Three Ways to Train and Build Confidence at the Same Time

As athletes, we often focus solely on improving our technical skills through repetitive practice. But to truly perform at our best, we need to train our minds as well.

In this discussion, I break down the three main ways we can train both at the same time:

 Training for Feel

This is the most basic level of training, where the focus is purely on developing the physical technique and getting a feel for the movement. This is great for beginners and intermediates still working on the fundamentals.

Training for the Shot

As you progress, you'll want to start incorporating your complete mental process into your practice. This means going through your pre-shot process, maintaining focus during the execution, and reviewing the results afterward. This helps ingrain the mental skills alongside the physical.

Training for the Round/Match

The final step is to simulate the whole competitive experience in practice. This could mean playing 18 holes of golf or running through an entire clay shooting course. The goal is to practice your mental game under conditions that mimic the real thing.

By training these three elements together - feel, shot, and round - you'll develop both the physical skills and the mental toughness to perform at your best when it matters most. Don't leave your mindset to chance - prioritize it in your training.

Here are some specific examples of the three types of training discussed earlier:

Training for Feel:

Golf - Hitting the same type of shot (e.g., driver, iron, putt) repeatedly on the driving range or practice green, focusing on developing the physical feel and technique of the swing/stroke.

Shooting - Repeatedly practicing the same type of shot (e.g., clay target presentation, rifle position) to ingrain the physical mechanics and muscle memory. You should run your Mental Program in sync with your shot routine and reload each shot.

Training for the Shot:

Golf - On the driving range, hitting a series of shots but varying the target each time. This adds Strategy, Rehearsal, and Commitment to the Mental Program and Reload.

Shooting - At a clay shooting station, execute Pre-load, Mental Program, and Re-Load while repeating the same presentation several times.

Training for the Round/Match:

Golf - Playing a full 18-hole round, simulating an actual tournament with course management decisions, adding Preset to the entire Mental Process.

Shooting - Running through an entire clay shooting course, transitioning between different presentations and shooting positions just as you would in a competition.

The key is progressing from isolated technical work to integrating the mental game to finally simulating the whole competitive experience. This allows you to build both physical skills and mental confidence in tandem.