The Importance of Mental Focus in Shooting 

One of the keys to improving your accuracy is improving your focus. It’s only natural to look to new tools when expertise doesn’t take you as far as you’d like, but as you likely already know, your mind is the most important tool you have. Endurance and discipline take time to develop, and if you’d like to make sure that your target practice is time well spent, there’s a few things to keep in mind when working on your focus at the range.  

Fail Like a Pro 

Being focused obviously isn’t as simple as being completely switched on or off. It’s a sliding scale, and it takes a lot of work to avoid sliding off. Professional Shooting Trainer Steve Tarani reminds us that “[…] The human mind tends to take the path of least resistance.” The more something becomes familiar, the less discomfort and resistance you’re likely to experience.  

I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating: If you’re anything like me, the first time you perform a task is usually not the greatest. Improvement is an uphill battle, and failure is part of the unfortunate process of getting over the proverbial hill. Failure can be demoralizing, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re prepared to learn from it.  

Accept that you’re going to inevitably fail—you’re only human—and resolve to fail with a purpose. You are the most powerful weapon in your arsenal. Your firearm isn’t going to self-correct if the sight is misaligned or there’s fouling, but you can. Journal your achievements, journal your failures, and adjust as needed. 

The 10,000 Hour Rule Applies 

If you’re trying to improve your focus in aiming, you’ve likely heard recommendations for ballistics calculator apps and shot timers. And while the digital world can certainly be of help when you’re fine tuning your craft, your mind is the most important mechanism to the marksman. Your mind is a muscle and isn’t going to alter itself for sheer force of will alone. Just like any muscle, improving definition comes with time and repetition.  

There’s a Chinese proverb from the Tao Te Ching that says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” What it doesn’t say, however, is how many single steps it’s going to take. So, be prepared to take them all in stride (pun intended) and don’t feel defeated when they take more time than you may have anticipated.  

When you research the best method to learn any skill, you frequently see reminders of Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule– and for good reason. It takes many hours to become proficient at any skill. While there’s obviously not an exact amount of time needed, practice makes perfect. Or, more accurately, practice should mean far less failure.  

Create a Solid Routine  

Whether you’re working on the dot torture drill, or another routine to improve marksmanship, consistency is key. Any task executed with success should be repeatable. Create a routine, focus on your breathing (more on that later), dry fire, and prepare yourself for recoil.  

As much as you may not realize it, you probably flinch. Obviously, it isn’t due to any amount of fear on your own part. It’s just a built-in self-defense mechanism we have for withstanding impact. And make no mistake: recoil most definitely impacts your muscles. Consistency will temper your response to that impact and invariably improve your aim. 

A routine created without being mindful of your response to it is far less likely to be effective. Whether you keep your papers or just keep photos of them, start journaling your progress. At what point in your sessions do your marksmanship and focus improve? Does fatigue make it taper off after a while? Make detailed notes and learn from them.  

Focus on Your Breathing 

There’s a reason we often take a deep breath before doing something important. Breathing exercises help you control your heart rate, reduce your stress, and gather your thoughts. Make it part of your routine and keep it as part of your routine.  

If you’re new to breathing exercises, I recommend checking out Positive Coaching Alliance’s breathing exercises here. 

Accept the Unexpected 

If you’ve stood in the shower wondering whether or not you just washed your hair, you know how powerful muscle memory can be. You’ve probably heard someone talk about what it means to be in a state of flow, and although it’s an easy enough concept to understand, it’s far more difficult to explain how to put yourself in that state of mind. Chances are, you’re in that very state of mind regularly and don’t really think much of it.  

Whether it’s driving to work, making your favorite meal, or even playing a familiar video game for the fiftieth time, you probably know what it means for your mind to be on autopilot. You confidently cycle through all of the familiar steps with effortless precision and never stop to consider what happens next because you know the process so intimately. Changing your tools and surroundings may impede your flow a little, but the more accustomed you become to the changes, the more flexible your sensibilities and focus become.  

Bruce Lee famously said to “be like water,” because water can conform to any shape that it must. While obviously he wasn’t a marksman himself—not with a firearm, anyway—his wisdom still applies. Distractions and unforeseen circumstances are inevitable. How much they affect your flow is not just a matter of your own personal tolerance to anxiety, but also how often you have to overcome the burden of distractions.  

Have the Nerve, but Don’t Let It Have You

Renowned competitive shooter Julie Golob recommends that we own our nervousness. “Feeling nervous means that you care about what you’re doing, and that’s a good thing!” she reminds us. While it’s certainly not my place to paraphrase an expert, I believe the big takeaway from her advice is that, even if you’re not a person with high anxiety, there’s always likely something weighing on your mind. Stress is an inevitable consequence of living and accepting that can help improve your focus.  

And if squeezing off a few rounds at the range is your way of unwinding, just keep track of just how much steam you need to alleviate! If you feel overwhelmed or upset, save it for another day.  

Treat Every Shooting Experience like a Competition 

You’re probably thinking, “Act like it’s a competition?! What a great follow up to your treatise on controlling nerves!” Hey, if every shooting experience is a competition, then there’s no need for heightened nerves on a big day. While it can be eye opening to compete with others, you’re ultimately in competition with yourself. Do better today than you did yesterday, and if you can’t, do what you can to make it that much easier to achieve tomorrow.  

Written by: Lanna Perkins, Education Writer