Staying Competitive (09/11)
By: Frank Neumayer
Question: I’ve been struggling at my yardage for several years now. I worked so hard to get where I’m at and I hate to ask for a reduction. Some of my friends say it’s just my
pride and ego, and that I should move forward to where I can be competitive once again. I don’t know… what are you thoughts on this?
Answer: Believe me, I know what you’re going through, I’ve struggled with the same issue. From the time I started shooting competitively, my goal was to reach the 27 yard line. I worked extremely hard and I accomplished that goal within three years. I had invested a lot of time, energy, effort, and money to achieve that goal and I wasn’t about to give it up for what I thought was simply an extended shooting slump. The problem however, was that this slump wasn’t getting any better no matter how hard I tried to make improvements. It’s taken a couple of years for me to finally realize that a number of things had changed, some beyond my control, and that I really needed to rethink my entire competitive approach.
Several trusted friends, who had gone through exactly the same experience, challenged me to take a yardage reduction and then work my way back to the 27 yard line for a second time. My wife, who’s not a shooter, came up with the comment that finally tipped the issue for me. She knows how much I enjoy all the aspects of clay target shooting, but she said I was a lot happier and more fun to be around when I was shooting better and winning more often. Her loving comment, coupled with the challenge from good friend’s, made me realize that a yardage reduction was in order. Based from my own experience, plus that of many other shooters, here are some key factors you should take into consideration.
First Point: How’s your physical condition? Unfortunately, as many of us “senior-up” we seem to discover a few more nagging aches and pains have caught-up to us. I was seriously injured over 40 years ago in the service and now, especially during that second or third 100 target event, my low back, shoulders, or legs will often provide with me a painful reminder. If your ailments can’t be fixed, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to shoot through the pain, then you’ll need to respect your limitations and carefully manage your approach to your shooting activities. On a long shoot, some shooters will only shoot one event per day, or to simply take a day off during a grueling week-long tournament.
Your eyes are the most important asset to successful shooting! Make certain to have them checked at least once a year, and then update your shooting glasses accordingly.
How’s your strength and endurance? Every day I try to do some light exercises to strengthen my back, arms, shoulders, and neck. I also add breathing exercises; eye-strengthen activities; and I try to
include a few minutes of quiet meditation to my daily routine. Always be mindful of what you eat and drink, especially during a long, tough tournament, and make certain that you get plenty of good
rest! To remain competitive at shooting and enjoy success, these simple health facts hold true for shooters and athletes of all ages, especially when peak performance and endurance are part of a
winning equation.
Second Point: What’s your mental attitude? Many times over the years I’ve entered a long shoot exhausted from work. Regardless of your age, mental fatigue will always win-out in the end. Even when you can reach down and pull forward that extra effort to overcome it, fatigue will still add to the problem. Mental fatigue, plus the lack of enough quality practice ahead of time begets poor performance; poor performance will quickly erode confidence; and the lack of confidence will never win you an event. To shoot well and win, you must be prepared mentally for every post; every trap; and every event. To be successful, it’s imperative that you’re able to concentrate and stay focused on every single target presented, every time!
If just prior to an event you hear a shooter say, “I just hope I can shoot my average”, then he’s already set himself up for failure. It may sound a bit arrogant, but good shooters will always enter every event with the confident objective of 100 straight on their minds. Remember, your mind controls everything you do, so let a fresh, clear, and focused mental attitude control every aspect of your shooting performance. It’s true…positive thoughts produce positive results!
Third Point: Are you lacking a challenge, a goal, or an objective? Over years of shooting many of us can easily become complacent. We’ve won our share of trophies and championships along the way and now we’ve convinced ourselves that simply shooting (by itself) and doing it with good friends is all that we’re really after. If that’s true, then why do we seem to bark, grumble, and commiserate so much at the end of the day about how poorly we shot, and then seem puzzled and feel we’re not competitive anymore? Shooters are competitors… and age doesn’t matter. The more targets we can break the happier we are, and if that’s more than you… then I win.
Shooting well can make you feel good, but winning makes you feel much better! All the shooters I’ve met are competitive by nature, but we must challenge ourselves with goals and objectives in order to keep our sport interesting and fun. So… choose a few simple goals like shooting more quality practice rounds per week; or improving you average over the next few months; or gaining one more yard by the end of the season. Make your goals challenging, yet attainable. Also, add in one stretch goal like shooting for a spot on the State High Average team for example. Do whatever it takes, a few simple goals will help bring back the excitement, challenge, and fun that drew us to shooting in the first place.
Hopefully I’ve shed some light on your question and concern? The fact is that for decades’ shooters have faced this same dilemma. The proof of that can easily be found within the pages of both the PITA and ATA rule books. Both associations have made very specific allowances for yardage advancement or reductions based on a review of your last 800 or 1000 handicap targets. The key in all of this is that all shooting associations want their members to remain challenged and competitive, that way they’ll continue to enjoy clay target shooting and grow and support the sport for many years to come.
If a shooter is struggling at any yardage, especially due to problems beyond their control, they should definitely take advantage of any or all of the opportunities offered that can help them get back on track. Clay target shooting takes a large amount of desire, determination, and dedication if one hopes to be successful. So… forget about your pride and ego, take the reduction like many of us have, and get back into the game. I personally look forward to the challenge of being competitive and winning events again, and for a second time… I will earn my way to the back fence. I’ll see you there!
