TargetTalk

think during the match
What the shooters do make to stay focused during the match?

I refer to the precise instants that are understood between to lift the pistol and to press the trigger.

I have a routine that includes from the preparation of each shot, but many times, I surprise myself thinking of other things without importance that they don't have anything to do with the competition.

Or is a secret?

Thank you in advance,

Nano

Nano:

This question has been an ongoing struggle for me (and many others, from what I hear). Here are some approaches that may or may not work for you:

1) Read up on the principles of mental management for elite athletes. Plenty of stuff out there. Google up "Neuro Linguistic Programming" Psycho Cybernetics" etc.

2) Remember that at the moment of release permission for the shot you don't want to have any stray mental activity. Pick something- ONE THING- to concentrate on (I use the front sight for physical focus and the word "release" while visualizing perfect trigger control. well, o.k., three things . . . ) while clearing your mind of all else for the subconscious release of the shot.

3) Keep the "terminal approach" part of your shot plan SIMPLE, but not TOO SIMPLE so that it requires concentration to perform the thought string, but not so much concentration that you continually lose track and lose focus. Simpler is better I am learning. You are trying to "prepare your mind" for point 2) above.

4) Self hypnosis/autosuggestion (see #1 above) with the use of key words and visualization/imagery works pretty darned well- but you have to spend a bit of time learning how to do it PROPERLY. I recommend Terry Orlick's "In Pursuit of Excellence."

Good Luck

If there is a secret, no one has told me.

Repeating any thing (or in this case nothing) in practice takes practice. Steve S. has good suggestions. I would add meditation and zen to the list of things to investigate.

This is an area I am currently working on. Far too often I am thinking of other things when I am shooting. In practice, I put the gun down and try again... and again... and again... until I can take a shot without distraction.

In a match, it is not always possible. We have to shoot at specific times not of our choosing (sustained / rapid fire) or we have to complete the shots in a limited amount of time (air / free / slow fire). Also, I don't want to think about technique in a match. I want to have confidence in my shooting ability and just let if flow, which also needs to be practiced.

So much to do, so little time.

Best of luck,
Steve T

Hi

This is pretty simplistic, but think about shooting the shot. Don't think about the last shot, it really is one at a time. The greatest problem in shooting 25 straight in Trap, is when you've already shot the first 24.

Mike
Wichita KS

Toss your keys in the air a few times and catch them. What were you thinking while you were catching your keys?
Were you thinking, "okay hand, a little further left, now up, open my fingers, let the keys hit my palm, great! Close the fingers quick!?"

I doubt anyone does... So, what do I try to think about? Nothing.

If you try to think about shooting and technique for the entire match you will drive yourself crazy. I did very little thinking about shooting when I shot.

Of course you need to analyze your shot and think about what you need to do better and then go through your pre-shot process. But , I would think about anything and everything while taking a break between each shot or even on extended breaks from the firing line.

When it came time to shoot however, the technique was all I thought about at that time.

I believe people feel thinking about shooting the whole match is key. You need to give your mind a break or else it will fatigue quickly.

Mike Douglass