Nerves.....what to do?

Phoenixflier

Phoenixflier

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I have been competing quite successfully in our club HFT (SWEFTA), events (5 so far), which is shot over 20 targets every two weeks.

I have put in a lot of practice (on sticks), and got my holdovers, parallax, stance and pellets all as good as I can get them.

When I practice the course, apart from the odd 55yd target I do well.

However, on the day of the event (today), I get VERY nervous, my heart is going like a hammer and I have to try and shoot between heartbeats.

It takes me a few targets to settle down, and get my confidence back.

Today, even though there was virtually no wind, I was missing the kill on 3 of the first 4 targets, which were sitters!

Any words of wisdom, or is it case of just keep entering / practicing and get used to competing?
 
A lot of other people competing are probably feeling the same as you, even the sure shot leaders. You're just practicing to get better, with a likely good day out.
Go for the competition, but remember to enjoy yourself
 
I used to get this playing poker. Was absolutely fine in practice, playing online low stakes etc, but the moment I sat at a real table for a meaningful stake, and picked up a hand, I would struggled to control the nerves and adrenaline. My hands shook so much you'd be forgiven for thinking I was doing semaphore. Apparently that was quite a tell and needless to say I got slaughtered by the more excperienced players.
I didn't find a silver bullet solution. Controlled breathing and practice helped.
 
Phoenixflier said:
I have been competing quite successfully in our club HFT (SWEFTA), events (5 so far), which is shot over 20 targets every two weeks.

I have put in a lot of practice (on sticks), and got my holdovers, parallax, stance and pellets all as good as I can get them.

When I practice the course, apart from the odd 55yd target I do well.

However, on the day of the event (today), I get VERY nervous, my heart is going like a hammer and I have to try and shoot between heartbeats.

It takes me a few targets to settle down, and get my confidence back.

Today, even though there was virtually no wind, I was missing the kill on 3 of the first 4 targets, which were sitters!

Any words of wisdom, or is it case of just keep entering / practicing and get used to competing?
Click to expand...
Think about baseball, it works for " intimate" activities.👍😂
 
Advice from an Olympic rifle gold medallist, Lanny Bassham: "Make Process Primary".

In essence this means concentrating totally on executing each stage of the shot well. Not thinking about the outcome/score. Shoot well and the score will happen.

You've started positively by putting the effort into building good technique. However, here's the next bit of advice from Mr Bassham:

"A good shooter works on technique until he can hit. But a champion works on technique until he can't miss!"

In practice, what that means is getting to a stage where you're certain that if you execute the shot right you will hit.
 
Meditation will calm your breathing and heart-rate - if you put the time and effort into it.

Not going to be a "quick fix" at all but maybe worth giving it a shot?

Your elevated heart and breathing rate are a reaction to the perceived "stress" of the situation.
If you can approach the event more calmly then it is likely to produce a less dramatic reaction in your body.
 
Had you possibly had a decent amount of coffee that morning? I get it sometimes when I’ve had just a smidge too much (or too much on an empty stomach) and the resultant hit feels exactly like what you describe
 
Thanks chaps, lots of good advice.

Its definitely a mind set problem. Somehow, I have got to try and de stress and be more confident, easy to say....but difficult in practice.

The worst bit is that in practice, I can nail the same targets virtually every time, even in strong winds and subsequently get really frustrated and have negative "I cant do this" type thoughts as soon as the comp starts and I miss a 30yd sitter!.

Probably over thinking it............as I do with most hobbies / sports I have competed in.

Note to self..........Relax, pretend its a practice session and enjoy it!.
chouchin66 said:
Think about baseball, it works for " intimate" activities.👍😂
Click to expand...
No idea what that is supposed to mean!.
 
Duff Beer said:
Had you possibly had a decent amount of coffee that morning? I get it sometimes when I’ve had just a smidge too much (or too much on an empty stomach) and the resultant hit feels exactly like what you describe
Click to expand...
Yes, good point, I'll stick to plain water next time thx.
 
Hi Phoenixflier,

I had similar issues on clays.

You need to stop caring what other people think, just shoot for yourself and for your best score.
If that score happens to be better than the others, the bonus is you win, if not, you've had a great time trying to improve your score.

You're not alone, I can guarentee the people watching will be wanting you to shoot well.
 
Some parts of these might be relevant?

news.stanford.edu

How pro athletes handle pressure – and how you can, too

When they’re at their best, athletes are focused on the present, says sport psychologist Kelli Moran-Miller, “not worrying about outcomes, how important a particular moment is, or what could go wrong.”
news.stanford.edu news.stanford.edu

www.sciencealert.com

More Than Muscles: How Olympic Athletes Use Psychological Strategies

Participating in the Olympic Games is a rare achievement; the pressures and stressors that come with it are unique.
www.sciencealert.com www.sciencealert.com

As you say
"The worst bit is that in practice, I can nail the same targets virtually every time"

Clearly the issue is not with your shooting per se then but with your reaction to stress and the resulting thinking habits.
More Psychology than shooting technique, kit or other more tangible things.

Stay focused on the current shot - never let a "Miss" distract you from the next shot or that will suffer too.
 
Phoenixflier said:
Thanks chaps, lots of good advice.

Its definitely a mind set problem. Somehow, I have got to try and de stress and be more confident, easy to say....but difficult in practice.

The worst bit is that in practice, I can nail the same targets virtually every time, even in strong winds and subsequently get really frustrated and have negative "I cant do this" type thoughts as soon as the comp starts and I miss a 30yd sitter!.

Probably over thinking it............as I do with most hobbies / sports I have competed in.

Note to self..........Relax, pretend its a practice session and enjoy it!.

No idea what that is supposed to mean!.
Click to expand...
Think about sumpin' non related to your present activity...
 
i suspect just shooting more and shooting more competitions will be the answer, familiarize yourself to the situation and by this familiarization you will become calmer. You could also try :

1, getting fitter when i was unfit all the getting up and sitting down was exhausting and raising my base HR
2, have a look at ashwagandha tablets ( I am not a Dr and this is not medical advice, always consult a Dr)

no magic cures but over time i suspect you will get more familiar with the competition situation
 
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