Many shooters recognize this pattern immediately: training feels solid, preparation feels fine—but the first shots in a match are weak, rushed, or poorly executed. After a few shots, things settle. The problem is not technical ability. It’s the transition.
The first shot is a mental gear change
Before the match starts, the shooter is usually still in a thinking mode:
- checking equipment
- watching others
- evaluating conditions
- anticipating performance
When the command to start is given, the shooter must instantly shift into execution mode. That transition is abrupt—and often incomplete.
The mind is still thinking while the body is expected to perform.
This mismatch shows up most clearly in the first shots.
Why “more focus” doesn’t fix it
A common response is to try harder to focus. This usually backfires.
Focus that is forced tends to:
- increase tension
- slow decision-making
- interfere with automatic execution
The first shots fail not because attention is missing, but because attention is misdirected—toward control instead of process.
The role of a first-shot routine
Elite shooters rarely rely on “getting into it” naturally. They use a deliberate first-shot routine to bridge the gap between thinking and performing.
A good first-shot routine:
- is identical in training and competition
- starts before the command to fire
- limits decisions to a few familiar cues
- does not depend on how the shooter feels
The routine tells the nervous system: this is the same task you already know.
Why trust matters more than precision
The first shot does not need to be perfect. It needs to be committed.
When shooters hesitate, adjust excessively, or second-guess the first shot, they confirm the feeling that competition is different from training. A trusted routine removes that distinction.
The goal of the first shot is simple:
- enter execution mode
- establish rhythm
- confirm familiarity
Accuracy follows stability, not the other way around.
What to take to the range
If your first match shots are consistently poor, don’t look for a technical fix. Look at your transition.
Ask yourself:
- Do I have a defined first-shot routine?
- Do I use it in training exactly as in matches?
- Do I trust it enough to execute without adjustment?
When the first shot is treated as a process trigger, not a result, the rest of the match becomes easier to manage.
References & Coaching Background
This understanding of first-shot performance is well established in elite pistol coaching and sport psychology:
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On the Firing Line – J. P. O’Connor Describes competition performance as a shift from conscious control to automatic execution. Emphasizes routines as the bridge between preparation and performance.
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The Fundamentals of Olympic Pistol Shooting – Željko Todorović Highlights the importance of pre-shot and first-shot routines in stabilizing execution at the start of competitions.
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Competitive Shooting – A. A. Yuryev Explains how early-match errors stem from incomplete adaptation to competitive conditions rather than technical flaws.
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Competitive Sport Shooting: Practical Sport Psychology – Dr. Heinz Lösel M.D. Details how routines reduce cognitive load and support automatic motor execution under match conditions.
Across these sources, the conclusion is consistent: The first shot is not about focus or correction—it’s about entering performance mode through a trusted routine.