Why Mastering the Simple Mechanics of Shooting can have a Massive Impact
Any skilled technician knows that the skill they’ve obtained was developed over years of practice, implementation, and experience. Malcom Gladwell, psychology writer, in his book called Outliers contends that mastery in any skill comes right at about 10,000 hours. He calls it the “10,000 hour rule.”
In the video here, I witnessed someone operate a backhoe with great precision and skill. I would say that he certainly had already put in his 10,000 hours. Within a matter of 30–45 minutes, he had taken down three buildings that had been in existence for as long as I can remember. Not to mention, the skill of knowing which parts to bring down first, second, third and so on.
https://youtu.be/0FQPiFXLT6Q
Much of our shooting skills are very similar. We must know the best strategies, processes and standards for each target. For a 35 yard crosser, you need to know at which point is the optimal place to shoot it. You also need to understand gun speed and target relationship. In addition, target lead is another factor.
With all the different variables in front of us at any given time, we can find a big advantage in ensuring we have solid mechanics, regardless of target presentation. Shooting mechanics are very much the same for everyone. There are many ways that someone can break a target, but doing it consistently over an extended period of time is the real tell of a high performer.
To become a high performer solid mechanics are a must. There are a few simple things we can do that will greatly help our performance improve.
The way I like to think about shooting mechanics is actually quite simple. There are four basic directions that targets move. Up, down, left, and right. There’s nothing special about this. However, I have seen my performance improve greatly when I focus on gun movement in each of these directions. Ensuring a proper mount from low to high, left to right, and high to low. Occasionally I practice a diagonal line. I have found that building a simple and solid foundation for your shot mechanics is key to success.
I tell every one of my students, “I don’t care what your result on the scorecard is if your technique is bad.” Until your mount is smooth, consistent, and efficient, I’m not concerned with the x or o on the scorecard, the score comes as a result of proper mechanics. Once your mechanics are mastered, everything else is mental game.
Lastly, life is very much the same way. Often we find ourselves in habitual processes throughout the day. Wake up, eat, shower, work, eat, work, eat, watch tv, sleep, repeat. That is a pretty common on throughout the United States especially. In a recent article, the New York Times reports an an estimated 10 or so hours a day of TV or screen time. This includes computers, phones, tablets, etc.
Now, considering that amount of screen time, imagine what would happen to your life if you mastered a simple mechanic of focusing 100% for just one of those hours on your spouse or loved one. Imagine if you had spent one of those hours in a gym every day. It’s quite easy to fall victim to distractions and things that can pull us away from what matters. However, if we took just a little time and spent it on mastery in an area of our life, our overall quality of life could vastly improve.
You see my friend, mechanics are not just vital to our shooting success. Mechanics can improve our lives in many areas, if we simply make time and get purposeful about it.
To learn more about how I can potentially help you in your shooting, your life, or your business, you can email me at coaching@budheaton.com. I’d love to meet you and get to know your story.
Bud Heaton
