Staying focussed

[James Park]

It is relatively easy to shoot a few good shots, or even a few good ends. But how do you maintain focus over a whole round?
For example, in the FITA we shot at DVA yesterday I scored 166 for the first three ends at 90M, shooting well, even though there was quite a bit of gusty wind. My second lot of three ends at 90M was 158, and not shot as well (my use of the release device was not as good). I ended up with 324, when perhaps I should have been over 330.
Hence, I changed something I was doing well to something not quite as good.
Why do we do this, and how can we avoid it? What strategies do you use, or could we try? Further, how do we recognise it when we do it?

[2Dogs]

Well when you work it out bottle it and sell a complimentary tube with every copy of "Mastering Archery Techniques" :D

You just described everything that usually happens.........and I haven't got a solution yet. :wink:

[Wyrd]

An interesting one. I've just been reading the thread on setting goals/limits, and the importance of shooting one arrow at a time. I use this to keep myself focussed (unfortunately not always successfully :) ), as well as constant reminders that every arrow counts.

I try to use a very defined system while I'm shooting, as well, as I find that following the pattern helps me concentrate.

But I think it can be as much about what you don't do as what you do - things like worrying about your score, trying to analyse a bad shot or a bad performance, comparing yourself with the guys on the next target, letting yourself get distracted by being somewhere new, or by a conversation etc. etc. etc. can all have a damaging effect on focus and concentration.

I'm theroising wildly here, but I'm wondering whether the concept of 'comfort zones' applies to more than our own performance. Maybe we all have comfort zones for where we're shooting, and who with, and such like. Maybe keeping the focus right is a matter of making sure that you are within your personal comfort zone - or of altering your comfort zone to match the circumstances.

All IMHO, and open to demolition :).

[Kuru]

James maybe you could answer this one for me. When you shoot a good score how long do you think it takes to shoot your 6 arrows ? Same Question for a bad score. Theory being the time frame for focusing on your shot may have an effect

[James Park]

Gareth,
For my best scores (say, 1360 plus), I really do not have to think about my shot process much at all. The sight just stops dead in the centre and the release just operates in the optimum time without me worrying too much about it at all. It sort of feels like you cannot miss. I would easily shoot my six shots within 3 minutes, allowing a short break between shots.
For my rough scores, I generally find that it is the days when I struggle to get the finesse with the release device. This can be either because my aim is not very steady or because I am simple not using the release well even though I am steady. on those days I do get a proportion of my shots getting into the last 30 seconds.
I do get days when some ends fit into the first category, and some into the second. For example last Sunday at DVA the 90M and 30M worked well, but I struggled at the 70M (especially, and when I could not aim as well due to the gusty wind) and used the 50M to get back in the groove.
Hence, I think (for me as the archer) it depends massively on how well I happen to be using the release device on the day, and on the good days the shots are quite quick, giving me less time to get the brain doing stupid things.

[baldmountain]

I find that I actually do better as I get farther into the shoot. I try to be as mindless as possible. I just get into a rhythm and forget about everything while I'm shooting. I try to let other people keep score and just focus on shooting each arrow. When I say focus, I mean aim carefully without thinking about anything. The danger in this is that occasionally I'm so focused that if something is going wrong with my equipment I don't notice it until it is too late or I do something silly like let go of the release with out firing it. :o

At a shoot a couple weeks ago I was in this groove and shooting pretty well, (for me :D ). The shoot had a staggered shooting line. (Lanes start as soon as there is a pair of people to shoot the lane. Everyone starts at different times.) The people at the first couple targets finished before me. I had to wait 10 minutes while people took down targets and other people put up new targets. It really threw me off. I felt like I cooled off and fell out of my rhythm. I didn't finish well. :(

[MerlinApexDylan]

How about making focus apart of your shot routine? Have a trigger point during the shot when you begin to focus. Like pre stress or another point in the process? That way it becomes apart of the shot, fingers (release) on string, hand set in grip pre stress, focus begins, expand into draw and the focus becomes more determined. By the time the shot is gone you are focusing on the spot with all your mental energy. Would also make for good subconcious shooting form. :wink:

[Michael Naray]

How about making focus apart of your shot routine?

