How to stay calm while shooting a competitive shooting match
- Thread starter armadio
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taliv said:
Yeah, that seems pretty common. It's almost to the point of being a part of match etiquette.
OTOH, I have a friend who was a top shooter and took the opposite approach to good affect: If he was "off", he'd go around telling his competition how he's really kicking butt today. Often, his competition would proceed to push too hard and tank a stage, literally giving him the win. Yeah, it's a game.
Bottom line: Avoid distractions, shoot your match, and let the chips fall where they will.
Some of the top shooters in Benchrest when I was shooting would walk around and mutter how poorly they were doing. "Man, I really let one hang out on that group", when in fact, "let one hang out" meant they opened a little 2 into a big 2. When I let one hang out it was usually making a 2 into a 4. 
Great guys though, and would help you any way they could. You have to not let anything get you too excited or too down. Things change in the blink of an eye. You can go from 1st to 10th in one group. And likewise, the fellow in front of you can blow it. You just have to not beat yourself.
Great guys though, and would help you any way they could. You have to not let anything get you too excited or too down. Things change in the blink of an eye. You can go from 1st to 10th in one group. And likewise, the fellow in front of you can blow it. You just have to not beat yourself.
jmorris
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I used to not like to go first. For a year or more I had them put me first on every stage, at local matches.
Now I could care less and unless I am trying to see timing on moving targets, would prefer to go first anyway. Never have watched more ways to tank a stage than after watching a squad of shooters before my turn. Also no second guessing how to shoot a stage if your first.
The latest I ever stayed up the night before a match was 3:00 or so, drinking with 3 others.
The next day I won high overall, two of the others won division champion in the classes they shot.
One of the guys took a class from a pro shooter some years later, as he was talking about the importance of diet, hydration, sleep and such, my friend brought up the above story. He said we must have all been shooting in the subconscious. Where you want to be anyway.
No "right" answer but no wrong answer either from my experience. If it works for you...
"With winning in mind" is worth reading.
Now I could care less and unless I am trying to see timing on moving targets, would prefer to go first anyway. Never have watched more ways to tank a stage than after watching a squad of shooters before my turn. Also no second guessing how to shoot a stage if your first.
The latest I ever stayed up the night before a match was 3:00 or so, drinking with 3 others.
The next day I won high overall, two of the others won division champion in the classes they shot.
One of the guys took a class from a pro shooter some years later, as he was talking about the importance of diet, hydration, sleep and such, my friend brought up the above story. He said we must have all been shooting in the subconscious. Where you want to be anyway.
No "right" answer but no wrong answer either from my experience. If it works for you...
"With winning in mind" is worth reading.
Sunray
Member
One needs to remember that IPSC nor IDPA are in any way even close to reality or practice for self-defence. They're shooting games that should be fun first. You're not doing it for a living. So where you place means nothing. Go have fun.
"...The best practice for match shooting is match shooting..." Absolutely. Even weekly club level practice shoots will do nicely. Your year's worth of 'training' is all very well and good, but nothing beats shooting matches.
"...The best practice for match shooting is match shooting..." Absolutely. Even weekly club level practice shoots will do nicely. Your year's worth of 'training' is all very well and good, but nothing beats shooting matches.
1KPerDay
Member
First stage of the day for me is always a throw-away. Gets the jitters out, lets you make all your (safe) mistakes, and for the rest of the day you can just relax and have fun. Don't worry about being competitive... just focus on being safe and smooth and have a good time.
I shoot both small bore benchrest and bullseye pistol. I have talked with a number of psychological professionals at length regarding the proper mindset for shooting.
In pistol, I find there is a time when you can get 'in the zone'. The zone is recognizable by the fact that you are not distracted by anything else. The fact someone might be watching you doesn't matter. You can't hear anything but the operation and firing of your own gun; all others on the range are blocked out. Your concentration is solely and completely 'in the game' and you are saying nothing to yourself; your head and thoughts are completely quiet and engrossed in what is happening. Sometimes you can see things happen in slow motion. When you start to notice the cycling of the slide, or the flick of the brass out of your gun, that's 'the zone'.
I am not able to just enter 'the zone' at will. I have to have it happen to me on a good day. But this is fairly common; most of us will experience some level of anxiety when we do a performance sport. Anxiety can be good, it can help you perform to a higher level than you practiced at. However, too much anxiety will lead to rapid performance degradation.
Therefore the question is: how do we manage performance anxiety?
When I shoot slow-fire bullseye, I do not like to spot my shots, except maybe the first one or two. I feel that when I see I just shot a '10', it makes me more nervous for my next shot. However, since we are talking about action shooting, I'll skip how I feel in slow-fire or benchrest.
