Coaches Corner

CONCENTRATION

Correct concentration during a shooting performance is absolutely crucial.  Without it, even the best of shooting positions is of limited value.  The first and most essential charactaristic  of concentration is that it be on performance.  It must be focused on controlling the body and releasing the shot.  It must not be on the score you might or might not get, or on other competitors who might win, or on anything else that is not directly related to your own performance. Secondly, the entire mental process must be positive.  The mind should be directing the body in what it would do.  It should not be concerned with the negative side of performance, with thinking about what you should not do. In a word, concentration should be on performance, and it should be positive.

Perhaps an example would be the best way of illustrating these principles.  Lets imagine two shooters who are both  half way through their match.  They are of equal physical ability.  Both have just had their last shots drift out into the inner at 3 o’clock.  The first shooter is rattled by the loss of a point and it’s possible effect on the outcome of the match.   He begins to compute the number of bulls that he must pick up above his average in order to recoup this loss.  With the score still in his mind, he takes aim, thinking to himself, ‘I cannot afford to shoot another inner’.  Flustered by the fear of another mishap, he attempts to rush the trigger the instant the rifle moves into the centre and as a result upsets the hold and changes the angle of recoil.  The consequence is another shot into the inner.

Now the other shooter has learned the value of positive concentration on performance.  When his last shot drifted into the inner, he began  immediately analyzing his performance.  He recalled that he had slightly moved his foot before putting the rifle into place, and probably moved his natural area of aim somewhat to the right.  He moved his foot the fraction of an inch back to it’s original placement, reloaded, and tested his position.  It felt right, and the aim seemed to centre naturally in the centre ring. He concentrated on sight picture and hold long enough to judge both as satisfactory, then carefully released the shot, shifting his concentration to maintaining follow –through. The result was a shot dead in the centre of the bull.

The first shooter thought about his score, the second shooter thought about his performance.  The first shooter allowed negative thoughts to enter his mind, the second was entirely positive to performance. Both riflemen have equal physical ability, but the first will lose the match and the second will win.    He will win because he has developed the ability to concentrate exclusively on the positive aspects of performance and forget about score altogether.  He knows that if he minds his performance, his score will take care of itself.  The ability to concentrate is one of the most important skills of the champion shooter.

 

 

 

 

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