Mental Focus

[Trapper243]

While not necessarily a rifle specific question, it seems the thing that separates many of us from being good or poor to great is mental focus. I was curious how some of you do it, or what you do to deal with pressure in competition, or even hunting.

 

[CharlieNC]

As individuals I am sure the approaches are also unique, and you need to find what works for you. Principles like visualizing the process and a positive outcome are related to physical practice to develop muscle memory. Dry firing practice is a good example. I get in a quiet spot with no distractions and go through the full routine beginning with setup, and concentrate on every step/element; especially for sight picture and trigger pull. This will instill both the mental and muscle memory so when you go to the range you simply recite the routine; at that point you can focus on the other new factors which were not practiced, instead of working on a larger scope of variables. In other words how to focus can be practiced and memorized, and you play like you practice. It will automatically be applied when you go hunting, as success begets success in other aspects of life as well.

 

[Lapua40X]

My routine is pretty close to what CharlieNC describes. I first establish my rear bag placement, then find the target in the scope, adjust the shoulder pressure, level the rifle, establish the grip and cheek weld, (my grip involves not allowing the thumb to wrap around the stock) feel the trigger, re-check the shoulder pressure, cheek weld and breathing. When I was shooting pistol competition, once the proper grip was established, it was "sight picture/breath control/trigger squeeze". But I find rifle shooting to be more complex because of how the shoulder and rear bag can dramatically affect the shot. I find that the most commonly neglected element in good shooting practices is breath control. It's easy to overlook under the pressure of timed competition.
To maintain concentration I dedicate my focus on the "X", not the X ring. And imagine putting the round right through its center.

 

[Cold Bore]

I was curious how some of you do it, or what you do to deal with pressure in competition, or even hunting.

When I shot competitive High Power, I usually finished near (or at) the top of the heap.

I was often asked "How?".

I honestly didn't know, until years later, after I had stopped competing, and consequently slowed down on the amount of time I spent on the range. I had time to think and analyze, and finally think I figured it out.

When I was competitive, I shot a LOT. And got pretty darn good. So good that I *expected* to win, without putting conscious thought to it.

I shot so much that everything became muscle memory, and routine, again, without putting conscious thought to it.

When competing, I never thought "routine", or "do this, then that". I just "did", from muscle memory, developed by doing it hundreds/thousands of times. Eventually I had a routine, without realizing it.

Maybe I was fortunate that I grew up shooting, and started shooting competitively in junior high (we had a varsity rifle team back then, with a range in the basement of the school!). I guess I got over the nervousness early, and was fortunate enough to shoot well enough even back then that I just never worried about it, I just knew that I could shoot well enough to win.

When I competed, I saw every shot punching a neat little hole exactly were I wanted it to, every time I pulled the trigger, because I knew that I was capable of making that happen. I NEVER even imagined a "miss" in my mind. I never heard or saw anything around me.

So, while easier said than done, practice and get to the point where muscle memory takes over, and you just KNOW that it's going to be a center-punch shot.

Don't overthink it, or you can easily psyche yourself right out of the game.

 

[K22]

I shot competitive pistol (bullseye) for almost 30 years, qualified as Distinguished Expert. Mental focus in my opinion separates the good shooters from the great shooters once the fundamentals are mastered and assuming quality equipment.

For me I tried to repeat each shot sequence the same as the other following a set series of steps each time. This would involve stands, grip pressure, breathe control. Once on target I would mentally say to myself on each shot, front sight focus, positive trigger action, follow through. This kept me focused on the fundamentals, kept my mind from drifting and reduced match pressure. The ability to move on from a bad shot takes supreme mental toughness and must be mastered because sooner or later you're going to pull a shot but you can let it affect the string. I treated each shot as it's own entity meaning once it was over I forgot about and tried never to let my mind to start factoring the shot into an anticipated score. There will be plenty of time for counting at the end of the match.

Compete in as many matches as you can because you just can't simulate match pressure by practice sessions. Develop a mind set in practice that ever shot counts - take your time, call your shots and learn from it. Keep score and chart your progress. Practice your mental routine on ever shot. This is hard work, it's not fun. Go shoot beer cans if you want to have fun.

For me hunting posses a different set of issues to mentally focus on. Is the game legal, is the shot safe, then waiting so you have a clear shot to make a clean kill within the distance of your skill. You have to balance rushing the shot versus not loosing the opportunity to take a shot. Staying calm and under control is key, I've never had a problem with this but some hunters do. If you do learn to take several a deep breaths to settle your nerves. Remember it just a sport, you'll still get dinner at the end of the day whether you miss or not.