In rapid fire, before a string, I will close my eyes, inhale slowly and deeply through pursed lips (you want some resistance to breathing in), and go to a 'happy place'. Yeah that sounds silly, but you just think of a setting or environment that is especially relaxing for you. You know, your favorite easy chair or the beach or whatever. This actually will slow down your heart rate if you do it right. It's the combination of breathing, plus the happy place that results in a change in the body. If you get a simple pulse meter for yourself, you can practice this at home: biofeedback.
The mental aspects of preparation in shooting are often overlooked. Consider talking to a sports psychologist for a session or two. Often times it can be very productive.
In pistol, I find there is a time when you can get 'in the zone'. The zone is recognizable by the fact that you are not distracted by anything else. The fact someone might be watching you doesn't matter. You can't hear anything but the operation and firing of your own gun; all others on the range are blocked out. Your concentration is solely and completely 'in the game' and you are saying nothing to yourself; your head and thoughts are completely quiet and engrossed in what is happening. Sometimes you can see things happen in slow motion. When you start to notice the cycling of the slide, or the flick of the brass out of your gun, that's 'the zone'.
I am not able to just enter 'the zone' at will. I have to have it happen to me on a good day. But this is fairly common; most of us will experience some level of anxiety when we do a performance sport. Anxiety can be good, it can help you perform to a higher level than you practiced at. However, too much anxiety will lead to rapid performance degradation.
Therefore the question is: how do we manage performance anxiety?
When I shoot slow-fire bullseye, I do not like to spot my shots, except maybe the first one or two. I feel that when I see I just shot a '10', it makes me more nervous for my next shot. However, since we are talking about action shooting, I'll skip how I feel in slow-fire or benchrest.
In rapid fire, before a string, I will close my eyes, inhale slowly and deeply through pursed lips (you want some resistance to breathing in), and go to a 'happy place'. Yeah that sounds silly, but you just think of a setting or environment that is especially relaxing for you. You know, your favorite easy chair or the beach or whatever. This actually will slow down your heart rate if you do it right. It's the combination of breathing, plus the happy place that results in a change in the body. If you get a simple pulse meter for yourself, you can practice this at home: biofeedback.
The mental aspects of preparation in shooting are often overlooked. Consider talking to a sports psychologist for a session or two. Often times it can be very productive.
When my concentration was at its best, I would not even hear the rifles on the benches next to me.
I found it easier to get in the "zone" by simply concentrating on what I was doing, verses trying to block things out. Get the concentration level on one thing where it needs to be, and the by product is it blocks all other things out.
spitballer
Member
There are good days and there are bad days. A bad day is when I get to the bench and discover that I've got 1/4 moa of side-to-side shake and can't get rid of it. An empty stomach makes it worse. As a practical matter, a nip of brandy probably would help; seems to me appreciative soldiers were given small containers of it in their K-rations back in the day... needless to say I'll pass on the brandy but a fast-acting antihistamine is always in my range bag for occasional use, and a jar of peanuts (not necessarily in that order). Mostly I concentrate on technique: never staring through the scope too long, moving my head around slightly like an owl to keep my sight picture centered, varying eye relief, increasing trigger squeeze only as the sight passes over the target, that sort of thing.
Shakes and recoil, those are the biggies for me. Shakes from the muscles, and recoil from the mind. Love that recoil.
Shakes and recoil, those are the biggies for me. Shakes from the muscles, and recoil from the mind. Love that recoil.
Like you and jmorris, because I didn't like going first, I made a conscious effort to volunteer to go first. Anyhow, since the shooting order rotates through the squad during the match, it's nice to get those 1st jitters out of the way.
Yeah, it's not a big deal after awhile. I now like helping the ROs run an efficient stage by being ready to start and shoot on demand. If someone isn't ready, I usually am.
justice06rr
Member
The only real solution is to practice and shoot more often, whether its a match or just range practice. The more you do it, the better you will get. Compete with yourself first and improve, before trying to compete with others.
If you think IDPA/USPSA/IPSC is fun, try shooting Multi-Gun/3Gun events.
If you think IDPA/USPSA/IPSC is fun, try shooting Multi-Gun/3Gun events.
Pete D.
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nerves
Absolutely the best response.
There are, however, quite a few books on the subject which are a good way to supplement a gun in hand....Lanny Basham's "With Winning in Mind" is one, Terry Orlick's "In Pursuit of Excellence" and "Psyching for Sport" are two others. The definitive "Competitive Shooting" by A.A. Yur'yev has sections about the psychological aspects of match shooting.
Interestingly, the effect of nerves on performance is quite similar across the spectrum of "performance" ---- a concert pianist who has to hit every note exactly correctly is certainly under a very similar stress.
Seemingly strange, perhaps, but right on topic book is Eloise Ristad's "A Soprano on her Head" concerning the terrors of performance and how to get through them to excellence.
