Q:

In answer to one of your previous questions you mentioned the use of NLP to induce a calm state of mind when you adopted your fighting stance, to the point that it felt good to be in this position.

I would like to know whether you could please give me some insight as to what these techniques were and how you achieved this, as when I am fighting I am generally quite 'jittery'; and so if you could help with these NLP techniques it would be much appreciated.


A:

I'm not that much into NLP as much as what I refer more to "classical conditioning". I only have a small exposure to NLP (Darrin Laur is the guy who is really into it).

However, what I've done particularly with shooting and fighting is to equate positive mental and physical stimuli with my fighting stance. My theory is that if I can condition myself enough with positive stimuli while in my fighting (also read that as my shooting) stance, then when I adopt my stance, I should connect the positive feelings I've developed to that stance.

For fighting, I have a mantra that I repeat and I have a specific mental image that I visualize. The visualization is not about what the opponent is doing because I cannot control that. My visualization is about what I'm doing (because I CAN control that).

For shooting I want to be as calm as possible during a stressful situation -- a possible gunfight.  Since shooting is more of a fine motor skill rather than a gross motor one, I want to stress a calmness and peacefulness when I raise my firearm up to shooting position to overcome the natural effects of stress.

When I do dry fire practice I put on a specific favorite classical music selection. Then I "meditate" while focusing on my front sight. I calm my breathing and focus on all sorts of positive affirmations and thoughts while focusing on my front sight. I let the music and the thoughts wash over me as I dry fire practice.

Later, on the range or in a competition, I will mentally hum the musical piece (remember I said a "specific" musical piece -- I use one special piece that is only for shooting so I equate that music with calmly focusing on the front sight). When I go on target all I have to do is make sure I am breathing and I will "slip" into the positive mindset I've developed before.

Even when it seems to me that I'm going "slow", my split times and my total times are fine. My accuracy is at the upper end so my scores are high. I've noticed a few things about this method when shooting:

1. You are smoother and don't make mistakes by hurrying. In other words, in the more complicated stages I score better than most of the other shooters by making fewer mistakes. I also finish every stage vs. being disqualified or getting a DNF due to dropping magazines, having difficulties manipulating my firearm, etc.

2. I have a relatively slow grip and draw from the holster than most of the other shooters, but I have a faster first shot. What I've noticed is that when the targets turn or the timer sounds, a number of other officers or competitors actually are getting their guns out of their holsters and on the target faster than I am. But my first shot generally always breaks before anyone else's. Sounds strange and it has been mildly disconcerting to me sometimes, but apparently, I must be taking the time to get a solid grip on my pistol, then my draw is smooth and controlled, allowing me to get my sights on target before anyone else. I'm surmising that the other shooters are "casting" their guns out of the holster and then must take undo time trying to align their sights on target.

One thing to remember is that the "fighting" conditioning is done at a distinctly upbeat tempo than the shooting conditioning. I am winding up faster and faster in the fighting stance to explode into action or to make sure the opponent doesn't launch an attack before I am ready.

The "shooting" mantra is slow and controlled.

The specifics of the mantra, visualizations and music is highly personal and you'll need to find one that works for you. What works for one person won't really work for another person because we all attach different feelings to words, images and music.

Addressing the "jittery" aspect of your comment. Don't get too uptight about that. My standup sparring style might be described as somewhat jittery in itself. I don't necessarily feel jittery, but I try and break of any rhythm I might have. You might also be mistaking the effects of adrenaline dumping into your body as the source of being jittery.

Good luck with these techniques, they've helped me.

Brad Parker