[pax]

Okay, everyone ~

You've got an important match coming up. You know you can do all the skills that will be called for and are certain that your times will be just fine -- except that you have a proven history of seizing up under pressure.

What mental tricks do you use to get past that spot?

pax

[SiG Lady]

1. I tell myself to SLOW DOWN. Period. Slow down long enough with each shot to see a sight picture I can live with. Never squeeze the trigger in haste. Never.

2. And I keep the caffeine levels down to a dull roar.

Those two things go a long way to adding precious points to MY scores. :cool:

[Jeeper]

What Siggy said is good advice.

There are also some really good books out there that talk a lot about this competitive pressure. One is "with winning in mid" by larry bassham. One "trick" that he talks about it using a mindset/routine that you use in practice and in matches. Kind of like a basketball player bouncing the ball 3 times and then spinning it. If you use it in practice and in matches it creates a similar reference and will help calm you down. Do a specific routine when you get to the shooting box or on the line. A specific routine will make you focus on that and not that you are nervous.

[Steve Smith]

Lo and behold, she has graced us with her presense! ;)


K, I would hartily suggest "With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Basham.

Getting ready for the "big match" isn't really what he teaches though. The reason (which you read about in his opening chapter): Lanny was the ringer at the US Olympics one year (50 Meter Smallbore Rifle I believe). He choked under pressure. Even after 15 years of training he choked. "Why" was his big question. For years after that he studied great athletes from all sports to find out what they did differently that made them win on the big day. He developed his own mental management program based on what he learned, and put it to use. After that he won the Gold with relative ease. He commented that if he had known how to manage himself mentally, he could have won the Gold years earlier. His book is all about his method, and it WORKS.

No, the book isn't about a Zen-buddhist trance that you get in right before the match. You can't "cram" for the match. What you CAN do is work on your mental management long-term, so when the big dance comes to town it is the same as every other match.

My little success story: I was struggling with stress, started reading the book. You would think that a person's first time at Nationals he'd be overwhelmed (1300 competitors there for each match). I made Master, got points in the NTI (one third of the way to Distinguished Rifleman), and wond the Expert class Army Cup (and placed in several others). Mental management was the key.

[SiG Lady]

In my humble shooting/competition world, EACH match is a "big" match. Each shot is always worth 10 points and it's my duty to try and not WASTE any of those points. Each shot deserves my undivided SLOW attention. Sometimes I blow it. But not nearly like I used to. ;)

[sm]

Concentration is mentally keyed up - physically relaxed - Fred Misseldine.

pax , I have shared this before with you, for the benefit of others - forgive the repeat.

MY Approach - much of which is From Bob Brister, Fred Misseldine and some other folks .

- Shooting is 90% mental the other 10% is physical.

Physical -

I have my gun and ammo that I know is proven and reliable. Includes mags, sights gun fit - you name it. Once I have established - I don't change - ever. Clothes , I want comfortable , includes footwear, I learned a long time ago when I find what footwear I shoot best in - never change. Basically everything to do with guns, clothes, ammo, shooting glasses - is physical . I am boring and redundent. Consistent and Adament about the physical.

Mental-

I have a routine before I even attend. I eat a good breakfast, and drink plenty of fluids. I drink a lot of V8 , Orange/ Grapefruit Juice. I munch on Bananas. Peanut Butter and Bananna sandwiches are my friends.

Caffeine- FOR ME Since I shot a lot of shotgun [ Skeet] I did want a little bit- I knew, a wee bit would actually help my focus, concentration. If I wanted a "swallow" of coffee I allowed myself. I knew at what point the caffeine would be detrimental.

I pack and prep my gear the night before. I have a checklist . Once done - I never get back into it. I checked it - its done - get that thought out of brain.
This allows me to Rest the night before. REST is my friend and a weapon.

When I put my head on the pillow the night before-

I shoot a match in my head. Each station is one bird at a time. Nothing exists for me but that one bird. Whatever happened 1 sec ago is history. What happens the 1 second after I fire a shot, is in the future. All I have I right now. I shoot 2 matches in my head,the night before while I have my head on the pillow- the first a bit slower to ingrain hold points and such. The second I run my usual pace. I tend to shoot a rd a bit quicker than some. [Hence the reason I squad up with like folks]

I arrive early to events. I take note of weather , wind , anything. I view the set up and in my case watched the birds being regulated, My human computer was gathering data.

