By Tibor Gonczol

© 2006.  If this article is to be printed, distributed or used in part or whole, it is expected that due acknowledgement will be given to the source and author/compiler.

When working out a SYSTEMATIC TRAINING PLAN, it is necessary to build up a series of basic shooting exercises, designed to contain the elements necessary to improve various aspects of shooting techniques. Using the principles of PROGRESSIVE LOADING, INTERVAL TRAINING, SPECIFICITY and GRADUALITY, these exercises used with the appropriate time and frequency, will give the balance necessary for the individual shooter to get the most out of his ability, time, expense and effort he is prepared or able to spend on training. By the varied use of the exercises one should also be able to provide the necessary INTEREST and maintain CONCENTRATION.

For the purpose of easy planning of training, a list of exercises are prepared, with the appropriate abbreviations that can be used in future plans and references to a specific exercise. There is no reason why one cannot devise more or better exercises as long as one keeps the purpose in mind, and has a good reason for it.

The exercises should include PHYSICAL TRAINING ELEMENTS too, as I do not believe the two aspects can be separated. The exercises are NOT just ideas, not just my own thoughts, but are tried, proven and used by some of the best shooters in the world.

Not many shooters have the ability and perseverance to work as hard and to concentrate this much on the quality of training, but then, we do not have that many World Champions either. The described exercises and the training sessions built from them are HARD WORK. Many shooters do not recognise the fact that there is a big difference between SHOOTING and TRAINING. As with any system - once the decision is made to adopt it - the work must be done SYSTEMATICALLY, CONSISTENTLY, CONTINUOUSLY, REGULARLY, AND FREQUENTLY. Even if the scores do not show immediate improvement, one should have enough confidence to PERSEVERE and believe that it will bring superior performance in the long run. IT WILL.

It is important to consider that:

There are no shortcuts. The exercises must be mastered, one after the other. To start with the higher grade exercises is a mistake. It is impossible to learn, refine and polish a movement or action, without having the basic "ground" exercises mastered first. One cannot run before learning to walk. (Some babies do, but look at the scars and bruises.)

It will be necessary and important – even for the Champions – to go back to the basic fundamentals and to some basic exercises from time to time, in order to sort out some of the basic problems and to correct mistakes that slipped into one’s technique.

At all times, one must concentrate on TECHNIQUE and STYLE, and not on scores. The scores will take care of themselves. This is a difficult task, but can be mastered by constant concentration. If the technique is correct, the scores will be good too.

All shooting sessions, every shot fired must be analysed carefully. Mistakes must not be practiced. The sole purpose of training is to eliminate mistakes. The shooter must learn to have confidence in his technique. The Coach can assist in these tasks, by observing, analysing, encouraging, and motivating the shooters, BUT it is the shooter who has to do the work.