Happy Independence Day!
Ocular vehicle control is a long understood principle of performance driving. Of course the vehicle does not know (or care) where you are looking, but unless you are highly skilled, it will go where you look rather than where you may want it to go. It is probably obvious to even the most casual shooter that vision plays a large role in shooting. Just how large a role has been understood for a long time by high level shooters, but many in the shooting world are only recently learning about it. Generally speaking, the more you can focus your vision on the spot you want to hit, the better off you will be.
The way to do this is to look at the spot you want to hit, but don’t concentrate on it. We don’t want to concentrate on our shooting, we just want to be aware of it. Easier said than done, but it works well. Just direct your vision to the spot while keeping your mind open to what is happening. Don’t concentrate on it like you are trying to bend the spoon, just look at the spot.
When you want to hit something else, look precisely at that next thing. This is how you shoot multiple targets fast and accurately. Move your eyes as fast as you can to exactly what you want to hit, and the gun will follow. Less tension in the body helps this process. I read about this in the 90’s and thought I was practicing it but I did not really experience it until Steel Nationals in the early 2000’s. Shooting steel well is all about how fast and precisely you look from target spot to target spot.
When I miss a shot on a FAST demonstration, or during Cold Heat, it is often because my vision wandered. not always, but more often than I would like. When my gun doesn’t return as cleanly and precisely as it can, it is usually my vision that caused it. Extra tension can do it too, but in my case that is less of an issue than the vision.
While most shooters will not want to pursue this too far, if you are trying to get as fast and accurate as possible, vision and relaxation are very important aspects. Speedy movements come from precisely directed vision and enough relaxation to move quickly without excess effort. This has long been thought to be at odds with defensive use of a firearm, but I’m not sure the difference is worth arguing about. In either case, try moving your vision faster and more precisely and I think you will like the results.