Pete
Absolutely the best response.
I agree......with a qualification. Practice makes perfect?? No. Practice makes permanent. Perfect practice makes perfect.
There are, however, quite a few books on the subject which are a good way to supplement a gun in hand....Lanny Basham's "With Winning in Mind" is one, Terry Orlick's "In Pursuit of Excellence" and "Psyching for Sport" are two others. The definitive "Competitive Shooting" by A.A. Yur'yev has sections about the psychological aspects of match shooting.
Interestingly, the effect of nerves on performance is quite similar across the spectrum of "performance" ---- a concert pianist who has to hit every note exactly correctly is certainly under a very similar stress.
Seemingly strange, perhaps, but right on topic book is Eloise Ristad's "A Soprano on her Head" concerning the terrors of performance and how to get through them to excellence.
Pete
Matches aren't any different. I know a lot of people who've shot a lot of them, and ought to be shooting well above their current level.
Match experience is good, but just shooting a lot of them isn't helpful if you're just hardwiring bad habits and self-limiting mental narratives.
spitballer
Member
Bad habits can be hardwired in a match or in practice. It is best to not get into bad habits and have a coach that helps break them.
I used to shoot competitive skeet. My first proof double really rattled my cage, a mental angst I would not encounter in practice.
As many have said, shooting in matches is important to learning how to handle the stress and jitters.
I also feel that a competent competitor should participate in major regional or national matches. Even with an "also ran" finish, the experience is priceless, educational and rewarding.
I used to shoot competitive skeet. My first proof double really rattled my cage, a mental angst I would not encounter in practice.
As many have said, shooting in matches is important to learning how to handle the stress and jitters.
I also feel that a competent competitor should participate in major regional or national matches. Even with an "also ran" finish, the experience is priceless, educational and rewarding.
Good idea above on competing regionally or nationally when the opportunity presents itself.
Doing so gets us out of our small ponds and we get to shoot and socialize with much bigger fish. Some of those guys and gals can be very helpful with useful tips.
Doing so gets us out of our small ponds and we get to shoot and socialize with much bigger fish. Some of those guys and gals can be very helpful with useful tips.
Uncle Richard
Member
Don't Over-Think
I try not to over think how to perform a course of fire. In my opinion, planning out each step in detail just makes things worse because when something doesn't go as planned, you get lost in thinking what step should be next.
Personally, I just remind myself the number of minimum shots required per target and any safety concerns. I try to shot a course of fire instinctively instead of planning it out.
It would be fun shooting a course blind. In other words, not knowing the location or number of targets to engage, as long as it can be done saftely.
I try not to over think how to perform a course of fire. In my opinion, planning out each step in detail just makes things worse because when something doesn't go as planned, you get lost in thinking what step should be next.
Personally, I just remind myself the number of minimum shots required per target and any safety concerns. I try to shot a course of fire instinctively instead of planning it out.
It would be fun shooting a course blind. In other words, not knowing the location or number of targets to engage, as long as it can be done saftely.
OpticsPlanet
Member
Dry fire practice is a great way to acclimate yourself to a situation without worrying about safety and other stress factors.
The first time I ran a course of fire, the moving with a charged firearm was very new to me and was raising my stress levels. I did not want to be that guy who was reckless or endangering others. Practicing moving and other unfamiliar maneuvers (like say shooting while laying on my back) with an unloaded firearm in the confines of my home helped me become more comfortable with performing the actions while holding a "live" firearm.
So like everyone said, practice. Dry fire practice is the inexpensive, do anywhere format. Then getting out and running courses of fire is your polishing of your practice. Practice breathing during dry fire and it will become second nature when live firing.
Also, at the end of the day remember that stress will always be a part of a firearm scenario. All you can do is recognize it, accept it, and adapt to it. Don't let it overwhelm you or control you, just understand it is your body's response to stimuli and move on.
-Matt S.
The first time I ran a course of fire, the moving with a charged firearm was very new to me and was raising my stress levels. I did not want to be that guy who was reckless or endangering others. Practicing moving and other unfamiliar maneuvers (like say shooting while laying on my back) with an unloaded firearm in the confines of my home helped me become more comfortable with performing the actions while holding a "live" firearm.
So like everyone said, practice. Dry fire practice is the inexpensive, do anywhere format. Then getting out and running courses of fire is your polishing of your practice. Practice breathing during dry fire and it will become second nature when live firing.
Also, at the end of the day remember that stress will always be a part of a firearm scenario. All you can do is recognize it, accept it, and adapt to it. Don't let it overwhelm you or control you, just understand it is your body's response to stimuli and move on.
-Matt S.
J-Bar
Member
If you focus on the nervousness, the nervousness will get worse.
