USPSA experienced CG'rs. Any tips or secret tricks ?

[Divehobo]

Golden Bullet Standards CM06-06 was the event, 134 shooters in match, I placed in middle of the pack. Stage winner shooting PCC took 116 points of 120 possible, HF 8.0388 with time of 14:43. I took 45% of stage points with HF 3.6 but my time was double stage winner. Alpha 17, Charlie 7.

I know I fumbled last six during transition to weak hand. I had issue finding the dot, I can remember yelling "FU dot." Again it seems quiet stuff vrs. loud a good portion of my issue. Most of clock eat up stemming from mag changes and above mentioned dot issue. I ran tablet most of this stage and really watched others and tried to follow pace with shooting cadence, transitions and keeping time within a few seconds during both strings. I'm pretty sure I was 11 and 14 between both strings.

Coming out of match, goal of dry fire this week will not be as much pointing in and pulling trigger but movement and mag changes.

Anyone here that was on shot with me on Saturday have any advise? or anyone shoot match either day and have thoughts?

[Snoopy47]

I personally got myself a timer. I incorporate it in my live fire and dry fire practice. I've started breaking down my movements into sections that I can measure.

The game is all about stopping the clock with the least penalties in regard to accuracy. So if you are not practicing with a CLOCK then you aren't even practicing the GAME.

I found myself practicing too much on an narrow aspect of the game with the hope that it would compensate all other aspects being ignored at improving my time.

[broadside]

Golden Bullet Standards CM06-06 was the event, 134 shooters in match, I placed in middle of the pack. Stage winner shooting PCC took 116 points of 120 possible, HF 8.0388 with time of 14:43. I took 45% of stage points with HF 3.6 but my time was double stage winner. Alpha 17, Charlie 7.

I know I fumbled last six during transition to weak hand. I had issue finding the dot, I can remember yelling "FU dot." Again it seems quiet stuff vrs. loud a good portion of my issue. Most of clock eat up stemming from mag changes and above mentioned dot issue. I ran tablet most of this stage and really watched others and tried to follow pace with shooting cadence, transitions and keeping time within a few seconds during both strings. I'm pretty sure I was 11 and 14 between both strings.

Coming out of match, goal of dry fire this week will not be as much pointing in and pulling trigger but movement and mag changes.

Anyone here that was on shot with me on Saturday have any advise? or anyone shoot match either day and have thoughts?

Comparing yourself to a PCC shooter on a classy/standards is not fair to yourself, especially when its a SHO/WHO stage and the PCC shooter still gets to shoulder the rifle, just on the other side. Huge advantage when they can start with the rifle already on the weak side and they just need to shoulder it

[Rez805]

Broadside brings up a good point. Classifiers can be a good reference point, but there's more to the game than just classifiers. Edit (and more to his point): it's not always easy to compare a pistol to a PCC)

How did the field courses go for you? As you noted, the "quiet stuff" appears to be a good portion of where you can improve.

[Divehobo]

Since movement was eliminated in classifier, I used it as a guide to see where I stand as a competitor. Definitely know PCC is going to beat me by a bunch, C/O guy who took stage still me by ten seconds.
I use a sirt pistol and laser targeting system for dry practice. Shot timer aspect is part of dry practice app and I likely need to shorten timer and force myself to go quicker and more efficiently. App worked well for FrontSight DG and I've never tried anything else. Comp timer would be a plus and will add to cart next time I go shopping as it would be plus when I get to range to try pushing follow up shots and mag changes.

[Rez805]

Gotcha. Provided that you AND everyone else didn't hold back then it can serve as a guide for where you stand on that classifier with that group of people on that day. Everyone fluctuates, but the people who are consistently at the top of the match results tend to be more consistent across all stages.

Plus, it's not an easy classifier by any means as it touches on strong/weak-hand shots as well. So, if you get pulled into the "go fast, absorb the mikes" mentality . . . you'll get destroyed.

[broadside]

If you want to compare your shooting ability relative to others ignoring bulk movement, compare your position within the division on the high hit factor stages. Those tend to be driven mainly by draw, splits and accuracy and less by overall movement.

There are several shooters at RRGC that offer instruction and a large set of highly skilled shooters to draw knowledge from.

[Divehobo]

Gotcha. Provided that you AND everyone else didn't hold back then it can serve as a guide for where you stand on that classifier with that group of people on that day.

Always wondered why they tell people not to sand bag on classifiers, I've never understood the reason for it. What benefit it will make to do this unless you've already run same classifier in last eight and don't want to trash your previous score? For me, classifier is only way I can gauge how I am really doing and if I am progressing as a shooter.

[Divehobo]

If you want to compare your shooting ability relative to others ignoring bulk movement, compare your position within the division on the high hit factor stages. Those tend to be driven mainly by draw, splits and accuracy and less by overall movement.

There are several shooters at RRGC that offer instruction and a large set of highly skilled shooters to draw knowledge from.

