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Tips for Winning Shootoffs

9K views 90 replies 61 participants last post by  Dr. D 
#1 ·
I made ended up tying for first place in C class at the Utah State Singles Championship. I was in a shootoff with 3 others and it did not go well for me. Other than not choking, does anybody have any tips to become more successful in shootoffs.


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#3 ·
Congratulations on being in your first shoot off!
Like Waverider says ,free birds, but for me the excitement never dulls. You just learn to control it a bit better. Deep breaths will help lower your blood pressure, plus gives you something to think about. In the mouth out your nose, or vise versa
Keep your focus like you did to get to the shoot off, and the birds will break.
 
#30 ·
My first shoot off went 2 full rounds and we were both still tied. My competition is a great shooter. It was getting dark, I was tired so when someone asked if we wanted to flip a coin, I said sure..................I lost..........................Great experience BUT I will always shoot until one of us wins next time!
 
#8 · (Edited)
does anybody have any tips to become more successful in shootoffs.
This may sound trite, but, get into more shoot-offs.

The shoot-off you are in today is practice for the next one. The more shoot-offs you participate in, the less daunting they seem.

You've done one now. The mystery is gone. Shoot-off targets are just like any other targets.
 
#38 ·
This may sound trite, but, get into more shoot-offs.
What Tim said, getting into more shoot offs helps and when you are in a shoot off it's just one bird at a time.
In any shootoff that isn't shooting off 100's, you could have avoided the entire shootoff by simply breaking one more bird. That seems to cross my mind every time I'm in a shootoff!
 
#11 ·
The hardest part is moderating your speed. If you shot with your 3 other competitors, a 4 man squad rhythm isn’t bad. But if by yourself or one other, timing can be tough. You can practice some by yourself to work on slowing down and keeping from getting tired.

Be deliberate in your setup and routine. And shoot the targets the same as the event. Remember to shoot your targets, not anyone else’s. Meaning, it’s easy to count their misses and then you start missing your own. Ignore their result. Because if you do your part, theirs don’t matter.

And as Tim said, the more you get in them, the better you’ll be in the long run.
 
#19 ·
Depends on the shootoff. ;-)
Why do some who ask to flip get all bent out of shape when thier competitor wants to shoot .
Henry
I have never once wanted to flip. I always want to shoot. Free targets and the competitor in me wants to earn it. But I will never take a forfeit unless the other person is gone. If the other guy won’t shoot, I’ll flip for it before taking it because the other person doesn’t want to shoot. But that’s just me I guess.
 
#18 ·
I was told that because shoot offs are very often a short squad, you need to put in extra effort to maintain your normal rhythm or even show down. The other shooters may try to control the pace, do not let this happen. Stay in your own lane, meaning focus on you and take your time.
Also, do not turn around to see who is watching. Your total attention needs to be in front of you.
Had a shootoff with a good friend who is a much better shooter. She shook my hand before going to the line and said "I hope you win". I did not, she did, but that was a memorable moment. Just because your shootoff may be against a friend, still give it your all.
All the flat stuff worked for Leo but there only was one Leo.
 
#21 ·
Did you ever notice it’s usually the same people winning shoot offs? It’s skill but also mental. Their is some great books by Lanny Basham (I believe that’s the spelling) about mental winning. Lanny was an Olympic rifle shooter who now trains athletes in the mental part of their game. Good luck
 
#24 ·
I like to walk up to the line and when the squad leader asks to see one just put a shot right into the back of the traphouse. Your competitors, no matter their skill level, will just come unglued. That is what some of the perennial all-americans do.

But seriously, what I like to do occasionally when I am practicing, particularly when I get on a short squad or with some folks I don't know, is pretend that is a shootoff. Walk up to the line with the intention of working hard every target, ignoring everything else that is going around, and generally kicking their butt throughout the 25. It's really good for practicing that level of intensity and focusing on what you need to.
 
#26 ·
Not choking is the ONLY secret to shoot offs. You obviously know how to break targets or you wouldn't be in the shoot off. Shooting any differently in the shoot off than you did in the event that got you there is a recipe for disaster. I know that is easier said than done, but as posted above, you will find it gets easier as you do more of them.
 
#31 ·
Thank you for all of the advice. I was definitely aware of how the other shooters were doing and was not just focused on me. Honestly the thing was over so quick it was like I didn’t know what happened. Hopefully I will do better next time.


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#33 ·
Thank you for all of the advice. I was definitely aware of how the other shooters were doing and was not just focused on me. Honestly the thing was over so quick it was like I didn’t know what happened. Hopefully I will do better next time.


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Dont beat yourself up over it. Its a learning experience, NOBODY WON EVERY SHOOT OF THEY WERE IN! when I walked of the line from one of my first shoot offs someone asked me why my stance was so narrow. T old them that was to keep my knees from knocking! Everyone's nervous at first and it never really goes away, it's just that you get familiar with it and accept it. Hang in there and good luck next time.
 
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