he also didn't mention it. He knew that was something I had to work through on my own, but if I had asked him he also would have been very ready to help.

For the past few years I've struggled through barebow, trying a lot of different things that might show my old friend TP the exit. Sometimes he would leave for a few shots. Sometimes for a few days, and sometimes even for a few months. But he always came back sooner or later. I made a half-hearted run at training for the 2016 trials, thinking some time behind the Olympic bow would help me again, but my heart just wasn't in it. As the sitting chair for the USArchery barebow committee, I wanted to shoot target barebow more than ever to help grow the division. With or without my help, the barebow division grew to the point where this year, we have by FAR the most barebow archers in USArchery since people started putting sights on bows. So in that respect, mission accomplished.

What to do now? I asked here for votes on whether I should shoot recurve or barebow at indoor nationals, and overwhelmingly the vote was for barebow. So that's what I shot. But as soon as I committed to it, my old friend TP pulled up a chair, sat down and cracked open a beer. He was here for the long haul this time and I could tell. Sure, I had moments of great shooting, but I also had moments that would make most folks want to throw their bows in the dumpster. If I didn't just love to shoot, I probably would have done just that. But since I loved to shoot, and I had made an commitment to shoot barebow, I did what a lot of folks do when unwelcome guests settle in and unpack their luggage. I figured out how to grin and bear it and make the best of the situation. I looked at the positives and focused on how much I enjoy shooting and shooting alongside friends. And it worked.

No, my shooting didn't magically improve, but my attitude did. I learned to accept my challenge and even embrace it. I learned how to still have fun despite not being able to consistently shoot anywhere near my potential. I remembered that archery is about a lot more than a number on a piece of paper. And because of those things, despite shooting the lowest competitive indoor barebow score I shot in years, I really enjoyed indoor nationals and got comfortable with my old friend TP watching the whole event. Instead of getting angry with the anxiety induced 6 I just shot, I learned to laugh about it, shake my head and move on to the next arrow. In fact, I surprised myself at somehow being able to do that and maintain a pretty good attitude through the two day event. It felt like I had found myself in a new place, at peace with my affliction.

It's funny how sometimes you bump into the right person at the right time. As I was turning in my scorecard and chuckling at the numbers on that piece of paper, I ran into a young archer that I had known for years and we had a chance to catch up. I had seen this young lady come up through the JOAD ranks and take on the best in the business as a young adult. Her determination and grit so impressed me that I took all the young ladies in my JOAD club up to shoot with her one day a few years ago, so she could mentor them and talk to them about commitment and dedication from a perspective they could appreciate. I'll always be in her debt for taking the time to do that for my students.

Unfortunately like many high level archers, she had earned a visit from her friend TP a while back too. I knew that, and asked how it was going. I wouldn't have felt so comfortable to ask except that she had a big smile on her face after having just concluded the tournament. Being the sharp young lady she is, it only took her two years to learn what it took me two decades to figure out - how to make peace with her friend TP and enjoy her shooting again. These young folks are so smart these days. LOL I really enjoyed hearing that because she is a real gem of a person, and losing her to TP would be a loss for all of us. I'll remember that conversation for a long time because she and I have both been through the valley and come out the other side, even if she crossed it 10x faster than I did. ha, ha.

I write all this not to bore folks or toot a horn but rather to say that if you are struggling with TP or someday find yourself greeting your new friend, realize that a love of archery, some supportive friends and mentors, and a lot of patience might just be what you need to learn how to live with it, or even send it packing for a while. Know that many of us have dealt with it and despite how frustrating and debilitating it can be, you can make it through and learn to enjoy the sport again. Don't be afraid to talk about it with those who have had it. IMO it will help you. Most of all don't be ashamed. Learn to laugh about it and recognize it as a part of the game. Some days it will win, but some days you will win. And those days are sweet.

You should have had two cold ones, not just one.

LOL. I started with one. ;)

My old friend tp brought all of his extended family to stay when he showed up.

Very interesting. thanks for sharing. >>>------> Ken

I cannot top the detail of that story and explanation, but I can make a couple of comments from my own experience that might help. My target panic started with competitive blackpowder rifle shooting. I did that sport for many years and got quite good before I switched to archery. Whether shooting a rifle or a bow, I found target panic comes in more than one form.