Sounds crazy - perhaps "my quirk". I want some butterflies in the pit of my stomach. This tells Steve this is REALITY . I have a couple of good old Rock and Roll Songs I always listen to . I listen to one by myself . I'm a loner until my squad is called. I'm watching other shooters if others are shooting.

If my squad is the first one - so be it. My squad and I are going to shoot so well and the set the bar - if this psyches others - that is their problem .

I prefer to never shoot first , or be last on a squad. If I draw short straw or my marble gets picked for either. I run with it. I accept it and go on. Its history - I deal with it. If I'm first [folks hate when I am] if your are second person - be ready - I ain't going to long up here. If last - [ folks hate for me to be last as well] I don't fiddle fart around - If you are lead man- don't be waiting on me- I'm done. [ sometimes our squad got two refs...easier to score us that way, one pulled / one scored....] If I'm last man - folks watching might think I'm lead man.

I always watch the birds get thrown , I consult with the squad - we accept them- Its shoot time. There will be no prisoners, one shot - one kill, we didn't come to play - we came here for business. [ word was my old squad looked like Doc , Wyatt and all heading to the OK Corrall]

I always , always, always, get permisson to shoot two. [ remember this is skeet] I want to- 1) know my safety is off, 2) I shoot at a spot to see if / how any effects of wind, rain, snow, sleet, heat waves have.

I always load two , because of my style and the folks I squad with - we get a good puller. WE shoot a pretty fast pace. I have a ryhtm ...I always approach the pad the same way, load the gun the same way...leave the pad the same way.

Nothing else exists for me except that one bird , even in doubles, I gotta break the first bird first.
When I step off the station I support my squad, I watch for chips, I help the ref, I hold guns while folks ties shoes....when I step on that pad....I am in another world. I've been told a total personality change occurs off and on the pad.

I apply the same to any clay game. In my younger days I did the same with rifle / handgun competitions. With the newer IDPA and such I do the same simiar stuff. Just easier for me to type / explain from a Skeet perspective.

I am going to have serious fun. I usually end up totally tired and drained, but I gave it my best, I didn't quit, I had fun.

I have few other "things" I do. The main thing is 90% is mental, 10% is physical.

Explains why I am so hard headed and opinonated when it comes talk of gun fit to shooter and equipment for me. I'm a boring old relic with my old stuff and all...I gotta reserve what gray matter for the target and focus.

" Turn the Page" and " Against the Wind" By Bob Segar are MY two songs. I may use others, but when the pressure is on, It is always these two. Alleviates my "bad butterflies" and gives me the "good butterflies".

Some wear the same Mickey Mouse socks, have a good luck charm...etc - I use Segar.

I dunno - has always been applicable to any shooting event no matter what gun or set up for me.

:)

[Steve Smith]

Steve, you said something that is the same with me. When I go to a big match now, I have objectives that I set for myself. For example, in a team match, if some of the guys aren't shooting well, I will set an objective to carry the team, or do my best to do so. If I am running behind in an individual match, I will set an objective to bring my average up above my earlier expectations. Shooting competitively isn't "fun." It is business. If you are not there with the serious attitude that you're going to win or accomplish a certian thing, you're just there for fun and games. That attitude isn't something that you can fake either. As a novice, you can try to fool yourself into being serious, but only when you develop confidence in your abilities is that attitude real. You can't put it on or take it off...it's just there.

[sm]

Steve,
Thank you Sir.

When a new shooter is ready [ granted I or someone else has deemed them ready - the newbie didn't think so] we get them to shoot a tourney. Some Things one has to experience, that is THE only way.

What I preferred to do was get folks squaded up with better shooters. Now I have a "group" of shooters I have a LOT of Respect for. Members of this Group have the abilty to lead by example, they can handle a newbie on the squad. Many folks cannot handle this, they do not have the ability to lead by example, they are not "centered and focused" - perhaps they are not confident themselves.

As a unwritten rule - I don't want all the newbies on one squad, I want busted up and apart. Practice is one thing....I even went so far to bust up newbies / friends practicing before first tourney and subsequent tourney's.