Hoser stages are a blast. I wish they had them at all matches. I've spoken with Manny about taking his monthly class but schedule does not seem to work out. I have a class with Threat Scenario next weekend and I've been talking with Steve Newell about taking Ben Stoeger class in end of Sept. Timing is bad for BS class as its the weekend before i leave for FrontSight and private advanced tactics class.

Can you PM me with anyone else who is running training at Richmond?

[Rez805]

For "sandbagging" on classifiers . . . . that can be tricky to talk about.

I've been accused of it when I was in C Class. Honestly, I didn't sandbag. I just suck at classifiers. I used to think it was because I placed too much emphasis on classification. Now I don't what to think since I'm stuck at 83 and can't seem to hook up on a classifier. I don't even need to think like a sandbagger (e.g., if I stay in this class I can get a trophy/medal because I'll be overmatched compared to others in that class). All I have to do is say the magic words and *poof* there goes that classifier / better luck next month / pony up $3 to reshoot and be accused of "buying your way to a classification".

The magic words?
"Treat it like a stage".

Anyways, there could be someone on the cusp of classing up. For example, if I'm at 83 and I didn't feel too good as I'm finishing a classifier (e.g., I worked out the math knowing that anything in 70's would count and lower my overall percentage) I could (not saying that I do/would do this) take a pickup shot to lower the score. This would prevent my 83 from dropping lower. In effect, I would be preserving the 83 with a "live to fight another day" kind of mentality. Again, not a fan of it and I'm not sure I've seen a bone fide sandbag move like that in person, but it's one of those things you'll hear about.

[broadside]

Hoser stages are a blast. I wish they had them at all matches. I've spoken with Manny about taking his monthly class but schedule does not seem to work out. I have a class with Threat Scenario next weekend and I've been talking with Steve Newell about taking Ben Stoeger class in end of Sept. Timing is bad for BS class as its the weekend before i leave for FrontSight and private advanced tactics class.

Can you PM me with anyone else who is running training at Richmond?

I didn't mean to imply only hoser stages. Short courses, speed shoots, etc are also a good validation of your position in the division.

I can't think of anyone else right now but you should just ask around at the next match. They are good folks there and they'd be happy to give you info.

I have shot with Manny and I know Stephen, either would be good to learn from. I think their styles are going to be very different and you should ask them about the things you feel you want to work on. Or think about squadding with one/both of them and see if they can do a basic assessment of your current skill set and see if they want to take you on as a student. I know Stephen does (or used to do) individual instruction in addition to classes. Not sure if Manny does or just groups.

For Stoeger, you need to kind of figure out where you are and decide if you want the fundamentals course or the skills and drills one. The way it sounds, fundamentals would be best as skills and drills is geared towards those that know what they need to work on.

[broadside]

For "sandbagging" on classifiers . . . . that can be tricky to talk about.

I've been accused of it when I was in C Class. Honestly, I didn't sandbag. I just suck at classifiers. I used to think it was because I placed too much emphasis on classification. Now I don't what to think since I'm stuck at 83 and can't seem to hook up on a classifier. I don't even need to think like a sandbagger (e.g., if I stay in this class I can get a trophy/medal because I'll be overmatched compared to others in that class). All I have to do is say the magic words and *poof* there goes that classifier / better luck next month / pony up $3 to reshoot and be accused of "buying your way to a classification".

The magic words?
"Treat it like a stage".

Anyways, there could be someone on the cusp of classing up. For example, if I'm at 83 and I didn't feel too good as I'm finishing a classifier (e.g., I worked out the math knowing that anything in 70's would count and lower my overall percentage) I could (not saying that I do/would do this) take a pickup shot to lower the score. This would prevent my 83 from dropping lower. In effect, I would be preserving the 83 with a "live to fight another day" kind of mentality. Again, not a fan of it and I'm not sure I've seen a bone fide sandbag move like that in person, but it's one of those things you'll hear about.

"Hero or zero" comes to mind once you start trying to get out of A or higher

[duxxu]

Anyone here that was on shot with me on Saturday have any advise? or anyone shoot match either day and have thoughts?

I shot the match. I'd need to see either a match video or a link to your results before I gave you any meaningful feedback.

[NorthBay Shooter]

Hoser stages are a blast. I wish they had them at all matches. I've spoken with Manny about taking his monthly class but schedule does not seem to work out. I have a class with Threat Scenario next weekend and I've been talking with Steve Newell about taking Ben Stoeger class in end of Sept. Timing is bad for BS class as its the weekend before i leave for FrontSight and private advanced tactics class.

Can you PM me with anyone else who is running training at Richmond?

There are several guys at Richmond who are willing to help if you ask correctly. A bunch will even offer to train with you during the week or on Saturday during open practice. The key is to understand what you want to work on. If you are in the same squad, don't ask them about you when they are on deck or right after they get done and loading mags. Find a time during the stage when you can ask them to take a look. You can also ask almost anyone about stage plans. I think 90% of the good shooters at Richmond are very cool. Try and ask specific questions, like "do you think it's worth it to shoot that popper from position A or B?" rather than "how can I get better?" Asking specific questions will help you understand the though process and create more dialog.