Learn to execute in the present tense. Devote your awareness to the matter at hand. Shooting in the present tense allows you to spot differences between good and bad runs, and then analyze your performance by paying attention to what is going right or wrong.

2. You must learn to switch your concentration on and off as required.

Learn to control your concentration by firing a sufficient number of rounds in each practice session. Always shoot a minimum of 200 rounds. Divide your practice sessions into several segments. Your goal for each of these segments is to execute at 100% of your ability - the same way you shoot a match. Make it real.

3. Always use positive self-talk.

In practice, you must learn to prevent negative occurrences from causing negative thoughts. Pay attention to the key things you know will allow you to hit the target. Your subconscious doesn't know the difference between don't miss the target and miss the target.

4. Shoot within your ability.

Know what you're capable of doing. Anytime you take a chance it should be a calculated risk. In the last few days before a match, don't try to learn a completely new technique that will allow you to increase your skill level to the next class. When you are preparing for a match, put yourself in the present tense during practice and learn to shoot from within at your current level.

5. Be prepared to shoot.

Run the same routine in practice as you do in a match. Get the idea that "It's just practice..." out of your head. Just because you're out there on your own and can make as many runs as you want, you still must give 100% attention and execution on each shot you fire. That "throw-away" run may be the one you must keep at the match...

6. Shoot from within yourself.

The ultimate goal is to shoot the match to the best of your ability. The ultimate goal for each practice session is to shoot to the best of your ability. Most shooters lose a match because they beat themselves. If you can do it in practice, you should be able to do it at the match. If you find there is a big difference in your skill level between race day and practice day, then your practice routine is suspect. Most likely, your attitude is not such that you are exercising and developing your mental skills through your practice.