Does the term COMPETITION or MATCH scare you?

[jtischauser]

I think that the term competition or even match scares a lot of would be shooters from joining us at the fun organized shootings events. So from this day forward I am going to call everything an organized shooting event.

 

[taymoor]

Touche. I am quite competitive, but not anywhere near as proficient with any firearm as you guys are (trust me, I watch the videos). It took me a little convincing that these are put on for trigger time and funsies, not for national rankings and humiliating "newbies."

 

[ocphy]

I look forward to attending an organized shooting event.... those competitions scare me :sign0104:

 

[pyplynr]

The realization of seeing how bad of a shot I was is what made me a might nervous. LOL

 

[samson86]

in regards to guns????.....yep both of those terms are a little nerve racking.....

 

[MISph1t]

The realization of seeing how bad of a shot I was is what made me a might nervous. LOL

This! I thought I was a pretty good shot. I can stand and put a hole in paper pretty much where I want it. Sometimes I can even take a lot of little holes and make a bigger hole.

Now, do that while moving, thinking, and under the stress of a timer.

It was an eye opener for me. I'm getting better though!

 

[jtischauser]

This! I thought I was a pretty good shot. I can stand and put a hole in paper pretty much where I want it. Sometimes I can even take a lot of little holes and make a bigger hole.

Now, do that while moving, thinking, and under the stress of a timer.

It was an eye opener for me. I'm getting better though!

Exactly! I remember the first match I shot kinda. I thought how hard can this pistol stuff be I'm awesome at rifle versus beer can with support. Holy elephant dung was I wrong!!!

I kept asking who the hell is Mike and where are all my bullet holes. That little bit of stress induced into the equation from the timer and an audience makes you a mess. I can only imagine (and hope thats all I ever have to do) what a real shoot out must do to you.

 

[Wall]

Exactly! I remember the first match I shot kinda. I thought how hard can this pistol stuff be I'm awesome at rifle versus beer can with support. Holy elephant dung was I wrong!!!

I kept asking who the hell is Mike and where are all my bullet holes. That little bit of stress induced into the equation from the timer and an audience makes you a mess. I can only imagine (and hope thats all I ever have to do) what a real shoot out must do to you.

kitty cat......HaHa J/K.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
That timer has a way of negating any plan you might have thought up when the other guy was shooting.

 

[bsdubois00]

For some reason - no matter how much I try to slow down - my first stage at every match is always a screw up for me. Just the excitement of competing (even though I wont be anywhere close to the top) and just knowing how fun it is. After I get that first stage under my belt - I have fun from there on out.

 

[David E]

And that's one thing you cannot duplicate on the range, even with your buddies.

At a match, just like in real life, only your first run counts! Being able to perform on demand, everytime, is a worthy goal to pursue.

 

[Jefpainthorse]

I can only imagine that the mental game gets more intense as a shooter rises in his association's ranking system.

If your a "defensive" shooter do yourself a favor. Look up everything the late Bill Jordan wrote and read it.

 

[Burk Cornelius]

When is our next Heartland Outdoors Concealed Carry Gun Organized Shooting Event (HOCCGOSE)? Feb. 20?

Taymoor, I expect to see you there and you can shoot on my squad so there will be at least one person you beat

 

[GoldenBear]

I think that the term competition or even match scares a lot of would be shooters from joining us at the fun organized shootings events. So from this day forward I am going to call everything an organized shooting event.

I always refer to it as a "pistol shoot."

Hey, there's a pistol shoot next weekend. Wanna come? A bunch a guys I know are getting together, setting up some paper & steel targets and shooting. Ever shoot at steel/reactive targets?

Saying "match" gets some lame ass response, like, 'um, i need to practice some more' or 'i don't have the right gear.'

But I like "organized shooting event." Organization makes it sound almost legitimate (and more high-class than anything I would participate in).

 

[steak]

For some reason - no matter how much I try to slow down - my first stage at every match is always a screw up for me. Just the excitement of competing (even though I wont be anywhere close to the top) and just knowing how fun it is. After I get that first stage under my belt - I have fun from there on out.

