Mastering the Mental Game - Part III

“Trust me…I welcome change…

 as long as I don’t have to do anything different

than what I’ve been doing.”

After shaking hands and introducing ourselves, my Master class student sat across from me. Like all my students, his presence here this morning and his faith in me was a privilege for yours truly. I began with a custom of mine, asking him for background information so I could specifically address what he wanted us to accomplish during his time here. He explained that his scores, coupled with mysterious misses and unmet expectations, were his primary concern. He and I were now on the same page.

During our initial conversation, I asked some general questions about his preferred shooting methods. He shared those with me, and right on schedule, the word “inconsistent” came up. His words now…why am I inconsistent? I scored very well on day one but not the day after. Or vice-versa. That good question generated the “the look” that flashed across his face. A look I’d seen many times before. It was an easy-to-miss, anxious look of doubt, him worrying about…what was Dan going to change in his shooting?? A look that came from remembering his accomplishments, the many admirable scores he’d already posted.

Politely, I asked about that look. He smiled and admitted his reluctance, his reservation about changing what was working in his shooting. I shared with him that his caution was very understandable and reasonable. After all (in his mind), why change what was working? Which brought up my next question. Was his method working consistently? Dependably? Could it be trusted? If yes, then we would definitely keep that method and move on. If, however, he said no…that what he was doing was not consistent, not dependable…I asked if he wanted to continue using that method as he was applying it? Enlightened, he opened the door to our making any “needed” changes.

If all this sounds like we’re discussing shooting methods…not entirely. To correct what’s not working consistently in your shooting, consider accepting the need to change what’s not working. This all starts with a sincere openness to change…a cornerstone of the Mental Game.

“Making a big change in your shooting can be unnerving.

Regret will be worse.”

If the facts you believe aren’t working…change the facts. Said humbly, I’ve helped a lot of good people…Novice to Advanced…measurably improve their shooting. The credit goes to them, each and every one. The one common denominator in advancing their skill level and their scores is making the decision to change what needed changing. To improve. While I’m putting a lot of emphasis on the word “needed,” let’s not forget their first accepting those changes and then following through. Acceptance is a first, necessary mental step to ensure real progress in any endeavor. Proven time and time again, once those changes are accepted and applied with trustworthy shooting mechanics, said improvement becomes very predictable. 

Shooting inconsistently is like having a flat tire.

We can’t go anywhere until we change it.

It’s interesting to note that newer shooters are, for the most part, more open to making changes in their game. Understandably so. A bit lost and confused, their door is wide open to accepting recommendations. As for that acceptance with those more experienced shooters who have reinforced and ingrained habits? Maybe not so much. Why? Well…looking back, a lot of targets have been broken. Still are breaking. While all this is comforting and reassuring…with the goal being improvement in the shooting box and on the score card…I ask respectfully… have scores risen? 

As discussed in previous articles, all too often, the absence of improvement can be blamed on a successful event (XX), creating the impression of improvement. Meaning? “Hey…the targets broke. Obviously, I must be getting better.” That impression, inevitably, will soon be challenged by X00X0XX0. The thinking now is…maybe more rounds down range will fix that? Again, believing targets will break. And the truth is, yes, they will break. Consistently? No. Measurable improvement? Again, no. Nor can scores rise on a reasonably consistent basis. Unfortunately, believing that targets can be broken consistently with an inconsistent set-up and/or swing? Sorry. That’s a myth…deader than truth in government.

The intent of this article, and Part I and II, has been to share with you that the Mental Game is not complicated. It’s a lot simpler and realistically more effective than most folks imagine. Diligently implementing a few changes here and there…while maybe not easy…can be incredibly rewarding. And not just on your scorecard. That too, but also on the increased self-confidence and self-esteem side of things. And that right there…while of course, it applies to adults…watch what happens when those changes are introduced to our younger shooters!! My friends…with their much-improved approach to shooting and a hail storm of broken targets falling out of the sky…their smiling faces are a sight to behold!!

Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan Schindler's 3 books: Take Your Best Shot, To The Target and Beyond The Target.  These simple, easy-to-understand books are your road map to consistently and dependably shooting higher scores. They are written for shooters of all skill levels. More information on the Paragon School of Sporting website, along with dozens of blog posts.

Thanks for joining us here. We look forward to you stopping by again.

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About Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses, and making their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!  

"Folks fly from around the world to take lessons with Schindler at River Bend Sportsman’s Resort, his home course in Inman, South Carolina. Clients have included Bush staffers to NASCAR drivers to the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. The approachable teacher has spent 25 years on “gentleman’s coaching” (with social and corporate shooters) and formal instruction (with individuals, groups, and competitors). Schindler has even certified more than 230 instructors using his handcrafted curriculum—a system that signaled his qualification as the first American admitted to the British Guild of Shooting Instructors... “Shooting, like golf, or anything like that, is a mental sport, and he has the mental game down so well.” To find out how he calibrated mind with metal, we head to Japan."

Dan Schindler's Books

"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors

and parents of youth shooters."

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.

To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.

Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.

Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition

THE TRUSTED PRIMER

To The Target (Book II)

Beyond The Target (Book III)