If you’d like more information visit my website at www.claybrakn.com , or if you have a specific question send me an email at claybrakn@msn.com and I’ll do my best to get it answered.
Keeping Our Sport Alive (01/12)
By: Frank Neumayer
I was at a social gathering the other evening when someone came up to me and said, “So, I hear you’re a shooter”? This person wasn’t a gun owner, hunter, or clay target shooter, and they admittedly knew very little about guns or shooting. Yet, the thought of shooting at moving clay targets with a shotgun intrigued them enough to ask me the question with sincerity. I certainly wasn’t going to pass-up an opportunity to explain why I love shooting, so I proceeded to explain why. Fortunately, I caught myself in time as a blank stare start drifting over his face. I stopped talking, hesitated for a second, and then with a smile I simply said… “I shoot because it’s a whole lot of fun”! Instantly, the blank stare was gone, he was back with interest, and wanting to hear even more about it all. Off we went on a pleasant 30-40 minute discussion over a cup of coffee. In the end, he left with my card in hand, and we made plans to get together soon out at the club, where I would introduce him and his son to the sport of clay target shooting. I realized from that encounter that there are probably a lot of interested people out there (without preconceived biases) that would really enjoy the fun and excitement of clay target shooting, if only they were properly introduced to the sport.
This encounter really got me to thinking! I realized that it’s “us” shooters that have the responsibility of educating and promoting clay target shooting to the public. There’s nobody better than us shooters to make certain that the public understands the truth about firearms and all the benefits that come from hunting and clay target shooting. We have to be a strong, positive presence to counter those voices that simply want guns and all of the shooting sports to simply disappear. It’s my belief that “Community Relations” needs to become a solid part of every gun club’s mission statement and goals and objectives. Clubs will certainly need to find just the right individuals to appoint or elected to lead this effort, and the Board of Directors should make up the standing committee. The purpose of this committee would be to enlighten and educate the public, the local community, with the truth about gun ownership, and their safe and proper use, as well as to promote and encourage community participation in all of the shooting activities offered at their club.
Most every gun club is required by code or ordinance to make available a certain number of hours per month to be open and accessible for public use. To some clubs this simply means being open for its members, and then the public is also welcome to drop by and participate if they want. This basic level of effort will maintain their non- profit 501-C3 status, but very little is done to promote membership growth, or to encourage greater public involvement, support, or participation. On the other hand, I know of clubs that… “Get it”. They realize they must become an important and integral part of the community in order to survive and grow. Gun clubs need to be proactive in their approach, coupled with a dedicated effort, to make certain that the public has a positive and value-added perception of what the club brings to the community. When a community doesn’t understand or realize any value, then a gun club’s continued existence will always be in question. There are a couple of important things that I think clubs need to do to reach-out and promote themselves within their communities.
First of all, a basic “Community Promotional Plan” needs to be developed. The plan should focus specifically on how to simply introduce your club to the community. The plan should outline what your club has to offer, and how those values and benefits can be properly shared with local businesses, schools, newspapers and publications, fire and police departments, recreational centers, community clubs and organizations, and even churches. The plan should address all aspects of promoting and communicating the benefits of your club to as many people in the community as possible. Maybe a tasteful poster, handout, or flyer could be designed for distribution? Possibly, some brief public speaking engagements could be arranged, accompanied with a 20 minute slide show on your club, its people, and its activities. I’m sure there’s a lot of great ideas out there, and with a little brain-storming among your members, the results can be numerous. Just remember, don’t go overboard. Keep your plan simple, direct, and manageable. The basic purpose or goal is to introduce your club to the community in the most positive, honest, friendly, and respectful manner possible.
Secondly, your club needs to organize and arrange specific activities that will draw the public to your club for participation. For many years, Black Diamond Gun Club has offered an annual, free to the public, “Easter Egg Hunt”. Hundreds of people show up, there’s no shooting involved, but the positive exposure to the community has produced many new club members. One thing several clubs are offering is a “New Shooters Night” where once a week basic instruction is offered; club-guns may be provided; and the cost for a few rounds of trap or skeet is either half-price or on the club. Along with these introductory activities, I know of many clubs that offer free shooting instruction or classes for novices, ladies, or youth shooters on a regular basis. Other fun things that can be organized such as community Pot Lucks; Game Nights; or Movie Nights… all wrapped around a few rounds of target shooting. The point is that you need to create whatever activities you can that will entice the public to come out and join in. From participation comes appreciation, and from there the fun and enjoyment of clay target shooting can only grow.
I truly believe that the full responsibility rests with us shooters to keep hunting, shooting, and the clay target sports alive and well in our towns and communities. We all know how strong the various factions are out there that oppose all firearms and everything related to shooting and hunting. Just remember, “The truth cannot be argued”, and that there are a lot of people in our neighborhoods and communities that remain fair and open to honest and positive information and dialog regarding gun ownership and the hunting and shooting sports. Based on my experience, when a gun clubs take action to reach-out, with respect and honesty, to enlighten, educate, and encourage community involvement and support… the positive feedback can be overwhelming. It’s really up to us shooters to make it happen!
If you’d like more information visit my website at www.claybrakn.com , or if you have a specific question send me an email at claybrakn@msn.comand I’ll do my best to get it answered.
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