[jeri534]

I tracked my shoots last season, I averaged a 95, I found the biggest issue for me is getting through my first two stations clean, I find a lot of my 97s and 98s last season I would drop 1 or 2 on my first 10 shots and run the rest.

more often times than not if I can get through the first 10 shots I will run the round but those first 5-10 cause me a bunch of problems
What tips/methods have you taught yourself to get through that initial anxiety/nervousness when shooting competition ?

 

[FLIP]

Try the practice trap first

 

[RetiredinPa]

I have the most success when they set the trap to throw them straight!!!

 

[Brownie91]

Try and watch the round before you. See some targets and get that first bit of focus before you go out to the line. It can be tough to shake even the smallest bit of nerves at the beginning of a round. Control your breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth When you get to your first post ALWAYS start with the basics. Get a good lock on your target. Head down, smooth move.

 

[well digger]

I believe it was Frank Hoppe that said when you have butterfly's breath in deep and blow out your mouth , because butterfly's cant fly in the wind

 

[jeff.welsh03]

I have to agree with getting into the deep/slow breathing. It's hard to create your routine cleanly from the get go. Extra focus on your normal routine and maybe talking yourself through your tried and true mechanics can take some energy away from early nerves and doubt.

 

[MDeY]

Shot with a guy years ago that would say "Do You Want the Bird to Come Out or Are You Afraid Its Going To"
So sometimes I tell myself, fly out I dare ya, your gettin smoked. But then again I'm not shooting as good as you are.
And I might not want to sign for station 1, put my name farther down the line.

 

[WadHopper]

Shoot your last two traps first. Your brain can't tell the difference between 100 targets but your conscious thought can so pretend you've already shot 50 straight when you approach the line. Trust yourself.

 

[birdtracker]

the best of the best have it mentally. I don't have it mentally and probably never will. Birdtracker

 

[emmylou1]

"Just break this one bird" doesn't feel overwhelming .

 

[porthos]

suck it up!

 

[Perazzi_MX8]

If you shoot enough the butterflies will go away. Just stick to the basics for each shot and do your best to hit them centered. The scores will take care of themselves. Missing the fist bird out and ending up with a 99 shows your determination and that you’re never going to give up. I’ve done it a few times and you can too. Missing early just usually means it’s just great practice from here on out. It’s a great surprise if you’re in a shoot-off but it means you’re tied and nothing more, no matter what your score is.

 

[Whit John]

I’m new to shooting official competitions but I have played music in front of thousands and thousands of people my entire life. When I was young and first starting, the way I got through it was to zone everything out to where I could hear the band but was so deeply focused on myself that nothing else mattered. Crowds, cameras, lights, nothing. I relate shooting the same way. Essentially you’re on stage for everyone to see. You know what to do. Your job is to do what you know from 1 to 100. You have to zone out and get your self so focused that literally nothing can snap you out of your focus. It’s hard to explain that kind of focus to someone but that’s how you make it happen. Don’t ever try to have a conversation with me while i have a guitar in my hand. It ain’t happening!

 

[Scatterfun]

a lot of good advice already, I’m sure something will help. My thoughts are a practice round if you can, or to watch a round and gain the focus during that stage and just have the confidence to not worry about it. Could try the opposite approach, walk out like you’ve already lost and the whole round is just practice for the next big tournament.

 

[rj101]

Miss the first bird......no more worries then.

Actually I like to remind myself there isn't a trap bird that I haven't broken many many times before......then one at a time.

 

[Dsplee]

You aren’t alone, I have a similar issue with sporting clays. Mine isn’t always at the beginning but I usually have a couple poor stations in row and a couple good runs before and after. Not sure why.

 

[billyboy07208]

Relax
No one else cares if you miss