Visualization

by
posted on August 17, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wilson2015_fs.jpg (50)

And it is a technique that can be quite valuable to the defensive shooter, as well. I'm talking about visualization.

In the past we have talked about "what if" games, which is taking the time to imagine those likely criminal attacks that a person might have to deal with and deciding how best to deal with them. This is also a form of visualization. It helps a person "see" the moves he must make to successfully deal with the threat.

Now, for goodness sakes, please don't confuse visualization with day dreaming. You know, those are the little mind dramas where you take care of all the bad guys and save all the pretty girls. You'll know it is day dreaming because pretty girls are nearly always involved in such flights of fantasy.

Visual awareness has been shown to improve mental awareness and confidence. It is the process of creating a mental image or intention of what you want the outcome of an event to be. Scientific research has shown that physical and psychological reactions can be improved through visualization. Visualization can lock the necessary moves into your mind.

So we might use visualization in deciding how we will deal with a particular defensive scenario. It can help us remember to look for danger, identify threats and take advantage of cover. And it can also help us develop the confidence that we need to successfully overcome a threat.

And visualization can also help us with the various chores related to gun handling and marksmanship. In our spare time, we visualize the steps to make a smooth speed load. We visualize seeing that front sight before we launch each shot. And our awareness and confidence level continues to increase.

Now, please don't misunderstand. Visualization does not take the place of live-fire practice. Nor does it even take the place of dry practice. But there are times in our lives when neither is possible at the moment, yet we do have time for thinking. If it works to help our top athletes win in their games, it just might be the very thing to help you win in the serious business of personal defense.

Latest

Detroit Gunworks
Detroit Gunworks

First Look: Detroit Gun Works .308 Win Barreled Action

An action and barrel combo that allows to use your choice of stock and trigger.

First Look: Steelhead Outdoors Handgun Locker

Secure your handgun when not in use.

Steiner Optics Partners with Bruiser Industries

Steiner Optics has partnered with Bruiser Industries to further develop enhanced tactical training scenarios and mission-specific instruction using Steiner’s LVPO, red dots, lasers and more.

Roundup: Firearm Accessories

Add a little more boom to your boomstick.

First Look: New Targets From Birchwood Casey.

Steel targets that are designed to take a beating.

Skills Check: Priority-Shift Drill

Train your brain and your trigger finger.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.