Pressure!

[GlenPresley]

shootclay admin said:

And as much as I love Wylye - I disagree with part of his statement - shooting should be fun, but for me winning is a bit 'funner' than not winning - if mistakes come from lack of concentration or focus - then some help there would be great, if they come from technique or fundamentals - then I'll get coaching there.Whatever helps you right?Certainly the top shooters I have watched have something more than just sound technique, they have incredible focus and drive as well as an amazing self-awareness.

That will change if you progress to the top by that I mean challenging for HG prizes etc!Depends what you want to get from your shooting, In competition clays 'The Fun' is in the winning if you are competing!Trust me whilst your trying to shoot and compete it is not fun it is hard work and mentally draining. At the end you can gasp a sigh of relief at your achievement! /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gifThe moment you start thinking it is just fun and a day out that is the moment the focus is gone and the prizes miss your grasp!Not everyone wants to be winning week in week out depends on what you want to get out of a registered event or a competition. No disrespect but the majority on here are still learning and trying to move up the classes so have you really felt pressure??? You may do but, I guess not on the level that when you know you have to shoot a straight on a stand or you have to shoot 20plus on a layout because that will be close to winning! That is a different pressure altogether. It has been a long time since I have felt pressure like I did on Saturday but you put it on yourself sometimes, for example I was looking so forward to doing my competition here on Saturday and I guess posting about it etc and also committing to Nics charity if i won something didn't help the pressure much! The more situations you get yourself into the more you become acustom to dealing with it. I am afraid some will never control it from what I have seen, and sadly they will never get over it. You do have to channel it in a positive way how you do it god only knows when i am feeling it my technique usually suffers, usually I slow down. I have my routines though, for helice I had a routine and for all the disciplines I have a set routine it helps me or at least I believe it does which is the main thing! Glen.

 

[psych4shooting]

It is great to have all comments, it adds to the balance. Those at the top of any sport will have talent, but not always, some get there through pure grit and determination. I once had a stand up debate with a now ex International Cricketer, who stood at 6' 6", we debated many things about sports psychology - the one thing we both agreed on was that it really is common sense, but when to use it. In a pressure situation then you need to be calm, maybe relax a bit more if you become tense.Carl Bloxham has used darts as a training method for his shooting, it gives him a focus and being able to perform under pressure, it may not be mental training in the scientific way, but it is a training aid. George Digweed played cricket to a high standard in his younger years, this aided his concentration and he also made every clay count when he was a youngster, by being methodical in his approach to angels shooting each target. Ben Husthwaite still plays rugby to a level and played at a higher level in his younger days.What I am trying to show is although they are gifted sportspeople, they still use elements of sport or common sense to be on top of their game. They will have all had coaching of some description in ealrier years, then self taught themselves. I certainly welcome the debate, if I could not argue my corner then it would be a sorry state.For those who find areas that challenge them, then why not work with a professional who has worked studying many of those at the top of clay shooting and other sports, if it makes a 10% difference or more, think how much more you would enjoy your shooting. But I readily accept some people just enjoy the Sunday with friends and having a laugh and some fun.

 

[40UP]

Hi Phil, it must be 15 years since I did one of your courses - like any training I probably knew 80% of it but the other 20% is worth any cost. Calm down but I still use aspects of it in my general life today.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Well said Phil.Don't suppose many on here have heard of the 10,000 hour rule !. .

 

[EdSolomons]

An interesting one this. I spent a year spending more time/money on the mental side of shooting/sport in general with Henry Hopking who is at the absolute pinnacle of the area in my eyes.It certainly helped me break bigger scores consistently (and win the british sportrap, classic and a few other bits and bobs) and is a fantastically interesting area to learn about.I look at it this way; until you get to being pretty good (high 80s at sporting) your better off spending your time working on technique. I see the mental game as the icing on the cake if you will. Until your pushing for national teams kind of area I see shooting as 90% technical 10% mental. When you progress up the ranks I believe the % changes to the other way round!

 

[Fuzrat]

well, I've just booked on for the 16th /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif looking forward to it. Got me thinking about when I was playing golf, another sport where its you against the course and the only thing you can control is your own performance. Practice rounds with the lads I used to be hitting low teen handicap scores, even with a fiver a corner on it but when it came to a qualifying comp I was lucky to keep my handicap from going up from 21 let alone bring it down /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-frown.gif Same course, same playing partners, same balls, same clubs, same swing. Only difference, the thing between my ears!Why is it pro golfers drop a shot on one hole then get it straight back at the next and the amateurs drop a shot then drop another 2 or even 3 on the next hole? That grey walnut in our skull. If it works for me then great /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif if not you guys will be the first to know /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif 

 

[GlenPresley]

Couldn't agree more with that.Basically those who aren't breaking mid 80's week in week out still have plenty to do on their technical side once you reach that target you are capable of going that step further. However there are always exceptions to the rule in everything we do! If you really feel that your technical ability is there now and you can look yourself in the mirror and say right I am just getting nervy and I can't do much more, then go for it it can't do much worse, can it? There will be some guys out there who just do get really nervy and just can't handle it and maybe it can help you get over that hurdle? I have seen some extreme cases with guys actually shaking in the stand because of squads watching behind, if you get this then I suggest you try to do something to help because this will definitely be costing you targets, it has to be! Anybody else seen that when there is a poor chap ahead and they are physically shaking due to nerves from people watching? Glen.

