As everyone knows, counting during a competition is bad. You are supposed to focus on THIS shot, not the last 10 shots or the next 10 shots. It's hard to stay in the zone if you are counting shots.
However, we have all had that squad mate who will say things like "Wow, you cleared the last 3 lanes" (no one has said that to me for a while) or "If you hit this next one, you will be 1 up on Paul". They usually aren't trying to get in your head, but lack of malice doesn't help you get out of your own way in these situations.
Here's a funny thing about me: I like shooting under pressure. I like shoot offs. I like being neck in neck with my arch-nemesis. I like side bets and smack talk.
Something I have always done in any competitive endeavor is to find a way to apply pressure during practice. When you practice with pressure, you know how to shoot under pressure when it matters.
The way that I apply pressure during FT practice is pretty easy. Just throw down a mildly difficult target, say a 1" kill zone at 25 yards, and hit it 10 times. If you miss, start over. Don't leave until you have 10 in a row. Told you it was easy. The first time you get to shot 7 or 8, you will start to feel the pressure. That's good, it's working. Focus on your breathing and keep making good shots. If it's too easy, move it back to 40 yards. If it's too hard, move it up to 15 yards.
A side benefit of this is that the next time you see a 25 yard target with a 1 inch KZ, it will feel like a chip shot.
If you are just starting out, maybe go for 5 shots instead of 10. Just pick a number that is hard but achievable.
At the next shoot, keep track of the targets you are struggling with and use those targets in your practice sessions. Maybe it's a 12 yarder with a 1/2" KZ, or maybe the good old 53 yarder. Or maybe the elevated targets. I wouldn't recommend going 10 in a row on standing or kneeling shots, fatigue can lead to bad habits.
However, we have all had that squad mate who will say things like "Wow, you cleared the last 3 lanes" (no one has said that to me for a while) or "If you hit this next one, you will be 1 up on Paul". They usually aren't trying to get in your head, but lack of malice doesn't help you get out of your own way in these situations.
Here's a funny thing about me: I like shooting under pressure. I like shoot offs. I like being neck in neck with my arch-nemesis. I like side bets and smack talk.
Something I have always done in any competitive endeavor is to find a way to apply pressure during practice. When you practice with pressure, you know how to shoot under pressure when it matters.
The way that I apply pressure during FT practice is pretty easy. Just throw down a mildly difficult target, say a 1" kill zone at 25 yards, and hit it 10 times. If you miss, start over. Don't leave until you have 10 in a row. Told you it was easy. The first time you get to shot 7 or 8, you will start to feel the pressure. That's good, it's working. Focus on your breathing and keep making good shots. If it's too easy, move it back to 40 yards. If it's too hard, move it up to 15 yards.
A side benefit of this is that the next time you see a 25 yard target with a 1 inch KZ, it will feel like a chip shot.
If you are just starting out, maybe go for 5 shots instead of 10. Just pick a number that is hard but achievable.
At the next shoot, keep track of the targets you are struggling with and use those targets in your practice sessions. Maybe it's a 12 yarder with a 1/2" KZ, or maybe the good old 53 yarder. Or maybe the elevated targets. I wouldn't recommend going 10 in a row on standing or kneeling shots, fatigue can lead to bad habits.
