[benos]

BigJoni and I were talking tonight about what is commonly called the "pre-shot routine" in golf, and how it relates to shooting a stage, a shot in a game of pool, and so on.

For an IPSC shooter, the pre-shot routine would be everything you think about or do within about the last 10 minutes before you shoot a stage. Your pre-shot routine ends at the buzzer.

Eventually, a good pre-shot routine would include two goals: To remove all doubt, and to prepare the mind so thinking is not required once the activity begins.
be

[h2osport]

Interesting! Understanding your limitations and abilities is probably the hurdle to accomplishing those two things. If you believe that you need to constantly get better, you may never realize you have the tools/skills that will allow you to remove all doubt and stop thinking.

[TWHaz]

benos, on Jun 11 2009, 08:57 PM, said:

BigJoni and I were talking tonight about what is commonly called the "pre-shot routine" in golf, and how it relates to shooting a stage, a shot in a game of pool, and so on.

For an IPSC shooter, the pre-shot routine would be everything you think about or do within about the last 10 minutes before you shoot a stage. Your pre-shot routine ends at the buzzer.

Eventually, a good pre-shot routine would include two goals: To remove all doubt, and to prepare the mind so thinking is not required once the activity begins.
be

I had not used any PSR (pre-shot routine) until I noticed GM's on Youtube and the PSR's they use.
You can see the end of Eric G's if you watch his standing starts.
I am not sure I have one. "Yet"
BE what does yours contain?
It would make a good Youtube video for fun to have all the GM's and their PSR's

[CHA-LEE]

My pre-shot routine is pretty simple. It starts when the RO calls out for the next shooter, which would be me. When I hear the RO call out for the next shooter I will take 3 – 4 deep breaths as I walk to the line, while trying my best to calm all of the noisy thoughts in my mind. When I am at the line I wait for the “Load and make ready” from the RO and I will do so, in the same fashion every time mechanically. (draw, load the mag, double check that there is a round in the chamber, safety, holster, then double check the mags on my belt to make sure that the first bullet is fully seated). Then I will quickly run through the stage in my mind. At this point my mind should be free of random thoughts or questions. If it is not, this sounds super strange, but I will look into the sky and find a cloud to focus on until I can see it slowly moving in the sky. Or if a cloud isn’t available I will look at a tuft of grass or weed on the berm and watch it move from the wind. Or some other natural calming happening that I can focus on. This only takes maybe 5 seconds but somehow works to completely clear my mind of random thoughts. Once my mind is calm, I nod my head for the RO and wait for the buzzer. Then its off to the races

Pretty cheesy huh

[boz1911]

"removing self doubt"

Three words that carry a ton of weight.

I always remind myself I've done everything I can to prepare for this stage and I'm going to shoot it well.

[Traveller]

This is a good topic, and one that we (I) probably don't spend enough thought / time on. Before finding this game, I was an avid golfer and one of the biggest issues I'd see a player make at any level was getting wrapped up in cycle of analyzing -> correcting --> analyzing --> correcting on the course. All that this mental "noise" accomplished was to distract from the goal of putting a good swing on the ball. Practice and drill-type thoughts are for the range (driving range or shooting range). By the time you get to a match you apply the skills you have ingrained.

The advice in golf is "If you didn't bring it with you, you won't find it here". Applys to a match as well.

[notasccrmom]

My PSR really begins with the walkthrough, since everything is based on what I figure out during that few minutes. When pasting targets before I'm up, I usually zone out to an extent and just clear my mind. When I'm on deck, I run through my stage plan a few more times in my head. When the targets are being scored and pasted for the last shooter before me, I take a final walkthrough. During the make ready, I manipulate the gun in the "face box" only. After the make ready, I take a few deep breaths and position my off-hand where it needs to be for the start while keeping my right hand either on my gun or on my stomach (not in the start position) until I am ready. I move my right hand into the start position when I am good to go. I inhale one last time at the "Are you ready?" and exhale at the "Standby".

Pretty simple eh?

