Performing under Pressure

[ej3rd]

Also look at “With Winning In Mind” by US Olympic gold medalist Lanny Bassham.

 

[wvlongshot]

Also look at “With Winning In Mind” by US Olympic gold medalist Lanny Bassham.

This book is a must read for any sports competitor. Really shows whats needed to compete in reguards to the mental aspect.

 

[KMart]

To be clear, I have never shot a registered rifle match. But I did have a conversation with my Dad about pressure when we were both shooting competition trap. He said that if you are prepared there won't be any pressure. Besides, what is the worst thing that can happen to you if you miss? He said you shouldn't feel any pressure until the targets start shooting back. This was the mindset of a man that spent 34 days, the entire operation, on Iwo Jima.

 

[Stingray]

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.

My biggest problem is #2 going too fast.
Not taking the time to look for a change in conditions.
Second biggest problem is trying to be too exact. Trying to get a sight picture that is what I want and is perfectly still. I shoot best when I shoot from the gut.

The best cure for nerves is to be well prepared and to practice a routine. I pack my shooting bag the same each time. I pack the car the same way each time.
I unpack the car the same way and set up the same way each time. When I practice I don't cut corners and use the same routine that I will use in competition.
Lastly I laugh as my mistakes. I recently has a clean round going in 19 rounds on target and cross fired the last shot. I just laughed and laughed. I really don't worry about what other folks think about me. But sometimes I really worry about what I think about them.

 

[dc.fireman]

Reya Kempley wrote an excellent article on the subject:

Pay Attention!