Eric Gambill Shooting Log
- Thread starter Airic
- Start date
Time to put up the stats. Here they are from last year:
5 Major Matches - 6618/7750 points shot for 85% of the available points.
30 misses
3 No Shoots
2 Procedurals
50 Delta's shot total
This year:
6 majors (not counting the OK Open/Lim since I shot a diff gun)-
7607/8545 points shot for 89% of the points shot.
14 misses
2 No Shoots
0 Procedurals
32 Delta's total
I wish I had an accurate way to measure if I have improved my stage times but all I have to go on is comparing videos and my improvement in overall match finish.
5 Major Matches - 6618/7750 points shot for 85% of the available points.
30 misses
3 No Shoots
2 Procedurals
50 Delta's shot total
This year:
6 majors (not counting the OK Open/Lim since I shot a diff gun)-
7607/8545 points shot for 89% of the points shot.
14 misses
2 No Shoots
0 Procedurals
32 Delta's total
I wish I had an accurate way to measure if I have improved my stage times but all I have to go on is comparing videos and my improvement in overall match finish.
Obiareus
Well-Known Fanatic
Great year buddy.
The "purge" isn't going all that well. I guess I should have expected it. Shooting, specifically competition shooting, is what I do. It defines a very large piece of me. I should really stop calling my after season break a "purge" or "break". It never happens. Its more of mental refocus. I spend a lot of time thinking about shooting, studying it. The other thing is that I am part of a team. Seth and Adam don't really let me have much of a break. Why should they? This is exciting times for them. There are some really cool things coming for them, improvement....realization of personal goals. Its going to be an exciting year next year.
I'm not spending my time looking for answers. This sport is so simple its ridiculous. Shoot alpha's as fast as you can, call every shot, minimize mental errors. Do those three things consistently. The big dogs are not doing much more than that. They make mistakes, they have just learned to minimize the effect of those mistakes. Have you ever heard someone say "man his worst stage was better than my best one". That is your measure of improvement. Think about weightlifting. When a person starts lifting weights they might not be all that strong. There is a lot of room for improvement. They may have a max effort on an exercise. They work out more. Do different exercises. After some time, that max raises. What was once the person's maximum effort is now what they use to work out. It is easy for them to perform at that level now, as opposed to being the best they could do one time.
My live fire plan has been developed. The first part of my training book for next year is complete. Its still gonna be a while before I start practice sessions again but I'm pretty excited about them already.
I'm not spending my time looking for answers. This sport is so simple its ridiculous. Shoot alpha's as fast as you can, call every shot, minimize mental errors. Do those three things consistently. The big dogs are not doing much more than that. They make mistakes, they have just learned to minimize the effect of those mistakes. Have you ever heard someone say "man his worst stage was better than my best one". That is your measure of improvement. Think about weightlifting. When a person starts lifting weights they might not be all that strong. There is a lot of room for improvement. They may have a max effort on an exercise. They work out more. Do different exercises. After some time, that max raises. What was once the person's maximum effort is now what they use to work out. It is easy for them to perform at that level now, as opposed to being the best they could do one time.
My live fire plan has been developed. The first part of my training book for next year is complete. Its still gonna be a while before I start practice sessions again but I'm pretty excited about them already.
Had a club match Sat. at ITPSC. I pushed speed a lot and didnt pay attention to my sights as much as I normally do. I didnt really shoot bad. The classifier was El Pres, ran a 5.39 with 46 points. Way too many pts dropped. Thats going to be the new standard on that drill for me though, I want 60 points in 5.39 or less.
Got reminded of something important at the match...you wont win a match on one stage but you sure can lose it on one. I won 4 out of the 5 stages. My very last stage had multiple targets from 15-40 yards. I was still pushing speed and ended up with 5 mikes on that stage. Almost zeroed it. The 60+ match points I lost on that single stage dropped me to third overall. I was very confident that I could get hits on those longer range targets but it didnt happen.
