TargetTalk

I have recently developed a 'twitch' when I shoot, and it is especially showing up at 50 metres and 10 metres - the Precision shooting.
I wonder if any of the older shooters (of Senior Years ) have had anything similar, and can give any advice on how to overcome it.

I tend to twitch the shots up into the 2 o'clock area, in the white. I am not sure if I am heeling the shots, or participating in the recoil. Maybe I am relaxing at the break of the shot.

Are there any excersizes that I can do to help get rid of this annoyance?

I feel I am in good health generally, however, this problem is worse in the hot weather.

If anyone can give any help and guidance about this, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks,
Alex L.

Are you sure it's a real twitch and not a triggering error ? It sounds to me like a technique error of some sort. Perhaps try a slower, conscious trigger release and just work on a steady increase of pressure. You can try this dry, then live (no card) and then switch to 'real' targets. That's all I can suggest from afar.

Rob.

Is it a single twitch at the moment of shot breaking . . . or more like a "vibration" of the sights during the settling period?

he first suggests more of a psychological/focus thing and the second more of a ligament thing.

Steve Swartz

I know the feeling. At 66 I have many of the same problems. If you are feeling overly warm in the warm weather, get your blood pressure checked and if it is high get an ultrasound for a possible blockage. This is probably way off base, but doesn't hurt to check. The twitch is most probably more of a snatch at the trigger as you strain to hold the gun steady. With age it takes more effort to lold the gun steady.

Good luck and don't give up.

I know the feeling. At 66 I have many of the same problems. If you are feeling overly warm in the warm weather, get your blood pressure checked and if it is high get an ultrasound for a possible blockage. This is probably way off base, but doesn't hurt to check. The twitch is most probably more of a snatch at the trigger as you strain to hold the gun steady. With age it takes more effort to lold the gun steady.

Good luck and don't give up.

Alex,
I think what you are experiencing is entirely normal, as unnerving as that may be. I am 65 and am not as steady as I was 20 years ago. It's part of getting old; muscle tone, fine motor control, and vision degrade. Older golfers get a similar affliction that is called the yips. You may be able to postpone it for a while, but you will eventually have to accept it.

Hi Alex
Missed not seeing you at the Oakleigh Open.
Just wondering if some of the medications might be doing it. I have developed a bad twitch on one of my heart medications because it makes the heart compress harder and every now and then it becomes a twitch which throws shots into the 3 ring at 2 o'clock.
I had a couple of fliers every air pistol match until I switched from taking them at night to the morning. Things are now settled down by the time I shoot AP at night. Of course, it has the opposite effect when you draw a couple of 8am starts like I did at Oakleigh.
regards Colin

Everyone has a basline tremor that becomes more pronounced as we age. Maybe what you're noticing is some reaction to the increased effort of suppressing this tremor that you've slowly developed over the years as the tremor has been naturally getting worse.

Another thing comes to mind from what you are describing. I really don't think that it's very likely, and I don't mean to scare you, but it would be a good thing to catch early. Sometimes the very earliest signs of Parkinson's disease manifest as trouble initiating fine movements, or a jerkiness when initiating movement. This would be something to mention to your doctor, "Hey doc, I've noticed that when I shoot I kindof jerk the shots, which I never did before. Some kook on this website said I should ask you about Parkinson's. What do you think?" I hope he finds nothing of the sort and you both have a good laugh at my expense.

As for BP meds, beta-blockers tend to suppress tremors rather than make them worse, and therefore might be a useful drug to switch to (if your doctor agrees). I don't know what effects diuretics and calcium channel blockers have on tremor. Either way, if you are on meds and you are concerned they are affecting your performance, I'd get in touch with your doctor since there are usually many different options available for treating high blood pressure or whatever. Also for some meds there is the option of skipping your dose on shooting days or taking your dose after you're done at the range, again, only if your doctor agrees.

On a positive note, a neurosurgeon once told me that when he was training young surgeons, they would have much steadier hands than his at the beginning of the operation. If the SHTF, though, he had the steadiest hands in the room because he had the experience and confidence that only comes with age. It's a two-way street.

