How to stop negative trend

[Guest_x]

Coaches, I need some help here...

Last season was pretty good for me. Then I had a planned break, and started current season in November last year.

I then intensified my practice, setting new (but achievable) goals for myself. But the more I practice, scores and "feeling" are just getting worse and worse. Confused, I have now changed pretty much all things with my gear and rifle, I have tried new positions, but nothing works.
I have then returned to previous settings/position as it used to be last season, but it doesn't work either.

I know my gear is OK, and I practise with selected ammo.

My situation has slowly turned into a huge negative mental issue where my self-confidence is more or less gone.

Good thing is that I know I can shoot :)

My question is simply: what is the best way to do in my situation - how do I break this negative trend? Should I take a break, or what?

Thank you.

[melchloboo]

I'm not a coach, just a fellow shooter.

1. Have you had your eyes checked?
2. Scores being "worse" is kind of meaningless. To see my point, if you shoot 5 shots into a single hole, but that hole is in the 5 ring, you get a bad score but you did some great shooting. So what's the deal? Are your groups opening uniformly? Are they tight but moving around the target from string to string?
3. As to feel, what do you mean? Is the position uncomfortable? Does the trigger pull feel awkward? Are you holding too long?
4. Are you shooting better at the beginning, middle or end of the session? Maybe you're getting tired in a long session?

I guess what I'm saying is maybe you will be helped by doing some more detailed self-analysis...otherwise you're asking the coaches to just read your mind.

[Guest_x]

Thank you melchloboo.

Well, heres my situation.

1. Yes I have, no problems there.
2. Yes, my groups are opening uniformly, mostly. Let´s just say, that if I ealiter shot nice series of 98-100, I now shoot ugly series of 95-99.
3. The feel - it feels like I'm not comfortable in my position that I used to be. Zero point, elbow position (I shoot prone) feels strange etc etc ...
4. I shoot best the first 15 minutes or so, then it just gets worse (bigger and bigger groups).

Self analysis - well, I have tried to think about everything, belive me. And when I have ran out of ideas, well, this is where I stand right now.

I don´t want to get into possible errors in my position or gear right now, I've been there, done that...
If we focus on my original question - if you are in a negative trend, what is the best way to stop it´- and get back? That is the only thing I want to find out right now.

[melchloboo]

If you mean to say you are convinced the problem is psychological, that you are in some self-induced slump, then the answer is between your own ears.

Some people just shoot through the slump. Some take a break. Some try a new position, or new discipline. Maybe you're just bored. Seems to me quite a few top shooters compete in multiple disciplines, maybe having variety helps. Personally, I don't understand people who do only prone smallbore rifle out of choice, I'd get bored out of my mind.

I doubt a coach can give you better options if you've convinced yourself there is no mechanical or technical problem.

My suggestion, get out and shoot some High Power Service Rifle. Sometimes it just feels good to shoot the big gun!

[2650 Plus]

Take a break from shooting. Spend time mentally reviewing the best shots/strings you have ever shot.Practice mentally rehersing the perfect shot. Once you have overcome the negative [ Read Lanny's book or his DVD on positive mental control ] only shoot until you have shot three tens in a row. Stop and review some more until you feel that you really know how to shoot a ten. As to technique pay more attention to your NPA and relaxation before firing the perfect shot. Good Shooting Bill Horton

[Guest]

For a whole month, quit counting your scores, and keep shooting.

Try to shoot the best shot you can on the only shot that exists in the world....which is the shot you are about to shoot.

If you use a spotting scope, make sure you are sighted in, and then ditch the scope and just shoot.

Shoot the only shot that exists, which is the one you are shooting at any given time, and shoot it with the best fundamentals you can.

Then repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Again, for a whole month, challenge yourself to totally and completely ignore scores.

If you shoot every single shot the best you can, with perfect fundamentals, the scores take care of themselves.

Think about shot process, not score.

[Guest_x]

Thanks all of you, good points.

Now, here's my self analysis.

Perhaps it is a hunt for higher scores too early in the season that has messed things up.

I remember now that I used to shoot "one shot matches" a year ago. Some times on paper targets without scope. Just shooting for the "feeling" of NPA, hold, recoil, etc. (Huh, I actually forgot that I did that!)
That was boring but good, and the results came when I startad to shoot at the Sius.

But then - when it flows and works - it is easy to forget the work behind.
And after my fall break it looks like I just picked up the rifle and started to shoot for high scores at the Sius.

Once again, thanks all - I think you all helped me out here.
I'm going back to my paper targets now.

[robf]

could it be that you have a problem that you are not able to detect?

perhaps a quick assessment by a coach could reveal some aspects to think about and allow you to build goals that may lead to improvement.

i find that mental stamina comes hand in hand with the belief that what one is working in will help and having that aspect revealed perhaps by someone else could be required.

also, don't forget that sometimes your scores will drop in an effort to undo a bad habit and replace it with correct habit which takes time to learn.

[RobStubbs]

I haven't read through all the posts, but the key point is to shoot one shot then move on. You are aiming to shoot a 10, when you do so mentally applaud yourself, if you don't then forget the poor shot. If you didn't follow your technique properly then remind yourself to do so on the next shot and then just repeat x 60. Forget early season scores, in fact forget all scores. Master the process and the consistency of repeating it and the scores will follow naturally.

