Tactical Pointers, Shooting Pointers

Shooting in Wind Conditions – Preparation and Mindset (Part 1)

Živa Dvoršak

May 2, 2025

Going to the shooting range, especially if it’s not our home range, we often face new and unexpected conditions. The light may be different, the temperature unfamiliar, the targets at a different height, or firing points spaced out narrower than what we are used to. And then, there is the wind—perhaps the most unpredictable element of all.

Well-established and practised routines become crucial. Creating the exact same conditions for yourself every time—mentally and physically—and following a consistent warm-up routine gives you a strong sense of control. With this foundation, you can confidently approach each competition, even when conditions are beyond your control.

However, “creating the exact same conditions” doesn’t mean sticking rigidly to just one approach. Quite the opposite: it means thoroughly training and understanding different options so that you can choose the right one during the match based on the current internal and external conditions. Flexibility built on a strong foundation is what allows you to stay composed and perform at your best, even when circumstances change.

In this Practical Pointer — the first part of our Shooting in Wind Conditions series — we’ll start with the foundation, focusing on building strong routines, developing awareness, and preparing to stay in control when the wind starts to blow.

Rule #1: Always Follow Your Shot Process

Your shot process always comes first, no matter the conditions—sunny, rainy, or windy. Wind can be distracting, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-focusing on the flags or the weather, but your number one priority is to stay committed to your process. You will have bad shots and that’s okay. But they will start to multiply if you begin doubting or changing your well-trained approach.

With every shot, follow your established rhythm: setting up, breathing, aiming, triggering, and following through. This gives you consistency and emotional stability even when the environment is unstable. Without a solid process, it is impossible to correctly judge what caused the error: was it the wind or was it you?

Early Preparation: Start Days Before the Match

Preparing for windy conditions doesn’t start when you arrive at the range but days before the competition. Use weather apps to monitor the forecast. Look specifically for wind speed, wind direction, and changes predicted during the day of your match.

Another key step is to study the orientation of the range. Find out which direction the range faces (north, south, etc.) and imagine how the forecast wind might interact. A north-facing range with a west wind will have different challenges than a south-facing range with the same wind. By building this picture ahead of time, you will arrive feeling more confident and prepared — ready to adjust your strategy, if necessary, instead of getting caught off-guard.

Range Arrival: Observing the Wind and Environment

As soon as you step onto the range, your “wind awareness” should switch on. Start observing the environment immediately: look at the flags, trees, grass, and even your clothing for signs of wind strength and direction.

In theory, wind does not affect bullets randomly. Instead, they move in a predictable pattern depending on the wind’s direction. Wind from the left will tend to send your shot right and down; wind from the right will send it left and up. Understanding these basic wind patterns (see below chart for more) lets you anticipate how your bullets might behave—even before you fire your first shot. Of course, wind is rarely constant. It often gusts, calms down, and changes direction.

You can learn more about how the wind behaves at your specific range by observing early—and talking to your coach or more experienced shooters. Keeping track of repeating patterns will allow you to make smarter, faster decisions during competition.

Updating Your Shot Routine: Add a Wind Check Step

Wind is dynamic, and we must stay aware of it during the match while keeping our focus on our main job: shooting. A necessary adjustment is adding one small step to your shot routine: check the flags right after you take a shot and follow through—before looking at the score screen.

Why?

Because if you immediately look at the result without knowing the direction of the wind at the moment your shot was fired, you will never be sure whether the score was caused by the wind or by your technique. This uncertainty leads to doubt, doubt leads to erratic behaviour, and this causes mistakes. By first making a quick visual check of the flags, you have a better hold on whether the shot landed where you anticipated it. This small habit keeps your mind clear and focused, instead of falling into overthinking or second-guessing yourself.

Shooting in wind conditions is not just about learning to read flags; it’s about building strong routines, gathering information early, and maintaining trust in your shot process under pressure. Wind will always be unpredictable. But when your preparation is solid, you stay calm, flexible, and confident.

In the next parts of Shooting in Wind Conditions series, we’ll dive into match-day strategies and training. Part 2 will walk you through three different approaches you can use depending on the wind conditions; and Part 3 will introduce drills to help you develop and apply those strategies in training. Stay tuned!