It took me a long, long time to even recognize one important TP issue. On occasion my body absolutely refuses to put the sight on target. I am sure there is a subconscious factor that avoids this because of conditioning....the body wants to avoid the recoil/release and the jarring feelings that is coming after aim is achieved. This aspect of TP got so bad that I had to lock my upper body and aim from the hips by moving my entire upper body. A second form of TP is one that I see and hear others talk about. The little invisible man in the back of our heads decides to release the shot before even achieving aim or settling the body into position. The little man seems to tire of the work and effort of shooting and just gets it over with. This is often readily apparent to everyone nearby because of the clearly visible snap shooting. The third form of TP that hits me is a poor release or other jerky movements upon release. Everyone is familiar with dropping the bow arm after the shot. I can virtually throw the bow out of the way so I can clearly watch the arrow miss the target.

I have been working on my TP demons close to daily often several hours per day for the past 6 months. I have been making some substantial progress in finding techniques that work for me. First I should mention one that does not work.....blank bail shooting. That works only while training and stops working instantly when I start aiming. Using a light draw weight bow has been the biggest help. This helps for the obvious reason that the body is under less physical stress and less prone to want to speed through the shot cycle. Next I use a mantra to control the process: Draw, aim, hold, hold, click/release. This helps me avoid snap shooting since I impose conscious control on the shot process. It also helps to avoid the TP variation where I cannot get on target. The mantra breaks the connection between aiming and release. The final technique I have found that helps is the Astra shot trainer. That helps by avoiding creeping, a poor release and poor follow through. Any of those results in a nasty feeling after release.

I am also coming to understand that TP is just a part of shooting. It is not some devil that descents on us. Instead it is poor coordination of conscious and subconscious aspects of shooting. I am an "instinctive" archer so that coordination is even a bigger problem than when I aimed a rifle. Instinctive means the aiming is not conscious. I need to draw the bow, which is a conscious repetitive process. Then release control to the subconscious for aiming and then regain control to execute the release. Again, there is nothing bad or weird about TP. It is not some devil just a reflection of how we coordinate our conscious and subconscious processes.

Very good post. Thanks for sharing.

It reminds me of a conversation I had with John Schulz a few years ago.....we were discussing TP and he said that...he felt TP was caused by our being afraid to miss. He said that the best shot he ever saw (Howard Hill) would miss relatively easy shots and when he did, he'd just grab another arrow and shoot again. No worry, no stress, just shoot again. John said that's the thing, just shoot another arrow and smile. Have fun, accept the misses and keep smiling. He said we're shooting our bows to enjoy them and have fun, not work. He's right.

Good thread thanks. Its a small comfort to know that TP arrives as an unwanted guest to the homes of archery somebodies and archery nobodies like myself.

Through my ongoing battle with TP I have found that Joel Turners explanation of TP is for me the most logical. Why can I came to full draw and hold on an object I know I won't release on with no anxiety for over a minute then when I put a target out there I know I'am going to shoot I lock low and jump to target on release.I have found limb mounted clickers to be my best friend because it gives me a goal to reach I aim subconsciously and say to myself keep pulling keep pulling as a mantra till it goes click and the arrow is in the target stress free. For me its not the fear of missing, I will quote what Joel says, your mind will not let your body feel impact as a surprise. Impact can mean recoil and explosion and isn't that what happens when we shoot a bow??. have a look at slow motion vids of oly archers on release you can see most if not all blink as the bow explodes on release just my 2 cents thanks

Wonderful information and am going to read it thoroughly. John is a Pro and knows from where he speaks.

I am very Thankful I have never experienced it. I have seen some folks struggle forever, it is truly a curse. I would hope no one ever has to experience it. It is even painful to watch! Shawn

Limbwalker. Very well presented. For a while, I thought you were talking about me. TP has been my "friend" for about as long, and for many of the same reasons, I think. A love of shooting, lot of shooting, and a lot of competitive shooting, all for a long time.

I'm finally adjusting my attitude to live with it, which also may be part of the solution to overcoming it. Like Camper Jim, I've also focused much more the past few years on a mantra to talk myself through the shot. My TP exhibits itself in the inability to get off the string when I'm on target. I hold until I'm on, then have difficulty releasing subconsciously so I consciously dump the release. Focusing on back tension to trigger the release as a separate step after coming to a satisfactory aim seems to be helping. But it never completely goes away. Sometimes I win. Sometimes it wins. The fact that I sometimes win keeps me doing it.

I have noticed that it's less likely to occur when I'm shooting at a critter than when I'm shooting at a target. Notice I didn't say it doesn't happen, it still does, but much less frequently. I think it's because when shooting at a critter, my subconscious, and conscious for that matter, is focused on getting the shot not making it. If I can get the shot, it usually goes off without a hitch on critters.

