While definitely not getting our vote for favorite pastime, I think it’s fair to say, missing will be with us for a while longer. The good news is, we all miss and no one likes it. One difference is how each of us reacts to the disappointment.
Not happy with OXXOOX? Welcome to our club. Admission is free. The question now is, how are you handling each miss? Is your reaction important? Yes.
Occasionally missing targets is part of the shotgunning experience. Beyond the fundamentals of good shooting, we’ve also learned that the key to enjoying more hits is productively managing the disappointment of missing.
A miss rightfully draws the shooter’s attention…often creating feelings of blame, guilt, sometimes anger. In this case, gun loaded, our shooter is now distracted by all this negativity. PULL! Muzzle out of control…more missing.
In and out of the shooting box, our emotions are here to stay. It’s how we handle our emotions that directly affects what happens with our next shell. Should we be experiencing some stress in the box, I’m suggesting we work harder to make sure our next swing improves. How? I heartily endorse the following thought.
“The past is a place of reference,
not a place of residence.”
Roy T. Bennett
Over the decades I’ve watched negative reactions to missing. Every single time, those reactions punctually destroyed the shooter’s performance. If, however, we move our attention away from the negativity…by accepting that our miss is behind us and can’t be changed…now we can direct our attention to correcting our set-up and/or swing error. Result? XX. XX. XX.
This is why I teach very briefly evaluating shot outcomes…X and O…to determine why that just happened. Evaluating objectively, not emotionally, allows us to adjust and correct the seen error(s)…or repeat the X swing. That very important process…called Task Thinking… keeps us tightly focused on what we need to do…and are doing with this shell…this target.
Trying harder “to break the target,” (Outcome Thinking) burdens our getting the next swing right. All the attention is on the miss and trying to break the next target with no attention on building a good swing. Using Task Thinking? XX. XX. This is a pre-shot attention choice each of us has.
Like it or not, we have to work with our emotions. Yes, shooting can be very personal and, at times, a real pain. Ask me how I know that. That said…to advance your skill level…work to master Task thinking. Every shell…focus on the ONLY thing any of us can control…getting our swing right. Because…what happens behind the muzzle decides what happens down range. Always has…always will. Task thinking provides us a quick escape from all those negative emotions and puts control back in our hands, on time, every time. Say hello to the good score you earned.
Shifting from Outcome Thinking to Task Thinking is one of the most valuable skills a shooter can develop. If you'd like to know more about how Task Thinking can improve your scores, feel free to reach out (Paragon School of Sporting). We’ll look forward to talking with you!
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About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 40 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. It is filled with valuable information and clay target truths. It is entertaining and a culmination of three decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.
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