If you focus on the front sight, the nervousness won't matter.
If you focus on the front sight, the nervousness won't matter.
ny32182
Member
If you feel stress, that is good, it means you care about the outcome. And if you don't care about the outcome, why are you there? The day I don't feel stress at matches is the day I quit.
Depending on the level of match, you might have days of vacation, and hundreds of dollars or more invested in being there. You might have hundreds of dollars or more in prizes on the line. Stress will be there, and it is part of the juice. It's how you know you are alive.
Managing it well for me is a two part process:
1) Be confident in your abilities... this comes from practice. You will never shoot beyond your abilities on match day. In fact you will never even shoot up to your max abilities on match day. You have to push your abilities to the next level in practice, and you have to know what they are on match day, so you can come up with a stage plan that you can reliably execute. As has been said before... BE PREPARED to execute what you know you can execute, and let everyone else screw up.
2) In the minutes leading up to your run, push distractions out of your mind by doing detailed mental visualization of your stage plan. Just go over and over it in your head. If you are doing that correctly, there is not space in your head for distractions.
You push your technical shooting skills to the next level in practice, and you push your match management/mental game to the next level by shooting club matches. You need both in order to perform at a high level.
Depending on the level of match, you might have days of vacation, and hundreds of dollars or more invested in being there. You might have hundreds of dollars or more in prizes on the line. Stress will be there, and it is part of the juice. It's how you know you are alive.
Managing it well for me is a two part process:
1) Be confident in your abilities... this comes from practice. You will never shoot beyond your abilities on match day. In fact you will never even shoot up to your max abilities on match day. You have to push your abilities to the next level in practice, and you have to know what they are on match day, so you can come up with a stage plan that you can reliably execute. As has been said before... BE PREPARED to execute what you know you can execute, and let everyone else screw up.
2) In the minutes leading up to your run, push distractions out of your mind by doing detailed mental visualization of your stage plan. Just go over and over it in your head. If you are doing that correctly, there is not space in your head for distractions.
You push your technical shooting skills to the next level in practice, and you push your match management/mental game to the next level by shooting club matches. You need both in order to perform at a high level.
oneounceload
member
I do not shoot IPSC, but I do shoot competitive sporting clays. As I prepare for my turn, I have made a mental plan on how to attack the targets at the station. I block out all unnecessary voices, noises, thoughts. I focus hard on my intended target. I have a back-up plan/approach in case my original plan isn't working.
MOST importantly, I do not worry, think about, or look at my score until the game is over.
If I have a bad station I do everything I can to NOT take it to the next one
MOST importantly, I do not worry, think about, or look at my score until the game is over.
If I have a bad station I do everything I can to NOT take it to the next one
Yes. It's all about how you perceive the situation, an unconscious reaction to a stressful situation, which results in anxiety. Ideally you should be in what's called flow state, just relying on what you've practised, muscle memory and letting everything happen with a minimal conscious effort.
There's a lot you can do by yourself; getting rid of the anxiety is the first priority and the easiest shortcut to that is do regular exercise. Before a stage, take a few minutes alone, sit down, close your eyes and start remembering the feeling you had and all sensory memories you have of when you really aced a stage and how it felt right after the last shot. Immerse yourself into that, you'll get better at it the more you practise. When you open your eyes, you have that exact feeling and you know you can repeat the great performance on next stage.
As a certified hypnotherapist, with first hand background in IPSC and mental training of athletes on national and international level, I might suggest contacting a colleague of mine who has experience and expertise in sports hypnosis. Some people may find this ridiculous, but the fact is there are very few successful pro athletes that don't use some kind of hypnosis-based routine in their daily or weekly mental training. Amateurs can benefit from it, too. When you've practised hard and know the only thing that holds you back is your focus and nerves, unlocking a few things that subconsciously hold you back can produce interesting results.
I mainly work in the field of clinical hypnotherapy (preparations for surgery etc.) but if you want some pointers, PM me. I'm not sure if linking my colleagues' contact information in your state is considered ethical on THR board.
Butterflies? Yes, butterflies.
I once had a skating instructor who said to me before my first competition: "The butterflies don't ever go away, but eventually you get them to fly in formation."
Thinking about that today, it still applies - whether skates on your feet or a pistol in hand - confidence comes with practice and great mental imagery.
I once had a skating instructor who said to me before my first competition: "The butterflies don't ever go away, but eventually you get them to fly in formation."
Thinking about that today, it still applies - whether skates on your feet or a pistol in hand - confidence comes with practice and great mental imagery.
1MoreFord
Member
Practice all you can. Keep shooting matches. Find a practice partner. Take a class (classes) from a top shooter if it's in your budget. Video record yourself practicing. You won't get better without critique, feedback, and a plan.
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