Got reminded of something important at the match...you wont win a match on one stage but you sure can lose it on one. I won 4 out of the 5 stages. My very last stage had multiple targets from 15-40 yards. I was still pushing speed and ended up with 5 mikes on that stage. Almost zeroed it. The 60+ match points I lost on that single stage dropped me to third overall. I was very confident that I could get hits on those longer range targets but it didnt happen.
Ive been working light dry fire practices. Establishing par times to work on and drop. Shot the monthly club match at doubletap ranch. I shot decent, no mikes or penalties over seven stages:
http://www.combinedresults.info/index.php/match/6825
My main enemy is points. I have to shoot more points at my match speed. That is my focus.
http://www.combinedresults.info/index.php/match/6825
My main enemy is points. I have to shoot more points at my match speed. That is my focus.
Been working drills 1-14 on SA's first book. Its been a little bit frustrating. It seems like everytime I try to use the decreasing par times method of training, I start getting really inconsistent and my technique breaks down. Now I know that is supposed to happen when you are pushing yourself to get faster and faster but it seems to go against the way a person should train a technique into the subconscience. If I am trying to push myself to beat a .70 sec par time on a 10 yard draw, and I keep fumbling my grip out of the holster, what am I teaching my body and mind? Am I going to magically start hitting the grip if I do thousands of reps?
Another thing I have always struggled with while using decreasing par times: tension. I struggle with tension in my shooting anyways and then Im supposed to relax while pushing or rushing to meet a time goal?
This training technique has worked for ALOT of people or Anderson's books wouldnt be so popular. It worked for me to get me to this point. My current skill level and increase in match placement is due in part to this type of training. I think there is a time where you need to let go and move a different direction. Most upper level masters and GM's develop their own dryfire plan and training specifically for thier needs.
For now I think I am going to stop working with par times. I am going to focus on developing perfect technique and training my subconscience what that feels like. At least for the rest of this month Im going back to slow motion subcon burn reps. Everything will be performed perfectly with a good focus on what I should be seeing during gun handling.
Read that Stoegers dryfire book will focus more on working within par times instead of beating them. I look forward to reading more about this training mindset.
Another thing I have always struggled with while using decreasing par times: tension. I struggle with tension in my shooting anyways and then Im supposed to relax while pushing or rushing to meet a time goal?
This training technique has worked for ALOT of people or Anderson's books wouldnt be so popular. It worked for me to get me to this point. My current skill level and increase in match placement is due in part to this type of training. I think there is a time where you need to let go and move a different direction. Most upper level masters and GM's develop their own dryfire plan and training specifically for thier needs.
For now I think I am going to stop working with par times. I am going to focus on developing perfect technique and training my subconscience what that feels like. At least for the rest of this month Im going back to slow motion subcon burn reps. Everything will be performed perfectly with a good focus on what I should be seeing during gun handling.
Read that Stoegers dryfire book will focus more on working within par times instead of beating them. I look forward to reading more about this training mindset.
Soap box time:
SIRT pistols (and any other device that is used to shoot a laser at a target) used in dryfire for any other reason than developing proper trigger press: waste of time and money. I keep seeing people talk online about these devices and how they use them for dryfire practice. IMO these things are setting you up for failure. If you are looking at where the laser hits the target while running dryfire drills, you are looking at the wrong thing. To be able to effectively call your shots you cannot look for hits on a target, you must watch the sights and the input they give you when the gun fires and the sights lift. I see quotes like "with the SIRT pistol I am able to see where I am hitting in dryfire". Wrong answer! Wrong way to train!
The only time you should see your hits on a target is when you score the target, and if you are truly calling your shots you will know approx where those hits are anyway. Even when you are shooting open division where target focus is your main mode of operation, you still shouldnt be seeing your hits on target. If you are seeing hits on targets during a course of fire, you are losing.
//End soap box rant
I just had to come in and get that off my mind, in the middle of my dryfire practice lol
SIRT pistols (and any other device that is used to shoot a laser at a target) used in dryfire for any other reason than developing proper trigger press: waste of time and money. I keep seeing people talk online about these devices and how they use them for dryfire practice. IMO these things are setting you up for failure. If you are looking at where the laser hits the target while running dryfire drills, you are looking at the wrong thing. To be able to effectively call your shots you cannot look for hits on a target, you must watch the sights and the input they give you when the gun fires and the sights lift. I see quotes like "with the SIRT pistol I am able to see where I am hitting in dryfire". Wrong answer! Wrong way to train!