 

[psych4shooting]

Real sense spoken here, yes I fully agree that those wanting to go on to the bigger goals, the magic 80% plateau is the ceiling many clay shooters reach, then it is hard work and the mental side is the difference. I certainly see the Masterclass program make a difference to many people, as it is an introduction, but also a mix of technical and mental.Those at the top end will benefit from 1-2-1 sessions. It is also a testiment today that there are more than just me in this space - see Henry who is excellent at what he does, Charles Milne at what he does too, so from 20 years ago when I was just a witch doctor there are other professionals working with top and emerging clay shooters.

 

[Fuzrat]

I remeber shooting the Oxon county Helice champs a couple of years back at A1, 4 out of the 6 oxon shooters were tied on 11x12 with the last 3 birds to go (me and the mrs included) it was won on 12x15 with a 3 way tie for 2nd, still on 11 /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-yell.gif  the last guy to shoot nicked the white off of his last bird with the second barrel. Could have done with a bit of mental coaching to get me over the line then /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-cry.gif I do agree the mental side becomes more important the higher up the ranks you go but if it can nick me a couple of extra birds a round, along with working on my technique I can hopefully get up there quicker /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif

 

[** Pending Removal **]

And don't forget the girls.......... Lesley just got her junior to win a Quota place out in Doha for London 2012 not to mention the great improvement she has made in their ladies team!

 

[EdSolomons]

Whatever you do I'm sure you will enjoy yourself with Phil; it really is an interesting subject.If your anything like me you will remember most of it, und use the small parts that apply to/work for you. Some parts just don't seem to have any bearing (for me) but that is the same when learning anything.Enjoy it!

 

[** Pending Removal **]

So.................any answer to my question?

 

[EdSolomons]

If it bothers you, make sure you don't put yourself in a position where it can occur. Stay in the car, use headphones (even if they aren't playing music, people leave you alone etc). Play the game on your terms!

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Ha Ed, you know me well ......it does not bother me, and I am not interested in hiding away because a lot of the enjoyment on international events is being in the thick of it and watching what is going on in a general way.......and talking with people from other countries. What I wanted to know is what techniques there are to deal with this type of situation which you cannot avoid.

 

[EdSolomons]

That's exactly my point though- for those who do struggle with the fluffy rabbits, so and so shot xyz etc it is very avoidable. You make sure you don't put yourself in a position where you are open to outside factors that can negatively influence you.You make the decision that you are goig there to compete, not socialise for example. Headphones in, book in, gear up, sit in car etc and do whatever prep you feel necessary then trundle off to your layout with your phones still in and get the job done.Prepare to compete on terms that best suit you; if it means holding off on the social side of it so be it!

 

[40UP]

Nicola said:

Well said Phil.Don't suppose many on here have heard of the 10,000 hour rule !. .

 Ha, Nicola. Braithwaite said if they don't break through in two years, they don't break through at all. By observation I think he was right.

 

[TobyM]

Nicola said:

Don't suppose many on here have heard of the 10,000 hour rule !. .

Some good points on this thread. Come on Nic, what's this 10,000 hour rule?

 

[GlenPresley]

40UP said:

Nicola said:
Well said Phil.Don't suppose many on here have heard of the 10,000 hour rule !. .

 Ha, Nicola. Braithwaite said if they don't break through in two years, they don't break through at all. By observation I think he was right.
True to some extent but there are shots out there that with sponsorship for one year with no worries apart from shooting could do massive things in the sport. For example, sorry Ed i will use you - Give Ed funding for a year so he does not need to worry about anything else but shooting and see how much further he would go! You need some backing in this game as well as natural talent! How can you possibly achieve great things without it nowadays?I mean Ed probably gets some sponsorship at cost etc but really this is nothing and he could probably right a pretty good CV! Glen.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Tobs it is described really well in many books, but I like it in a book called Bounce (sports psyc) I will lend you a copy as I have two. He has compiled it with others work but it has a lot of interesting things in it. And the 10,000 hour rule is true. I had just about hit it when I won the Europeans.  Thanks Ed......I know what you say/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif.....Michael is always saying it/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif But I am just one of those sociable people....... I like conversation with other nationalities..... especially the men /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-kiss.gif 

 

[GlenPresley]

Fuzrat said:

I remeber shooting the Oxon county Helice champs a couple of years back at A1, 4 out of the 6 oxon shooters were tied on 11x12 with the last 3 birds to go (me and the mrs included) it was won on 12x15 with a 3 way tie for 2nd, still on 11 /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-yell.gif  the last guy to shoot nicked the white off of his last bird with the second barrel. Could have done with a bit of mental coaching to get me over the line then /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-cry.gif I do agree the mental side becomes more important the higher up the ranks you go but if it can nick me a couple of extra birds a round, along with working on my technique I can hopefully get up there quicker /wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif

If I was you Fuzzy I would use that money this year on shooting some different grounds and competing as you have been doing. Give a full season on the circuit and then go for this don't dive into it thinking your going to gain targets due to it, you could be dissapointed. Get some experience under your belt first then add this afterwards. Glen.