I do something along those lines. As I count my way through my shot sequence I actually say to myself "...and focus" at key points. Keeps everything together.

I found a particular weakness on the first arrow of each end, so now I start each end by reciting "First Arrow: Focus" three times before I reach for the first arrow in my quiver.

-m

"Be intent solely upon killing the enemy."
- Miyamoto Musashi

[2Dogs]

No wonder your always on the line with 5 seconds to go :wink:

[Michael Naray]

They gave me four minutes and, by Golly, I'm going to use them! :wink:

-m

"There is also timing in the Void."
- Miyamoto Musashi

[baldmountain]

My brain has too much momentum. (At least that how it feels.) Once I get it going in the right direction, clear, focus on shots, no score thoughts, no distractions, I just let my mind follow it's momentum. But if there is a big pause in shooting it's like an elastic collision and I find myself focusing on other things like score, how long the people are taing to put up new targets, what I'm going to have for lunch, should I get a soda, etc. Once that happens I find it hard to overcome the momentum and get my mind back in the right direction.

That make any sense?

Oh, and I find it easier to allow myself to fall into a focus rhythm for the whole shoot, than to go into and out of focus on each shot.

[Michael Naray]

Once that happens I find it hard to overcome the momentum and get my mind back in the right direction.

That make any sense?

Lots! I also found this a real problem so I developed a "focusing mantra." Write down a few lines of positive, focused thoughts, like;

Today I am shooting very well
All my arrows are perfect
The wind does not affect my form
I will now resume shooting
I am shooting very well today

Whatever works for you; could be half a page. But do NOT practice reciting them at home or at your desk, or even if you're just goofing around at practice. Save them for when you know you have to be focused and read through them every time you need to focus again. You have to keep them "fresh" so they retain their meaning, rather than just something you say when you're sitting around.

Your analogy of "mental momentum" is a good one, and it only takes a small, well directed force to alter the momentum of even the heaviest object. These lines act as a series of carefully directed taps that nudge your momentum back on track, adding up to a big whack if necessary.

Eventually I found that I did not need to recite my half a page of lines every time I wanted to focus, as just one or two key lines would often serve to bring me right back on track. You can also choose specific lines, so that - for example - if you find yourself nervously thinking "wasn't this arrow outside the group last time?" then just say "All my arrows are perfect. All my arrows are perfect." This works well for me.

Oh, and I find it easier to allow myself to fall into a focus rhythm for the whole shoot, than to go into and out of focus on each shot.

In that case, sit down and go through - all or part of - your mantra when you are already focused and feeling good, shooting well. Go over it a few times if you have time, especially if you know you're about to take a break for lunch or something. Then when you come back you can develop a sense of continuity, using the mantra to fall into the same rhythm you had before the interruption. One good trick is to write out your favourite one or two lines and stick them to your spotting scope - if you use one - so that you can see them every time you're about to start the next shot.

Don't worry if you get some strange looks when people see you meditating between ends; you're shooting for you, not for them. Don't let somebody else put you off and make you shoot the way everyone else does. 2Dogs will vouch for the fact that when I'm on the line, nobody rushes me to finish just because everyone else is waiting. :wink:

-mikey

"People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think
that what they do not understand must be the Void.
This is not the true Void. It is bewilderment."
- Miyamoto Musashi

[2Dogs]

ArcherB "Who's that twit still shooting?"

2Dogs .."Oh that's just Micheal, contemplating his belly button"

2Dogs.." He's going to get blown off the line........$5 says he does"

HORN

2Dogs.."DOH!"

:D

[MerlinApexDylan]

My brain has too much momentum. (At least that how it feels.) Once I get it going in the right direction, clear, focus on shots, no score thoughts, no distractions, I just let my mind follow it's momentum. But if there is a big pause in shooting it's like an elastic collision and I find myself focusing on other things like score, how long the people are taing to put up new targets, what I'm going to have for lunch, should I get a soda, etc. Once that happens I find it hard to overcome the momentum and get my mind back in the right direction.

That make any sense?

Oh, and I find it easier to allow myself to fall into a focus rhythm for the whole shoot, than to go into and out of focus on each shot.

