Target Panic Drill | Archery Tips

A practice drill to overcome the psychological barrier of target panic.
Bow: Harvey Raptor 40#
Arrows: Gold Tip Traditional
Quiver: Mandarin Duck Ranger
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Twitter: / nu_sensei
Instagram: / nusensei

[@MyFriendsAreElectric]

As a sort of weird psychosomatic sort of thing, I'm amazed that psychologists aren't following archers around and studying us weird beasts. Someone will write an amazing paper on this one day.

[@PattyGoesZoom]

There are some recent papers if you search "Target Panic" on Google Scholar.

[@camelcasee]

It's well known in other sports like golf.

[@FruitLoops_]

I didn't even know I had Target Panic until just now. I watched your other video, and I was like, "Nah, my problem is the opposite, I'm too impulsive". Only now have I realised this is Target Panic, in a sense. I actually had already developed a similar way to treat it on my own, but it didn't work well, and now I know why: I didn't say the steps outloud every time and I relied on my mental timer to time the shot. This is perfect! Thank you!

[@yamaanbaray5271]

This is just what i needed. I've just realized this thing actually had a name. Whenever I shoot in competitions i get nervous and panic when I see the target. Never knew my process was so weak

[@kaiserkuo]

Target panic is such a monster. This is great advice that does seem to be working!

[@LienRanMizunagi]

Now this what I have been waiting for, thank you so much

[@canrightnow]

Your drill works. Thank you very much.

[@AlainLikeAlign]

Happy you are back BowBro!

[@staffordsanpei7804]

shot process. very important. Thank you Sensei

[@rihaz776]

very good advice... back to shot cycle and simplified the step ... avoiding the trigger thanks Nusensei

[@93med1]

Thanks this is the best target panic drill I’ve come across. Way to the range right now.

[@peterxyz3541]

Today, NuSensei is the ‘Dominant teacher’. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@offthearrowshelf]

thanks for creating this, it offers some good advice and I like the talking out load and concept of controlled shot. I've shared this on my Facebook page and website.

[@fredcross4388]

Love your video.

[@daultonhuskey2804]

great, helpful video! thanks!

[@allanjgray1]

Good advice. Thanks !

[@William.N]

Great training tip!

[@whatthefolkvevo6970]

Thanks so much for this. I have struggled with target panic for most of my archery career. It initially started when i shot an indoor tournament. I have tried many approaches to try and over come it however this has often resulted in trying to rush through a remedy without actually addressing the underlying issue which is the break down in my archery process.

[@abacusgeek7903]

Thanks Nu.

[@edmondwright5589]

You are an excellent teacher. I have target panic and you explained it perfectly. This is the best video I have seen on blind bale shooting and target panic. I'm definitely going to give it a try. Thank you sir. I do know already that saying what you want to achieve in your shot out loud is very powerful.

[@tacoma1309]

Thank you for spelling it out and teaching a solid step by step working solution. I have been working w/ somewhat similar drills, saying inside: full draw pause, 1,2,3,4 now squeeze...using a lighter bow. That is my blueprint, now i must be more strict and use this drill! No Cheating!! Randy c

[@Carnax6969]

This is excellent. I'm prepping for a comp on the 3rd Sept doing a Bristol III shoot (6Doz, 4Doz, 2 Doz @ 50, 40, 30 yards respectively) and I don't know if this is classed as target panic but I realise that I tend to forgo my shot process when I'm feeling fatigue. I am starting to do exercises that is suited for archery and general fitness, but I now need to work on my mental game I feel.

[@marianomonteverde3116]

Hola, Excelente el tratamiento para superar la condición de Target Panic. Yo lo padezco, porque si bien lo superé vuelve a aparecer, con ayuda de un instructor. Lo que me gustó del video y coincido es en contar con los dedos de los piés, ya que con la mente, en situaciones de torneo, se acelera el conteo y vuelve a aparecer. Con esta nueva herramienta, el conteo con los dedos de los piés, más la técnica impartida por mi instructor, voy a trabajar en el proceso. Agradezco al NU por compartir. Saludos.

