IS THERE SUCH THING AS 'TARGET PANIC" IN TRAPSHOOTING?

Hello Everyone,
I wanted to ask all the trapshooting gurus a question concerning a term called "target panic". I have been out of the loop for a short period of time due to a hand injury related to my type of work. When I started back practicing for the Fall Classic, I noticed a certain amount of what I would call "target panic" while I was going through my pre-shot routine. Nothing real tragic or scary, but enough to know it was happening. Things like worrying about a "no target" situation with my set trigger, or having a misfire with a shot. I know what most of you are going to say. Why are you even thinking in the first place? And everybody says "see the bird, shoot the bird". But really, how does one get past a mental block in this sport? I have set and watched many a shooter get into different versions of this problem. Same target thrown several times and missed and the shooter just stands there and looks. Or challenges with the weather or gun trouble. The list goes on and on, but how does one person erase that from pre-shot process and shot sequence? You can not help but think about something that is a distraction and is controlling the mental part of your shot. It happens to everyone, but the really go shooters have to ability to forget it. How do they do this?
The Flinch King - Brian Seibert

 

What you are describing sounds more like the shooter not seeing the target , then getting into a rush to catch it and or break it ... Phil Kiners DVD address's it and how to handle it and what do about it ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

WPT,
I watch that video all the time. I was given a copy from Dennis Filo as a present and teaching tool. No, what I'm talking about is learning how to kill that negative self thought or talk. How do you learn to forget and go on? Last night I was breaking targets good, not great considering the wind at the Base but good (21 - 23). It wasn't that I couldn't see the target, it's the thinking part just before the target is thrown. Right before you say "pull". It was like a sort of panic attack. It never was there before. Flinch King

 

Call Dr Phil , not Phil Kiner ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Brian,

You are experiencing what is called a lack of confidence. More targets shot will alleviate this condition. Do the two second drill, after the gun is on your shoulder take a little time to make sure you are looking in the right place and have cleared your mind of clutter. Roger C.

 

Thanks Roger. I have had a little bit of a lay over and now trying to get back to where I was in the spring is a little hard than I thought. I'm going to slow down and focus on the target and I think that it won't take long to get back in the grove of things. But I think your right.
Brian Seibert

 

Take a shot of whiskey and don't worry about it.

I have a bad right hand also as in a thumb that had to be sewn back in place and unable to really grasp around grip and more recently I'm unable to use my trigger finger (first finger) and now learning to shoot with second finger. In fact just made a gadget that keeps my first finger from getting slambed by the bolt on my 1100 when shooting doubles. In the pic I place my first finger under the small lip while releasing (release trigger) trigger with second finger.
On my Perazzi, I had to add a palm swell to get a better grip since i can't wrap my thumb around the grip. And guess what? Breaking more targets now then when I first got back into shooting. In fact got my longest run (non registered) 16 yard still intact Need to turn a negative into a positive. Good Luck
.

 

Thanks Rookieshooter for the picture and the advise. I thought I had it bad being an automotive technicians for 40 years and having to have both hands operated on. But nothing compared to your issue with your thumb. It's funny, the problem that had made me stop shooting for a little while has to do with my thumb also. The doctors have given me a couple injections in the palm of my hand and I'm feeling really go right now. Cheers and hope to see you on the trap field. And good luck on run long run also.
The Flinch King - Brian Seibert