MENTAL FOCUS TRAINING

Jump to latest Follow Reply
O

OldVet

Member
Dec 3, 2024
1,170
1,386
65
Tucson , AZ U.S.A.
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.😁
 
  • Like
Reactions: cavedweller, Racer88 and Nitrocrushr
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cavedweller, OldVet and Struckat
Upvote 0
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.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: igolfat8, OldVet and coastal drifter
Upvote 0
Racer88 said:
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.
Click to expand...
"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 .
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigHUN, OldVet and Racer88
Upvote 0
Racer88 said:
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.
Click to expand...
I'm going to try this holding the trigger back , and keeping the cross hairs on point of aim after the shot. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Racer88
Upvote 0
beerthief said:
"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 .
Click to expand...
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.
 
Upvote 0
OldVet said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 .
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigHUN and OldVet
Upvote 0
OldVet said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 ?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
NeutronFluxLabs said:
How's the groups on these "Diana"'s I keep hearing about them and they look nice.
Click to expand...
Diana is a German company that has been around for a very long time , but they do have some rifles contacted to be manufacturer's in China. The 350 magnum I have is 19 years old , but still has plastic parts. Weihrauch however also from Germany uses no plastic , or China manufacturing.
The grouping of a Springer of any make is a special technique developed by the shooter. I have a new Diana 250 , or Two Fifty that I bought on sale for $99.99 it is a gas ram , and after 300 , or so pellets it has settled in ,and thanks to a post I made
"Springer Shooting Technique" I learned to shoot a lot better. So I suppose the groups are part Shooter ,part rifle , and the patience needed to
shoot enough pellets to get that new springer , or gas ram time to settle in.
I did get some very nice groups with the Crosman 14.3g premier hollow points.
 
  • Like
Reactions: coastal drifter
Upvote 0
NeutronFluxLabs said:
How's the groups on these "Diana"'s I keep hearing about them and they look nice.
Click to expand...
I wanted to add that with a Springer the less powerful ones are not only easier to cock , and less recoil ,but will have good accuracy as well until you learn to manage that. OV
 
  • Like
Reactions: NeutronFluxLabs and coastal drifter
Upvote 0
My take on Breathing .... For accuracy sake :giggle:

Do a self test ... Take a normal couple breaths, then next pay attention to what point of exhale cycle do you stop and reverse it inhaling ? ( NOT heave breathing but normal soft breaths )
Now exhale NORMALLY and stop right there wait a few seconds and force exhale further .. yea you got more air in there than you thought !!!

In shooting you want to be relaxed and that point where your diaphragm is neither up or down making your lungs work. It is at the point IMO where little to no core muscle / diaphragm tension exists and one can be most breath tension relaxed.

Some say half breath .. yea in a sense perhaps, but having ones body tell them where that is, is part of the self discovery in shooting skill building.

JMO ... from a competitive shooters perspective & one practiced for many years.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: OldVet
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu