Alcohol's effect on performance

[SoR]

I'm shooting terribly without any alcohol in me...can I book some lessons ed?

and I would be surprised if anyone openly started drinking whilst shooting, I'd walk off

 

[EdSolomons]

Walk this way....!

 

[Hamster]

I've had the odd good score after a night with a few drinks and would almost certainly have had one unit at least on Saturday night so it doesn't seem to be the alcohol that's to blame for bad scores. As others have said though poor sleep patterns are definitely to be avoided but unfortunately as we get older we have less say in that department.

I sigh when I hear people say they can drop off as soon as their head touches the pillow. ^_^

 

[RobertBeard]

I've had the odd good score after a night with a few drinks and would almost certainly have had one unit at least on Saturday night so it doesn't seem to be the alcohol that's to blame for bad scores. As others have said though poor sleep patterns are definitely to be avoided but unfortunately as we get older we have less say in that department.

I sigh when I hear people say they can drop off as soon as their head touches the pillow. ^_^

I have no problem dropping off to sleep - it's the waking up early or in the middle of the night that's the problem or having to get up for a pee :huh:

 

[EdSolomons]

It's worse if you don't get up for your pee Robert....

 

[Hawkeye]

I've had a few massive scores post night out, I have had more awful ones... I would however refuse to shoot with someone who was drinking from a hip flask whilst shooting. Would you do it whilst driving? No, so handling a gun should be no different.

Nice one Ed , hear hear

 

[Skeet UK]

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSRBxi93s049k9USJ5FcxKLPG0PIRgBmSeDcdkYIMtojqouqb54kQ

 

[Guerini Guy]

Interesting responses - my wife and I had already discussed this matter and both concluded that nobody should drink any alcohol during a shoot, despite the many attractive shooting oriented hip flasks available. We actually do still use them, and I am personally certain that such a small amount of alcohol would not have any true effect, but we would NOT do so during a shoot, as much as anything else as a respect to other competitors.

We come from a Practical Pistol background where safety rules and practices are actually way beyond anything that clay shooters will have ever experienced, and alcohol is strictly forbidden during matches.

At international events which are typically spread over a Saturday and Sunday with a barbecue and party on the Saturday night, we have even seen range officers breathalysing competitors on a Sunday morning, and a competitor registering too high would be disqualified from the shoot, and we actually witnessed that happen at a match in Slovakia a couple of years ago. They even frown upon drinks such as Red Bull.

Thanks for your comments though, and I'm pleased that some of you do consider the threat to our sport from the anti brigade. Much as I did recently when some on here were happy to make jokes about some guy blowing his foot off at a clay shoot.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Providing it is not to excess ....I have no problem with alcohol when shooting. I drink fast or sole gin when game shooting ....always at elevenses and at lunch. Since I stopped shooting with Derby's lot I do not have it for breakfast.

Many grounds abroad have bars at the main international shoots open all day. Tge Spanish have long drawn out lunches and they say that it is essential to have alcohol with the food or you fall asleep in the afternoon rounds.....so who am I to argue.

Stop being so prissy folks.....even the Italians have a Cafe Corretto first thing in the morning....!!

God help us if the tea total brigade came into game shooting or international shoots.

It is the person not the alcohol that is the problem. Most European countries shooters are used to and at home with alcohol.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Providing it is not to excess ....I have no problem with alcohol when shooting. I drink fast or sole gin when game shooting ....always at elevenses and at lunch. Since I stopped shooting with Derby's lot I do not have it for breakfast.

Many grounds abroad have bars at the main international shoots open all day. The Spanish have long drawn out lunches and they say that it is essential to have alcohol with the food or you fall asleep in the afternoon rounds.....so who am I to argue.

Stop being so prissy folks.....even the Italians have a Cafe Corretto first thing in the morning....!!

God help us if the tea total brigade came into game shooting or international shoots.

It is the person not the alcohol that is the problem. Most European countries shooters are used to and at home with alcohol.

Oh and yes I have tested shooting with and without.......and I have found.......stick to the way you would normally drink......keep to a routine.....

Several well known shots train on a bottle of whisky the night before a big shoot.......L. O. L.

Prissy prissy prissy......!!

 

[Angelfire]

Interesting responses - my wife and I had already discussed this matter and both concluded that nobody should drink any alcohol during a shoot, despite the many attractive shooting oriented hip flasks available. We actually do still use them, and I am personally certain that such a small amount of alcohol would not have any true effect, but we would NOT do so during a shoot, as much as anything else as a respect to other competitors.

