Recent Posts
How We Practiced Before Nationals
In our three practice sessions before the National Championship, we shot no more than three or four boxes, and shot only singles. But we each announced what approach we were going to shoot and where we were going to break the target. This forced our brains to recall parts of different circuits synchronously in seconds as we were choosing our breakpoints. We did not keep score and we only shot singles, but due ... Read more…
Practicing Before Nationals
So, let’s talk a little bit about how we practiced the three times we had time to practice leading up to going to the actual tournament. In our research, we have determined that when we shoot different shots (especially in sporting) many shooters think that they are using the same circuit - just with different timing and speed. But once again, research has proven that they are not. Upon viewing each shot i... Read more…
Shooting to See Your Skills
Last October, I was shooting in the National Sporting Championship in San Antonio. During the 800 targets I shot, winning was the last thing on my mind. In fact, it was so not on his mind that he never looked at a score sheet except in FITASC when I had to sign by my score. I was not there to win. I was there to see how my skills and how the limited but focused practice we did would allow me to remain calm. ... Read more…
Evaluation and Living in the Past
Back in the mid-80s, I finished a really good round of sporting at Greater Houston Gun Club. Andy Banks watched intently as I ran the last station and asked what my score was. I didn’t know. So, Andy asked to see my score card. “Andy,” I said, “It doesn’t matter who wins or loses as long as you do your best!” “I can agree with part of that,” Andy said. “It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose. What matt... Read more…
Speeding Everything Up and Cortisol
Most shooters’ reaction to adversity is to allow themselves to speed up in everything they do - especially in how fast they talk. This leads to a timing problem, which leads to hope. Then this leads to evaluation, which deeply drinks the hormonal cocktail of choice - cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that makes your hands speed up, compromises your ability to focus and makes your breathing shallow and labored.... Read more…