The only time you should see your hits on a target is when you score the target, and if you are truly calling your shots you will know approx where those hits are anyway. Even when you are shooting open division where target focus is your main mode of operation, you still shouldnt be seeing your hits on target. If you are seeing hits on targets during a course of fire, you are losing.
//End soap box rant
I just had to come in and get that off my mind, in the middle of my dryfire practice lol
So he doesnt know it, but the hours long conversation/debate that I had with Seth about the decreasing par time style of training changed my mind. Basically he told me Im stupid, stop thinking so much and just keep plugging along at it. Thats me and my left handed mind/engineering based mind though, constantly thinking and analyzing.
Thats what good shooting buddies are for. They give you an outside perspective and keep you in check when you need it. A really good one will challenge you and make you work to beat him. If I dont bring my game, Seth will beat me and trust me I will hear about it.
So, thank you Seth and ITPSC....for driving me and basically sponsoring me for the last rwo seasons.
On to the work; dryfire today (with decreasing par times lol) and wouldnt you know it, I smoked all my current par times.
Thats what good shooting buddies are for. They give you an outside perspective and keep you in check when you need it. A really good one will challenge you and make you work to beat him. If I dont bring my game, Seth will beat me and trust me I will hear about it.
So, thank you Seth and ITPSC....for driving me and basically sponsoring me for the last rwo seasons.
On to the work; dryfire today (with decreasing par times lol) and wouldnt you know it, I smoked all my current par times.
Obiareus
Well-Known Fanatic
Well, i just didn't understand the logic, but i am glad it helped.
The Antichrome
Moderator
You are 100% correct that these things get misused. Do people even read the instructions?
But, they do have value if used correctly. I won a SIRT pistol a few years ago. If I were a Glock shooter, I would have kept it. The instructions tell you to NOT focus on the dot. Look at the front sight. You'll be able to 'see' the dot(s) without looking at them. The instructions also tell you to NOT set the dot up to correspond with the sights, so that it's not the point of aim.
Of course, you could spend all the money on ammo instead. I gave the SIRT a favorable review.
Anybody who reads this thread, take the above quote and apply it to everything in your life you can get away with.
Busy weekend and I didnt get any practice in. About the only thing I got done related to shooting was Seth came over Sat night and I showed him how to run the 650 and he delivered a nice huge pile of bullets for me to load.
I did finally get to the hardware store and picked up some 1/2" pvc and elbow joints. I now have two shooting boxes. :ninja:
USPSA match this weekend at ITPSC. I've made the decision to shoot 95% of the available match points no matter how much time it takes me. To do this, I'm going to have to let go of any match placement expectations because I will most likely finish pretty bad overall at the match. I want to see what it feels like though and I also want to clean a stage (All A's)....pretty sure I've never done that on a stage over 12 rounds.
I did finally get to the hardware store and picked up some 1/2" pvc and elbow joints. I now have two shooting boxes. :ninja:
USPSA match this weekend at ITPSC. I've made the decision to shoot 95% of the available match points no matter how much time it takes me. To do this, I'm going to have to let go of any match placement expectations because I will most likely finish pretty bad overall at the match. I want to see what it feels like though and I also want to clean a stage (All A's)....pretty sure I've never done that on a stage over 12 rounds.
Set some stages for the ITPSC match this morning. Decided Id shoot a little after so I set up a target. One target because it was freeking cold and super windy and sprinkling rain. I shot some groups with not very good results because the target was wiggling around so much. Went back to 25yds and shot 6 alphas pretty easily. Moved it back to 50 and shot 2A, 2C at a medium pace.
Brought it back in to 7yds and shot some bill drills. Set a new personal record of 1.78 secs all alphas. (.93 draw). The rest were 1.85, 1.83 and 1.80
I guess the gun handling work is paying off.