We come from a Practical Pistol background where safety rules and practices are actually way beyond anything that clay shooters will have ever experienced, and alcohol is strictly forbidden during matches.

At international events which are typically spread over a Saturday and Sunday with a barbecue and party on the Saturday night, we have even seen range officers breathalysing competitors on a Sunday morning, and a competitor registering too high would be disqualified from the shoot, and we actually witnessed that happen at a match in Slovakia a couple of years ago. They even frown upon drinks such as Red Bull.

Thanks for your comments though, and I'm pleased that some of you do consider the threat to our sport from the anti brigade. Much as I did recently when some on here were happy to make jokes about some guy blowing his foot off at a clay shoot.

I think the day we are scared to talk about the rights and wrongs of our fine sport for fear of upsetting the anti brigade is the day we ought to pack it all in and simply say they have won.

Phil*

 

[ips]

I have to disagree with that. It is because we live in the current climate that we must ensure that we only portray an image of absolute professionalism and integrity. No need at all to give the antis any further misconceptions of shooters by broadcasting such emotive subjects such as shooting related accidents, arse holes waving guns around or drinking habits. These posts do nothing for our sport at all, in fact sometimes i wish to distance myself from the forum altogether when these topics pop up.

 

[Will Hewland]

I never drink while shooting. Recoil causes me to spill it.

 

[chippy]

I had one of my best results, 3rd place in the east midlands sporting, with the worst hangover ever i was sick twice during the round and a banging headache. i have tried many times to recreate this event with no success!

chippy

 

[Michael]

I never drink while shooting. Recoil causes me to spill it.

Excellent post.

 

[Will Hewland]

I had one of my best results, 3rd place in the east midlands sporting, with the worst hangover ever i was sick twice during the round and a banging headache. i have tried many times to recreate this event with no success!

chippy

Sometimes it is better to be not too focused and weirdly a hangover might do the trick. Although it would be good to find another way..

 

[newbie]

IIRC alcohol is on the WADA banned list for shooting and darts. Its actually has performance enhancing potential if managed correctly as it thins the blood which can mean lower RHR and therefore stiller hand, more clam/relaxed etc for pressure situations, shots etc. There are also other benefits as ml for ml it has a massive amount of energy contained (just somewhat dehydrating which creates a massive negative performance effect). This later point is i suspect why many bomb after beer and some 'peak'. (i can dig out some academic papers on its performance effects if anyone is interested - i looked as did my best marathon time after a bender in newcastle the night before).

IMHO, due to wider public and safety considerations and perspectives i dont think alcohol and shooting should be mixed or linked.

Summary: it has many benefits some of which performance enhancing, downside is ramifications for the longevity of the sport and general responsibility.

 

[RobertBeard]

I have to disagree with that. It is because we live in the current climate that we must ensure that we only portray an image of absolute professionalism and integrity. No need at all to give the antis any further misconceptions of shooters by broadcasting such emotive subjects such as shooting related accidents, arse holes waving guns around or drinking habits. These posts do nothing for our sport at all, in fact sometimes i wish to distance myself from the forum altogether when these topics pop up.

These posts in sub forums are private and not searchable by bots or search engines as far as I am aware but no doubt a Mod can confirm

 

[jake.keeling]

IIRC alcohol is on the WADA banned list for shooting and darts. Its actually has performance enhancing potential if managed correctly as it thins the blood which can mean lower RHR and therefore stiller hand, more clam/relaxed etc for pressure situations, shots etc. There are also other benefits as ml for ml it has a massive amount of energy contained (just somewhat dehydrating which creates a massive negative performance effect). This later point is i suspect why many bomb after beer and some 'peak'. (i can dig out some academic papers on its performance effects if anyone is interested - i looked as did my best marathon time after a bender in newcastle the night before).

IMHO, due to wider public and safety considerations and perspectives i dont think alcohol and shooting should be mixed or linked.

Summary: it has many benefits some of which performance enhancing, downside is ramifications for the longevity of the sport and general responsibility.

I would be interested in the Academic papers on this, if you can, please.

 

[Guerini Guy]

"These posts in sub forums are private and not searchable by bots or search engines as far as I am aware"

Robert, that is probably true, but it would be naive in the extreme if we were to believe that these very organised anti gun protestors don't have "sleepers" registered on most shooting forums and websites.