5 Tips for More Consistency in Competition — From Stance to Grip

In shooting sports, calmness, repeatability and precision decide success. Many shooters know the feeling: everything runs smoothly in training and the scores look good — but as soon as the word “start” is heard in competition, the body reacts and all the effort from training seems to vanish.

We spoke with experienced coaches and top shooters and compiled five practical tips for 10 m air pistol, helping you shoot calmer, more confidently and more precisely in competition. With a few targeted adjustments to technique, stance and equipment, consistency can be improved significantly. These recommendations are mainly aimed at shooters who want to strengthen the basics and see noticeable progress quickly with simple changes.

1. Stance — stability starts with your feet

A steady shot always begins with a stable stance. Only if you stand securely can you aim calmly. Even small imbalances can affect the sight picture.
What matters:

Shoulder-width stance: Feet turned slightly inward, weight evenly distributed.

Legs & hips: knees slightly bent, do not lock, hips stable — prevents the upper body from swaying.

Torso: back straight, shoulders relaxed.

Head & eyes: chin slightly down, eyes level with the target, neck relaxed.

💡 Practical tip:
Find your personal comfort zone. The perfect stance is not the same for every shooter. Experiment in training with small adjustments to feet, legs and torso until you find the position in which you aim most calmly and most controlled.

2. The grip — the link between shooter and pistol

The grip is the direct interface between body and pistol. It provides control, repeatability and feel. A perfectly fitting grip keeps hand and finger positions consistent — the foundation for constant hits.
Our MESHPRO grips are designed exactly for that:

Pleasant feel & secure hold: The distinctive mesh structure provides a grippy surface and even pressure distribution across the whole palm.

More comfort: The open structure allows air to circulate — the hand stays dry and relaxed even during long matches.

Fit by choice: MESHPRO grips are available in standard sizes (XS–L, left- and right-handed) or can be individually tailored via a hand or grip scan.

Extensive customization: The grip configurator offers numerous options to adjust angle, surface texture, weight and other personal details.

💡 Practical tip:
A grip should feel natural so you can focus on aiming immediately — without readjusting or fiddling.

3. The trigger — the moment of truth

Most misses are not caused by poor aiming, but by an unclean trigger movement. A clean trigger press is characterized by continuous, even pressure, no jerking motion, no lateral pull, a clearly felt break and clean follow-through. Achieving this under competition pressure is the result of feel, control and consistent training — and it can be trained, even at home in dry-fire practice.

💡 Training ideas:

Dry-fire: Hold the sight picture and operate the trigger so the front sight does not move (works at home).

Feel the break: Train to recognize the exact moment of the trigger break — only then release the shot. This improves precision and prevents the shot from “pulling.”

Mental training: Link the trigger moment to calm breathing — “breathe, hold, press.”

4. Breathing — calm through rhythm

Breathing has a decisive influence on aim stability. A steady breathing pattern stabilises the body and the sight picture. Particularly effective is the so-called double breath — a breathing technique many top shooters use to stay calm in competition.

Step-by-step: the double breath: 

1. First breath (abdomen): Take a deep abdominal breath while you bring the pistol up over the target. As you exhale, lower the arm to the top edge of the mirror and bring your eye to the front sight.
2. Second breath (chest): Take a shorter chest breath; the arm moves slightly upward. As you exhale, align the sight picture and calmly enter the hold area.
3. Release phase: With roughly one third of the air still in your lungs, stop your breathing. The sight picture should be steady. Now squeeze the trigger evenly.
4. Follow-through & analysis: Keep the trigger finger back; let your eyes follow the front sight. After the shot, take a deep breath and lower the arm. Reflect on the shot, compare your mental analysis with the actual result. Then take several deep breaths and prepare for the next shot.

💡 Training tip:

5. Routine — consistency is no accident

Consistency in competition is not random; it is the result of clear routines. A repeatable sequence gives the body security and the mind calm.

Checklist for your “perfect shot”

Write your individual sequence down, step by step, as detailed as possible. For example:

• Is my stance set up correctly?
• Is the grip positioned correctly in my hand?
• Is the hip stable?
• First breath: arm over the target?
• Second breath: front sight in the mirror?
• Is the pressure point reached?
• Shot executed — follow-through?
• Analysis: can I explain the shot pattern?

💡 Practical tip:
Have your routine checked by an experienced coach. Print the final version small on a single small sheet of paper and keep it in your equipment box. If you lose your focus during a competition, a quick glance at the note will help you get back on track.

Conclusion: Technique meets confidence

Consistency comes when technique, mental strength and equipment work together. Those who train stance, grip, trigger, breathing and routine consistently make the step from a good shooter to a stable competitor.

Got ideas or experiences to share? Let us know in the comments!

Learn more about ergonomic, 3D-printed pistol grips from MESHPRO here.