Performing under Pressure

[Karperform]

I am concerned with the ability to perform under pressure during a shooting competition. Tell me your 5 biggest problems or as many as you can come up with relating to your performance during a competition and you can even say how you got over them. I am curious to know what the most common struggles that competitors face nowadays. I will list out my own here but please do not just copy mine, I want to hear yours.

1. If I did not take care of something else at home or at work (left work unfinished) unrelated to the competition or event I would have split-focus.
2. I would go too fast and miss something during a particular stage.
3. I was concerned (little thought in the back of my head) about what other's were thinking of me during my performance, which was holding me back from performing at my best.
4. If the stage was complicated and presented a lot of obstacles and targets to engage I found myself overwhelmed.
5. If I was not preparing for success in the time in between stages my performance would dwindle when I got up on line.

 

[ShootDots]

I think my biggest "problem" is that I don't like to guess at the wind. EXAMPLE: I shoot F-Open. If I am at a 1000 yard match and during my "sighter period", say 5 sighters, the wind is 3/4 value running right to left. I shoot 3 or 4 shots and they end up in the X or 10 ring. Then all of a sudden the wind shifts from right to left, to left to right with maybe a full value wind. Now I am at a loss and I have to guess. If we are shooting a BIG match where some excellent shooters are there, a bad guess could mean a loss! So I start to "work my mind" to see if I can quantify the wind direction, wind velocity along with the heat waves and come up with a "guess" that will keep me in the 10 ring! It seems the more I "quantify", the less sure of what I am doing I become! That bothers me, especially when "my condition" is not returning!

 

[Rope2horns]

What pressure? ....nobody cares about your score except you....Relax have a good time...this is coming from a "high strung" individual that hated failure. I hated losing more than I enjoyed winning..I still hate losing to anyone, but in this shooting game you are gonna be humble or get humbled..how you handle it will make you better or worse. Good luck and roll with it.

 

[ShootDots]

What pressure? ....nobody cares about your score except you....Relax have a good time...this is coming from a "high strung" individual that hated failure. I hated losing more than I enjoyed winning..I still hate losing to anyone, but in this shooting game you are gonna be humble or get humbled..how you handle it will make you better or worse. Good luck and roll with it.

Hey Norm, that is some excellent advice! I like it very much! Your philosophy should permeate every competitor!

 

[Fast14riot]

There are some good articles out there on the subject, commonly called "target panic" or what's known as "Buck Fever" to hunters. Guys who can shoot excellently on their own all day, put a timer next to them or a big buck in front of them and all fundamentals go out the window.

I've been competing nationally and internationally for 20+ years (other sports) and when I was teaching I always told my students practice makes permanent. Perfect practice makes perfect permanent. So, go shoot practice matches, use timers when shooting alone. Dont make practice any different than competition and all of a sudden, matches become practice to you.

Mental aspect of competition is a huge hurdle, and should be trained and exercised just like the physical part.

 

[dcali]

I tend to get one of two problems. Either I get lazy and complacent, and things fall apart. Or, I get too excited and want to do so well that I get nerves. I do best in between those extremes. Preparing mentally to wind up in that state is the hard part.

 

[chkunz]

I think the more matches you are able to shoot the more routine things get and that makes it easier to manage the match pressure. Shoot competition, even a small club match as often as you can.

Take extra effort to be prepared, go over everything the night before, the better prepared you are (and if you know that you are prepared) the less stress.

I recommend a shooting diary, write down what you tried, what worked and what did not work and what to try next time. Make diary entries as soon as possible while things are fresh on your mind, even if it is only a word or two that you can expand on later so you do not forget. Always review your diary notes before a match or a practice session. Every trip to the range should have specific objectives.

Probably the most important thing is to stay focused on the fundamentals, most problems are related to a breakdown in one of the fundamentals.

If you are having fun, everything else will take care of itself, if you are not having fun, look for another sport.

 

[Delfuego]

What pressure? ....nobody cares about your score except you....Relax have a good time...

Agreed! If you're not having fun, why are you going. Too much time, money and energy to not be having fun.

 

[Lbart]

What pressure? ....nobody cares about your score except you....Relax have a good time...this is coming from a "high strung" individual that hated failure. I hated losing more than I enjoyed winning..I still hate losing to anyone, but in this shooting game you are gonna be humble or get humbled..how you handle it will make you better or worse. Good luck and roll with it.

