“Our game has an uncanny way of endearing itself to us
while at the same time revealing every weakness of mind,
no matter how well hidden.”
― Timothy Gallwey (Paraphrased)
Think of the pressure we put on ourselves playing clay target games. We don’t just want that target to break…we need that target to break. When it doesn’t, our pride takes a hit. After all, folks are watching. At least in our mind, we just failed. This creates even more pressure to break the next target. To do well. To stop the embarrassment. Unfortunately, as the craving to succeed intensifies, more targets escape untouched, the inappropriate mental input is spoiling what we want to happen.
The clay target games are just that…games. While important to us and we enjoy them tremendously, they’re not the source of the pressure we place on ourselves. Yours truly has been in the competition trenches for decades. Standing in the shooting box with friends and/or a scorekeeper behind us, I know how you feel. X’s do matter, and pressure does come standard with our wanting to shoot well. However, the pressure we feel is something we create, not the tournament or the outcome of the next shot. Folks, we own how we think about hits and misses.
My students find this epiphany of identifying and productively managing their own pressure origins highly productive, both in and out of the shooting box. The storm and stress fades away, the joy (the reason why we took up our sport) returns. With renewed confidence behind the trigger, right on schedule, scores go up.
“We build your clays game like we build a wall
one brick at a time.”
Every one of us has the potential to reach his/her shooting goals. Just between you and me now…here’s the secret. All that stands in the way of reaching your goal is what you don’t know. That’s it. Step-by-step…my students learn tools to mentally improving their physical performance and score…before, during and after the trigger pull.
Those who understand where the pressure they feel really comes from and learn to manage it to their benefit find peace in the shooting box. Well before a round goes into the chamber…happily, mind you…my students already have their minds in that good place when they drive onto the Club parking lot.
If you’d like to discuss our tested and proven brick-by-brick approach to marking more X’s on your scorecard, I’d welcome your call.
Successfully dealing with pressure is one of the most essential skills a shooter can develop. If you'd like to know more about how to deal with pressure in the shooting box, 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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