Music, Mantras and Mind Games
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swehrman
Foundryratjim
Rotwang
Jack H
john bickar
JHHolliday
Merick
sbtzc
DA/SA
SaraiEsq
14 posters
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Music, Mantras and Mind Games
Having a musical bent, I often have songs running through my mind, like a personal radio station. (Yes, sometimes it gets stuck on an unappealing song, and the skip button is broken.)
I have discovered that sometimes I can use those musical snippets to reset my mind when I am shooting. It lets me block out pretty much everything.
At Atterbury, when I needed to calm myself, these were the two songs on my mental playlist:
Back in February, when I was in a Viking/Norse/Metal phase, I used this one during an indoor match when I had
When I was checking out all the boxes last year, I noticed there were a lot of stickers, symbols, sayings and the like which no doubt had a lot of meaning. I created my own list of sayings for the matches this year including:
What kind of music, mantras and mind games do you use to reset or remain focused during a match?
I have discovered that sometimes I can use those musical snippets to reset my mind when I am shooting. It lets me block out pretty much everything.
At Atterbury, when I needed to calm myself, these were the two songs on my mental playlist:
- Serenity by Godsmack
- Something Better by The Broken View
Back in February, when I was in a Viking/Norse/Metal phase, I used this one during an indoor match when I had
- Lyfjaberg by Wardruna ("healing mountain" in Norse)
When I was checking out all the boxes last year, I noticed there were a lot of stickers, symbols, sayings and the like which no doubt had a lot of meaning. I created my own list of sayings for the matches this year including:
- Sport shooting isn’t a war;
it’s a challenge to be faced
with a clear mind,
relaxed body, and
controlled intensity.
- It's how you recover
when something happens
that makes you good.
- You're gonna be fine
Just keep your head
- It feels scary
because it’s unfamiliar,
not because I’m incapable.
- Leave the misery of mediocrity
to those cold, timid souls
who gave up when the going
was difficult.
What kind of music, mantras and mind games do you use to reset or remain focused during a match?
SaraiEsq- Posts : 172
Join date : 2022-09-25
Thin Man likes this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
I visualize shooting X's when dry fire training, at a match, when relaxing, or especially when I wake up at night and can't get back to sleep.
I used to shoot at an indoor range long ago and during a match everyone was stuck to the window worrying about how the other competitors were shooting. (only had five lanes for the matches)
I'd be back relaxing on the couch with my eyes closed visualizing.
Shoot your own match and everything will fall into place!
I used to shoot at an indoor range long ago and during a match everyone was stuck to the window worrying about how the other competitors were shooting. (only had five lanes for the matches)
I'd be back relaxing on the couch with my eyes closed visualizing.
Shoot your own match and everything will fall into place!
DA/SA- Posts : 1482
Join date : 2017-10-09
Age : 68
Location : Southeast Florida
SaraiEsq and targetbarb like this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
It don't mean $#'+!
Whether you miss the target, someone says/does something, you shot nine X's in a row, the gun malfunctions, the wind blows your shell catcher down - it don't mean $#'+.
The only thing that matters is the shot you're working on now.
Whether you miss the target, someone says/does something, you shot nine X's in a row, the gun malfunctions, the wind blows your shell catcher down - it don't mean $#'+.
The only thing that matters is the shot you're working on now.
sbtzc- Posts : 188
Join date : 2013-05-21
Location : W CO
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
I've seen people get upset, shot worse and worse, and even take a dnf and leave. Champons can focus in harder the more pressure they are under. With practice you can manage your mental state for peak performance. Lanny Bassham's book has some info on how to do this, as does the MEC sports psychology book.
Merick- Posts : 452
Join date : 2015-08-13
Location : Kansas
Arthur and SaraiEsq like this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
Me too!
Here is one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2dvg4Bbrb0
For perfecting that grip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXi4yqVd9g
Here is one for remaining centered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7t7cGwN7_0
Visualizing your ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nlhoda2MY
Here is one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2dvg4Bbrb0
For perfecting that grip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXi4yqVd9g
Here is one for remaining centered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7t7cGwN7_0
Visualizing your ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nlhoda2MY
JHHolliday- Posts : 252
Join date : 2022-12-15
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
I mainly have this song going through my head.
john bickar- Posts : 2269
Join date : 2011-07-09
Age : 100
Location : Menlo Park, CA
lyoke, Grouse and SingleActionAndrew like this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
There was a time years ago I couldn't get the Beatles 'You really got a hold on me' out of my head. But maybe it did work????