Norm you have exactly the same attitude I have...except I wouldn't call myself hi strung. I enjoy my time at matches and just try to just shoot one shot at a time and forget the bad ones (usually missed wind calls). If I win; great, if not there is always a next time. With 56 yrs of competition I've won a few and lost many more. Go to the line prepared as you can be and play it one shot at a time. Pressure is something you put on yourself. If you don't think about it there will be less. I just remembered something an Army coach told me once upon a time...don't go near the score board, that is my job, I'll tell you if you won something!

 

[DR_2297]

Call up Creedmoor Sports and order “Bullseye Mind” by Dr. Raymond Prior. Once it arrives read it twice cover to cover, then read it again. Go from there because you will have new understanding of behavior you are encountering and executing. You can then learn to conquer it.

As a HP shooter my biggest issue is standing (like most HP shooters). My issues are purely mental. I can literally clean the rest of the course. But I am generally doing well offhand In a match when I break 186 and am having an exceptionally good day when I shoot my classification during the stage (194).

The nervousness goes away when you do this enough to begin approaching it like a job. When I was chasing leg points and then my HM card I was shooting 3x as many rounds a year in practice as I was in competition. Then there was the 10k dry fire shots on the SCATT.

So much so that I totally burned out late last summer. I have been slowly coming back but the lack of training has once again turned my standing into an anxiety ridden train wreck.

 

[INTJ]

I am under no pressure at a match. How poorly or how well and I do is meaningless in the big scheme of things. It’s nice when I do well because my friends and acquaintances will be happy for me. If I do poorly no one cares and I can be happy for my friends and acquaintances who did do well.

Now I am never satisfied with my own performance, but I have learned that not to affect me when I am competing. Lest I make it sound like I am some completely flawless person, there is an endeavor where I am under enormous pressure, though most of it put on myself.

I play lead trumpet in a semi-pro community jazz band. It’s more “semi” than “pro”, but we sound good and are well received by our audiences. I am stretched to fill this role. There are not too many tasks on this planet that are more difficult that playing trumpet well in the upper range. From personal experience I can tell you it’s harder than flying jets.

If I mess up I can make the whole band sound bad. However, if I let messing up bother me then I make even more mistakes. In competition shooting I have given myself “permission to fail”, and with that out of the way I can enjoy myself and improve. I have a very hard time giving myself permission to fail on trumpet, but it is essential to peak performance.

So when I am fully prepared and doing my best, I just have to let go and accept what comes. When I care the least about failing is when I am at my best, and that is counterintuitive for me.

Hope that helps.......

 

[jr600yd]

I’m with Shoot Dots, wind. I hate guessing. Waiting, I hate waiting for the wind to return to a setting I’m dialed in for and not knowing if it will. Other competitors, when I’m on the line in my little bubble I could care less what they think of me.

NEVER look at the score sheet till the match is over it really messes with your head. I had a friend (very good shooter) and all you had to do to take him out of competition was to say hey Joe what did you shoot? Of course he’d tell you. WOW! That’s great but Bill shot (add one point or one X) “KABOOM” his concentration was gone for the day.

Next relax take a deep breath have fun. Competitors are a great bunch of people. Ask a question if you don’t know something. After all this isn’t brain surgery although some may say it’s rocket science.

 

[Nature Boy]

Agreed! If you're not having fun, why are you going. Too much time, money and energy to not be having fun.

^^ exactly

 

[mikeinct]

I'm not a serious Competitor. I am however serious when I compete. The only guy I have to beat is my last showing or my average. I try to enjoy getting better. I try. Mike in ct

 

[newbieshooter]

I remember this in the bulletin a while ago: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2019/01/mental-game-thinking-your-way-to-success/

 

[CharlieNC]

I used to be very competitive at work, in sports, etc. Soon to turn 70, but just got into competitive shooting a few years ago after retiring. I did well my first year, even set a record. Since then my scores have fallen, I practice less, and essentially compete just to have fun and meet up with the guys. Not to say I don't want to win, but in the grand scheme it is not foremost. As a result I loose focus, which to me is a most essential factor to be successful at anything you do. Practice a routine which gives the best results for you, then focus during the real deal to replicate it.

 

[K22]

I shot competitive NRA pistol bulls eye for 30 years and learned a few things about competition pressure. Maybe some will be helpful to you.

1. Unless you are a professional shooter, i.e. do it for a living, keep in mind that this is a hobby - it's suppose to be fun - don't stress out - you'll still get dinner even if you shoot poorly.

2. Practice w/ a purpose - call your shots, diagnose the bad and good shots i.e. what did I do right or wrong. Record all shots - you are competing against yourself striving for a personal best each time you practice. Learn to forget about the last shot - good or bad, the only shot that counts is the one you are about to take. This will help develop a competition mindset.