[@yunwiyawaya8593]

Very helpful thank you

[@bear24908]

Thank you so much teacher !! your method help me a lot :)) My draw range much better after I try this morning :))) nearly ending of target panic suffering for a long time !!

[@wahyurahmawan]

Thanks for the information, I got the target panic right now arrrrgh!!! and need to do your suggestion for the therapy. Hope it will work.

[@richardbauer2045]

Just read it after years of surgeries and tons of work and a royal pain in the butt. Thanks for your help and I pray it will work. Bless you, Rick

[@darinbaker3205]

Hsa it helped? My son is dealing with the same issue

[@-fazik-3713]

Jake Kaminski suggested lobotomy as the fastest method of curing target panic. :P

[@ElectricRainbowClouds]

Thank you

[@perrythacker2292]

I tried this and it worked up to a point. The problem is for me - like many, I Imagine - is that if you have target panic, YOU CANNOT GET A PERFECT, EVEN GOOD TARGET PICTURE; You shoot long before you've had a chance to get yourself on target, either instinctive or with sights. I made a loop out of a two-inch wide strip of sheet, long enough to wrap around the string and my wrist on my recurve bow. It keeps me from shooting the arrow, WHILE I TAKE DEAD AIM ON THE TARGET, EITHER WITH SIGHTS OR INSTINCTIVE. I could never do this before. This simple wrist strap is a step that needs to be added to NUSensei's advice. It's the only thing that has helped me to precisely hold my aim on the target. Before that, my aim was only an approximation at best. And it's cheap as heck. PS: I'm not over my target panic quite yet, but I've certainly made some progress, enough to make me start enjoying archery more than before.

[@manditrrr]

I want to build a target stand like yours. Would you have plans? What did you use for the target? A commercial bought target, or did you use something of your own invention? Great videos, great instruction. I learn so much from you. Keep them coming.

[@ramioopgotoguy9642]

I am a barebow archer and i had target panic after 3 months, and i didnt know what it is but once i knew i tried lots of different methods to get rid of it but each time i develop a new form of panic, its like a demon that will not go away, but each time i endure and train for it, each arrow for me is a challenge to my self. i reached a point where i have lots of tools to use in order not to release the arrow without proper aiming

[@CampfireKodiak]

One trick I use to stop target panic is to aim at the bottom of the target, hold, then the top of the target, hold, then on the target, hold and release. It's just something I made up for myself.

[@PeterSolerom]

I had a really weird solution to my target panic, I used to shoot without even aiming sometimes, could not control it, BUT one day I imagined myself like I was in a movie, you know, like those scenes where a guy yells "ARCHERS!! aim!!" so I aimed and holded the aim for like 5 seconds, like I was being orderer by a commander or something (I could not do this before cuz the panic) and then said to myself "Loose!!" and I shot the straightest most well aimed shot of my life.

[@urihoch3589]

I've had first timers who consistently release instantaneously despite instruction otherwise. Not sure target panic is their issue but I might try removing the target and just using the blank screen to see if it helps them focus on the process.

[@aikaternie]

I've been struggling with target panic for years. :( Though it's not only that. If it was just for target panic I'd found my way to "train it away" before I start my actual shooting session. But the other part of the problem is, that - since I developed target panic - i struggle keeping the bow up. As soon as I have the bow lifted with my left arm and start pulling the arrow with the string my left arm falls down and I can't stop that. And moving upwards while pulling on the string is nearly impossible for me. Soo many trainings and each time I keep shooting the arrows into the grass. Got any advice on that? Been already trying to visualize the shooting process as a series of many different steps in front of my inner eye so I could focus more on posture than on my thoughts. Or even shooting without a target for example. I'm using a 22lbs blank recurve bow atm.

