The Shot Process

The Shot process is precisely how it sounds. The process or sequence of tasks must be conducted to execute the shot. Putting it into a process allows for faster learning, longer retention, and, most importantly, consistency. Ultimately, the process becomes very efficient and requires lower cognitive loads while ensuring high-quality performance.

At its core, the shot process we want to drive you to is straightforward. It starts with grabbing the firearm, aiming, making the trigger function, then seeing if the shot was effective. This flow will look like this

  • Grip
  • Aim
  • Trigger Press
  • Follow through

From here, it rapidly gets increasingly detailed and looks like this

  • Build position with a Natural Point of Aim
  • Grip
  • Aim (Hold over/under, wind)
  • Prep trigger
  • Pause breathing (as needed)
  • Press trigger
  • Follow through
  • Recover
  • Repeat as needed

And eventually, like this.

  • Build position with a Natural Point of Aim
    • Level shoulders
    • Wide stance
    • Body in line with recoil direction
    • Cheek placement
    • Eye relief
    • Bag if needed
  • Grip
    • Firing hand grip
    • Non-firing hand grip
    • Grip pressure
    • Shoulder placement
  • Aim
    • Eye Relief
    • Sight Alignment
    • Hold over/under
    •  Wind Hold
  • Prep trigger
    • Safety
    • Finger Placement
    • Bring to the wall
  • Pause breathing (as needed)
  • Press trigger
    • Break the wall                   
  • Follow through
    • Observe sights
    • Observe firearm movement
  • Recover
  • Repeat as needed

This is not even everything that needs to happen. As we define something, there are steps inside of it, checks that need to be done, etc.

Initially, breaking this down can be overwhelming. It is necessary for growth though. I can’t emphasize it enough. Once you break it down and start putting that to use, your shooting will get very consistent and you will be able to identify exactly why that shot didn’t go as advertised.

2 thoughts on “The Shot Process”

  1. Joseph Plandowski, M.A., Performance Enhancement Consultant

    Be sure not to half ass your shooting process in training/practice. Muscle memory and cognitive learning is a double edge sword. Your want to train and do your process effectively and efficiently each time. If not, you will train the wrong process and physical and mental skills of the process. Basically your body remembers what you do/train the most and will do under stress what is trained the most; be this good or bad. Also, as you are learning you may have to slow your shot process down to be sure you are doing it correctly, but after you learn it and have it down/comfortable with it, speed up your process to game time speed. If you do not you will have effectiveness in your process, but not the speed needed during competition and/or a real life situation.

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