Joe Rogan Experience #1943 - Joel Turner

Turner argues the core issue in shooting isn’t aim, but that the subconscious will not allow you to cause an explosion or impact in your own body as a true surprise—so it unconsciously adds flinches and pre-ignition movements unless you override it.

Open-loop movements are fast, efficient, and automatic (like a golf swing), but too fast for feedback; in precision shooting you must deliberately use slow, stoppable (closed-loop) trigger or release movements that you consciously monitor and could halt at any point.

You cannot “try” to concentrate; you must decide to, then drive attention with specific words (e.g., “Here I go… pull, pull, pull”), which occupy mental bandwidth and keep your focus on the activation movement instead of on anxiety or outcome.

After a controlled shot, Turner recommends asking four questions—what you thought, what you said, whether you could have stopped, and which decisions you made—to capture a reproducible mental sequence instead of leaving performance as a mystery.

Many archers and shooters unknowingly rehearse their own downfall by punching triggers or rushing under mild practice stress; Turner insists every practice rep must follow the same decision and self-talk process you’ll need when the stakes are highest.