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A Practical Demonstration of the Jedi Mind Trick in IDPA
(or Why does my mind go blank after the timer goes off?)
January 25, 2011
It is common knowledge that we "think" both in the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind allows us to do multiple things at the same time without actively "thinking" about them. The conscious mind only allows us to concentrate on relatively few things at the same time. Even then we have to consciously switch back and forth between the things we are trying to remember. The more complicated, the more difficult it is for the conscious mind to "keep track" of them.
With the conscious mind, stress interferes with the smooth thought process. Stress "overwhelms" the brain and directly interferes with conscious thought. This is the reason individuals "freeze" in deadly or extremely stressful situations. To a lesser degree, this is what happens when we place shooters under the artificial stress of the timer in a IDPA scenario. The cognitive ability of the individual is decreased and he/she fails to function in the manner that they normally would. Despite the real physiological and psychological effect of the competition timers used in IDPA and their mimic effect similar to the Jedi Mind Trick, please be assured. I have dismantled countless shot timers and have yet to find Yoda or even worse….. miniature Jedi from the Dark Side….in a single shot timer.
The basic element that a shooter should realize is that the subconscious mind will and can do multiple tasks and do them flawlessly, unlike the conscious mind. Call it subconscious, muscle memory or "we fight like we train". It is your subconscious mind dealing with the overwhelming data, processing it and performing the tasks that need to be done.
Now, why is this important? It is important because new shooters or shooters that are new to the shooting sports like IDPA need to realize that when they observe a shooter that performs at the upper levels of our sport, these superior shooters are doing it because they have practiced and performed in untold number of similar situations. They have come to a level where they are consciously thinking about the nuances and no longer having to concentrate on the basics. This comes with time, practice and dedication. They no longer have to consciously think about the proper grip, the newer shooter does. They no longer have to consciously think about doing a smooth effortless reload, the newer shooter does. They no longer have to consciously think about how many shots per threat and how to move along a barricade safely, the newer shooter does.
It is not unlike riding a bike. At first, you have to think about steering, balance, keeping your feet moving and all the other things that go along with riding the bike. After you master the basics, then you can concentrate on the tricks. Shooting is similar (except no tricks, PLEASE)
Often shooters become frustrated. They observe people that they feel should not out perform them, yet these people do. Sometimes it's just natural ability and sometimes it's just superior hand to eye coordination. But mostly, it's that these shooters, especially the expert and master class shooters that have honed their muscle memory skills. This allows their subconscious mind to take over the majority of physical tasks so that they then smoothly and efficiently perform like a machine. This further allows their conscious mind to concentrate on the one or two more critical elements of the scenario that will, for them, even further elevate their performance.
How does the new shooter get to this level? First, the shooter must learn the rules of the game they are playing. For IDPA, read and learn what you can do and what you can not do. Know what and how to shoot safely. Know the game's terminology. Then work on the basics. This is done with dry firing and live fire practice or local matches. Like with the bike, if you can't do the basics then you can't do wheelies or ride with no hands. In IDPA, the basics of "riding the bike" are proper grip, proper sight picture and proper trigger control. Work on this until it's second nature to you and YOU ARE DOING IT RIGHT. Use the local matches to learn. Each match is practice. Practice well. Start more slowly then as you become more efficient, you will get quicker. NOTE THAT I DID NOT SAY FASTER. Fast is chaos. One never does well or their best when in chaos. Quick and efficient wins the fight and wins the match. Watch the best shooters, in person or in video. They don't look like they are shooting really any quicker than most others, but when the time is called out, they are quicker. It is because they are efficient in everything they do. No wasted time, no wasted motion, no wasted effort.
The next thing is HAVE A PLAN AND EXECUTE THAT PLAN. The shooter needs to implement their plan as smoothly and efficiently as they can. With experience, not only the plans will be smoother and more efficient, but the implementation will also be smoother and more efficient. There is no substitution for experience, either through dry fire practice or live fire practice or matches.
Initially, the shooter new to the sport will have to ask others and obtain insight into "how should I shoot this scenario"? Like with anything else, if you don't know…..ask. The only dumb question is one that you don't ask and should have. Also be mindful that a revolver shooter will most probably have to shoot the stage differently than someone shooting CDP. The CDP shooter will have to probably shoot it different than those shooting in SSP/ESP. This is mainly because of the number of rounds and when they will have to do a reload or reloads. The newer shooter should repeat their plan over and over in his/her mind prior to coming up to the line to shoot. Do it while watching others shoot. Do it while taping targets. Do it so that it becomes "imprinted" into your mind. Guess what? You are putting that plan into your subconscious by going over and over the plan in your head. This means that you will be more likely to perform those tasks without thinking about them.
Once you harness the force of the subconscious mind, you will enter the ranks of the IDPA Jedi Master and will no longer be susceptible to the Dark Force Jedi Mind Tricks of the dastardly shot timer. May the force be with you.
Garry Newton
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