Now using skeet for example - (applicable to any shooting event) - say a newbie is shooting consistent low 80's, he shoots his fiirst tourney....shoots a low 70....maybe even high 60's ....they may not realize it , the score does not reflect it ...they have entered another "dimension". This usually does not show itself until the next practice when they run say 90/100. It is like a step dealie, each degree of tournament level is like 2 steps forward and one step back. It is In 'reserve' just needs more trigger time.

The pressure of a local club , then two clubs, then state, then regional....each adds a new step / level of pressure. ONly by participating and shoting with better shooters can this be learned.

This is where the respect for the shooters that have the abilty to lead by example really is important. Even the big boys have off days....

IMO what separates good shooters is concentration , they forget all about the kids wrecking the car, the bills due, the boss at work. The other is the same folks with concentration lead by example. It may not even seen like much. " winds is kicking in from the south" , " the clouds give a false illusion of speed"....or he might just kick the back of your foot to make you change position on hold point, reach over to remind you of elbow position....valueable tidbits the folks of quality and integrity do.

I picked up a saying from one of my mentors. His problem station was low 5 . He might miss it and turn to the rest of the squad " that is how to miss that bird". :D So serious is good - the abilty to laugh at yourself is good too.

I blew a state tourney , I dropped low 7. I never miss low 7. I had a new shooter- first tourney , a young lady ..." well by golly I guess I gotta show you one more time" - I could tell that gal had some confidence and concentration. She went on to hit all targets on station 8. her first 3 boxes she missed every one. This was her problem station - 8. Well she "showed me" how to break 7 allright....'nuttin' by powder on 8. :)

[Correia]

I'll have to get that book. I know you have mentioned it before Steve, but I have not set aside the time to get a copy and read it. I should.

I wish I had the answer for how I do it pax, but I don't. Somedays the mental game is perfect and my shooting is at a master level. Other days I can't get into that zone and I get my butt handed to me.

[Series 70]

I shoot IDPA, so my comments are specific to that sport, but maybe applicable to others.

The two problems I have are going too fast and going too fast. Too fast physically and too fast mentally. We all know that you can't miss fast enough to win, so I have to slow my shots to get good hits on each target. In addition, I have to remember to take extra time on the long-range targets and to aim a little high.

The mental part of shooting the stage is to think about these things before each and every string. If I think about it before stepping up to the line, I'll generally remember to do it while shooting.

While waiting my turn, I might be scoring, running the timer, loading mags, pasting targets, BSing with the other shooters...

Which makes it too easy to just step up to the line when my name is called without thinking about what I need to do. What I've decided to try is to use the question, "Shooter ready?" as a mental key to actually remind myself to slow down, aim low, whatever is appropriate. If I can get that to happen consistently, it should help my scores.

[CZ52GUY]

...Focus has been the key for me.

If I can "dial-in" to the stage, I do reasonably well (within my classification). I try to be fast without rushing, and to make sure I follow-through...reloads I'm learning to relax (I've seen lot's of jiggles and bobbles by others who are rushing). I try to "change speeds"...fast with the feet, slower on the target engagement.

Pressure? I'm shooting at the "cardboard menace" among good people. I try to minimize the importance of what I'm doing. I'm out there to enjoy myself. When I take that attitude, the results improve...if I'm "really trying to beat that guy"...my scores suffer.

Pressure to be alert, safe, and to watch out for others (like I hope they are watching my back). That goes with the sport.

Pressure to win? Not going to let that happen...if I work hard enough in practice, the results will take care of themselves.

Good luck!

CZ52'

[esheato]

There are three things that I use to do my best shooting. (IDPA)

1. Preparation the night before a big match
2. Getting a good nights sleep is paramount
3. Visualization

As far as IDPA shooting goes, I usually have the days off before a match (lucky work schedule) so if the match is on a Sunday, I'll shoot the Thurs and Fri before (couple hundred rounds each day) and do something completely non-gun related Saturday. It relieves all that pressure I've built up getting ready for it. Allows me to just relax and think about something else.

Shotgun is completely different as I do it much more regularly than IDPA matches. For shotgun, I only do one thing: stop thinking. As in, "Quit thinking, just shoot it." Put it this way...It's easy to overthink and create the miss, while if you just see what you have to see with every shot, the bird breaks.... I hope this made sense to everyone. It's a hard thing to explain on paper.