I think it was a Motown song at first
I think it was a Motown song at first
Jack H- Posts : 2693
Join date : 2011-06-10
Age : 75
Location : Oregon
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
Good to see an old school shooter doing it the old school wayjohn bickar wrote:I mainly have this song going through my head.
Rotwang- Posts : 95
Join date : 2011-06-23
john bickar likes this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
Wow this must be my problem ....Eddie Van Halen's Eruption..
Foundryratjim- Posts : 242
Join date : 2018-08-01
Age : 66
Location : michigan
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
One of the best stickers I saw on a gun box simply said, "Don't Panic"
-- Scott
-- Scott
swehrman- Posts : 27
Join date : 2013-05-22
Location : NW Montana
SaraiEsq likes this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
Ego shooters define themselves by their score, their reputation. they always seek their average ( and seldom improve)
Pinetree likes this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
I’m very “lucky” in this regard. Mechanical aortic valve.
Plugs in, muffs on, all I hear is “tick… tick… tick…”
I time my breathing to that, get settled, and think the words “straight back” over and over and over again as I squeeze.
Plugs in, muffs on, all I hear is “tick… tick… tick…”
I time my breathing to that, get settled, and think the words “straight back” over and over and over again as I squeeze.
JRV- Posts : 188
Join date : 2022-04-03
SaraiEsq likes this post
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
Hello,
Being lucky enough to shoot next to some AMU shooters, some of whom are national champs, I've asked if any would share their mantras (if they had one). One has. That mantra was, "sharks are born swimming." If you go to advanced SAFS at Camp Perry (something I'd recommend for those who are at the level where they are trying to de-clutter the bullshit they've been told, read, seen, and tried to perform in order to actually ask folks who are accomplished about these things- and help others with your questions and subsequent answers), that shooter will probably be on the stage as an instructor for the class.
Now, in and of itself, that doesn't mean too much. One shooter happens to have something that works and has shared it, but that doesn't mean if you say that particular mantra, or any mantra at all, that you will end up in the same high performing position. Same for music, or any other mental device you use to help coach you and settle your anxiety.
I could probably write reams about qualia for our particular sport (and did write about qualia quite a bit in another life; I'm in Dennett's camp and believe the hard problem of consciousness is contrived). However, I don't think that particular discussion is fruitful for us here. What is more important isn't what mechanism you use (if you use one at all), but rather that you are able to key into your present subjective state in a way that compels high performance. And when I say "key into," what I mean is that you are both able to understand the present state, and in some way, alter such to maintain/increase your performance.
However you are able to keep yourself stable, and also stable during high intensity moments of a brief duration, is the real secret. As you can imagine, there are all sorts of ways to do that. Try multiple approaches, and let success be your guide.
Best,
Chase
Being lucky enough to shoot next to some AMU shooters, some of whom are national champs, I've asked if any would share their mantras (if they had one). One has. That mantra was, "sharks are born swimming." If you go to advanced SAFS at Camp Perry (something I'd recommend for those who are at the level where they are trying to de-clutter the bullshit they've been told, read, seen, and tried to perform in order to actually ask folks who are accomplished about these things- and help others with your questions and subsequent answers), that shooter will probably be on the stage as an instructor for the class.
Now, in and of itself, that doesn't mean too much. One shooter happens to have something that works and has shared it, but that doesn't mean if you say that particular mantra, or any mantra at all, that you will end up in the same high performing position. Same for music, or any other mental device you use to help coach you and settle your anxiety.
I could probably write reams about qualia for our particular sport (and did write about qualia quite a bit in another life; I'm in Dennett's camp and believe the hard problem of consciousness is contrived). However, I don't think that particular discussion is fruitful for us here. What is more important isn't what mechanism you use (if you use one at all), but rather that you are able to key into your present subjective state in a way that compels high performance. And when I say "key into," what I mean is that you are both able to understand the present state, and in some way, alter such to maintain/increase your performance.
However you are able to keep yourself stable, and also stable during high intensity moments of a brief duration, is the real secret. As you can imagine, there are all sorts of ways to do that. Try multiple approaches, and let success be your guide.
Best,
Chase
Chase Turner- Posts : 385
Join date : 2019-11-15
Re: Music, Mantras and Mind Games
I have never found that I could concentrate on whatever task I had to accomplish if I had a distraction such as music live, recorded or memorized. I had to have my mind as clear as possible.
Wobbley- Admin
- Posts : 4776
Join date : 2015-02-12
Foundryratjim likes this post
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