DEAR DIARY…
Your diary should have several sections. The first section should be dedicated to matches. The second section (for rifle shooters…pistol shooters can amend) for prone, the third for standing, the fourth for kneeling, the 5th for air rifle, the 6th for equipment, the 7th for mental training, the 8th for obscurity, the 9th for “How To”.
Matches – Whether for training matches or actual, write a goal ie-beat the world record. Next, write what happened during the match. What worked, what didn’t. The what worked goes into the “How To” section. Only write in the how to section if you know…really know it’ll work every time.
The stuff that needs improvement will become the focus for the next sections.
Now, a brief segway. You should focus your training on “The Weakest Link Principle” (not the TV show). Focus your efforts first on whatever position or problem within the position that will yield you the most performance advantage (roughly translates to giving you the highest score improvement). Work on that section until you’ve REALLY figured it out. Then focus on the other two positions briefly for re-acclimation. Once done, shoot an evaluation match.
The goal of each page should be to figuring out how to do it right.
Equipment – This section is dedicated to the obvious. However, how you go about tackling your equipment will make or break you as a shooter. Recall in prior postings I’ve made reference to the tinkerers among us. Beware! Have a time dedicated to messing with your stuff. When it’s time to upgrade your equipment, have a plan. Don’t go about it haphazardly. This section is where you write the plan, where you perform your evaluation, where you WRITE IT DOWN, where you have a bail out plan if it doesn’t work, etc. This section is also where you write down your equipment list for a competition (note- include your bolt and sights in the list!!! (ha-ha)).
Mental Training – Have a plan. Investigate. Talk to Lanny.
Obscurity – Everyone needs a section for their secret stuff.
How To – This section should be treated and guarded like the Holy Grail. You MUST be truthful with yourself here. Write in this section ONLY when you know something works, you can depend on it ALWAYS. One page for each position. Put each page in a document protector. Write position settings that are not necessarily the latest, but the ones that you know, before messing with the position, worked. Write down how to get into the position. Write down alignment to the target. Write down what you need to think about in order to perform. Please realize that everything in this section becomes a POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.
How do you use this section??? Before the big match, as you’re on the line prepping, read it. It will reinforce the things you know. It will calm your mind. It will remind you of HOW TO DO IT RIGHT. Think only of these things. Nothing else. Relax. Execute. Perform. Do.
Now you know.
Ken J
*Originally posted to TargetTalk by Ken Johnson.