[Al Capizzo]

boz1911, on Jun 13 2009, 05:24 AM, said:

I always remind myself I've done everything I can to prepare for this stage and I'm going to shoot it well.

I like this, concise and positive

[Pat Harrison]

For me, most of the important stuff starts when I'm on deck.
But really it depends on you. Some need to be in the zone, and stay there, from the second they walk on a stage, others can turn it on and off until they are ready to shoot. I try to keep my mind open until I am on deck, then I will finalize my plan and walk through it once and visualize it until I get the LAMR. LAMR is pretty routine so I don't really pay much attention to it, it's just a distraction. When I'm loaded I'll visualize one more time then assume the start.
I usually can vary my plan almost right up until I am going hot. I see some shooters who get so set in their plan that when a better way through is observed from another shooter, they can't make the adjustment to the new plan. Or are so set they don't see the better way at all.

[UW Mitch]

I used to not even scope the stage at all. I thought I would become a better shooter by problem solving on the fly. I found this to be a great hinderance and ultimately source of frustration (with myself). Now my pre-shoot routine starts with the finish of the last stage - cleaning and loading mags for the upcoming stage. I'm still working it out, but once I'm "on deck" I start increasing my visualization of my plan, but I keep taping. When I'm "on deck" I try to sit out from helping and really give my equipment a quick check, more visualization.

I'm moving towards the "remove all doubt" - but that's something I really need to work on. Know that I'm going to execute a plan, not just hope that it happens.

~Mitch

[eerw]

I can tell you ...

taking a phone call while being two shooter's down to the on deck shooter is not the way to have proper focus. even on a simple COF.
Learned that yesterday. Even if the call is from your wife

[Jman]

My coach taught me that my "PSR" should never exceed the count of 15. He timed me doing this and it took me 15-17 seconds rather routinely. He told me the demons take over not long after the 15-17 second mark. He was right.


He name is Fred Miller and he's one of best PGA teaching pros in the biz IMO


Weird parallels in the two games.



Jim

[shooterbenedetto]

For me, I always scope out the stages and plan ahead for every stage. This way, If I get called as the first shooter, I can shoot it calmly. If not, I usually would do my plan on the walk thru in the SIMPLIEST WAY!.If I get called and I'M NOT READY, I say I'm not ready!! its your right as a shooter.. I would then set my mind and plan while loading my mags. Once I'm on deck, I close my eyes and visualize the whole stage in my mind as the front shooter goes thru. After his shot, I follow up on the stage and walk thru the
whole plan until I'm done. When everyone is done taping, I'm usually walking back to the starting position.
Ro will then call for "load and make ready" at this time, I'm calming my self down taking my time to load my
gun and unlocking my holster then taking a grip on my gun 5x. I nod and off I go!

[benos]

JimmyM, on Jun 15 2009, 03:16 PM, said:

Weird parallels in the two games.

Lke golfers, shooters spend a lot of time on the range w/o actually doing anything but thinking.

Once I decided on target order and mag change locations, I'd visualize in detail everything I would see for every target. And I didn't learn this until many years into it - I'd also visualize what I was going to see and how I was going to feel while I was moving/not shooting.

I would repeat that stage's visualization over and over until I could smoothly play a movie in my head of everything I was going to see and do.

Although technically that doesn't fit into the "PSR," it is essential because it plays a big part in removing all doubt.

Find a sequence to always follow when you "load an make ready."

Over the years, and depending on the type of match and COF, I experimented with various "last things to say in my head"
A couple -
Relax and shoot at "90%" - and you will shoot the stage as good as you can shoot it.
Be sure to set up and feel and see what you know you need feel and see for the first shot, before you shoot.

Then a nod at "shooter ready," a slight exhale on "stand by" as I held a crystal clear mental image of the previous sentence (while waiting for the buzzer).
be

[BritinUSA]

benos, on Jun 15 2009, 05:14 PM, said:

Once I decided on target order and mag change locations, I'd visualize in detail everything I would see for every target. And I didn't learn this until many years into it - I'd also visualize what I was going to see and how I was going to feel while I was moving/not shooting.

