PreMatch Jitters

[boz1911]

I used to let the nerves get to me. I think a lot of it was worrying about embarassing myself or f-ing up the stage. With some degree of improvement in the last year I have removed that feeling from the jitters. I do use some of the breathing techniques described in other posts, but now I just let the stage happen. I have some confidence now and I try to just let the stage flow by giving each target the time needed to make good hits. The high after you know you ran a stage as well as possible is what keeps me amped now. Do try to keep in mind that in the big scheme of things fun is why we do this.

[Duane Thomas]

The best thing to stop pre-match jitters is, I feel, knowing you're a good shooter. In The Book, our host said something to the effect of, "When you look at a stage, and, before your even shoot, you know there's nothing there that you can't do well, you've already won." Actually, if I ever look over a stage and I start getting the whole "elevated heart rate" effect, it's a sure sign there's something there that I know I haven't practiced enough. Thankfully, as the years go by, that happens more and more rarely.

[Nik Habicht]

Cleansing Breaths help. Preparation helps --- so make a detailed plan. Know where every target is, and in which order you'll engage it. Plan your steps. Experience also helps --- especially with the planning which is an acquired skill....

[benos]

Although it may take some experience to reach this - don't make the fact that you are nervous or even visibly shaking into a problem.

I shot many of the best stages in big matches I ever shot with my legs, arms, and hands shaking - before the buzzer. I remember one Steel Challenge in particular... I remember thinking, as I'm getting the "shooter ready, stand by" - "I wonder if everyone watching can see me shaking." I felt like I could barely stand up. But when the buzzer went off I just paid attention and shot, like my life depended on it. It was one of the best stages I ever shot in my life.

be

[Duane Thomas]

Robbie once told me, "One of the things I really respect about Jerry Barnhart is that I've never seen anyone get so nervous before a stage, and still shoot so well."

[HSMITH]

If you don't care about the results and are prepared to accept the best you can do right now the jitters stop. You can still have fun, you can still get a rush from the shooting, but the wicked jitters go away.