If it helps...

[PapaG]

Several shooters, including my son, on my trap squad have been in a mid season slump. Yesterday I got them together before we were called and have them this advice. "For the first bird on each station, use the middle shell from the layer in the box. Then work front to back". Sixteen yards, me, 25, rest of squad, 24, 24, 25, 22. Handicap, me 23, rest, 23, 25, 21, 16(nothing but time will help this guy.).
Point is simply that sometimes getting folks to think about something but their slump can help overcome it.
BTW, my first miss was the second bird on station and I didn't go front to back. The 49 was my son who is thrilled to beat the old man.
Silly, sure, but I'll try about anything to help my guys do well.

 

[jak67429]

I run into this alot when coaching kids. Some will start beating themselves up over a bad shot, making it worse. And as you say anything to get them from dwelling on the bad shot or string. Sometimes even the ribbing from fellow shooters can do it.

 

[Armored farmer]

A slump is purely mental. By definition, to be in a slump must mean that you have been shooting better, then dropped off.
If shooter is having difficulty with one post, work on their form , mechanics, and footwork. Shoot the whole round from that post.

Kids grow fast. A gun that fit them last year won't necessarily fit this season.

My son graduated HS last spring. Covid neutralized the trap program.
I think maybe they're shooting again in '21 but im not coaching this time. It was a pain to make it every week with my work b schedule......but I rather miss it.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I will agree with the silly part...lol

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve coached several sports, shooting sports and otherwise, and I am a firm believer in coaching AWAY from voodoo as much as possible. When we rely upon tricks and traps, too many things can interrupt our process or disrupt our mental state, so living in that space is a dangerous game. As a professional athlete myself, that was the life I worked hard to maintain - so I pass it on as much as I can. Cut off my head, and my body would still compete the same. No nerves, no amp, no voodoo, no excuses.

 

[entropy]

Setting up a pre-shot routine is a good practice; whether grabbing the middle shell is or is not a part of that, I cannot speak to, because I reach down and get the first one the pops up-often it is the middle one, but if it isn't no biggie.
I do recommend it to the kids, and some old guys, who put their gun up to shoot as squad leader after completing a post, so they can sub(semi?)consciously keep track of the end of the post without having to think about it.
Getting back to the fundamentals when in a slump is my way of dealing with them.

 

[Varminterror]

Revisiting this thread today, and recognizing how commonly correct the below (unfortunately) really is:

I run into this alot when coaching kids. Some will start beating themselves up over a bad shot, making it worse. And as you say anything to get them from dwelling on the bad shot or string. Sometimes even the ribbing from fellow shooters can do it.

The most successful means I have been able to foster as a coach to avoid this have been twofold:

1) Establish a paradigm of instinctive fundamentals. We play how we practice, and we need to instill into our athletes that they packed everything they needed before they left home that morning, including the skill to perform to their ability. That skill is in their gear bag, so just let it out.

2) Establishing strong mentalities and acceptance of mistakes and failures in practice, and carrying that atmosphere EVERYWHERE. We practice with the intent to fail until we don’t. We compete to test whether we’ve sealed away failure. Perpetual success means either or both the competition isn’t very hard, or the athlete isn’t truly being challenged - so athletes should be used to failure, and be used to taking it in stride.