I got first hand experience in that tonight. After I totally flubbed the first stage I was so worked up that I fogged up my shooting glasses. After that the rest of the match went as well as one can expect for being a total newby.

 

[jtischauser]

I got first hand experience in that tonight. After I totally flubbed the first stage I was so worked up that I fogged up my shooting glasses. After that the rest of the match went as well as one can expect for being a total newby.

That first stage is tough for everyone. I try to run my first 2 stages at about 75-80%. I will make sure I shoot those stages clean with no none A or -0 hits. Thinking that I don't have to win the stage takes about 50% of my jitters away.

 

[Bubber]

That first stage is tough for everyone. I try to run my first 2 stages at about 75-80%. I will make sure I shoot those stages clean with no none A or -0 hits. Thinking that I don't have to win the stage takes about 50% of my jitters away.

I run as close to the top my ability as I can from the first draw till the last. Admittedly my 98% may not be as good as somebodies 75 to 80%. Every stage it is important to do the best "YOU" can regardless of anyone elses preformance. Your first couple of matches your abilities are governed by your familiarity with the equipment you are using and the confidence you have on competiting safely. Let's face it, new shooters are judged on their safety and willingness to help and their accuarcy more than on the pure speed they attack a stage with. We are there, for the most part, to have fun and be safe, since I doubt I will be taking home the Cadillac for match winner that day. :lol: later rdd

 

[morrisammo]

Shameless Pre-Plug,, In the 3 Gun Multi Gun report , (Book for the new guy, wanting to get in to the sport of 3 gun) I sent it to the publisher, last week,,
I briefly talk about Shooting Competition!
People will come out to shoot, but as soon as you say Competition THEY ARE OUT!
Reasons? Ego, maybe reality, the timer and the paper with holes in it, Or no holes in it,,, and steel still standing after you shot all of your ammo,,,, tell no lies,

I believe MEN, know deep inside you are judged by how you handle yourself, Gun handling falls into the Warrior,, Protector of the family life limb and all that you possess, Manly man stuff,,
Maintaining the ego, more important than showing you how easy your sport is, By actually shooting a competition.

How is that for stirring the pot!

 

[joseywales]

For some reason - no matter how much I try to slow down - my first stage at every match is always a screw up for me. Just the excitement of competing (even though I wont be anywhere close to the top) and just knowing how fun it is. After I get that first stage under my belt - I have fun from there on out.

When I first started playing USPSA, I was dumbfounded that we couldn't "warm-up" on one of the spare bays.
"Whadaya mean no warm-up shots? How in the heck am I gonna get ready to play?"
In every other sport I ever played, you had PLENTY of time to get loose, build-up a good sweat, take a few shots, smack a few heads...etc.
To my simple mind - why should this sport be any different?
Here's what I found from reading books & in practice myself.

The calming of 1st-stage jitters is found - long before the match starts - in your practice sessions.
For instance, each time you have a practice session, do an El Prez, cold.
No warm-up shots, no bill-drills, no rounds downrange prior to running the drill.
Set the targets, mark off the distance, go thru your "Make Ready" routine just like you would in a match.
Prepare yourself mentally - JUST LIKE IT'S A MATCH.
Do this EVERY TIME you practice.

It will take some time, but after a season of this (or less),
I think you'll find the 1st-stage jitters took a hike somewhere along the way, and
your 1st-stage performance vastly improved.

 

[Wormydog1724]

Scares the hell out of me. That's why I pee my pants before every match and puke before every stage. Also I seem to fart alot during the stages. Not sure if that's part of being nervous or some serious medical condition.

 

[Jefpainthorse]

At the risk of sounding like a nut case... Unless you shoot strictly for the sake of shooting. I figure that my goal in a match is to put as many rounds in the trauma zone of the paper adversary as efficiently as I can. Too bad we can't fight dirty in a match.

Sometimes a pre-stage walk- through is almost "cheating".