Observations regarding stress and shot placement

[WillametteWill]

One of the tools we use when working with shooters is to simulate threat targets behind barricades by painting a portion of a USPSA/IDPA style target black. We use these in a variety of drills, from mixing them in with no-shoot/shoot targets to low-light situations. Most of the shooters are newer to intermediate levels. Since these targets are not taking a high-volume of hits, I tape them up and reuse them. After several classes, I began to notice a pattern; a high percentage of the shots skew to left side of the targets. Looking at targets used with the same groups of shooters used during "normal" shooting, shots seem evenly distributed on the left and right sides of the targets. (Some right-handed shooters have the low-left issue, but we work on fixing this quickly.)

Out of eight targets, all eight had more hits on the left. The overall percentage is 70.7% left, 29.3% right. This is a statistically significant difference. As for the "why," I suspect there are various causes.

These are not what I would consider "high-stress" drills, but I still find it interesting that even inducing a modicum of pressure on shooters makes a noticeable difference in shot placement. I've seen plenty of shooters missing easy shots under stress, I think helps to shed a bit of light on what is happening.

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[Medic!]

Talking about stress.
I find it interesting how many people can kill a charging bear or other deadly animal that tries to not-alive them.

Is it the fact many are hunters and have learned to manage stress and make the shot?

 

[Koda]

Talking about stress.
I find it interesting how many people can kill a charging bear or other deadly animal that tries to not-alive them.

Is it the fact many are hunters and have learned to manage stress and make the shot?

Most of the stories I read on bear attacks take multiple rounds and the survivor still gets mauled.

Im now guessing the missed shots are mostly low left...

 

[RW2147]

One of the tools we use when working with shooters is to simulate threat targets behind barricades by painting a portion of a USPSA/IDPA style target black. We use these in a variety of drills, from mixing them in with no-shoot/shoot targets to low-light situations. Most of the shooters are newer to intermediate levels. Since these targets are not taking a high-volume of hits, I tape them up and reuse them. After several classes, I began to notice a pattern; a high percentage of the shots skew to left side of the targets. Looking at targets used with the same groups of shooters used during "normal" shooting, shots seem evenly distributed on the left and right sides of the targets. (Some right-handed shooters have the low-left issue, but we work on fixing this quickly.)

Out of eight targets, all eight had more hits on the left. The overall percentage is 70.7% left, 29.3% right. This is a statistically significant difference. As for the "why," I suspect there are various causes.

These are not what I would consider "high-stress" drills, but I still find it interesting that even inducing a modicum of pressure on shooters makes a noticeable difference in shot placement. I've seen plenty of shooters missing easy shots under stress, I think helps to shed a bit of light on what is happening.

As a new shooter myself, I am to the left consistently, and down.
I think my left hand grip weakens, so I'm working on maintaining a solid left hand grip.

I'm also flinching slightly, expecting recoil. Son I'm working on dry firing.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

As a new shooter myself, I am to the left consistently, and down.
I think my left hand grip weakens, so I'm working on maintaining a solid left hand grip.

I'm also flinching slightly, expecting recoil. Son I'm working on dry firing.

My suggestion is switch to 100 % grip pressure with each hand prior to firing. Trigger finger is disconnected from that. Straight backwards pull with trigger finger.

In contrast, if you unconsciously squeeze your grip when you pull the trigger it's gonna rotate to the left (dominate right handed I mean).

Flinch of course is this to a more extreme amount + a downward press motion. If you are already gripping 100% there is less chance to "grip harder" in anticipation. Grip 100% with each hand the same way every time ( and no downward push motion) and it should surprise you when gun goes off. That way it's the same every time no matter if shot goes of or not. Pretend your hands are the vice clamping on both front and back of grip so gun cannot move side to side no matter what (gun recoiling upwards is ok and expected).

 

[Mikej]

My suggestion is switch to 100 % grip pressure with each hand prior to firing. Trigger finger is disconnected from that. Straight backwards pull with trigger finger.

In contrast, if you unconsciously squeeze your grip when you pull the trigger it's gonna rotate to the left (dominate right handed I mean).

Flinch of course is this to a more extreme amount. If you are already gripping 100% there is less chance to "grip harder" in anticipation. Grip 100% with each hand the same way every time and it should surprise you when gun goes off. That way it's the same every time no matter if shot goes of or not.

That's what helped my "shooting low left" issue. Not "FIXED" the issue, but helped. Still needs work. "Trigger finger disconnect". Aiming for center target, holding grip steady and moving trigger finger from trigger to safe position, repeatedly, while keeping sights on center target, helped me to isolate trigger finger from grip.