TOURNAMENTS: WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
Your initial tournament experiences are always packed with mixed emotions. There’s anticipation, there’s natural excitement, there’s logical trepidation and finally of course the actuality of it all. If your earliest venture to the competitive line occurs when you’re a mere youngster, then emotions of a negative nature tend to be swallowed up in the excitement of the occasion, but for the adult novice it will be a uniquely interesting experience which will play on your mental composure. The truth is, and this is not meant to discourage, that no matter how well you prepare, you’re never as ready as you think you are. So how does one sway the balance of readiness to a positive reading?
The very first hurdle, quite obviously, is making the positive decision to take the plunge. I am constantly surprised at the huge percentage of club shooters who confine themselves to close range shooting, and who are reluctant to participate in the active competitive arena. In my own club only half a