I would repeat that stage's visualization over and over until I could smoothly play a movie in my head of everything I was going to see and do.

I tried something similar at a Nationals a few years back (I think it was Missoula). When I was able to concentrate it seemed to work very well. I could remember not only the target position but the layout of the hardcover areas on the targets. My problem is being unable to concentrate on one thing at a time. I frequently work on multiple problems/issues at the same time at work so I now have problems focusing on any single thing; As I writing this I'm listening to a news program, thinking about sorting out my ammo for the CO State match and tomorrow's shopping list. There's too much noise in my head.

Once I have my plan in place I try (not always successfully) to just empty my head during the LAMR. I'm too easily distracted.

[benos]

BritinUSA, on Jun 15 2009, 05:54 PM, said:

I'm too easily distracted.

I would say that's becoming increasingly common. And our modern culture is encouraging it.

I live near a university... so I see people on the move all the time. Walking, biking, skateboarding, or driving - I seldom see anyone just doing what they are doing any more. Everyone's talking on their cell phone, sending a text, or listening to or messing with their iPod while commuting. Hardly do I ever notice anyone that is aware of their immediate surroundings.

But if you want to change, you can. The older I get, and the more I realize the direct benefit that comes with just paying attention, the less and less I enjoy doing more than one thing at a time. I used to not have a problem walking while talking on my cell phone. But I don't even like to do that any more - because I miss out on the walking experience.
be

[R A Miller]

Studies show that multi-tasking is less efficient than working on one task at a time.

benos, on Jun 15 2009, 08:40 PM, said:

But if you want to change, you can. The older I get, and the more I realize the direct benefit that comes with just paying attention, the less and less I enjoy doing more than one thing at a time. I used to not have a problem walking while talking on my cell phone. But I don't even like to do that any more - because I miss out on the walking experience.
be

I'm with you on this Brian. Whether it's going for a walk or at work, I like to concentrate on the task at hand. I'm a civil engineer and if I need to interpret a construction contract document, write a technical specification, perform design calculations or a myriad of other parts of my job that require concentration, I shut the door to my office and turn off the phone. I complete the task much more quickly without distractions.

Back on topic.

benos, on Jun 11 2009, 10:57 PM, said:

Eventually, a good pre-shot routine would include two goals: To remove all doubt, and to prepare the mind so thinking is not required once the activity begins.
be

I like this and it's very timely for me. I am trying to develop a pre-shot routine, something I do each time at LAMR. This is separate from the stage walk through, planing and visualization, though as Brian pointed out this is "essential because it plays a big part in removing all doubt". I also like the idea of limiting the PSR to 15 seconds or less.

I would be interested in hearing more examples of the PSR folks use.

Thanks,

Rick

[XRe]

There have been several threads on this.... Like this one: http://www.brianenos...showtopic=73054 - I detailed my so-called "PSR" in there. Golf is a good analogy for this for me. In golf, you have two periods of time in between shots (assuming no untoward delays) - there's a period of time that starts immediately after you evaluate the last shot where you're assessing your lie, wind, target conditions, evaluating the different possibilities for shots you can play, and finally making a decision about what shot to play. Depending on upon the time you have, you may visualize this shot several times - you may even take a couple of practice swings from a similar stance, etc. Then you move into PSR. This is a personalized routine that should be kept as short as practical, but still allow you to do all the things you need to do in order to execute a good shot - this includes some "settling" exercises, addressing the ball and confirming alignment, final visualization, any self affirmations, etc, and finally, swing.

We have both periods in shooting. Because the course of fire doesn't change, the former period can begin long before we arrive on the stage, and ends right before we shoot. In fact, for me, it ends right before LAMR. At LAMR, I follow a pre-determined, set routine that prepares me to shoot, and facilitates the handoff from conscious to sub-conscious control. Its relatively short (~ 30 seconds or so), and every step has a purpose involved. I need more time in this "PSR" than I do with my golf PSR, simply because the action I'm undertaking is longer, and I have to take several actions to ready myself (load the gun, etc). To shorten this to 15 seconds, I have to remove at least one element that I have found necessary for my best success.

