TargetTalk

Hello my friends!

I have a problem through my shooting progress in standing and prone positions...

The problem is that when I shoot a personal record score,it's 99.9% guaranteed that in the next two or three matches,I will shoot very bad...

Thoughts like am I going to perform the same?am I going at least shoot the same score?

And the result is chaotic...

I think that this has to do with mental game,correct?

What are your ways to beat these thoughts and how do you mentally prepare your self before a match?

Thank you!

Personal Bests are nice to know, but irrelevant when it comes to competing (also ONLY scores shot in competition, not training qualify as PBs).

You need to work on getting your average scores up to level you want to achieve. Going into a match with a match score in mind, or someone else to beat in mind, puts more performance pressure on yourself. Get your averages over the spot you wish to finish at in the competition, then go in with the idea of just shooting your normal match.

If your average is better than anyone else in the competition (no matter what level you compete at), you have a great chance of also achieving a PB and perhaps placing high in the outcome. You have to remember that you have no control over what everyone else does, only what you do. During the match you have to forget "them" and shoot your normal match. If your preparation has been adequate, your results will be stellar.

Vince Lombardi (Green Bay Packers famous coach) actually said:" Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is." He was noted for having teams prepared to win, but sometimes running out of time on the clock.

Shooting Sports USA is running a 3 part series on not cracking under pressure. It might be worth look at. SSUSA is available online at http://www.nrapublications.org/ssusa/.

tsokasn wrote:Hello my friends!

I have a problem through my shooting progress in standing and prone positions...

The problem is that when I shoot a personal record score,it's 99.9% guaranteed that in the next two or three matches,I will shoot very bad...

That's the first problem, you're already predicting what will happen, and mentally we get what we picture. You need to erase that thought.

I think that this has to do with mental game,correct?

What are your ways to beat these thoughts and how do you mentally prepare your self before a match?

Thank you!

100% correct it's all in your mind. You need to forget scores, shoot technically good shots, and repeat. If you track the scores during a match that will drag you down.

If you can get to the end of a match not knowing your score then that's a good place to be. You will obviously have an idea but it should just be that.

Rob.

Hello everyone!

Well,today I must at least thouht and analised what happened once every 30 minutes...
And of course I was anxious for your answers in the topic!!!

Pat
I will definately try these tactics.

gtrisdale
That's a wonderfull article!

Rob
That's exactly what happened!!!
I was predicting that I was going to shoot bad and I was a little upset.
The problem is how am I going to erase negative thoughts?
I tryed to do exactly what you mentioned,don't think about the last score and shoot technically.
The good with me is I never track down scores cause I just can't.
But my bad self beat me.

tsokasn wrote:Hello everyone!
Rob
That's exactly what happened!!!
I was predicting that I was going to shoot bad and I was a little upset.
The problem is how am I going to erase negative thoughts?
I tryed to do exactly what you mentioned,don't think about the last score and shoot technically.
The good with me is I never track down scores cause I just can't.
But my bad self beat me.

You don't erase negative thoughts you just think positive ones. Our mind can only focus on one thing at a time so fully occupy it with good stuff.

You also have to train this process like any other aspect of shooting. Train yourself at the club, at any competitions and most importantly at home. Change your mindset to be positive about everything, shooting and life in general. Bad stuff will only beat you if you let it...

Lanny Basshams book 'with winning in mind' is great tool if you've not seen it.

Rob.

Lanny's website:
http://mentalmanagement.ipower.com/

Well,I already fill better after your replies and the book is on it's way!

Rob is dead on. Numerous studies have shown that there is no such thing as multitasking. Conscious thoughts are sequential. The conscious brain cannot think of two things at the same time. Bassham focuses among other things on training to make your shooting act happen in the subconscious. This is accomplished with practice. The conscious mind needs to be focused and filled with positive thoughts. One of the posters here regularly signs off his post "I'm thinking 10, What are you thinking?" It's part of his mental training practice.

How do you stay focused on positive thoughts? Imprinting is one way. Another is to focus down your concentration on the shooting cycle, inner position, outer position, breath/heart cycle, essentially filling your mind with the routine of the shot. Watch ISSF video of champion shooters. You will see Martynov and others checking out their ammunition before loading, this does not allow them the time to be worried about their mortgage and hopefully not their standings in the medal circle either.

Zen has something to teach in shooting (think of those blindfolded archers) about mind focus. Still and all the mental game is probably the deepest rabbit hole in this sport, good luck. Think 10.

Hello xnoncents.

I pay a lot of attention in my shooting cycle by doing exactly what you described.

The bad thoyghts come when I am aiming..."I must hit ten,I must win,I must at least score my personal best...

The word must has to be replaced with the word WILL.

And,the first nine comes,followed by two more(I also must learn to reject bad shots)followed by intensed heart beat and louzy shooting.

tsokasn:

Try replacing the words in your mind with a picture of what you want to happen. Perhaps a picture of the "perfect sight picture", or the bullet, or pellet, going perfectly through the center of the "X".

I take my competition very seriously,

but I think the best way (personally) to actually deal with pressure of any kind, is to treat the event like training. I do this to the point where I'm just going through my regular shooting routine, doing my drills without care of anybody else. Its just the target and I. But yet I'll admit when you're in comp it is very hard to not feel pressurised.

Just try it though, think of it as if you were heading to your regular range for whatever day you train and your going to focus on your next goal, besides winning gold :D

FWB2700 Lover wrote: I do this to the point where I'm just going through my regular shooting routine, doing my drills without care of anybody else. Its just the target and I. But yet I'll admit when you're in comp it is very hard to not feel pressurised.

I have to ask, do you actually do drills during competitions? sounds a bit counterproductive to me.

aha yes good point, no I dont do all my drills, sometimes I wish i could, i shoot better if i stand up after every shot and get back down again. Basically I more or less imagine other types of drills such as certain breathing ones etc while im down shooting.