Try using a trigger point Geoff. Like when you raise your bow before draw or something like that? Do something that is akin to you and then normalise it so that it becomes something you don't think about, but happens. :wink:

[CW]

Tin foil always helps. :o :D

[baldmountain]

Tin foil always helps. :o :D

Yeah, I could crumple it up into a ball and huck it at the people who are throwing me off. It would make me feel better. :D

The more I think about mind momentum the more I like the idea. Once I get going I feel like a planet and nothing is going to deflect my path. BUT, if I do get deflected, I'm screwed. I don't think a mantra or a trigger is going to be enough.

The problem isn't getting into that good state of mind, or not drifting out of that good state of mind. I don't feel like I have a problem with that. The problem is when something significant happens to really throw me off. A big pause in the middle of a round, an equipment problem, bashing myself in the face when the BT release goes off before I'm ready, etc. Once that happens I feel like I'm starting the round over and need to work into that good mind state again.

[CW]

Tin foil always helps. :o :D
It really does work. :D

[clash]

Tin Foil???????

[Flame]

Tin Foil???????

Works for her :o

[Ozzy]

Tin Foil???????

Works for her :o

Have I missed something here ? :o
What do you do with Tin Foil (other than wrap your lunch in it) ? :-?

[baldmountain]

Tin Foil???????

Works for her :o

Have I missed something here ? :o
What do you do with Tin Foil (other than wrap your lunch in it) ? :-?

You can wear it like a hat and keep the alien mind control out of your head. (They think it's funny to make you shoot 4s instead of Xs. :new-alien: )

Or you can crumple it into a ball and bean people in the head who are being annoying at a shoot. :2gunfire:

:D

[Harald]

Come on give us the tin foil secret..... :D :D

Usually I'l get some wild asociations after being lobotomized , but this
puzzle donkey can't figure.... :D :D

And I'm all out of small blue and red pills...
(come to think of it, I never use them anyway)

:angel: :angel: :angel:

Hei ho, hei ho, to tin foil land we go......

Reflections?, self hypnoses?, eyeblind?, mentaly boiling away your temper in a bowl made of tin foil? Isolation from the cold when shooting barefootet on snow and ice??? and then again maybe not???

[CW]

I really don't know what it is but if you look at it it calms you down and keeps you focusessed. Found this out when I was at the club and Flame and some other archers kept on cracking jokes before I had to shoot. I saw this piece of tin foil on the ground and some how I was able to stop myself from laughing to death and actually shoot. :D :o :D

[mike]

I saw this piece of tin foil on the ground and some how I was able to stop myself from laughing to death and actually shoot. :D :o :D

And who said that you have to be crazy to be an archer? :o :)

[Marcus]

My cat likes shiney things too.

Must be a girl thing, when they are mad give them a shiney thing and they will forget what they are talking about.

[Michael Naray]

Must be a girl thing, when they are mad give them a shiney thing and they will forget what they are talking about.

"This man is about to die. He has been allowed to choose the manner of his death."

Monty Python, The Meaning of Life

:wink:

[CW]

I don't like all shiny things, just tin foil and my bow, except my bow isn't really that shiny but I still like it anyway. :D

[Flame]

Come on give us the tin foil secret..... :D :D

Usually I'l get some wild asociations after being lobotomized , but this
puzzle donkey can't figure.... :D :D



And I have to live with her Harry :D

[Harald]

Probably not a dull moment Flame.... :D

[clever_guy]

"Today I am shooting very well
All my arrows are perfect
The wind does not affect my form
I will now resume shooting
I am shooting very well today"

Reminds me of "postive self-thought" experts from the 1930's-1950's, getting everyone to chant "Every day in every way, I am getting better and better".

:lol: :P :P :P

Hate to tell you, but the wind does effect your shooting, and writing down your desires won't make them come true...

"I am a very positive and loving person, who is always helpful and never sacarastic"

Ahhhh...that feels so much better, now I can post this and it will be only positive and loving

:P :lol:

-CG

[Shirt]

:rofl:

[Harald]

Off course there are things like wind sun etz that influence your shot but guess you as the shooter is still the most influencing factor and if you have a problem convincing your inner self to be calm and execute a perfect shot I think Naray's mantra might well deserve to be tried out :bday: 8) "Think self hypnosis do work and can increase performance"