See the Target...Hit the Target: Using Peripheral Vision to pick up the Target

Trapshooter Alex asks Bob: "How do I stop my bad habit of moving my gun before I see the bird come out of the house?"

Bob gives his training tip in the following video and also has the written version below.

This is a great question from Alex.  The reason we develop this bad habit is because the bird usually comes out very close to the time we call for it, and we can get often get away with moving early.  It is only when there is a delay that we start noticing our bad habit.

The best way to avoid this is to have your gun movement triggered not by the "pull" but by the moving target.  And the means to do this is by using Quiet Eye, a technique introduced to me by Olympic shooting development Coach, Les Greevy.

When you set this up in a soft or quiet eye vision, it is extremely fast picking up the target.  According to Coach Steve Brown of East Texas, far and away the best expert on the eyes I've ever met for Clay target sports, one's peripheral gaze picks up movement faster than a focused one.

So, here's what you do to set this up.  Look out a window toward a distant item like a tree or flag pole and look through your fingers.  Then bring your fingers around to the sides so you can see both the distant object and your fingers.  This is Quiet Eye.  It triggers your mind to go into optimum readiness mode.

Hold your eyes in the manner and drop your fingers.  Practice it in your home and get used to how it feels, and then take it to the range.  When it becomes a natural feeling and your default way of looking for the target, take it to your competition.

Set QE up as part of your routine and rehearse it.  When you call for the target, your eyes will pick up the target quickly and it, not your pull call, will trigger your body to move the gun to the target.

If you want to learn more about the art of winning in clay target sports, give me a call at SportExcel.  Or check out my website and see when one of my clinics is going to be in your vicinity.

SportExcel trains shooters from all over North America in the art of winning so that they can own their game.   Check out our premium 1-on-1 training via Skype, our upcoming online, self-paced video program or our small group Skype training with 2-4 friends. Questions? Call us at 720-2291 or email: bpalmer [at] sportexcel.ca.