Recent Posts
Focus on Specific Targets in Practice
You have to have a goal for your practice. That comes from an assessment of what happened last year.Let's say you went to a tournament, and you realized that of the 18 birds you missed, 11 of them were right-to-lefts. What does that tell you that you need to practice? The right-to-left sight picture.And of the 11 birds that you missed right to left, only two of them were crossing; the rest of them were quartering. So, ... Read more…
Flipping Negative Thoughts
Our brains are wired to focus on the negative. This can be a major hurdle for athletes who aspire to excel in competitive environments like skeet or sporting clays. But the key lies in flipping this tendency on its head. When faced with a disappointing performance, it's vital to find the positives amidst the negatives. This isn't just feel-good advice; it's a practical strategy for mental resilience and improvement.Ins... Read more…
The Chains of Habit
Our study into skill building and mental processing reveals an interesting facet: our past heavily colors our perception and reaction to present experiences. Our brain develops filters based on our past, affecting how we respond to future events. This understanding is crucial in reshooting sports.The fear that grips many shooters is often rooted in the concern of others' opinions about their performance. Here's a revel... Read more…
Finding Your Inconsistencies
Effective practice demands a higher level of engagement. You can't cram for skill-building in shotgun shooting; it's a gradual process that requires thoughtful and deliberate effort. A recent consultation with a master class shooter highlighted this point. Despite his high skill level, he struggled with certain targets. Our discussion revealed that his practice lacked specific elements, such as matching speed on all sh... Read more…
You Need a Strategic Approach
I had a client from the Northwest who was advancing well by focusing on single targets, determining breakpoints, and testing her predictions. However, her progress derailed after taking advice from an experienced shooter at a local club. He suggested she shift her focus to the second target more swiftly. Consequently, she shifted to practicing pairs, abandoning the single-target approach with predictions. Within just t... Read more…