Ed

[MBane666]

FWIW, one thing I picked up from very high risk sports was to give myself permission to be nervous BEFORE the event started. Stay up all night, sweat bullets, whatever...none of that matters when the buzzer goes off. I like Mickey Fowler's old trick of imagining yourself in a voting booth, with the curtains going down and sealing you off from the world.

I once blew a regulator way back in a cave, and after a second of pure white light fear, I remember the curtains going down and in that calm space, dealing with the problem.

I try to apply the same thing to a match. Instead of trying to hold myself to a standard before the match, I want to focus oin tightening down when I need it.

mb

[SiG Lady]

Hi, Michael...! ;)

[Heraclitus]

Great thread!

Although I wouldn't say I seize up at a match. Everyone there is so cool that I get this warm fuzzy feeling inside when my turn comes up. Zat make any sense?

My accuracy is just fine. It's my timing that's a bit off. And until I can afford a $3000 STI with radar, nuclear powerpack and laser guided missiles, shooting L10 and production are not going to help a whole lot (on the combined division score board, at least). It seems I waste more time trying to acquire my collective sight pictures than I do reloading 2 or 3 times in a stage. So the big question in my case would probably be: What trick should I use to speed up?

Answer: What Wild Bill Hickok reportedly once said. "I just point my gun like a finger and shoot."

[Jon Coppenbarger]

Like steve said the mental management part is the winning one.
you can build your skills up but you have to have that mental mind set to get better.
It was like alot of folks have said to me once you start to do better in big matches you then wonder why you always did not do that.

The last leg match in co. There were several folks ahead of me going back to 600 and a good friend said to me don't worry about them as they are the ones under pressure and not you as you have 40% of the match still left and you have been there and done that.
Went out and shot the high score back at 600 and one of the guys ahead of me asked what I just shot as we both shot the same relay and I said a 196-10x and he was upset as he said how could you shoot a score like that in those conditions, and the difference was I knew I was going to shoot a good score and made sure every shot was the one I wanted and saw in my mind.

The hard part for me is out side things or folks getting to me. like in one off hand match at the nationals my target came down while I was getting ready to shoot 4 times in the first 8 shots and one we had to ask for a redisk. my score showed it also till I got my head back together and finish the last 10 shots with my head back into the game.
I am getting better at handling those things as being prepared for anything and having the mind set to just do my job with the rifle and everything else will take care of its self.

a good example of getting your head together.
in the ntit ( rattle battle) match at camp perry I was the left swing shooter and had to get at least 6 hits on both of my targets out of 25 shots at 600 yards to square the target in 50 seconds.

I was ready targets come up but the target on my left I shot first did not come up with the rest of them and my team mates had two shots off before my target came up. I was ready to swing to my second target on the right and start shooting but just as I was starting to move my left target came up. I fired my first 2 shots and my rifle jammed now I dropped the mag cleared the rifle re inserted the mag charged the round home and got right back on the rifle and hit 10 shots on my left target and 10 shots on my right target and was in the middle of reinserting the louse round from the cleared rifle when the targets came down.
Just put it in the mag for 300 yards and shot a clean 8 &7 in rapid sitting on my two targets. did my job and scored big for the team.
Thats mental management and being prepared for anything that happens and it applies to every shot in every match also.

dang Steve it should of been you and I would be on your right, next year you need to be on the line with us.
Jon

[Series 70]

Here's an example of not thinking things through:

Stage 3 of our IDPA match last weekend had us across a four foot table from two targets with no-shoots in front of them. The only exposed parts of the targets were the heads and a small section of shoulder/chest. Off to the right and about 25 ft away was one other target.

Starting from low ready, neutralize each target. Par time - you have two seconds.

Needing only to neutralize, you only need 4 points on each target. Easy heads on the close two, but then you don't have much time to get -0 or -1 on the far target.

So I pop the two close ones quickly, but the blast from the muzzle makes the cardboard heads flop so much I'm distracted and miss the final target. Or at least I thought that was my problem. Second string, I'm not bothered by the movement, but still miss the far target. The reason?

No front sight focus. At all. I had target focus on the close targets, but did not transition to pick up my front sight for the far target. Clean miss.

I was so concerned about getting the three shots off in two seconds that I didn't even think about the problem.

You learn something new every day.