Feel is an important part of performing well under pressure. Whether shooting a free throw to win the NCAA Championships or a 30-yard shot to anchor a giant whitetail, you shouldn’t have to think about the step-by-step mechanics of the shot. Well-ingrained feel for the perfect shot is the one thing that will permit you to place your focus where it is most needed - on the animal. When your feel is fine-tuned you can reproduce the perfect shot without having to think about it.

As you become more attuned to the way a shot is supposed to feel it will flow into every part of your nervous system. You will begin to sense the proper feel before you ever draw the string. The feel of a perfect shot will become a big part of the pleasure you derive from archery. When that starts to happen consistently, great shooting under pressure will be much easier to achieve.

WHAT YOU SHOULD FEEL

As you practice, focus on the feel of each aspect of your form. One of the most important steps is to ingrain the feel of a torque-free grip. Take great pains to place your hand on the grip exactly the same way every time. Soon you won’t have to look at your hand to know when it is off by the tiniest of margins. This kind of feedback is critical to consistent shooting.

Next, focus on your anchor point. Feel the light force of the release hand nestled into its customary location. There should be one point of contact that you can count on every time. Once you feel it you know you are properly anchored. Learn to feel when your body is perfectly aligned. You may have to get some help from a friend or shooting coach until you get it right, but once this feel is ingrained your body will naturally seek this position every time you hit full draw.

The bow hand comes next. It should be completely relaxed without a hint of tension. Feel the force of the bow’s grip as it is directed through the hand, straight up the forearm and into your shoulder joint. Imagine that the bow hand is a padded cradle at the end of a post that extends from your side. When aiming, move the bow left, right, up and down with your torso not your bow arm. The bow arm should feel unlocked and the elbow should feel like it is pointing more down than out.

FEELING THE RELEASE

Rather than trying to explain the feel of the perfect release, I have a simple exercise that will do a much better job. Have someone else trigger the release aid while you aim. The shot will feel like a sudden explosion – like the string was cut. Maybe for the first time ever you’ll understand the true purpose of a bow sling.

Hold the bow straight at the target while using your back muscles to pull the elbow of your release arm straight away from it. Focus on staying completely relaxed as the bow fires. This is a critical feeling to ingrain into your subconscious mind. When you get used to this new feeling you will come to enjoy it.

Your muscles should already feel relaxed; keep them that way during the follow-through. You shouldn’t feel like you’re trying to hold the bow up or keep the pin on the target because the effort will create tension and require timing – two things you should be working hard to eliminate. Do this exercise over and over until the release no longer scares you.

Now that you know how the perfect shot is supposed to feel, it’s time to learn to achieve the same sensation without any help. Step close to the backstop and close your eyes as you draw and shoot the bow. Take the time necessary to feel every aspect of the shot: the grip, the dead bow arm and bow hand, anchor point, perfect alignment, push/pull while aiming, the sweet sensation of a complete surprise release and the continuation of relaxation into the follow-through. Do this drill for at a least a portion of every practice session until the feel of the entire sequence becomes completely ingrained. It may take a thousand shots, but after that your technique will be pressure proof.

EQUIPMENT AFFECTS FEEL

Most archers shoot best when they don’t have to contend with dramatic shock. Today’s low recoil bows take advantage of breakthroughs in geometry to make them more stable in the hand. Excessive vibration is also a problem when it’s transmitted from the grip straight into your hand. It will make the act of shooting less comfortable and more like work than pleasure.

I experimented with several bows and accessories in an effort to eliminate shock and vibration before settling on a Hoyt UltraTec completely decked out with Sims Vibration Labs products. You should also try several bows until you find the magical one that has a great feeling grip, balances well at full draw and doesn’t rattle your fillings loose when you release the string.

Focus on the feel of the shot while you’re practicing. When the pressure is on you won’t have to worry about your ability to pull off the shot. The proper mechanics will be preprogrammed leaving you free to watch the arrow hit exactly where you’re aiming