THE BRAIN GAME

I’ll be fine as long as I don’t get called to shoot just before Jason. If I miss one in front of him then it’s over. I may as well pack up and go home.”

This was whispered to me at a recent Skeet championship by one of the UK’s finest shots. He was voicing his concern at performing with a close competitor breathing down his neck. The name has been changed to protect the innocent, but it demonstrates that even the very best have to endure an unwelcome level of mental pressure during the heat of competition.

Another challenge for many shots is the strain of remaining attentive during multi-day events, when mental fatigue and even boredom start to take hold.

It’s tempting to concentrate all our efforts on physical training, which may prove invaluable for our technical skills, but is unlikely to significantly