Shoot With Your Eyes Closed: Proven Drills to Improve Accuracy and Build Better Form

Most bowhunters spend spring and summer sending arrows into foam targets at 20 or 30 yards. While this is great practice for fall bow season, there are more effective ways to improve your shooting form and consistency. One of the simplest—and most overlooked—drills is to shoot with your eyes closed. Before you raise an eyebrow, this is a proven technique used by many professional archers. If you want reliable accessories for tuning and repeatability, explore options at Pine Ridge Archery.

Blind Bale Shooting: Fix Bad Habits Fast

This drill is called blind bale shooting, and it’s one of the best ways to identify and correct bad habits. Every archer has flaws in their technique—punching the trigger, dropping the bow arm, or gripping the bow too tightly. Many shooters struggle with all three.

When you shoot with your eyes closed at very close range, your mind stops worrying about the target. Instead, you focus entirely on:

• Your grip

• Your anchor point

• Your breathing

• Your trigger squeeze

• Your follow-through

Without the distraction of aiming, archers can feel their mistakes more clearly. Pro shooters often do this drill for weeks before transitioning back to open-eye practice. During the summer, doing just a few minutes of blind bale shooting before a normal practice session can refresh muscle memory and reinforce good form.

For consistent shooting, consider adding stabilizers, slings, or peep sights from Pine Ridge Archery.

Record a Video to Spot Hidden Errors

Another powerful way to improve your shooting form is to have someone record you while you shoot. A simple smartphone video can reveal issues you never noticed:

• Torque in your bow hand

• Poor posture

• Collapsing at the shot

• Jerking the release

• Dropping your arm too soon

Film yourself from the side and from behind at full draw. Reviewing the footage will help you understand what changes to make. Small adjustments often lead to major improvements.

If you want bright arrow wraps or vanes to help track flight during video review, try NITRO components from Pine Ridge Archery.

Shoot the Length of a Football Field

Once your form is solid, it’s time to challenge yourself. Long-range practice—80 to 100 yards—is one of the best ways to improve accuracy. While most hunters would never take a shot at those distances in the field, practicing long range makes close-range shots effortless.

At long distances, even tiny mistakes in form, grip, or release become obvious. When you can routinely hit a paper plate at 80–100 yards, your technique is dialed in. And when a 20-yard shot presents itself in the woods, it will feel automatic.

A well-tuned bow helps tremendously at long range. For vibration control and better stability, check out NITRO Stabilizers and other gear at Pine Ridge Archery.

Final Thoughts

Blind bale shooting, video analysis, and long-range practice are three powerful tools that can transform your accuracy. By fixing bad habits, strengthening muscle memory, and challenging yourself beyond normal hunting distances, you’ll become a more confident and consistent bowhunter.

For the accessories that help you shoot your best—from peeps to slings to stabilizers—visit Pine Ridge Archery today.

BY TRACY BREEN