If there’s one thing shooters like to talk about and learn more about, it’s the mental game. Here in my office, I’ve collected and studied a small library of excellent books on the subject. As I’ve typically done over the last 4 decades, I’ve focused on separating the wheat from the chaff, studying each book multiple times to extract the “simple,” what we can grab onto, in and out of the shooting box. Interestingly, after years of study and teaching these mental game principles, I’ve always been surprised by how uncomplicated these principles/methods really are. I’m not saying the methods are always easy mind you, but complicated they definitely are not.
Here are a few of the mental game basics.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Good question. So, I can’t say which of the following comes first and then later. I’ll let you decide. What I can promise is some common sense here.
Constantly changing and depending on a choke tube to break the target for you, which it can’t, is wishful thinking. For the very same reasons, neither can the mental game make up for a lack of “gun management” skills. Sorry…never has, never will. Why? Well…unintentionally, of course, compromise a set-up or swing fundamental …thus compromising the swing precision…watch the score disappoint. This is 100%, right on schedule predictable. If in fact you truly wish to be more consistent in the shooting box, the step-by-step “process” of building precision into your shotgun swing becomes non-negotiable. When it comes to X consistency, there are no substitutes for the swing steps that create precision. Executing those steps may down the road involve a mental approach, but, learning and building those steps must come first.
And, speaking of changes…
How many electricians does it take to change a lightbulb?
ONE.
But first…the lightbulb has to want to change.
It’s not what we know about our shooting that gets us in trouble. It’s what we don’t know, works sometimes, and yet, we don’t want to change. Those who resist changing…learning what it is that can be truly consistent and dependable…makes their improving difficult if not impossible. The very best students of the game always first put their ego in a drawer. They then go about learning what needs changing and then change it. Not easy…but it’s a very dependable improvement process. And that process is a basic in the mental game.
Trust occurs...
when we reach the end
of our need to control”
- Daniel Schindler
excerpt from Beyond The Target (Book III)
Moving on.
Effective Pre-Shot routines can be very helpful in the shooting box. What about outside of the box? Regrettably, Post-Shot routines are commonly overlooked and shouldn’t be.
We can’t change what has already happened…but we very much can affect what will happen. X’s or O’s… when you step out of the box, consider taking a moment to reflect on what you just LEARNED. Stop and deliberately make a mental note that will add more Xs on the Stations ahead. 100% of the time, entirely skip thinking about the negatives (which will distract you on the next station and create missing) and focus on the positive. Always find a reason to pat yourself on the back…if for no other reason…for doing the best you could. Always easy to do?? NOPE. Important? YES. Carrying negatives into the next box, you can count on that leading to even more disappointment.
A Post-Shot routine keeps your best shooting moving forward…not only right now but in the future. One of its key objectives is to halt the common “self-destructiveness” we so often see when shooters non-stop criticize themselves for missing (this Station. Once again, this is entirely predictable and why a good Post-Shot routine keeps you on the right track, preparing you for the next Station and the next.
OK, let’s talk about “shooting in the middle.” Say what?
Winning performances are always preceded by unspectacular preparation.
This is about commitment…or the lack thereof. In the beginning, shooting is fun. You missed the target…hey, gimme another shell. Little by little we begin to improve, primarily on our God-given natural, hand/eye coordination. And then, for many of us, there comes a time when improvement becomes a more serious goal. This is a good intention. I say intention because we’re not finished, there’s more work ahead. A substantial amount of time, work and $$ ahead. That’s OK, we’re ready. And we are, right? Until we get to the middle part.
The middle part is wherein our journey to improve, we discover all the missing, frustration, disappointment and sometimes anger. After yet another disheartening tournament or day afield with friends, there’s no joy in Mudville tonight. Ok, we’ll try again next weekend. Optimistic, with high spirits, we do. With more disappointing results. This is definitely not turning out like we expected.
Remember when I said commitment or the “lack thereof?” This is the thereof part. In the middle part of improving. This is when our commitment will be tested and not just once but again and again. And again. This is the no-fun part. This is your test…your bridge to get across to real, measurable, hallelujah improvement on the other side. And you already knew all this, yes? My question is, how many of us mentally prepare for the middle part at the very beginning? So the middle part doesn’t come as a totally unexpected surprise? So we’re ready, willing and able to get through the middle part…which, BTW, nobody gets a Free, thanks-but-no-thanks Pass. A real commitment takes more than good intentions. Some advance mental preparation for the “middle part” will go a long way when it does arrive. And yeah, it will.
Boy Scout motto folks. The mental game.
Always good to see you here. God bless…be safe…be well.
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About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses, and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!
Dan Schindler's Books
"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors
and parents of youth shooters."
Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.
To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.
Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.
Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...
Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition
To The Target (Book II)
Beyond The Target (Book III)
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