Despite the frustrations, there's nothing else I'd rather do (most days). :>)

thanks for sharing, i enjoy my archrery very much, i can not compete,, but shooting for fun is fun,,and I am thankful to enjoy shooting and making bows,, and being a pretty good shot most of the time,,

From what I've read TP is beloved by its sufferers, same as smoking addiction.

jk, dunno. I was a three pack a day smoker and gave it up cold turkey 30 years ago, albeit after several hers of trying. Haven't been so lucky/disciplined with TP.

John thanks for sharing, Orion yep quitting 2 packs a day was easy compared to TP. RonL

Orion, TP won't kill you and it gives you something to talk about. I knew an old lady photographer who used to quit smoking every once in a while and used the saved money to buy a new lens. When she started to want a new lens she'd start smoking again in order to have something to quit again.

I think the problem us most want to bear it without an aid.,

Babysaph I agree I would rather not use an aid either but I have come to look at it this way. If I can't hear properly I would wear a hearing aid. If I can't see properly I will wear visual aids. If I can't walk properly I will use a walking aid. It's taken a long while for me to get over myself and just go with the fact that my shooting aid [ a limb mounted clicker] lets me shoot how I have always wanted to shoot. Un rushed,deliberate, in control and most important for me stress free.

That's what I did years ago. Life is too short to struggle with something like that. My buddies simply refuse to have a gadget like that on their bow. I'd hate to say how many boots I've worn the toes out of scuffing around the target for their arrows.

There has been a lot of good information written. I will try to keep it short. 2 causes of target panic, I believe are different and need a little different approach. 1. Quick release before aiming is complete. The body is screaming to get the pressure/strain off as quick as possible. (a defense mechanism) 2.Can't get on target is the fear of missing. Use how ever big a target,or stand as close as you need, to never miss. It will take time but never miss. Both will benefit from a lighter draw weight and letting down at least one out of ever three times you draw.Get back in comand.Condensed version, Sincerely hope it might help some one. Good luck. Just my ideas and ¢ worth. >>>-----> Ken

babysaph, that's a good point. I'm in that camp too. Every time I pick up my Olympic rig with the clicker, I laugh a little bit at how absurdly easy it is for me, compared to shooting target barebow.

Fortunately for me and my hunting, shooting instinctively is still pretty stress free for me, like it's pretty much always been. So I'm very grateful for that.

So I can shoot stress-free with my Olympic rig (mental stress, but not physical stress. LOL) or my hunting rig. I CHOOSE to shoot with the stress of TP with my target barebow because of the challenge it presents, and how sweet it is when I win.

My general opinion about all this stuff is, if you aren't enjoying shooting your bow, something is wrong. Shooting a bow for me is all about fun. I make very little demand of myself, other than to have fun. I'm not making a living shooting stickbow, nor trying to impress anyone, nor trying to beat anybody, and show them up, or shut them up. Maybe that's part of why I never have had this malady.

Well said Bob. When you commit to competition, and then invest hundreds of hours of training to prepare, it's easy to forget that it's just a game.

And the reasons you describe is very likely why you've never had it.

I wonder how much TP is related to lack of confidence. Can it be compared to the panic many people feel when asked to speak in public?

Some months ago on the spur of the momentI gave a talk w/o any preparation, slides, or props in front of a highly educated audience (graduate students at a major university) on a subject I'm arguably one of the world's foremost experts on. I did so w/ virtually no fear simply because I really am a world expert on this one subject. Knowing your stuff better than anyone in the world or at least as good as almost anyone goes a long way for confidence building.

My point is, I wonder if one really was one of the best archers in the world, whether one would ever have TP when shooting in competitions where the next best archer wasn't even close to one's skill level? - as opposed to tournaments that might have top archers as good as yourself.

John, looking back, did you ever have TP when the competition was mediocre? Or if you did, was it mild compared to highly competitive tournaments? Is there a correlation?

David, at least with archery that's not the case for me. When I was struggling to hold the pin from my compound on the dot, I was shooting all alone. When I struggle to hold on the dot with my arrow in my back yard, there is no confidence issue there.

It's just the brain trying to short-cut the process. "Skip ahead" so to speak.

When I was shooting a few weeks ago at indoor nationals, after the first end or two I was completely relaxed. In fact, I was surprised at just how relaxed I was.

I don't think there is a real correlation between high pressure situations and TP. I've seen some of the world's best professional archers in person, and I've seen them do some funny things under pressure. But it's not TP that's causing it. It's just nerves, which is a different thing IMO.

Have to disagree with you there, lw. Nerves is just another way of saying TP. It's the brain short -circuiting, and I have little doubt that pressure contributes to it. Some have enough discipline or whatever to not let it get the best of them.

