Tournament Strategy for Clay Shooters

Major tournaments test more than your shooting. Success requires managing energy, maintaining focus across multiple days, and performing under pressure when it matters most.

The truth about tournaments: At major events, the difference between top finishers is rarely skill—it's who executes their skills most consistently under pressure. Strategy and preparation often determine outcomes.

Before the Tournament

Physical Preparation

Peak before the event: Don't try to cram practice the week before. Your last intensive practice should be 5-7 days out. Use the final days for light maintenance.

Rest: Get extra sleep the week before. You can't catch up on sleep, but you can build a reserve.

Equipment check: Verify everything works. Replace worn parts. Don't try new equipment at the tournament.

Mental Preparation

Set process goals: Focus on what you control. "Execute my pre-shot routine every time" beats "I need to shoot 95."

Visualize success: Mentally rehearse shooting well. See yourself calm, focused, and breaking targets.

Plan for adversity: How will you respond to a bad station or a run of misses? Decide in advance, not in the moment.

Day-of Strategy

Morning Routine

Wake up

At least 2-3 hours before your start time. Rushing creates stress.

Breakfast

Eat what you normally eat. Tournament day is not for dietary experiments. Protein and complex carbs sustain energy.

Arrive early

30-45 minutes before your squad time. Register, check the course, use the restroom, settle in.

Warm up

If practice rounds are available, use them. Otherwise, dry mount and stretch. Get your body ready.

During Competition

One Target at a Time

This isn't a cliché—it's the only way to shoot well. The target in front of you is the only one that exists. Past misses are gone. Future targets aren't here yet.

Stick to Your Process

Your pre-shot routine is your anchor. When pressure rises, the temptation is to rush or change something. Don't. Trust what you've practiced.

Manage Energy Between Stations

You don't need to be "on" between shots. Relax, chat with squadmates, enjoy the day. Turn on your focus when it's time to shoot.

Stay Hydrated and Fueled

Sip water throughout. Have snacks available. Low blood sugar affects focus and decision-making.

Multi-Day Event Strategy

Day 1

• Focus on settling in and finding rhythm
• Don't check scores or standings
• Learn the course for Day 2
• Eat a good dinner, avoid alcohol
• Light stretching, early to bed

Subsequent Days

• Maintain identical routines each morning
• Don't try to "make up" for earlier rounds
• Stay in the present, not the leaderboard
• Adjust chokes/approach only if necessary
• Conserve energy—pace yourself

The leaderboard trap: Checking scores mid-tournament rarely helps. If you're behind, you might press. If you're ahead, you might protect. Either mindset interferes with shooting your best.

Handling Adversity

Things will go wrong. How you respond determines outcomes:

Accept It Immediately

A miss is done. A bad station is over. Wishing it were different wastes mental energy you need for the next target.

Reset Physically

Take a breath. Relax your shoulders. Some shooters touch their hat or adjust their glasses as a reset trigger.

Return to Process

Your pre-shot routine is your reset button. Enter it fully. By the time you're ready to call for the target, the past should be gone.

Shorten Your Focus

When things go wrong, narrow your focus. Not the whole course. Not the whole station. Just this pair. Just this target.

Shoot-off Strategy

If you're fortunate enough to make a shoot-off, treat it differently:

You've already succeeded: Making a shoot-off means you shot well. This is bonus time. Pressure is optional.

Ignore your opponent: Their targets don't affect yours. Watch only for safety. Focus on your own process.

Slow down if needed: Shoot-offs can feel rushed. Take your time. A deliberate miss is worse than a patient hit.

Commit fully: Half-hearted shots miss. See it, trust it, shoot it. Decisiveness beats tentativeness in sudden death.

After the Tournament

If You Shot Well

• Note what worked and why
• Identify keys to repeat next time
• Celebrate appropriately, then move on
• Don't let success create pressure for the next event

If You Struggled

• Wait 24 hours before analysis
• Look for patterns, not excuses
• Identify one thing to work on
• Remember: every champion has bad tournaments

Key Takeaways

Prepare physically and mentally before you arrive. The tournament is too late to get ready.

Process over outcome. Control what you can control.

One target at a time. Stay present.

Manage energy across multi-day events.

Learn from every tournament, regardless of result.

Tournament Strategy