As a relatively new rifle target shooter, I find myself wondering what more accomplished shooters might employ as far as mental preparation for the shot is concerned. One thing I’ve found in my 7 decades on the planet is that mental preparation for just about any endeavor can contribute, often significantly, to success ( or lack thereof ) .
Mindset And Long Range Target Shooting
- Thread starter Turkeytider
- Start date
R.Morehouse
Gold $$ Contributor
I have read this book many times and have highlighted all sorts of helpful stuff.....It is a quick read and VERY well done.
Regards
Rick
I have read this book many times and have highlighted all sorts of helpful stuff.....It is a quick read and VERY well done.
Regards
Rick
Thank you sir!
I have read this book many times and have highlighted all sorts of helpful stuff.....It is a quick read and VERY well done.
Regards
Rick
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
I like the story of when TV came to watch national match somewhere--I think they said well...no excitement and they complained about No celebration after the wins--shooter explained that it had taken much training and many days prep to remain so calm and cool and he was not in the habit of breaking that calm nor were the other shooters.
I do a routine before a match starting-- couple days out--I lay out all my gear--lay out my clothes--pre plan my breakfast--and try to be as calm as possible--wife does a lot of yoga and has taught me breathing exercises that help--Then I get to the match and some jack wagon plops his gear down in my space and I have to fight that all my prep does not go out the window
I do a routine before a match starting-- couple days out--I lay out all my gear--lay out my clothes--pre plan my breakfast--and try to be as calm as possible--wife does a lot of yoga and has taught me breathing exercises that help--Then I get to the match and some jack wagon plops his gear down in my space and I have to fight that all my prep does not go out the window
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Back up all your cares and woos.
Call your shots ? Remember that target owes you a X
Nancy Thompson Gallagher ? has a great Book you should to able to get a copy ?
read it twice.
Call your shots ? Remember that target owes you a X
Nancy Thompson Gallagher ? has a great Book you should to able to get a copy ?
read it twice.
While I never competed in competitive rifle shooting except for a short period of time in 3 position small bore, I did compete extensively in NRA Precision (Bullseye's) Pistol for about 30 years and Small-Bore Hunter's Pistol Silhouette for about 10 years and I can attest that mental toughness in match competition is a significant factor if not the key factor in winning matches.
Most serious competitors I knew mastered the fundamentals of marksmanship and had matching winning equipment. The difference between winning and losing was the ability to handle match pressure. I would define that ability by the following 3 attributes:
1.) the ability to remain focused on the fundamentals.
2.) the ability to treat each individual shot as a match within a match.
3.) the ability to invoke amnesia of a poor shot and move on to the next shot.
I personally knew shooters who could shoot Expert level in practice but would drop to Sharpshooter or even Marksman level in match competition. Another piece of advice is to compete as much as possible. There is no substitute for competing in a match if you want to become a better match shooter.
Most serious competitors I knew mastered the fundamentals of marksmanship and had matching winning equipment. The difference between winning and losing was the ability to handle match pressure. I would define that ability by the following 3 attributes:
1.) the ability to remain focused on the fundamentals.
2.) the ability to treat each individual shot as a match within a match.
3.) the ability to invoke amnesia of a poor shot and move on to the next shot.
I personally knew shooters who could shoot Expert level in practice but would drop to Sharpshooter or even Marksman level in match competition. Another piece of advice is to compete as much as possible. There is no substitute for competing in a match if you want to become a better match shooter.
JEFFPPC
Gold $$ Contributor
Mind games to me are just that. Games. I believe the Indian wins, not the arrow. Number one mistake is making it about winning. No, it should be about enjoying the challenge. What is the challenge? It's you vs the target. What the guy beside you shoots neither helps nor hurts you. What you do vs the target is the whole story. Having a big ritual to go thru to me in counter productive. That ritual in itself tells me the shooter focus is in the wrong place. Prep your rifle, craft good ammo, and go beat the target. To me thats the formla for sucess.