[SA Friday]

JimmyM, on Jun 15 2009, 04:16 PM, said:

My coach taught me that my "PSR" should never exceed the count of 15. He timed me doing this and it took me 15-17 seconds rather routinely. He told me the demons take over not long after the 15-17 second mark. He was right.


He name is Fred Miller and he's one of best PGA teaching pros in the biz IMO


Weird parallels in the two games.



Jim

HUGE! I crash and burn on the sections of a stage that I find concerning during walk through. It's like they fester as you mentally wrestle with them during PSR. Something as simple as stepping out of the box and shooting at the same time. Next thing you know, foot fault. They become self inflicted crashes.

[Jman]

SA Friday, on Jun 16 2009, 11:45 AM, said:

HUGE! I crash and burn on the sections of a stage that I find concerning during walk through. It's like they fester as you mentally wrestle with them during PSR. Something as simple as stepping out of the box and shooting at the same time. Next thing you know, foot fault. They become self inflicted crashes.

Definitely demons. Run right at 'em.

Jim

[Holshot]

There are many parts to my PSR but the ones I feel are most important are

1. visualize until the stage runs smoothly in my head, including foot position, hip position, and all the little things
2. once above is smooth, then relax, deep breaths, calm down
3. tell myself "Strong grip" while on the line
4. the most important to me is once ready on the line, repeat "perfect sight pictue on center of A zone" (or steel) on the first shot. This sets the pace for the rest of the stage.

[benos]

Holshot, on Jun 16 2009, 05:01 PM, said:

4. the most important to me is once ready on the line, repeat "perfect sight pictue on center of A zone" (or steel) on the first shot. This sets the pace for the rest of the stage.

Yes - "Wait for it!"

Start calm, cool, and focused - not in a state of rushing. How deep that goes is hard to comprehend.
be

[shooterbenedetto]

benos, on Jun 17 2009, 06:21 PM, said:

Holshot, on Jun 16 2009, 05:01 PM, said:

4. the most important to me is once ready on the line, repeat "perfect sight pictue on center of A zone" (or steel) on the first shot. This sets the pace for the rest of the stage.

Yes - "Wait for it!"

Start calm, cool, and focused - not in a state of rushing. How deep that goes is hard to comprehend.
be

+1 I also have a conscience that talks to me if there was a stage trap! ex: if it reqiures to run then shoot
a partial with no shoot at 40yrds, I'll usually tell my self..RUN!! ok...ok..ok..calm down and shoot with trigger control.


SB

[PJ BAD]

This is a great thread. Shooting last weekend I realized I need to develop a way to organize the stage in my head from "Make Ready to "Holster". I find I'm too easily distracted by patching targets or scoring and I need more time prior to shooting to get it all in my head. I hate to look like a slacker but I realize I cannot patch or keep score once I'm third in line (" in the hole" )to shoot. It takes me a lot of time to get the stage in my head and I'm a long way from being able "To remove all doubt, and to prepare the mind so thinking is not required once the activity begins."
Any suggestions?

[1911jerry]

Although I may not be a GM class shooter, I am an expert at continuous improvement. I am a Manufacturing Engineer, so I break down processes and find ways to remove wasted motion. I just don't have much natural talent.

Here is the typical cycle for improvement:

Plan: Have a concise plan of action, know where you need to be at any point in your production cycle. In this case it would your game plan for the stage. Run this in your mind until you have it down pat.

Do: Run your game plan in real time when the buzzer goes off. Hopefully your mind is clear and you are running on subconscienceness.

Check: After the stage and while preparing your mags for the next stage, think about what you did right and what went wrong. Single out the most important area that needs improvement and write it down. Include it in your game plans

Act: Now re-run the stage in your mind with the correction in place. Your mind will have the positive reinforcement it needs for your next stage by running the stage perfectly.

Prepare for your next stage......

Plan, Do, Check, Act. Repete, Plan, Do, Check, Act. Repete.............

Man, I wish I would have found this sport in my youth......but, I can make little improvement everytime I shoot.

Jerry