September/October 2009: Volume 17, Number 5 - USA Shooting

ColumnsFrom the Editor Aim with AMU Inside the BlueOn the Firing Line Coaches’ CornerAfter each event concluded, a young man who is working hard and ismaking a name for himself came to see the old guy. They compared notesand encouragement about their shooting. The young man quickly realizedthat old guy was struggling with something. They talked each day throughthe week, and the younger shooter helped the older shooter discoversomething… while he had told himself that he had adjusted his goals andexpectations… he still wished he shot at the higher levels he had achievedearlier when training regularly. Outcome-based expectations cause a lot ofconflict if out of tune! After that, their conversations were even more enjoyablethan they already were, as were the rest of the many competitionsthat week. The student had become the teacher!Expectations, the dreaded “E” word, are often too high and often basedon wishes rather than realities. Be honest with yourself. Happy is the athletewho understands and applies this insight. Otherwise, another conflictedathlete suffers.Coach-Dad-ItisSometimes the internal conflict has external roots. One of the mostcommon examples of this is “Coach-Dad-Itis.” When a parent, whetheractually coaching their child or not, aggressively drives their child concerningoutcome, the child develops a great deal of internal conflict.This topic was explored in article 21 of this series using the example of afather and his daughter, along with the daughter’s ideas on the topic. However,the concept applies universally to moms as well, to all sports parentseven though they are not the child’s actual coach, and – even though thearticle was about a daughter – it applies equally if the athlete is a son.After the article was published, a younger friend of mine who coacheda junior program at the time told me how in their club the worst parentin this regard noticed that the article mentioned a daughter and said thearticle didn’t apply to him because his athlete child was a son. Sorry, dad,that article should have been about you!When a parent is overbearing on their child or is “merely” overenthusiastic,the child may eventually wonder if they are shooting for themselvesor for their parent. Or they will become frustrated at their parent’s constant“disappointment” in them. This is debilitating to the athlete’s performance.Either way, the athlete becomes de-motivated, just as surely as ifthey had hit a long plateau.Clearing ConflictUltimately, the conflicted athlete is the one who must clear the conflict.Certainly a coach, friend, fellow athlete or other person may lendperspective, as in some of the examples above. Regardless, it is then in theathlete’s hands. Understand the sources of the conflict, and then addressthem. Yes, it sounds so simple – too simple. Learning to work with thedifficulties of conflict strengthens and empowers the athlete to meet evenlarger challenges.The important thing is to start – and keep going.Based in the Atlanta, Ga., area, JP O’Connor (jpoc@acm.org and http://www.america.net/~jpoc/) is involved in shooting as a competitor, is a formerAssistant National Coach – USA Paralympics Shooting Team, serves on the NationalCoach Development Staff in both rifle & pistol, coaches the rifle and pistolteams at North Georgia College & State University, and coaches a junior club.He enjoys working with a number of pistol and rifle athletes from around thecountry, ranging from beginners to the highly advanced, in clinics and one-ononeprivate coaching. Previous installments of this series may be found at www.pilkguns.com.Matt and Katy Emmonstrusted Kustermann in BeijingMonaco ComfortThe combined leather/canvasshooting jacket Model MONACOComfort combines all the desirableand conceivable details that topshooters desire such as:Monaco Evolution Boots••••Highest possible stabilityAdaptable to all three positionsTop Grip RubberSuede leather shouldersThe choice of Katerina EmmonsWinner Profi GloveMonaco FusionSame cut as model Monaco Comfortbut the back part is made froma firm but flexible elastomer whichis fixed onto a cotton basis.When will you make the switch?The outstanding feature of theFusion-material is its permanentstability which does not changeeven during fluctuations in temperatureand climate.The choice of Matt EmmonsWe also offer the full line of:www.kustermannusa.comTry&Bom, Inc.www.kustermannusa.comPhone: 503-419-6310Fax: 503-488-5859info@trybom.comHours: M-F 10 - 6 PSTClothing and Accessories