BKA
Gold $$ Contributor
Several of the most accomplished shooters have authored books. Consider reading published works like "The Rifle Shooter" by David Tubb and "The Book of Rifle Accuracy" by Tony Boyer. You will gain insight on mental preparation and match strategies from two of the most accomplished rifle shooters that the world has ever seen.
Last edited:
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
My ritual worked pretty well last season
Just saying prep starts way before the command to fire thats all
Attachments
JEFFPPC
Gold $$ Contributor
When preperation meets opportunity you hopefully get good results.You might clue us in on your prep. I am curious if you shoot anywhere but one club. Nothing wrong with that but new challenges bring new growth and opportunity . You obviously have things figured out at that match. Congratulations.
dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
I am at the point now where I just need a good day while the other guy has an off day and then it is Ribbon time.
I shot at 4 clubs last season--learn something new at each--mostly that there are a Lot of great marksmen out there that have decades more experience than me.
My wife usually send me out the door with a pan of muffins or Brownies for the guys--that helps break the ice
Last edited:
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I find that testing something nearly every match takes my mind off the end result, along with not keeping track of my score during the 20 rounds for record. Target panic sets in when you have a desired result. Each shot is totally independent of the last and next. I will have a rough idea of how points I dropped at the end if its just a few, but couldn't tell you which shot in the string it was without looking at the score card.
If I get shaken during a string, I have actually gotten up from the rifle to mentally reset. Will watch other targets come up, especially if its guys I shoot with regularly and know their skill.
TL/DR:
Stop shooting to win the match. Shoot each shot with a purpose and the points will follow.
If I get shaken during a string, I have actually gotten up from the rifle to mentally reset. Will watch other targets come up, especially if its guys I shoot with regularly and know their skill.
TL/DR:
Stop shooting to win the match. Shoot each shot with a purpose and the points will follow.
I'm just now getting into rifles with an eye to competing in f class. That said, I competed at a fairly high level in trapshooting. Made it into our state hall of fame and won many significant matches. I had a preshot routine that was made EVERY SHOT, EVEN DURING PRACTICE! I'm sure I'll carry this over into rifle shooting. The routine tells my mind it time for buisness. Reread what k22 posted as that's about as spot on as it gets!
FeMan
Gold $$ Contributor
What K22 posted is a great summary. I would say that the ability to focus under pressure on what is needed and process information quickly on a shot-by-shot bases is paramount. Once a round is fired, you need to glean what you can from it to prep for the next shot and forget it - no celebrating and no fretting. If you are not in the lead, never stop chasing the one who is. If they beat you, make them earn it!
Lanny Bassham's book, With Winning In Mind, is worth a read. He also has been interviewed a few times and can be found on YouTube.
A fellow shooter once told me “Make each shot the first shot”.
The ability to hold concentration for ten rounds is a skill that requires lots of practice and many of the above suggestions are to be recommend.
You just need to find what works for you personally and fine tune it.
”The Curse of the 10th shot” is a spoiler for many a “perfect” score and the need to keep concentration is a skill that like all sports, requires practice.
I also start to ween myself off caffeine before important matches and on comp days only have a half & half {half caffeinated beans & half decaf} just enough to keep concentration and any headaches at bay.
The ability to hold concentration for ten rounds is a skill that requires lots of practice and many of the above suggestions are to be recommend.
You just need to find what works for you personally and fine tune it.
”The Curse of the 10th shot” is a spoiler for many a “perfect” score and the need to keep concentration is a skill that like all sports, requires practice.
I also start to ween myself off caffeine before important matches and on comp days only have a half & half {half caffeinated beans & half decaf} just enough to keep concentration and any headaches at bay.
This is a great book and it’s on my nightstand now and both my girlfriend and I have read it several times and often discuss portions of prior to big matches.
You purchased this edition on November 30, 2023.
This is exactly the book you're looking for if you want to prepare for the mental portion of long range shooting. It was my reading material on the trip to South Africa last March for the World Long Range Championships.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
That book is on my night stand right now too
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
As a Short Range Benchrest Shooter, my attitude is I have to have complete confidence in my Rifle’s performance.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.