3. Focus on the fundamentals like a laser for each shoot - this is not easy but it will distract you from the stress of competition. (I assume you know the fundamentals - if you don't learn them - suggest one of the publications by the Army Marksmanship Group). My ritual was: front sight focus - positive trigger action - follow through - I repeated these three fundamentals for each shot (series of shots time and rapid fire). Don't let your mind drift to other issues - not easy to accomplish but a must if you are to shoot to your maximum capability.

4. Try to mentally visualize the perfect shot between strings. How does it feel, what does the sights picture look like on a perfect shot.

5. The more you compete the less match pressure you'll feel. I knew one shooter that wouldn't even practice - he just shot matches - I didn't follow that path - I enjoyed practice - competing against myself and honing my skills but his approached worked for him.

6. Don't try to count your scores during a match or look at the leader board - ignore all of that - just focus on the shot you're about to take.

7. Some common match pressure errors:

- "chicken finger - failure to be able to pull the trigger caused by hold the sight picture too long trying to get the perfect shot or fear of making a bad shot - shot needs to be instinctive.

- shifting eyes focus back and forth from target to front sight and visa versa - stay focused on the front sight.

 

[corning]

3. Focus on the fundamentals like a laser for each shoot - this is not easy but it will distract you from the stress of competition. (I assume you know the fundamentals - if you don't learn them - suggest one of the publications by the Army Marksmanship Group). My ritual was: front sight focus - positive trigger action - follow through - I repeated these three fundamentals for each shot (series of shots time and rapid fire). Don't let your mind drift to other issues - not easy to accomplish but a must if you are to shoot to your maximum capability.

4. Try to mentally visualize the perfect shot between strings. How does it feel, what does the sights picture look like on a perfect shot.

...

6. Don't try to count your scores during a match or look at the leader board - ignore all of that - just focus on the shot you're about to take.

I only shoot long range prone (.308, sling & iron sights) these days. These are what I consider the key points to optimize performance from K22's post. I feel these are the most important pieces of what I would call "mental management". They may sound like easy points to follow, but they aren't. When you are in the midst of a match, trying to stay focused on K22's points requires a tremendous amount of attention.

I would add these points:

a) keep your composure, even after a bad shot, and go back to point 3, and focus on the execution of the upcoming shot.

b) don't think too far ahead to the possible end score (point 6). It's a distraction.

c) don't keep a book (high power). It takes your focus away from the upcoming shot, and may cause changes to your position.

Did K22 or I mention shot execution? That is of utmost importance.

Good luck, and have fun.

John Corning

 

[mauser284]

I think you guys might want to look into visualization. I would also look into self hypnosis and meditation. You might start with some material meant for world class athletes and work out from there. Your conscious mind is like an 8 bit computer and your subconscious mind is like a 64 bit computer. You really want to shift more of your shooting from conscious to subconscious. If you want step by step I would say start with Silva Ultra Mind training and master those skills and apply them to your shooting.

 

[Ned Ludd]

First and foremost, the only shooter over which you have any control whatsoever is yourself. If you're worrying excessively about how other shooters are doing, it may well detract from your focus on your own shooting. Further, any pressure you experience is likely of your own making. We all want to win, but the best way to do that is to shoot the best you possibly can and let the scores sort it out at the end. Always remember that we do this for FUN. The losers aren't executed and the winners don't gain ultimate control over the known universe. Relax, shoot your best, and enjoy the sport.

Staying relaxed and keeping your composure/focus during a match can also be helped by practicing under as close to match conditions as you possibly can on a regular basis. Practice won't ever be exactly the same as competing in a match. However, the more often you practice under conditions that are as close to actual match conditions as you can make them (i.e. similar time constraints, shooting cadence, use of wind flags or environmental cues, etc.), the better off you will likely be during an actual match.

There are many other factors that can contribute to a successful outing. Checking the simple things often associated with problems that could have been prevented beforehand, like loose scope rings or a bipod mount, should be routine a part of your preparation before leaving home. For some shooting disciplines, developing a solid load and preparing the ammo is another area that requires proper attention to detail well in advance of the match. It may not be that case that you win a match at the reloading bench, but you can certainly lose one there. Collectively, the little things can add up to significant part of match preparation. Make those things part of your routine for every match; don't cut corners. It that requires making a detailed checklist, then do so well in advance. The better prepared you are both mentally and in terms of your equipment, the less mental energy you will have to devote to those little things during the match, freeing you up focus solely on your shooting.