This Times piece on archers interests on a few levels:

• An amazing number of archers are at one time or another plagued by "target panic," a condition in which they can't help releasing the arrow as soon as they see the bullseye, or they are unable to release at all.
• The condition seems similar to the 'yips' in golf.
• The affliction is so feared, and its causes so nebulous, that almost no archers will admit to having it, and in archery households they dare not even speak its name.

Suggested solutions range from changing stance or grip to shooting at blank targets for weeks at a time. This situation brings up a lot of questions for me, such as: With certain tasks, can practicing too much make you worse? Have we become so competitive that to avoid being broken by it we have to trick ourselves into forgetting that we are attempting anything?

From the article: '“Do not focus on results,” he said. “When you focus on results, it builds anxiety. And anxiety is the kiss of death.”'

As I read this I remembered feeling similar things while shooting archery and pitching softball when I was younger, but I'm sure these were much more amateur versions if related at all. I wonder if the vulnerability to it has to do with certain types of muscular movements. In archery for example, you build up and maintain great tension as you draw the string, then twitch your fingers to release.

Also, I would really like to find a way to get back into archery.