Something I've noticed over the years is that the top archers, golfers, etc tend to have a type B personality, vs a type A personality. The best way to describe the difference is that type As are hyper/aggressive, type Bs are more laid back. They can both be quite competitive, but the Type Bs tend to handle stress better. Don't know about you, but for better or worse, I'm a Type A.

David. Certainly confidence, or lack of it, has a lot to do with it. The more confident one is, the better he is able to complete any task. With a lot of competitive shooting, though, there are always new good shooters to challenge one's confidence, and the pressure to stay on top becomes immense. Most really good shooters have faced tp at one time or another. For example, Rod Jenkins in one of the Masters of the Barebow CDs, talks about contracting target panic after winning a national championship. He managed to work his way out of it, but a lot of folks don't.

Orion, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that point. I've shot in the biggest archery competition on this planet. I know what nerves feel like, but I did not have TP there or since with the Olympic rig.

I've shot barebow in my back yard with nobody watching, and had to deal with TP.

It has to do with the mechanism that triggers the release. Pressure may make it worse, bit it doesn't cause it.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I wouldn't describe Patrick Reed or Rory Mcilroy as Type B personalities. They put on a fireworks show at the last Ryder Cup.

I dunno. I think you're making my point. Seems you had enough discipline or whatever (change of bow type/style) to overcome it in that archery competition. I bet some others didn't.

I didn't say pressure caused TP, but that it contributes to it. But over the long haul, I think pressure can be one of the underlying factors in the development of TP, and once TP is in your system, pressure of the moment can bring it out or make it worse. That doesn't mean that it can't be controlled in some high pressure situations.

Agree it has to do with the mechanism (probably multiple mechanisms) that triggers the release. It's the brain short circuiting that mechanism. But over the long haul, what causes it? Repetitive action, perhaps too much weight, fear of missing, pressure to win, all of the above, plus some others? I don't know.

Re Reed and McIlroy, I didn't say all of the top golfers, etc., were type Bs, but that they leaned that way. But being laid back vs hyperactive doesn't mean one can't get excited and become quite aggressive. They sure did in that competiion. Fun to watch. Don't you think though that overall golfers have calmer dispositions and control their emotions better than athletes in most other sports? Always exceptions, of course.

Nope, it's as simple as a $10 piece of spring steel (clicker). That's all. I'm not a different person when I shoot Olympic recurve vs. barebow, and the competition doesn't matter.

"Nerves is just another way of saying TP..."

That's what I'm not on board with. Not my experience anyway.

I think if someone figured out what caused it, and a way to prevent it, they would be a pretty wealthy and popular person.

As far as golf goes, it is a sport that rewards a calm, relaxed thoughtful demeanor, so of course it's going to attract those who are more naturally that way. Other sports reward people who are more aggressive and responsive.

Great story, incredible to hear from such an accomplished archer, gives me hope.

As stated 'i was struggling to hold the pin on the dot' . Is it not really struggling to shoot when holding on the dot? Cause knowing im not going to shoot allows me to hold easy .

Thanks so much for sharing. I just went to a shoot and really struggled. I still had a good time seeing old friends and such but I have been beating myself up pretty badly on how poorly I have been shooting and I need try to just enjoy shooting like I used to.

Think we're having a semantics problem. Whether we call it nerves, pressure, the yips, etc., they all involve heightened intensity. For some, this can bring out their best efforts. For others, it can be debilitating. The clicker is a mechanical means to help the brain (whether by distraction or retraining or something else) deal with the situation.

I think what you're saying is that if one can control it, with the aid of a clicker, it's not nerves. But then what does one call it then when one can't control it without the use of a clicker?

Agreed that golf is a sport that rewards a calm, relaxed, thoughtful demeanor and attracts/rewards those who are more naturally that way. I liken archery to golf in that regard. Some folks are just wired better than others for the activity, and it's my contention that those who are more laid back have something in their psyche, their genetic makeup, that enables them to better cope with the rigors of shooting a bow. Of course, not everyone who shoots a bow or swings a club is so wired, and there's the rub.

"Think we're having a semantics problem..."

Nope, I think we just disagree.

And one of the most laid back calm students I've ever had, is severely afflicted by TP right now and has been for over a year. They don't get more mellow than this kid.

I've shot in the biggest archery competition on this planet. I know what nerves feel like, but I did not have TP there or since with the Olympic rig. I've shot barebow in my back yard with nobody watching, and had to deal with TP. It has to do with the mechanism that triggers the release. Pressure may make it worse, bit it doesn't cause it. Amen

Think you might consider getting your thread published since its a book and a half.