[@stevenparsons4464]

Recently I sorted out my subscriptions I came very close to deleting your channel. I did not and I am very happy I did not. Thanks for the excellent and thoughtful content.

[@user-vf6uf6tl2j]

I am playing with compound bow that is proedge and going through target panic. Whenever, I play archery I have problem in keeping aim on the target and I tried to lift my bow from the bottom of target and before reaching my left hand on the target I automatically release the arrow and it's been very difficult to over come. So please help me to your appropriate classes.

[@Montenegroarcher]

Very nice explaining.. but I think that is a long waiting before shot.. 5 sec. ( max, hold, two, three, push ) .. I'm controlling by stopwatch. I like to shoot in 3sec... but your explanation is well. Thanks for sharing

[@zwart0]

i have a thing called 'splitting arrow panic' love shooting my groups but as soon as i have 2arrows touching i get anxious/nervous. if only decent arrows were cheaper.

[@graphguy]

The more you think of the negative, the more you will be negative.

[@lstavenhagen]

I hate to say this, but it must be said: This is actually rehearsing the _cause_ of TP (timing the release). This can be demonstrated easily - simply watch what happens when the TP sufferer reintroduces aiming and restores the intention to actually shoot at the target to his shot sequence. No need to wait and practice this some more - just get it overwith now and observe the result. Might take a few ends, but towards the end of the round, plus or minus, the beginnings of a relapse should be unmistakable....

[@camelcasee]

I freeze the arrow tip above the place I want to hit.

[@Galkac]

why does that bow look like its made from particleboard

[@darinbaker3205]

My son is going through this for his archery team. When he practices he is fine but it is when the tournament starts and gets up to the line. He has been pulled from the tournament the last two events. We are going to try in using your method and hoping things will get back on track. One question we do have is why do you say push why not release or go?

[@NUSensei]

You can use any word you want. I use push to remind myself to push towards the target, as my front arm often collapses in. "Go" works - I often use it for my archers once they make the decision to expand ("Go go go" - until they get the shot off). I personally don't like using "release" as it can trigger a sudden pluck rather than the correct expansion.

[@darinbaker3205]

What is meant by "front arm collapsing" do you mean by it dropping? And when you say expand is that referring to drawing the string back to its max then count? Also do you have a video on the correct way to do an expansion? My son just started last year in competing but not sure if he is doing it correctly since the arrow fishtail

[@NUSensei]

@@darinbaker3205 A collapse is when the bow overpowers the archer, resulting in an inward movement and loss of tension. It isn't necessarily the arm dropping. This can happen when the archer loses concentration and "forgets" to maintain their tension, often because they are distracted by aiming or releasing. Expansion is the final step before the release. It is when you are already at full draw. It is an internal movement that "pushes" (and pulls) the bow to achieve a clean release with consistent back tension. It is not the draw and hold step - that is before expansion. I have several videos in my Target Archery playlist that cover the expansion and release steps.

[@darinbaker3205]

We really appreciate your help. At the moment we are just trying to get him over the Target panic......one step at a time so not to fill him up with so much info

[@jamesstrength5405]

Should i do my count before or after i get through the clicker?

[@NUSensei]

Before, then proceed to expand through the clicker. You should be training yourself to release on the click, so do not drill a step that causes a break after the click.

[@jamesstrength5405]

Thank you.

[@mr.miyagi881]

Bro I got target panic during a state a tournament

[@shredfreak83]

yeah, but not really. Blank bale is great for getting a solid anchor, starting point for form changes. Afterwards you're better off shooting a line, take the solid anchor and then work on getting a solid alignment on top. barebow then goes to a horizontal line to get drawlenght consistent, oly recurve then is best off doing ksl spt 3 i believe (expand slowly through clicker). you can really put your shooting under the magnifying glass and all you need is some electrical tape & flip your target around. The actual target face is for putting it all together. "Target panic" is generally caused by an incomplete shot process that isn't engrained. It's extremely rare to find someone with target panic actually. It's more of a generational issue these days no? in archery you get what you deserve, so don't go blaming target panic for practise you haven't put in.

