Focus and distraction

[schmokinn]

is it only me but when i go to a shoot and there are multiple breakdowns,constant delays for loading clays due to poor management as in they fill one trap and just as you start shooting someone stops you so they can load a trap on another stand which was so close to the first you would struggle to get a *** paper between them,multiple breakdowns then add into the mix a bunch of new and inexperienced scorers where you shout pull nothing happens gradually louder several times as they appear not to be able to hear as this has happened on the previous stand and you break your gun turn round and they ask you if you want to see a pair i lose the will to live all focus goes and i shoot like a complete plank.

i know some people may say don't let ot get to you..chill out but when you have had 5 or 6  stands in a row without one being right how do you do it...Zen Budhism?

 

[Rosso]

This really used to bother me. But you cant change anything. So it bothers me no more. If I have to wait I wait. All I do now is check my scores as half of them cannot count or the friends I'm with check and I check theirs. I had more on my card at the last shoot than the shoot recorded, sh*t score anyway, but good cards I take a pic of.

This sort of stuff can easily grind you down and then you find yourself just looking for faults it then effects the scores.

I have walked off shoots 1/2 way through pissed off better that than having a row.

I am really trying my hardest to chill out it seems to be working.

 

[AW13]

I am no expert but I try and compartmentalise my mindset, relax when they start fiddling and chill. Then re-set my thoughts once you can re-start. Happened twice to me this morning but I still managed a good score - for me. Managed a couple of 10's either side of one stoppage.  After-all it is a mind game to maintain good scores.   

 

[maddmatt]

The key is to find a way of switching off your concentration when these interruptions occur, and then switch it back on - now this is not an easy thing to master. There are people out there who can help you switch between states, but it takes a lot of practice, I find simply thinking of non shooting related things helps, so what I need to do at work, whats for dinner, do I need to get anything on the way home etc

 

[westley]

is it only me but when i go to a shoot and there are multiple breakdowns,constant delays for loading clays due to poor management as in they fill one trap and just as you start shooting someone stops you so they can load a trap on another stand which was so close to the first you would struggle to get a *** paper between them,multiple breakdowns then add into the mix a bunch of new and inexperienced scorers where you shout pull nothing happens gradually louder several times as they appear not to be able to hear as this has happened on the previous stand and you break your gun turn round and they ask you if you want to see a pair i lose the will to live all focus goes and i shoot like a complete plank.

i know some people may say don't let ot get to you..chill out but when you have had 5 or 6  stands in a row without one being right how do you do it...Zen Budhism?

If I get no reaction to my call of 'pull',  I shout "PULL" that loud that I can be heard back in the clubhouse, that usually works. Again after no response, I have been known to break my gun and then lean on the cage, stating "Let me know when your ready"  !  As for the other issues, complain to the management, at the grounds that I visit, I feel sure they would want to know about the groundstaff. 

 

[Steve Lovatt]

The easiest answer is find somewhere that knows what they are doing running comp shoots , Westfield , Weston wood , garlands would be a good start !!!!

 

[schmokinn]

The easiest answer is find somewhere that knows what they are doing running comp shoots , Westfield , Weston wood , garlands would be a good start !!!!

if only they were closer.

after thinking about it for a while i have come to the conclusion that partially it was my own fault for giving them the benefit of the doubt and going back again so soon after i had told myself not to bother for a while,so i subconsciuously was probably a little angry with myself.

so i guess i need to vote with my feet for a bit,just with there being so few registered grounds down here i want to support them...a no win situation for me...literally!

 

[chippy]

is it only me but when i go to a shoot and there are multiple breakdowns,constant delays for loading clays due to poor management as in they fill one trap and just as you start shooting someone stops you so they can load a trap on another stand which was so close to the first you would struggle to get a *** paper between them,multiple breakdowns then add into the mix a bunch of new and inexperienced scorers where you shout pull nothing happens gradually louder several times as they appear not to be able to hear as this has happened on the previous stand and you break your gun turn round and they ask you if you want to see a pair i lose the will to live all focus goes and i shoot like a complete plank.

i know some people may say don't let ot get to you..chill out but when you have had 5 or 6  stands in a row without one being right how do you do it...Zen Budhism?

i dont mind. The longer a shoot takes the better unless its raining.

 

[bisondan]

I got a bit annoyed at one point yesterday.  Was shooting with Rosso, he finished so I entered the cage.  

