The Pre-shot Routine

I found myself in a frustrating plateau with my registered shoots, aware of my untapped potential for higher scores. Despite marginal improvements in practice sessions, my registered shoot scores remained stubbornly stagnant. Fortunately, the implementation of a new program, integrating the pre-station routine, pre-shot routine, and post-shot routine, proved to be the breakthrough I desperately needed.

The pre-station routine played a pivotal role in dissecting targets, hold points, visual pick-up points, and refining my overall shooting technique. Despite some coaches discouraging consideration of alternative techniques during the "on-deck circle" timeframe, having a plan B in place proved valuable before stepping into the box.

The introduction of a pre-shot routine, frequently emphasized by coaches, drastically shifted my perspective. The repetitive steps and visualizations became essential in calming my mind, preventing conscious thoughts from taking control during crucial moments. This routine became indispensable for maintaining focus and ensuring I was mentally prepared to tackle the targets.

The benefits of the pre-shot routine are threefold. Firstly, the repetitive steps and visualizations help calm the mind, crucial for preventing the conscious mind from dominating during shooting. Secondly, visualizing the pair before calling pull eases the mind and readies me for the targets, effectively preventing racing thoughts or heightened anxiety about being on the front edge of the target.

Lastly, the pre-shot routine plays a critical role in my post-shot analysis. Previously, without these routines, I would be clueless about why I missed targets. Now, I can identify what went wrong and make necessary corrections, significantly enhancing my overall understanding of my performance. Even if it is a bad station for, I have a better understanding of what I did and where to start my next practice session.

Incorporating the pre-station, pre-shot, and post-shot routines has essentially become my personalized "program" for shooting clay targets. Breaking through the plateau, I now feel poised to take the next leap in my shooting journey. While there is still ample room for improvement and much to learn, my program has propelled me forward, marking a significant milestone in my shooting endeavors.