[@NUSensei]

Actual target panic is rare - which is why it is over diagnosed or self-diagnosed. You can get the sense from the comments that some viewers might end up thinking that their sloppy shot process might be the result of target panic. It's more likely just being sloppy. I disagree that it has anything to do with being a generational issue or how that is related to how much practice you don't do. If anything, people who train _too_ much are prone to chasing after the score rather than the arrow and let the target override their shot process, but I've see new archers become mentally locked on gold without that experience. While I see many behaviours that look like they could develop into target panic, these are - as you said - incomplete shot processes. I've only seen three cases of actual target panic - a case study of a young girl who spent an entire 4 minutes unable to draw and release and repeated the first half of the shot cycle in a loop (which I demonstrated at the beginning), a teenager at my club who recently started and could never establish a full draw from day one and was on the verge of quitting, and a middle-aged man who is an established bowhunter who had a very smooth shot cycle but _always_ snatched his release an inch from his face. The teenager was someone at my club, so I could work on this case. You could teach him a shot process but he would always let go five inches from his face. Others thought it was a draw weight issue, but he could draw back fine. When asked why he released, he didn't know, but quote. "I just see the arrow in the gold." I developed my target drill specifically for him. The first session was just getting him to anchor. By the second week, he was voluntarily spending his sessions doing the drill and reaching 3-5 holds with eyes open. 3rd session he has all arrows touching at 10m with full control on each shot, and his release has even improved. This isn't the "fake" target panic where someone is nervous. His process was locked on seeing the arrow touch gold. This is like the "worst case" scenario you drill for and when it happened, we dropped everything an addressed the problem right away. Until someone sees target panic like this, it's probably not target panic. In any case, this is a good reminder that a shot process is _essential._

[@Jason608]

I switched to Olympic recurve and added a clicker. Panic solved! LOL

[@ylvie8978]

For as long as it lasts. You can perfectly well have target panic triggered by the gold under the pin and shoot right through that clicker. Just saying. Seen it happen.

[@Yaxuan-Meng]

Don’t have to be so tiresome, change the shape of the target, let’s say a 3D target will save you out of target panic. You are just fed up with the shape of the target, change it to some shape you have never tried!❤

[@NUSensei]

Not everyone has an alternate target (such as a 3D target) available. The issue can still remain: if you are fixated on trying to hit the target and that is mentally triggering a release, it's might still trigger with a new target, and going back to the old target will still trigger the same reaction. The drill is meant to be tiresome and frustrating. It addresses the problem directly, not pushing it aside.

[@infinity345]

If you think that simply changing the shape fixes it, then you’re missing the point. In the case of 10 ring faces, the gold is simply the target of highest importance and getting in line with it is short circuiting your mental shot cycle. Simply swapping that out for a 3D target or an animal target face only works briefly before your brain finds the highest importance part of the target and the same short circuit is triggered. The point is to remove the target altogether to stop the short circuit from occurring. That then allows the archer to re-establish conscious control over the release through repetition and training. The test is to then reintroduce the short circuit trigger to see if brain has now de-emphasised the gold, allowing the athlete to hold.

[@tamara8872]

That's like telling someone with clinical depression to 'just go do something fun'.

[@Yaxuan-Meng]

Or, just go hunting might cure this problem

[@ylvie8978]

I can assure you from first-hand experience that the shape of the target does not matter.

[@snotgobblerific]

Sya it out loud, I'm black and I'm proud!

[@kereal2591]

Im white and I'm proud!

[@snotgobblerific]

@@kereal2591 so am I but I couldn't help but jump on the bandwagon when he said it it's just so catchy

[@comradezero]

If you're embarrassed to say it, learn to say it in another language. Try Japanese, and say it like an angry Toshiro Mifune! Or Russian, but like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky-whatever .