Brought it back in to 7yds and shot some bill drills. Set a new personal record of 1.78 secs all alphas. (.93 draw). The rest were 1.85, 1.83 and 1.80
I guess the gun handling work is paying off.
I completely surprised myself today. I went out with the intention to just call every shot in the A zone and shoot over 95% of the available match points and I learned some pretty cool stuff. I thought it was going to be rough, I thought I would be in slow motion all day. Didnt happen. I shot 97.33% of the points and I didnt slow down. All I remember seeing all day is the front sight floating in the A zone. It felt so easy. It felt like I just decided I was going to do it.
I was HOA for the match.
http://www.combinedresults.info/index.php/competitor/373803
I was HOA for the match.
http://www.combinedresults.info/index.php/competitor/373803
Dustin Cantrell
Well-Known Fanatic
Awesome performance! Maybe one day I can shoot half as well. 
wmetzler01
Fanatic
Thank you for taking the time to document your goals, training, and performance; it is very helpful for a new shooter like me.
As I read your thread, there were several times you felt your grip was not sufficient, I may be a little slow but I did not read any specific drills you used to improve your grip (unless performing the drills you noted over time helped your accuracy and grip).
Do you use any speciality drills specifically for your grip?
Thanks again!
Will
As I read your thread, there were several times you felt your grip was not sufficient, I may be a little slow but I did not read any specific drills you used to improve your grip (unless performing the drills you noted over time helped your accuracy and grip).
Do you use any speciality drills specifically for your grip?
Thanks again!
Will
Thanks for reading! Im glad my ramblings could help someone.
When I worked through changing my grip it was the focus of every dry fire and live fire session I had. I knew it had to be if I was going to do such a big change in my fundementals mid shooting season.
The first thing I did was narrow my practices down to the simple drills that would give me the most reps drawing the gun. I moved the targets in under 7yds and did simple draws from hands at sides and draws from wrists above shoulders.
I slowed it way down. Forced myself to do perfect reps that felt exactly right. The key to a good grip on the draw is how efficiently you get the strong hand on the gun in a high and solid position. The second key is where and how your weak hand meets the gun.
I worked those in slow motion (dryfire) for at least two weeks until I felt it was nice and burned into my subconcious. In live fire I kept the targets close again and had a laser focus on my grip for each drill. In my next major after the change (TX state limited) I noticed it was just there. I didnt have to think about it anymore.
Thats how I did it. IMO you have to teach your body and mind the correct mechanics through repetition first before you start adding speed to it.
When I worked through changing my grip it was the focus of every dry fire and live fire session I had. I knew it had to be if I was going to do such a big change in my fundementals mid shooting season.
The first thing I did was narrow my practices down to the simple drills that would give me the most reps drawing the gun. I moved the targets in under 7yds and did simple draws from hands at sides and draws from wrists above shoulders.
I slowed it way down. Forced myself to do perfect reps that felt exactly right. The key to a good grip on the draw is how efficiently you get the strong hand on the gun in a high and solid position. The second key is where and how your weak hand meets the gun.
I worked those in slow motion (dryfire) for at least two weeks until I felt it was nice and burned into my subconcious. In live fire I kept the targets close again and had a laser focus on my grip for each drill. In my next major after the change (TX state limited) I noticed it was just there. I didnt have to think about it anymore.
Thats how I did it. IMO you have to teach your body and mind the correct mechanics through repetition first before you start adding speed to it.
The holidays always create a forced break from training for me. Im usually working at night and trying to do holiday stuff during the day. Kinda glad its all over now so I can get back to work.
I did get some stuff accomplished, sorted some brass and loaded some bullets. Gonna get back on track with my technique focused dry fire schedule. It wont be to long until Ill need to go back to full practices and put more emphasis on match skills.
I did get some stuff accomplished, sorted some brass and loaded some bullets. Gonna get back on track with my technique focused dry fire schedule. It wont be to long until Ill need to go back to full practices and put more emphasis on match skills.