As long as you go to great lengths to report your issues with TP it will stay in your head. Get a lighter weight bow and work on form only and nothing else that could help you and certainly stop talking about TP. Start telling yourself its not there and work on form and shot sequence with a light weight bow. When you have that down then branch out.

Although what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another but if I claimed a 29 year TP issue then I'd jump off a cliff and make it look like accident.

This would not be something I would hold onto and be proud about it.

My TP will show its ugly head more often in practice rounds than actual tournament shooting. I agree John, nerves tenses things up, not necessarily induces TP. It happens most of the time for me when I get lackadaisical on focusing on the follow-through and end up skipping that step all together. That $10 piece of metal do you talk about takes away almost every single mentally induced release. I'm like you when I shot that bow I might have had panic 5 times the whole time I shot it.

Target panic is never cured, it's controlled. And those that claim they have the cure for target panic is out to make money. Shooting a compound with back tension releases teaches you what true back tension feels like. Using different releases never lets you get used to when a release goes off. The release should be a surprise to you, never anticipated. And you never try to hold a pin solid on target, you let it float.

I can go days or weeks without tp hitting me. But when it does, its cause I collapsed on my shot process or follow through. Taking time before each shot makes me think of the steps. Everyone gets nervous on the line, no matter your experience. But like the line from For Love of the Game, Clear the mechanism!!

LW, of course, there are exceptions to every generalization. The tortoise sometimes beats the rabbit, but that's not the way to bet.

I no longer know what we agree or disagree about-- what we call target panic, what we call what causes it or who's likely to get it and why. Regardless, it's been a good conversation. I'm going to go put a clicker back on my bow. :>)

"This would not be something I would hold onto and be proud about it..."

And that - right there - is why so many people are ashamed to admit they have it, and then won't take steps to address it.

We view this problem very differently my friend.

Runner, in some cases I agree with you. I know a lot of really good shots who collapse consistently every shot. Some of them - if I named them - everyone would know.

But the great thing about this sport is that if you can do it the same every time - whatever it is - you can compete.

I've watched the video of Demmer and Simandi at Worlds. Simandi creeps on every shot. You can watch the tip of his arrow easing forward from the time he anchors until the arrow is shot. I wonder if that's new or if he's always done it...just consistently.

Jimmy, my target archery mentor creeped almost an inch on every shot, but he would hammer out 270's indoor (NFAA TRAD) at 60+ routinely. Just did it the same every single time.

I won't name names, but some of the most well known barebow archers in the business do exactly the same thing. Easy to see on the videos.

Solid Biblical advice from Rymancat:

"if I claimed a 29 year TP issue then I'd jump off a cliff and make it look like accident."

...however TP believers will try to make it look like the second coming.

Some of you guys are overinvested in this. It's just flinging arrows. LOL

Not overinvested in this ,, maybe overinvested in himself, i think we all know who

Thank you for posting, I struggle with TP and it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one. I shot a 3D course yesterday, 56 3D targets. I gap shot a Spig BB riser with Border limbs ... I managed to draw and move onto target and hold for probably 45 of those targets. I finished second and was happy with my performance. I know that I can shoot better but that step-up in performance is directly related to how effectively I'm managing my TP issue.

My impression is that my TP seems to hit hard if I practice in a lazy way, i.e. if I shoot a lot of arrows but forget to 'think' about what I'm doing and my shot execution. All it seems to take is a number of lazy shots and I'm back on the slippery road to TP.

Shooting one arrow at a time at the target at short range, at the start of any practice session also seems to help. I also agree with your acceptance of TP as a part of archery. In my view the barebow guys that perform consistently well are the same guys that deal effectively with TP.

Another archer once wrote that if you release based simply on what you 'see' as opposed to what you 'feel' then you're also heading down that slippery road. I also believe this to be true. When I get 'lazy' my mind seems to short-circuit ... the arrow point arrives at my point of aim and then its gone down range before I properly expand.I'm constantly trying to tell myself (on every shot) that placing the arrow on the target is not the end that's required but simply one in a series of actions that are needed.

That said I'm definitely getting a clicker after reading this. Once again thank you for posting. :)

Regards, James.

It sure is a fun hobby. And yes ive had bad target panic and it sucks.

"I shot a 3D course yesterday, 56 3D targets. I gap shot a Spig BB riser with Border limbs ... I managed to draw and move onto target and hold for probably 45 of those targets..."

That's kind of my measure these days for how well I did. What % of my shots were good controlled shots vs. premature releases due to TP.

Like I said, at indoor nat's it was about 2/3 good shots to 1/3 TP shots.

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