Set up with my kill-point, wound back to my hold-point, then eyes to where I first saw the target "puuuuulllllll" nothing came out, turned round and the poor scorer had just had a load of cards dumped on his board.  Surely the people who were trying to offload their cards could see this?

 

[Rosso]

There is hardly any etiquette by some shooters who are just ignorant of what's going on and how it effects others. The noise they make while people are shooting, distracting the scorer with cards, seeing pairs when they should have been watching. Then arguing the toss when scorer says no. You have to switch off as it ain't getting no better.

 

[tiptop]

When I'm waiting or have entered the cage I always make sure the ref is ready as well, purely for that reason. No good going into the cage getting all set up if the ref ain't ready to go.

 

[Will Hewland]

When I'm waiting or have entered the cage I always make sure the ref is ready as well, purely for that reason. No good going into the cage getting all set up if the ref ain't ready to go.

Definitely. And name check to make sure he is about to be writing on MY card. Can't believe how many people step in the cage, don't look back and shout pull.

 

[schmokinn]

There is hardly any etiquette by some shooters who are just ignorant of what's going on and how it effects others. The noise they make while people are shooting, distracting the scorer with cards, seeing pairs when they should have been watching. Then arguing the toss when scorer says no. You have to switch off as it ain't getting no better.

When I'm waiting or have entered the cage I always make sure the ref is ready as well, purely for that reason. No good going into the cage getting all set up if the ref ain't ready to go.

Definitely. And name check to make sure he is about to be writing on MY card. Can't believe how many people step in the cage, don't look back and shout pull.

we watched the previous 2 people shoot and rotated the order of our cards so we new who was shooting and when,he had the cards on the board,pen in hand and finger on the button when i turned round to shoot i guess he didn't hear me first but i am not known for being quiet or maybe thought everybody wanted to/had to  see a pair.

but as i said there was more to it than that and i blame myself for being there

 

[Wonko the Sane]

I got a bit annoyed at one point yesterday.  Was shooting with Rosso, he finished so I entered the cage.  

Set up with my kill-point, wound back to my hold-point, then eyes to where I first saw the target "puuuuulllllll" nothing came out, turned round and the poor scorer had just had a load of cards dumped on his board.  Surely the people who were trying to offload their cards could see this?

I can't imagine anything that would be more distracting/irritating than having Rosso in the vicinity.  I mean, having to endure seeing that monstrosity of a gun every time before you step into the cage, not to mention ............

 

[Rosso]

Wonko eats here. 

 

[schmokinn]

Wonko eats here. 

View attachment 5534

thought you were sponsored by them!

 

[Rosso]

Kriegoorrfforkoorrfff schmokin aka MARK --- Wonko is sponsored (he's a fatty) by them I'm sponsored by my back pocket

 

[Michael]

Long queues in the cold, that destroys me. Along with multiple shot's, more than 3, sharing a gun.

 

[Henry]

Deal with the bits you can control and leave the rest alone until after the shoot.

Scorers - check they're ready and no one is about to distract them! A simple "good morning. Ready?" as you walk in (and wait for eye contact and a reply).  They've been sitting in the rain and cold all day for you, so at least be friendly.  But make eye contact and check they're ready - looking and you and waiting - before you start your pre-shot.  In the USA you will often hear the shooter ask "trapper ready?".  It's better to prevent a problem than have to deal with it (and to be nice to those who are scoring for you)

Delays - It's out of your control.  So in that moment, don't waste mental energy and get frustrated focusing on the no-birds, or the person filling the trap at a bad moment. You'll be starting on the next target in a different mental state, so you can only expect the outcome to be different (miss!) Just ask the trapper to tell you when they're ready to go.  Then take your thoughts onto something else.  Maybe watch that buzzard circling, or the glider in the far distance etc etc. Go to neutral stuff.  Not work, to-do lists or anything which might also be stressful.  If you find just observing isn't enough, then think what is it the buzzard can see, or what would the view be like from the glider etc etc, Yes, you might have to do this multiple times on a bad day.  It takes mental discipline to keep yourself in control.  Once the delay has finished, check and confirm your target pictures then start your pre-shot.  After the shoot you can moan all you like, if need be!  Or a quiet word to help the ground owner improve.  If it's a regular problem each week, find another shoot.  Or use this ground as mental training! At all points when shooting or not shooting, you should be consciously controlling your mental state with purpose - be that to focus or to relax. Frustration is a loss of control.