between shot mental process

[elliott]

Steve S., Ed and etal,
Two questions for your expert consideration. 1) After making a shot, either in competition or during procedural practice, what do the experts think about when the previous shot has been ideal, pretty good and/or not so hot? Obviously, one doesn't want to denigrate himself over a poor shot or exult over a great shot, but what thoughts should one train himself (or herself) to cogitate on between shots? 2) What does one do with his eyes between shots, conceding the point that these eyes are 56 years old?
Elliott Dushkin

[Ed Hall]

1) Not claiming to be an expert at this, ideally, I believe in mentally seeing a perfect shot right after it fires in all those situations. If you can stand it, don't compare the true hit to your mental picture. Simply gloss over the real one and move on, again moving to the mental imagery you use prior to your shot. I've used this to great benefit to keep from getting wrapped up in the emotional differences of varying hits. I suggest no evaluation during the competition, only between matches.

2) Eyes need lots of rest, so letting them defocus or softly focus on a neutral flat object, similarly shaded to the target area, is best. If you focus on any design, especially of high contrast, the after image may distort your sight picture. Additionally, if the light level is sufficiently different, your pupils will react to the changing levels, putting even more stess on your eyes. (My dominant eye takes longer to react to changing levels than my other.) So, contrary to a common belief, I don't recommend closing your eyes between shots.

What you might find useful, is to add a visual aid such as an image of a perfect shot/target, possibly with sights overlaid, within easy view and glance at it briefly on your way to your neutral area. Then think about the image while resting your vision, and finally move into your next shot process. This will kind of fall into both 1 and 2 above.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

[RobStubbs]

I agree pretty much with Ed. I try and mentally say well done if I shot a technically good shot irrespective of outcome. If it was less good I try and picture what I wanted to happen - so in both situations, what's in the minds eye is the same - a technically good shot.

Between shots I try to relax, load the next shot and then start thinking of what I want from the next shot before rehearsing the final few seconds of the shot process - in my case lowering down from the hold above the target, through the card and settling in the 'sweet spot' before the shot breaks.

Rob.

[Steve Swartz]

Agree with Ed. My "between shot" process comes in three stages: Recovery (replay of previous shot, but with errors removed), Rest (just think about anything other than the next shot), and Preparation (visualize the next perfect shot process).

Additional thought:

If, at any time during your shot process, you experience a "distracting thought" then you should (after you abort) spend a minute or so "rolling around in" that distracting thought so that it doesn't come back again at a less opportune time.

There have been times when a certain issue/thought kept coming back at me just as I was about to break a shot. This really messed up my game. The "distractor" wouldn't go away until I thought about it fully for a while. Then it just went away.

Steve Swartz

[Ed Hall]

Very scary, Steve,

I wrote something extremely similar on distraction and then removed that paragraph, because I couldn't get it quite the way I wanted it without way too much description...

For those interested in my thoughts, apply steve's suggestion about distractions in concert with what I have written in this thread (page 3, two entries, somewhat long):

http://www.targettalk.org/viewtopic.php ... s&start=40

IOW, with continual training you can address the thought and set it aside...

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

[2650 Plus]

What Ed said . Also keep your visualization totally positive, If the previous shot was not a ten do not even post it to your score book. Just leave the space blank. Prepare to shoot a ten.go up and do it. Good Shooting Bill Horton

[crosshairs]

Well, for me, my objective is to simply get all my shots into the 9 ring, that will take care of the 10s (some will go in), and if I were to hit an 8 or even a 7, I'd say "Hey! the 10's should cover for those poor shots...."

I know, that's not how a shooter should think. But until I can learn enough techniques to shoot with, the above mental process keeps me relaxed, and keeps my pistol in my hand.