Rob.

[Telecomtodd]

One of the folks may have hit on it - something you can't detect.

Some questions and thoughts -

1. How old are you? Physiologically there could be some things going on no matter what your age, but knowing that could permit others to suggest physical things to consider. Being 18 could identify some things, being 80 could identify others. I'm smack-dab in the middle of those two numbers!

2. When was the last time you had a complete physical, including bloodwork? I went from shooting 599/600 prone to shooting poorly due to a medication issue. After going to three doctors, that revealed other things that were affecting me as well. Long story, but worth considering. I now have an endurance problem; 1600 matches with breaks are the most I can do due to a heart issue. However, I know that I need short rests between bulls or I simply can't group shots well - they spread out with fatigue. Adapt to your own needs.

3. I liked your idea of shooting single shots. That allows you to track individual procedures to hit that one bull. A suggestion - this sounds really stupid, but I saw a young shooter (who holds a couple national records and is on here too) who made up a simple card to prop up next to his ammo block when he shoots. What's on it - every basic thing from set-up to breath control to follow through. Force yourself to follow it for a while. Maybe you're not realizing you're taking a shortcut and missing something small?

4. I assume you have developed a shot plan. Don't shoot for hours, limit your time at the range - but DON'T make it a hard stop that causes you to force yourself to finish "on time". Limit your shots, analyze each shot, write down what you want to do ahead of time, and then write down the results. Did you pick up on anything during the practice session by making yourself write this stuff down?

5. I assume you have benched your rifle using a rest and sandbags to verify that the gun itself (and then the ammo) are OK. Nothing worse than beating yourself up when there may be something going on with your equipment. Before having a rifle bedded, I pulled out the barreled action to verify performance on a bench to prove that the bedding job was needed. Isolate the problem.

6. You mentioned your eyes were OK. Another shooter on here was complaining of his scores doing the exact same thing you mentioned - couldn't shoot above a 95 no matter what he did. He thought his eyes were OK, but just having some minor difficulty. After a trip to an eye doctor as a last resort, it turned out that he had two cataracts developing. Surgeries in February and March has him seeing considerably better.

7. Have someone who has some coaching experience or good shooting experience watch you. I had another coach (who is on here too) who is about 20 years younger than me (and a better shooter) yelling at me to quit making too few changes to my metallic sights. Yes, all of my shots were 10s, but only a couple were Xs. If I had done what he highly suggested, all of them would have been X shots. Listening is a good thing!

8. Are you drinking any caffeinated or energy drinks that you weren't drinking before? There isn't much out there to define what "Taurine" in RedBull does to people. Rest is also important.

I wish you the best! Todd

[wisley]

Hello,


melchloboo,Telecomtodd you gave very good information.i am also facing this kind of problem. so your this information will help me also with Guest_x. so, thanks for sharing this information.


thanks!!


_____________
Euro Pillow

[Guest_x]

Wisley - I agree. All of them have very good ideas.

Telecomtodd: you have some very good points :)
I am 42, and just for that reason I checked my eyes at an eye doctor (specialised in glasses for shooters) in January. Well, my sight was almost perfect, so nothing there to worry about. Also checked my health 3 months ago - all values ok.

There is no problem with my gear. Just tested my rifle in a wise. It´s good for 13 mm groups in average, so there is nothing wrong with my action.

Having abouy 1000 possible changes that I can make with my rifle, I have now tried 999 of them.

So... My problem is probably 100% mental.

"It can always become a little better"... Yeah, right. And it can always become a little bit worse too... A lot worse.

Finally, you end up asking yourself: "Where the f...am I? And how the xxx did I get here??"

That was my mistake. Trying to much. Wanting the perfect. Hunting a dream, I guess.

If I shot 600 a year ago, why didn't I let it be and just continue in the same way?

I'm stupid. That's just the truth.

I'm now back to my old settings.

Thanks all. And for all of you that have the same negative trend that I've experienced: Don't go to far away from the things that you know works / have worked. Stick to them. Focus on a good execution.
Repeat it. Trust it. The results will come.

My own ideas for NOT getting in a negative trend...

1. Test your rifle and ammo in a vise/from a bench. If it is OK, then TRUST IT.
2. Make a shooting plan and make sure to follow it.
3. Be 100% honest to yourself. Don't blame other for your own mistakes.
4. Measure your performance in %. Not result.
5. If everything feels OK, then don't change it. Just keep repeating it.
Repetition is a key to success.
6. Don't expect it to be perfect every time. We all have bad days.
7. As they say in Ways of the rifle: "Don'r regret. Reload". I mean, we are only human. We make mistakes. If you shoot a 9, accept it, analyze it - and forget it.
8. Find your own way. Some top level shootes do a lot of things "wrong". But it works for them. Trust yourself.
9. Have fun when you shoot.

Kind regards

Guest_x

[luftskytter-]

One thing that was important for me, and that I saw missing in many others:

It's important to ENJOY "THE MOMENT OF TRUTH"!

The moment when the shot goes off is what it's all about.
The rest is just preparation.