MENTAL FOCUS TRAINING

[OldVet]

A new concept for me to try , but it has been around for a long long time is visualizing the shot. A sort of mental rehearsal. A pre shot routine.
You imagine the perfect shot in your mind. From your breathing to the sight picture to the trigger squeeze before actually doing it. I read about this being done by the coaches of other sports like Basketball , Archery, and Golf. It can become routine , so it will be done without trying to think about it. I'm sure the competition shooters do it. I need to train my focus on the breathing the trigger squeeze , and the same hold , or shouldering of the rifle , and as taught to me to use the exact same grip on the forearm each time , and do it all in my mind before I even pick up the Airgun. Especially for the recoil type rifles like Springer , or gas rams.
I like to learn even at 65 it's something about the challenge that keeps me interested. My PCP'S are boat anchors, and much too heavy to carry around , or shoot off hand , so as I use my shooting rest , and develope a refined tune for that certain pellet , or slug eventually boring myself with perfect groups , so I switch up to another weight , and start all over. Bur the springer is a better challenge for me , and I admire Crowski for his shooting of targets that suck , and just how well he does it , and others here that can split playing cards in half. I have been so damn impressed by this. I want to achieve the ability to do such with a recoiling springer. Post some card splitting pic's ok OldVet wants to see.
Happy Shooting. OV.

 

[coastal drifter]

As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect". It's easier to form good habits than break bad ones. The more you repeat a movement or technique the more it becomes second nature to you. The thing about a springer is it takes perfect technique to shoot them well, training you to shoot all guns well, one shot at a time.

 

[Racer88]

I've been shooting long-ish distance "powder burner" precision rifles for a number of years. No competitions, though. Tried competition, did NOT like it because of the people. They are NOT nice to newcomers. So I just do my own thing.

I have done what you describe. It's very meditative. I visualize the flight of the bullet to the target bullseye. If you've seen the classic movie "Caddyshack," Chevy Chase's character "Ty" advises the young caddy to "be the ball, Danny."

"Be the bullet, Danny." And.... nananananaaaaa....

I think one of the most overlooked techniques in precision shooting is "follow-through" with the trigger. A lot of shooters bounce off the trigger after it fires. I hold the trigger back after the shot breaks. It's like a golf or baseball bat swing. You don't snatch the club or bat back after you hit the ball. You follow through with the swing and hold it. Same with a rifle trigger.

Also, break the shot during the respiratory pause.... the point after exhaling and before inhaling.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I just get hold lazy ..

 

[Nitrocrushr]

Good training routine OV. I used to teach this very thing when I coached archery. I still have a book somewhere in my shop that goes into more detail on the mental game.

Steve

 

[beerthief]

I've been shooting long-ish distance "powder burner" precision rifles for a number of years. No competitions, though. Tried competition, did NOT like it because of the people. They are NOT nice to newcomers. So I just do my own thing.

I have done what you describe. It's very meditative. I visualize the flight of the bullet to the target bullseye. If you've seen the classic movie "Caddyshack," Chevy Chase's character "Ty" advises the young caddy to "be the ball, Danny."

"Be the bullet, Danny." And.... nananananaaaaa....

I think one of the most overlooked techniques in precision shooting is "follow-through" with the trigger. A lot of shooters bounce off the trigger after it fires. I hold the trigger back after the shot breaks. It's like a golf or baseball bat swing. You don't snatch the club or bat back after you hit the ball. You follow through with the swing and hold it. Same with a rifle trigger.

Also, break the shot during the respiratory pause.... the point after exhaling and before inhaling.

"Also, break the shot during the respiratory pause.... the point after exhaling and before inhaling."
My every shot ! slow inhale (count of 5 ) slow exhale / slow inhale /slow exhale but this last exhale on 3 your half way down exhaling and take up first stage of trigger . when you reach full :empty you let off the shot . Mentally your in a slow motion movie .

 

[OldVet]

I've been shooting long-ish distance "powder burner" precision rifles for a number of years. No competitions, though. Tried competition, did NOT like it because of the people. They are NOT nice to newcomers. So I just do my own thing.

I have done what you describe. It's very meditative. I visualize the flight of the bullet to the target bullseye. If you've seen the classic movie "Caddyshack," Chevy Chase's character "Ty" advises the young caddy to "be the ball, Danny."

"Be the bullet, Danny." And.... nananananaaaaa....

I think one of the most overlooked techniques in precision shooting is "follow-through" with the trigger. A lot of shooters bounce off the trigger after it fires. I hold the trigger back after the shot breaks. It's like a golf or baseball bat swing. You don't snatch the club or bat back after you hit the ball. You follow through with the swing and hold it. Same with a rifle trigger.

Also, break the shot during the respiratory pause.... the point after exhaling and before inhaling.

I'm going to try this holding the trigger back , and keeping the cross hairs on point of aim after the shot. Thanks.

 

[OldVet]

"Also, break the shot during the respiratory pause.... the point after exhaling and before inhaling."
My every shot ! slow inhale (count of 5 ) slow exhale / slow inhale /slow exhale but this last exhale on 3 your half way down exhaling and take up first stage of trigger . when you reach full :empty you let off the shot . Mentally your in a slow motion movie .

As far as breathing goes what work's for me is taking in a 1/2 breath hold , and shoot. I've tried the exhale version like on the movie "Zombie Land" where Woody teaches the young girl to shoot.
OV.

 

[beerthief]

As far as breathing goes what work's for me is taking in a 1/2 breath hold , and shoot. I've tried the exhale version like on the movie "Zombie Land" where Woody teaches the young girl to shoot.
OV.

Holding 1/2 breath creates tension , like closing one eye = tension i paint one eye lens dark green on my shooting glasses and keep both eyes open relaxed . i tried shooting both eyes open but found it uncomfortable for me . so the painted lens .

 

[beerthief]

As far as breathing goes what work's for me is taking in a 1/2 breath hold , and shoot. I've tried the exhale version like on the movie "Zombie Land" where Woody teaches the young girl to shoot.
OV.

The more relaxed ALL of your body can be the better you will shoot . Sit straight in a chair with your feet as close to the front of the chair as possible , relax . Now just slide your feet forward 3 or 4 inches , relax ,Feel the difference ?

 

[bigHUN]

Holding the breath triggers the heart to kick harder, also can push the (muscle) nerves into a panic.
A good training is .... exhaling slow / steady and about half way down break the trigger.

 

[OldVet]

The more relaxed ALL of your body can be the better you will shoot . Sit straight in a chair with your feet as close to the front of the chair as possible , relax . Now just slide your feet forward 3 or 4 inches , relax ,Feel the difference ?

I'll give it a shot.

 

[OldVet]

Holding the breath triggers the heart to kick harder, also can push the (muscle) nerves into a panic.
A good training is .... exhaling slow / steady and about half way down break the trigger.

Ok I'll try this Thanks.

 

[OldVet]

Will be shooting my "Diana" a 350 magnum with a 12 for spring later today , and will try some of these new ideas and hope to improve my groups.