The Most Dangerous Thought in Shooting: “I Must Shoot a 10 Now”

Written by Hemant Jadhav

Table of Content

1) Why This Thought Is Toxic

2) Shooting Is a Process Sport

3) The Illusion of Control

4) What Strong Shooters Do Instead

5) Final Word

Shooter’s Say-so

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Abhishek Pokhale

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Hello friends,

There is one thought that ruins more shots than poor trigger control ever will:

“I need a 10 here.”

Why This Thought Is Toxic

The moment this thought appears:

• The future enters the present

• The body tightens

• Timing collapses

The shooter is no longer shooting.

They are trying to force an outcome.

Shooting Is a Process Sport

Good shots come from:

• Repetition

• Rhythm

• Allowing the shot to break

The conscious mind is terrible at precision.

Its interference is subtle—but deadly.

The Illusion of Control

Wanting a 10 feels logical.

But wanting is not controlling.

Trying to control the shot:

• Slows the trigger

• Freezes decision-making

• Creates hesitation

Misses then feel “mysterious.”

They aren’t.

What Strong Shooters Do Instead

They replace outcome demand with:

• Stop the noise in their heads

• Focus on the present

• Visualise their good shots

They don’t hope for a 10.

They execute and move on.

Final Word

You don’t shoot tens by wanting them.

You shoot tens by getting out of the way.

Shooter’s Say-so

Author

Hemant Jadhav is the founder of Foresight Shooting and an ISSF-certified 10 meter air pistol coach, specializing in performance under pressure and precision shooting systems.

Through his work, he focuses on helping shooters build consistency, stability, and mental control, turning technical skills into repeatable high-performance outcomes.

He is deeply committed to the sport and spends extensive time training, analyzing performance patterns, and refining methods that improve accuracy and confidence in competition.

Outside of coaching, he values time with his family and often retreats to his farmhouse, where he disconnects, reflects, and resets.

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