 

[Lapua40X]

... The ability to move on from a bad shot takes supreme mental toughness and must be mastered because sooner or later you're going to pull a shot but you cannot let it affect the string. I treated each shot as it's own entity meaning once it was over I forgot about and tried never to let my mind to start factoring the shot into an anticipated score. There will be plenty of time for counting at the end of the match.
....

Just like the quarterback who has to forget the last play and focus on the next one.
Good advice.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I'm not a pro by any means but I have managed to squeeze a good amount of accuracy out of my relatively short barreled .308 with my hand loads. As far as concentration, I have noticed one interesting thing that I must personally do in order to achieve the level of accuracy that I strive for. I don't know if anyone else thinks about this or if i'm on my own or what but I can see a noticeable difference between regularly trying my best to be focused when I release the shot, and something I call "hyper-Focusing". I can try my best and get .5-.75 groups at 100 yrds. But then it seems like there is another level of concentration, more like meditation (as strange as that sounds)that if I stay calm enough and focus enough long enough, where I can regularly get .25-.4 groups at 100 yrds. I have noticed some definitive differences about what I call "hyper-focusing", that kinda let me know if I am indeed in that "zone" or just trying my best. One is that my heartbeat becomes exceedingly annoying and apparent. I know this is unique to my shooting style and rifle, etc. I use a "hard hold" on my short .308 mostly because I usually shoot at 600 yards from a bipod and need to really control the rifle in order to see my impacts down range.
Anyways, while trying my best, my main focus is on adjusting my body, breathing, cheek weld, trigger control etc. but when in the hyper focus mode it seems like everything is tuned out and in between breathes my heart beat is very noticeable. Also, something odd happens with my vision but it may be because I wear glasses. Seems like there is a mild focusing and un-focusing of the target in somewhat of a slow pulse but again, I may just need to blink with the glasses and all. So if my vision is a little screwy and my heartbeat has become the biggest distraction I use it as an indicator that its time to send it.
I'm sure this sounds as hokey as it does questionable but I have seen the results time after time on paper and steel for the way that I shoot personally. Honestly, some of it is probably because I am fighting my equipment. I am using a harris bipod front rest, an accushot monopod as a rear rest, and a factory barrel and trigger. With a more stable rest, and a lighter trigger I wouldn't need to try so damn hard to shoot my best. I really see it at 600 yards. If I just try my best I can hit the 8" gong consistently but not the 5" gong. If I allow myself to do the "hyper-focus" thing I can hit the 5" gong consistently. Just as weird to me but hey, it works. I do not in any way believe this to be the "secret to accuracy" or any such nonsense and I wouldn't even recommend trying it because Its just what I have to do with my gear in order to get the best results. Jesse

 

[savagedasher]

I believe if you have to think about about doing something. You will never be a winner.
Larry

 

[praveen]

When I started learning to shoot, a guy who was a former marine told me that when you are shooting, your mental state should be like being half-asleep. I think I understood what he meant. When I go to the firing line, I stop talking/discussing about everything. I just start going through the motions of laying/arranging the equipment and by the time I get behind the scope and get ready to fire, I usually am zoned out. Some of the times I didn't hear any shots fired other than mine on the line. And those were the times I got some of my best scores.

 

[Mozella]

Mental focus is one of the most important factors associated with winning matches. I'm told that I have ADD, but .............OH LOOK! A CHICKEN.

 

[WyleWD]

To the OP, A BUNCH of excellent advice given to you so far here. About the only major items that I would add is that the mental focus should definitely extend into your practicing, reloading, rifle cleaning and maintenance, and component selection. If you go into a match knowing that you have done your very best in preparation, it helps give you confidence..... which you will need.

Don't over think or over complicate, and just concern yourself with your score, not everyone else's. JME. WD

 

[Corey Schwanz]

I really like Lanny Bassham's views on the mental game. Its often the hardest thing to overcome. Whether its pistol shooting, long range rifle or archery I find myself overthinking sometimes. You need to be able to get the brain out of the active way when shooting. This is where dryfire, or other methods of practice depending on your specific sport, come into play. Engrain the good habits you want on match day then get out of the way and let them happen.

 

[Trapper243]

Good replies. I have hit something of a plateau and I think the tips will help. Overthinking is a definite problem I have.