Anybody else ever do this?

ajj · Post by **ajj** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:11 pm

Wednesday, I hit 9 chickens as dead center as chickens can be hit. Cleaned the bottom rail. Shrapnel from hit 7 took out chicken 9. This happens. Smacked 8 dead center. Moved to chicken 10. Gun begins to settle and over the space of maybe a second and a half the following thoughts raced through my mind: "After I hit this one I'll have to find one on the next rail but Frank is going to shoot that rail on the next relay so I'll have to go set that one chicken but that'll be no problem we'll just call a clear..."
And the gun went off.
So I hit number 10 dead center with the last shot and avoided having to go down to set after all.
I could shoot better if I could concentrate better. So here's the question: I once read that Margaret Murdock advised shooters to go ahed and focus on that irrelevant thought that invariably drifts in, give it a few seconds of full attention, then let it drift on and re-focus on the shot. That is, don't fight the distraction and try to shoot at the same time! I'm going to give it a try. Anybody have any better ideas?
Cheers for the Fourth to all.

scorlett · Post by **scorlett** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:14 pm

Great post AJ. I don't know how many times that kind of thing happens to me. Weak minded, I guess...

That approach makes sense to me. I suppose the important thing is to have a good mental routine that you can go back to, one complete enough, or focused enough, or something, to make sure you've made the transition back to the job at hand before you let yourself take a foolish shot.

Sam

GeoNLR · Post by **GeoNLR** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:43 pm

AJ,

I did the exact same thing Wednesday with the exception of my 10 shot, it was less than a hit (I do not say the "M" word or my coach will flog me). I hate having to shoot off of another bank. I have decided next time to try 2 aproaches...

1. If time allows, ground the rifle, re-set NPA and smoke #10

2. If not, call for a new target on my bank.

Sure as you Hit % go sky high (like 100%) IF you ever aim at the wrong animal, your "less than hit" % go way down when shooting from bank to bank in my findings...Could just be me, but others have confirmed...

GTS · Post by **GTS** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:37 pm

Just a minute here......you mean we're supposed to be thinking about what we're doing?

I'm gonna need to rethink my entire game now. RATS!!

GTS

kevinpagano · Post by **kevinpagano** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:38 pm

AJJ, I did that same thing on chickens at my 3rd match. Only I was wondering what will happen if I hit 4 and needed another chicken. Well I missed number 4 while thinking and didnt have to worry but I shot number 5 for a 4 then another 4 on second bank. Frustrated but I was happy for a 8x10 on chickens and was ooooohh so close to my first 5 in a row.

Kevin

slowstdy · Post by **slowstdy** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:32 am

OK Chicken....
How many times do I have to tell you... Just think about the one your shooting.... Don't count ur animals and do not count the ones you have not shot yet!!!!! I love shooting the animals on the next bank... after you hit the one the guy missed, you say "oh I see why you missed that one".....
My bad....LOL

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:14 am

I remember reading of an upper-level shooter/coach (name has escaped my fevered brain) who advised that you should develop a word or short phrase and make yourself think it just as you are ready to break the shot -- in order to avoid anything that interferes with your subconcious shot release. (Since I'm always locked into: "HEY! Stupid! DON'T jerk the trigger this time and screw up another shot!" just before I shoot, I've never made that work!)

And of possible relevance: I have a friend who golfs. (Yeah! I know. I sometimes hang around with a bad class of people...) lol
HE says: "If you REALLY want to screw up somebody's golf score, wait until about a day before an important tournament and give him a book of golfing advice written by the biggest 'name' you can find. On the day of the big match, he'll be so divided in his approach to each shot that he'll NEVER be in contention!"...

(IIRC, there's a passage in 'Ways of the Rifle' that says something like; "a slightly incorrect technique, thoroughly mastered, will often produce higher scores than 'perfect' form that isn't adequately practiced"... or words to that effect.)

TXCharlie · Post by **TXCharlie** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:11 pm

Another thought on this... If you work with a spotter that you trust, this person can help a shooter by making the decisions necessary in such a situation. Trust and familiarity is the important factor for a shooting team, the shooter is only doing the necessary actions for the shot while the spotter is watching for all the extraneous stuff to help the shooter make each shot. Winds, people behind the line, time management, shot placement, any thing that might remove the concentration of the shooter from that individual shot is some of the tasks a spotter performs. Let the spotter make the decision and follow those directions, do not argue or discuss it just do what you are told to do. If you can hit 9 then the 10th is just one more shot.
Remember a silhouette match is 40 one shot matches.
C-Ya,
Charlie Mc

duckgumbo · Post by **duckgumbo** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:56 am

Finally, a post with some relivance and thought behind it. Maybe Dawg has not read it! Charlie Mc is right - 40 one-shot matches! Do not keep score and do not look at the score board! Also do NOT inform another competitor that you are going to kick his proverbal butt! Are you listening Chicken?

I am rethinking my approach and may begin to actually practice! That is definitely the approach. Dry firing may be the real ticket!

Innocent · Post by **Innocent** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:04 am

Duckgumbo,
Amen, but what are you doing on this site on a holiday? I'm getting to work, trying to beat the weather, lol, just doesn't happen too often.
Headed for yankee land later in the week, got to show them how to shoot!!
Inncoent