The 2023 NRA F-Class Long Range Nationals are currently underway at Ben Avery range, Phoenix. This is a very tough competition. The targets are at 1,000 yards, and you need a rifle that can shoot with extreme accuracy. To win at competitive shooting, you need a rifle with high accuracy, excellent ammo and good optics. You also need to be physically fit. Click Here for the Current Results of the 2023 F Class Nationals. But there is also a “mental game”. You must mentally prepare for the match. You should be relaxed and focused, but also able to handle stress from a bad hit or a sudden wind change. Experts suggest that you should also visualize the perfect shot. Chip Lohman, SSUSA’s former editor, wrote a great article entitled Shooting is 90% mental. Lohman examines mental processes in shooting sports with the help of two Ph.D. types, Judy Tant, and Mike Keyes. Chip’s coauthors are impressive. Dr. Judy Tant, a Clinical Psychologist and National Bullseye Pistol Champion, is a Clinical Psychology. Dr. Michael J. Keyes is a licensed psychiatrist and former physician of the U.S. Shooting Team. Click HERE to read the article. Recommended Books to Improve Your Shooting and Focus Your Mental GameAlong with the article, there are several good books that can help you improve mental game and perform well in competition. Here are seven books that will help you improve your mental game and your shooting skills. These books are available at Amazon.com and Creedmoor Sports. Mental Game Books from Creedmoor Sports Sport Psychology & Competition: The Psyche Of The Shot
This book is a guide for systematically preparing yourself for shooting competitions. It contains 1,000 photos, 200 exercises and a 6-week plan. The Bullseye Mind
Bullseye Mind, the first mental training guide for sport shooters, is now available. Mental Training in Shooting
The book “Mental Training in Shooting” offers practical advice on techniques and mental preparation. Amazon’s Mental Game and Marksmanship Bookstore Mental Preparation for Matches Advice by Emil Praslick
We also offer some advice from Emil Praslick III. Former USAMU coach. Praslick was considered one of the world’s best wind readers. He also helped his shooters master “mental game”. This article from the CMP Archives explains how Praslick focused his mind to achieve greater results. Think Your Way to Success
Emil Praslick
Why do you think the same small group of shooters seems to win the majority of matches? What is the difference between shooters who are technically equivalent? Confidence. Confidence. Shooting a poor shot. Negative thoughts such as “can’t” or “won’t be able to” etc. will ruin a skilled performance. A skilled performance will be destroyed. The mind will not focus on the task at hand, but rather on expressing fear and doubt. Confidence is the cure for fear. How can a shooter who is about to compete in an important match… achieve the confidence necessary to perform to his full potential? A mental plan for the competition can help you achieve a positive mental state. The plan can be broken into several phases. Create a sense of preparedness. You will feel more prepared on matchday if you develop and execute a plan for organizing your equipment and prematch routine. Avoid negative or stressful thoughts. Stress can be caused by focusing on “winning” a match or shooting to a specific score, such as making the “cut” (or making the President’s hundred). Good shooters concentrate on aspects they can control: their sight image, their alignment of their sights, and their position. Each shot should be treated individually. Train stage-specific tasks in your practice sessions. Include drills that target your problem areas instead of only shooting matches or practicing matches. This type of training will increase your confidence. Imagine yourself hitting the perfect shot as part of your routine before a match. Visualize yourself in the perfect position and acquiring a perfect sight image, as well as perfect trigger control.