-J.

Thank you all for your replies.
I have designed a programme for myself, with some of our suggestions.

I am going to increase the dry-firing, giving a longer time to it.
I am going to work on the follow through with live firing, and trigger work.

I have to increase my fitness programme.
I am not doing running, but will do some extra walking.

My balancing excersizes, due to my age, will be increased. I am trying to make up a balance board, which should increase my co-ordination, and I may do some frisby work during the holiday, for catching and throwing.

I am having 3 weeks rest over Christmas, when I will be relaxing with some fishing. Obviously, I will have a talk with my Dr. about my medication, but on previous talks he has not wanted to change it.

Finally, I have set my long term goal for Sydney 2009 for the World Masters Games. I hope I can meet some of you there.

Many thanks for your interest, and suggestions.
Alex L.

Hi Alex,

What is a balance board?

Like your long term goal, might work towards that myself.

Regards,
Paul

Please make sure you (and your doctors) are familiar with prohibited medications and therapeutic use exemptions; the "rules of the game" for whichever governing body you will be shooting under. Your national governing body (under ISSF or some other set of rules; here in the USA we can shoot competitions either under NRA rules or USAS rules) will have details.

Beta blockers are *great* for high BP (with other positive side effects as well) but prohibited under ISSF.

Lots of other stuff is prohibited as well.

Steve Swartz

pauln wrote:What is a balance board?

Hi Paul,

have a look at this one: http://www.sissel-online.com/models/922_bp-b.php Probably shipped without the model...
Regular exercise is really good to improve the propioception (sounds more impressive than just "body-awareness"..)

Alex

Take a look on these 2 articles from Anatoliy Piddubnyy. I think you will find the answer to your question.

I had this problem before and I did follow the exercices and everything was well.

http://www.pilkguns.com/pistolcoaching.shtml

The Vital Problems of Pistol Shooting by Anatoliy Piddubnyy.
The Vital Problems of Pistol Shooting Part 2 by Anatoliy Piddubnyy.

Best Regards

Max

Alex

Take a look on these 2 articles from Anatoliy Piddubnyy. I think you will find the answer to your question.

I had this problem before and I did follow the exercices and everything was well.

http://www.pilkguns.com/pistolcoaching.shtml

The Vital Problems of Pistol Shooting by Anatoliy Piddubnyy.
The Vital Problems of Pistol Shooting Part 2 by Anatoliy Piddubnyy.

Best Regards

Max

Hi. Alex.
Re your twitches.- Make sure you are hydrated . Use a sports drink if need be. In hot weather, your potassium balance may be off just a bit. then muscles twitch. Just something to try. take care pat
Hope to see you all in Sydney 2009.

http://www.pilkguns.com/pistolcoaching.shtml

The Vital Problems of Pistol Shooting by Anatoliy Piddubnyy.
The Vital Problems of Pistol Shooting Part 2 by Anatoliy Piddubnyy.

From the above: "I am convinced that the main objective of the safe shot is not the shot itself, but the keeping stability and muscle tone constant."

Coach Piddubnyy could not say better than that above as what I have been trying to do for some time.

Hold the gun as steady as you can is what I have said to myself and others many times. But nobody has ever talked much about the details of how we do this stability thing. The whole Piddubnyy article is great BTW.

Getting to the subject twitch, what muscles seem to be the twitchers? Perhaps you could change the muscle balance to reduce the twitch. Maybe even hold it steadier as a result. I find a little less fist and more wrist and shoulder involvement steady me up a lot. Maybe introduce a little cant in your hold.

Another quote, "Most pistol shooters start aiming without controlling posture, without fixing habitual muscle tone at the most important points."

Indeed, do not shoot before you are actually prepared. Position and aim must not be forced.

Max,

Thanks for bringing those articles to our attention.

Tension in my legs as described has done wonders for my hold!!

I'm rapt, thanks again

Paul

Thanks everyone for some good ideas and the very interesting articles. I'm just working my way back from an arm injury and will be including some of this in my exercise program. I'm glad I recently found out about this forum.