Getting ready for a match? Trying to get over a bad shot at the last one? Open an ear and listen to advice from shooters at the National Matches, held each summer at Camp Perry. While everyone has their own spin on it, everyone agreed on something: The next shot is the one that matters. The last one already happened and can't be changed, so don't beat yourself up about it. The one in the chamber is the one that counts. Don't add to the stress and emotion by overthinking it.
The interviews are from the 2019, 2021, and 2022 National Matches. Interviews were conducted on-site at the 2022 matches - sorry about some of the gunfire in the background.
00:00 Introduction
Let's get a look at all the people in the video. Shoutout to @Konrad @Marines @The U.S. Army @National Guard @U.S. Army Reserve @Civilian Marksmanship Program @The Marine Corps League @Creedmoor Sports And to everyone else that I wasn't able to tag here!
00:30 Getting Ready
How do you get into the right mindset to shoot a match? This is pretty darn close to meditation. Stare at the target, don't think about it, don't get excited. The sort of problems that come about due to nerves are only going to make your nerves worse. Each shot is its own shot. Focus on the basics, remember your practice.
05:42 Return to Calm
What happens if you drop a shot and get flustered? The idea is largely the same - focus on the next shot. The last shot has already happened, and there's no time travel alibi in matches. The next shot in the chamber is the only thing you can control. Put all your focus on that, and leave emotion behind the ready line.
08:54 Pep Talk
John Schwent from Camp Valor Outdoors has a solid message about the shooting mindset. These are points covered by nearly everyone we spoke to... except here they're condensed into a few minutes of pure knowledge and experience. Remember - it's not a 50-shot match, it's 50 1-shot matches.