Training, Practice & Competition. Lets break that down.
Posted On: 02-07-2020
As opportunities increase for our youth to become involved in shooting sports, they naturally want to compete. Many Missouri schools, through physical ed, FFA or clubs offer Archery in the Schools, FFA or club trap shooting and the new Student Air Rifle program. All of these have a statewide competition where all participants are eligible to compete. Other competitions are available through schools, 4-H, MYSSA & other youth organizations. Some also have national events that offer athletic scholarships and selections for the U.S. Olympic Team!
As the skill level of these young athletes increase, how we coach them has to evolve with them. We will get to a point where our biggest challenge is to “catch the falling star”. We must constantly challenge them. Going to the range and shooting 25 or 50 rounds for score once or twice a week does nothing to prepare them for the 100 target state high shoot. What if our youth ends up in a 50 bird shoot off and has never shot 150 birds while lugging a 10 lb. shotgun and 20 pounds of ammo a quarter mile?
There are 3 distinct phases prepping your athlete. Training, Practice & Competition. Lets break that down.
Training is skill development. Get rid of score sheet. See that your athlete is fundamentally sound. If fundamentals are sloppy the score sheet will prove it. Develop skills, start simple go to complex. Try shooting between the stations, different distances, pair up, 2nd shooter shoots a piece, miss & out, there are all kinds of games that can be played on a trap range. The goal is to break the target anywhere along the flight path. Shoot a round of skeet, or doubles. Always challenge & improve fundamentals. 70% of your time is training, make it FUN.
Practice like we compete. Every shot counts. No do overs. Introduce stress. Loud music, empty hulls tossed around the shooter. Make them concentrate on the target. Track their misses, station & angle then work on that. If the competition is 100 birds, be prepared for the shoot off as well.
Competition begins with being well rested and well nourished, we don’t want a sugar or caffeine high. That high WILL wear off at the wrong time. Stretching exercises to loosen up all limbs, neck & torso. Don’t forget your eyes, if you don’t see them, you can’t break’em.
Watch the squad shooting before you. See how the wind effects the target flight. relax the mind. Deep breathing exercises are great. Take 3 deep breathes before mounting the gun. Follow your pre-shot routine. Soft focus in the distance and PULL!!! NOTHING BUT DUST.
As the coach, positive youth is foremost in your mind. When making a physical change to your athlete, keep in mind, even a small change takes time to be effective. Your shooter will first off see it works!! Their score will go up! Then it will crash. They need to know this will happen. The change may take 3-6 months before the body has been re-programmed and make it natural. Then, consistent improvement will happen. Make sure only positive re-enforcement is used and available. Negative words produce negative results.
Rod Zeller