Week 13 with 10m AP !

[Agt. Smith]

Going upper right is the result of anticipating the shot. You are effectively pushing forward with the heel of your hand. You should just be focusing on the front sight whilst applying pressure on the trigger with the shot released at between 5 and 8 seconds.

Yes - I think I have been working that. Most of my shots are normally pretty much on the Y axis - with some high because I'm not low enough in sub-6 when I make the shot. I find my scores/groups are better if I execute a slow "fly-by" method. (.....from Pryor's "Bullseye Mind")

Engage the first stage just above the bull, then begin trigger squeeze as I'm passing through the bull then when I get to sub-6 complete the shot.

It was scary at first, but it's getting better (trusting mindset). This may (probably will) change, but for now it seems to be working.

[thisisdonald]

Theres not enough chat about accuracy skills and mindset in my opinion... we have so many shooters on this forum and so few actually talk about improving their skills, or share techniques.. I've only been shooting about 35 years, so much still to learn!

[Agt. Smith]

Theres not enough chat about accuracy skills and mindset in my opinion... we have so many shooters on this forum and so few actually talk about improving their skills, or share techniques.. I've only been shooting about 35 years, so much still to learn!

Actually, the Pilkington stuff, and the link you shared, are excellent.

And as far as improving skills goes - at week 14, I have an unimaginable amount to learn. Some of my previous CF stuff will help, but only to a certain extent.

[andrew375]

A few things to help with the psychology side.

Every shot you take is going to be a dead centre bull. Tell yourself this as you bring the pistol up to target, I also envision a mental picture of what the target is going to look like through the spotting scope with the shot neatly in the middle of the bull. Never think anything along the lines of "all I've got to do is an 8" , because it means you won't be putting as much thought or effort as you would otherwise.

When you have a bad shot, don't dwell on it. Do not think to yourself "don't do that again " , because that is what you will do! If you find you get distracted by bad shots try shooting without spotting.

Always concentrate on what you did right. Analyse what you did wrong, but move forward and think about what you are going to do right.

Always use the correct target for the distance and always score your target. Use these scores to arrive at an average score for yourself. ALL SCORES go into the average, don't leave out a card because it is "bad". Doing this allows you to track your performance over time. Also, you will need an average if you are going to enter competitions.

The most important tip though is to always consider that the shot you are going to take is the most important you will ever make; this is the shot that will win the Gold. Every shot counts. Do not allow yourself any "throw away shots ". This is because there may come a time the next is indeed the most important shot of your life but your brain hasn't been trained to treat it as such.

[thisisdonald]

When you have a bad shot, don't dwell on it. Do not think to yourself "don't do that again " , because that is what you will do! If you find you get distracted by bad shots try shooting without spotting.

This was one of the most important factors for me. I used to shoot at a range that had a camera on the target and a small tv at the firing point. Analysing shot by shot quickly became an exercise in frustration, then in temptation as I tried not to look at it between shots. Eventually I just turned it all off and it was much easier to get my head in the game. My eyesight was good enough to see some of the light coming through the card, so I just had to concentrate on my front sight and nothing else.
I used to dry fire at a dirty spot on the wall in my oldest boys room.. this was great practice as it was an indistinct smudge roughly the shape of a circle. I chose what my release picture was and just practiced practised practised.
If I sell this Walther Gold Cup LBP I have, I might purchase another Feinwerkbau 100/2/3 or maybe a pcp as my club have bought a compressor.

[Agt. Smith]

A few things to help with the psychology side.
When you have a bad shot, don't dwell on it. Do not think to yourself "don't do that again " , because that is what you will do! If you find you get distracted by bad shots try shooting without spotting.

I think I've got this down - I do not dwell on a bad shot. (after watching guys at the range have a tantrum when they shoot a 7)

But I will try the "every shot is a dead center bull". I like how that sounds.

Two of the biggest contributors to my progress so far are:

1) don't move your feet until the target is finished. (I was dancing all over the place.....newbie thing I suspect)

2) don't think about the shot per se, think about the components, in order, that make up the shot. (this was literally huge!!)

Still trying to wrap my head around Pryor's "the thinking mind vs. the trusting mind". That may take a while.

Thanks for the advice.