Blind Bale Shooting

[TNDeerGuy]

I wouldn't actually shoot with your eyes closed. Shoot at close range, say 5-10 yards, but make sure you have something to aim at. If you actually shoot with your eyes closed, once you start trying to do it while aiming at something, there's a good chance you won't have cured anything. Everyone is different, but that's just my recommendation.

Blind bale shooting is not, by itself, a cure for poor habits or form problems�instead it is only one part of a process. The purpose of blind bale shooting, which should be done at 6-8 feet away from the target, is to take your eye-brain interaction out of the equation because the interaction between the two can sometimes cause as much problems as they prevent. By closing your eyes you increase the feeling between your release of the arrow and your brain�the surprise. By having your eyes open, you involuntarily will take away from that "surprise" and cannot help but focus on the where the arrow will hit. For those that are new: draw back, aim, close your eyes, count to five and then put your finger/thumb on the trigger and then super, super slowly apply pressure until it goes off.

After you have achieved, and can recognize that "surprise", then step back a few feet and then apply what you have practiced with your eyes open. By closing your eyes you are getting the feeling and by stepping back and shooting with your eyes open you are building confidence with your newly achieved "tool". If you feel that you are "punching" again, step back up and close your eyes.

One more thing, if your a wrist-strap release shooter adjust the trigger where it is deep in your finger (around the 2nd knuckle). This will help reducing the ability to punch the trigger and will allow you to more effectively use your rear-deltoids and trapezoids, than if it is on your fingertip.

 

[UTGrad]

I wouldn't actually shoot with your eyes closed. Shoot at close range, say 5-10 yards, but make sure you have something to aim at. If you actually shoot with your eyes closed, once you start trying to do it while aiming at something, there's a good chance you won't have cured anything. Everyone is different, but that's just my recommendation.

Thats kinda goes against the grain Nate. The purpose of doing it with the eyes closed is because you are practicing back tension only. The top instructors either want you to do it with your eyes closed or without a sight on the bow. When learning back tension you want that to be your sole focus.

 

[Bowdacious]

I wouldn't actually shoot with your eyes closed. Shoot at close range, say 5-10 yards, but make sure you have something to aim at. If you actually shoot with your eyes closed, once you start trying to do it while aiming at something, there's a good chance you won't have cured anything. Everyone is different, but that's just my recommendation.

Blind bale shooting is not, by itself, a cure for poor habits or form problems�instead it is only one part of a process. The purpose of blind bale shooting, which should be done at 6-8 feet away from the target, is to take your eye-brain interaction out of the equation because the interaction between the two can sometimes cause as much problems as they prevent. By closing your eyes you increase the feeling between your release of the arrow and your brain�the surprise. By having your eyes open, you involuntarily will take away from that "surprise" and cannot help but focus on the where the arrow will hit. For those that are new: draw back, aim, close your eyes, count to five and then put your finger/thumb on the trigger and then super, super slowly apply pressure until it goes off.

After you have achieved, and can recognize that "surprise", then step back a few feet and then apply what you have practiced with your eyes open. By closing your eyes you are getting the feeling and by stepping back and shooting with your eyes open you are building confidence with your newly achieved "tool". If you feel that you are "punching" again, step back up and close your eyes.

One more thing, if your a wrist-strap release shooter adjust the trigger where it is deep in your finger (around the 2nd knuckle). This will help reducing the ability to punch the trigger and will allow you to more effectively use your rear-deltoids and trapezoids, than if it is on your fingertip.

Awesome post, says this former punch princess.