Tips on Pistol Shooting

[hvj1]

Having shot a number of matches, I found that my progress was very slow. The gap between my practice matches and actual matches remained more or less constant. Thats when I decided to do some reading on the subject and came across why I was feeling so stressed out before a match.
In Stress Management, this reaction of the body is called the Fight or Flight Response.
The Fight or Flight response is triggered off by a mental stimuli, (like coming face to face with a tiger, or intruder, or even before taking an exam or competition). The mind perceive a threat, to which the body responds in the following manner,
1. The heart beat increases ...... so that more blood can be pumped into shoulders, neck, legs to prepare for fighting or running away.
2. Sweating increases.............. to cool down the body.
3. Blood to digestive system is reduced (butterflies).........so that blood can be diverted to important muscle groups to prepare it for fighting or running.

The above reactions occur due to secretion of hormones like adrenalin and cortisol.
While all this is useful for survival, its terrible for achieving high performance, particularly in the sport of shooting which calls for steady hands, cool mind and relaxed body.

[fantumfan2003]

hvj1,

Great thread going here....I picked up a book called When you are sinking become a submarine by Pavan Choudary, He is Gagan Narang's mind trainer. Have'nt started the book yet but could be some useful reading.

Bam Sir, also has penned a book on a similar topic.

M.

[hvj1]

Thanks fantumfan

[hvj1]

Mental Trainers and Quacks
There are many wannabe mental trainers out there and some who are really GENUINE. But the funny part of Mental Training is THAT IT IS YOU who are more important than the Mental Trainer. WHY?
1. Because ONLY YOU know , what really CLICKS with YOU.
2. Each Mental Trainer has his own approach to Mental Training. The really good trainers are the ones possess the following attributes;
(a) Ability to empathise or tune in to precisely what is right or wrong with each student and are Flexible in their approach towards each student.
(b) Know how to COMMUNICATE with their students and this is a two way street mind you!
(c) Know the sport in which his student is active, by which I mean, that he has participated at a decent level to appreciate the problems faced by the student.

In my experience, I have found that the best and the worst mental trainers were the parents themselves. Best because most of the times they fulfill the first two conditions and by working closely with a good coach form a team, which helps in supporting the student.
Worst, when instead of reducing STRESS they ADD onto it by heaping their own expectations on their child.
My advice is simple, meet and interact with as many MTs, if things click, results are visible, stick to his advice or dump him FAST.

Finally, am I a Mental Trainer? NO, I am just sharing with you, some of my experiences, which I hope will help you to locate a GENUINE MT.

[jitu sati]

the reactions are really there. as i had told u i just shot my first timed match,albeit a practice one. so if the reactions are so pronounced in a practice match i am sure they will certainly be enhanced in a real one. but i will loyally follow whatever u r telling and i can see my performance improve so no doubts about that. u guide us sir and we will follow
jitu

[jitu sati]

will start the 10 secs holding ex today. will let u know how i am faring
jitu

[hvj1]

Hi Jitu
Whatever I write here is 100% from my own experience and applied knowledge with proven results. Hope sincerely that all of you benefit. Incidentally, somebody I know, read what I am doing here and on tips on pistol shooting. He was surprised and a bit shocked. His comments were;
Arre, tum to pura gyaan logo ko free me de rahe ho. Jab khatam ho jai gaa to kya karoge. ( You are giving away your knowledge fre of cost, when it gets over what will you do?)
My reply was : Gyaan baatne se ghattha nahin hai, badtha hai. (by sharing knowledge, you gain more in knowledge)
You will often find dumbasses like these in our world. But its just like farming, you plant a seed and nature provides you a bounty. That is why I love this site, with so many people eager to share their knowledge, with no expectations. To my mind this is how we can enlighten the world with knowledge thereby banishing ignorance. So, join your candle to mine and together we can enlighten ourselves and through us the world.
Regards

[hvj1]

All the best!

[jitu sati]

hey hvj that 10 secs holding is tough. initial repetitions the hand was pretty steady but starts tiring in the later ones and then the foresight starts dipping. but will continue.yesterday the first day could only manage 60%. hope with time i will improve
jitu

[jitu sati]

absolutely behind u in this sir. so keep enlightening us and we will try and emulate in our later years
jitu

[jitu sati]

managed to reach 70% but with lot of effort. the arm starts shaking in the last repetitions
jitu

[hvj1]

Jitu
You are doing quite fine, as a matter of fact for a beginner, the % level you have achieved and the progress you are making is indeed remarkable. You must reach 100%. Use the tips I gave you on box drilling, diary etc.
Regards

[hvj1]

After coming to know what the Fight or Flight response is. I set about trying to figure out, how one can control this reponse and turn it around to my advantage. As mentioned before, our sport, shooting, calls for relaxed body and cool mind, heart beat normal or even slowed down. So how does one achieve this?
It was then that I came across Dr. Herbert Benson's book on the 'Relaxation Response'. The relaxation response is a method, wherein one trains one's body to relax. This method takes time, but I was determined to learn and master any technique which would help me to evercome my prematch tension.

[jitu sati]

hope u r going to give us some of these relaxation techniques. By God, we do really need them.
jitu

[jitu sati]

took a days break yesterday as it seemed as if the left shoulder muscle had got strained. am fine today. will restart
jitu