Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Proper_Indication_66 t1_ixz7uzc wrote

It's to combat a psychological phenomenon called "target panic."

Basically an involuntary flinch that stops the archer from holding the bow on target. It occurs in target archery only. Pretty strange thing.

It has its own Wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_panic#:~:text=Target%20panic%20is%20a%20psychological,since%20at%20least%20the%201970s.

30

Craig_Barcus t1_iy0c473 wrote

Ever had buck fever? Guess what that is the same thing as.

2

Proper_Indication_66 t1_iy3kci7 wrote

No, it's pretty different from buck fever. I've certainly had plenty of both. Buck fever is an adrenaline overrun. Target panic is something much smaller - something deeply psychological. Very much like the yips that strike a golfer as he's trying to putt.

1

decolored t1_ixzbbdw wrote

If you read the explanation of what they call “target panic” on your link, there are three explanations for why it exists and has been recognized.

  1. Bow feels too heavy
  2. Target becomes difficult to aim at (physically or psychologically?)
  3. Premature release - inability to come full anchor before releasing the arrow.

So basically we got a bunch of lazy archers who decided utilizing a mechanism to favor equalizing genetics surpasses the utility of choosing accurate and strong bow-shooting. No wonder archery seems pointless as a competitive sport

−52

scfade t1_ixziiiw wrote

The hell? There are no listed explanations in the Wiki article. What you listed were symptoms. The direct text....

>There are three primary symptoms of target panic.[3] An archer suffering from target panic may experience a premature anchor, where the bow appears to become very heavy and it is difficult for the shooter to come to a full anchor position. A second symptom is referred to as a premature hold, where an archer "locks up" or "hits a wall" that they are unable to move past as they try to align their arrow with the target. The third symptom is referred to as a premature release and is characterized by an inability to come to full anchor without releasing the arrow.

20

decolored t1_ixzm3qj wrote

How are symptoms and response patterns not an explanation? Then why is it even a term? Because it’s a noticeable quirk in human competitive psychology? Why is it limited to explanation of arrow shooting? Because it’s a focused perspective meant to validate underperformance.

−25