Iggie
Well-Known Fanatic
That's some nice shooting.
Eric Gambill Shooting Log
- Thread starter Airic
- Start date
I've been trying to nail down exactly what was going on at the L10/Production state match. I've put a lot of thought into it, lost a some sleep thinking about it. The conclusion I've come up with is that the reason I felt so slow is that I was "trying" to shoot 95% of the available points. Anytime you are "trying" to do something, you are involving consious thought, which is slow compared to a sub-consious performance. I have been so obsessed with improving my accuracy lately that I forgot a couple major keys to this sport:
1. This sport is based in a points/time scoring system (DVC right?). Its a balance and finding the perfect balance for every stage is the holy grail to the sport.
2. Theres calling shots, then theres shot placement. Two different skills of equal importance. Calling your shots is the ability to know exactly where the sights were aligned when the shot broke, thus telling you where on the target you hit. Shot placement is making sure that prior to breaking that shot, your sights are in the scoring area that you want to hit.
When I was "trying" to shoot 95% of the points, I was neglecting the skill that I have been training for so long which is sub-consious shooting. My goal is to be able to flow through a stage on auto-pilot with my mind processing acceptable sight pictures. I have to go back to my analogy of shooting and driving. A lot of times when I drive my stick shift mazda down to my favorite convienience store for a drink, I'm on auto pilot. I'm steering, keeping the vehicle within the lines (acceptable sight picture). Changing speeds and changing gears (open targets vs tight targets). Monitoring other vehicles and pedestrians and signs (Stage breakdown and positioning). All without really thinking about it because I've been driving for so long. Next time your driving, pay attention to all the input your eyes and mind are taking in during the whole process, its pretty crazy.
So, my training is still going to focus on accuracy because thats my weakness. I'm just going to focus more on improving the speed of my shot calling (inside the acceptable target area) and my shot placement. I ran a little over 200 rounds in live fire today with Seth Martin. We worked on 7 and 15 yard bill drills and set a small position to position drill with some hardcover targets. I was calling my shots very well on the open targets, probably shot 98% A's on them all day. The two hardcover targets were a different story. I was pushing my shot placement away from the hardcover too far. I was calling the shots well, right next to each other. I was just not allowing my sight picture to settle into the smaller A zone before I broke the shots.
Its going to take some more live fire practice to train my mind. There is no substitute for live fire practice. Dry fire is great, and I'm still motivated to do it every day. I just believe live fire is where my next big break in skill level is going to come from.
1. This sport is based in a points/time scoring system (DVC right?). Its a balance and finding the perfect balance for every stage is the holy grail to the sport.
2. Theres calling shots, then theres shot placement. Two different skills of equal importance. Calling your shots is the ability to know exactly where the sights were aligned when the shot broke, thus telling you where on the target you hit. Shot placement is making sure that prior to breaking that shot, your sights are in the scoring area that you want to hit.
When I was "trying" to shoot 95% of the points, I was neglecting the skill that I have been training for so long which is sub-consious shooting. My goal is to be able to flow through a stage on auto-pilot with my mind processing acceptable sight pictures. I have to go back to my analogy of shooting and driving. A lot of times when I drive my stick shift mazda down to my favorite convienience store for a drink, I'm on auto pilot. I'm steering, keeping the vehicle within the lines (acceptable sight picture). Changing speeds and changing gears (open targets vs tight targets). Monitoring other vehicles and pedestrians and signs (Stage breakdown and positioning). All without really thinking about it because I've been driving for so long. Next time your driving, pay attention to all the input your eyes and mind are taking in during the whole process, its pretty crazy.
So, my training is still going to focus on accuracy because thats my weakness. I'm just going to focus more on improving the speed of my shot calling (inside the acceptable target area) and my shot placement. I ran a little over 200 rounds in live fire today with Seth Martin. We worked on 7 and 15 yard bill drills and set a small position to position drill with some hardcover targets. I was calling my shots very well on the open targets, probably shot 98% A's on them all day. The two hardcover targets were a different story. I was pushing my shot placement away from the hardcover too far. I was calling the shots well, right next to each other. I was just not allowing my sight picture to settle into the smaller A zone before I broke the shots.
Its going to take some more live fire practice to train my mind. There is no substitute for live fire practice. Dry fire is great, and I'm still motivated to do it every day. I just believe live fire is where my next big break in skill level is going to come from.
Im getting ready for my final live fire session prior to the DTC next weekend. I have a block of drills to run based on what i perceive are some of my issues.
Im a lefty, and a logical thinker. I like constructive criticism. If you have read my log or watched my videos and noticed anything... I encourage you to come across with opinions, skill drills or anything that I might need to work on.
So basically Im telling you to bring it, tell me "you suck at ####, work on that"
Im a lefty, and a logical thinker. I like constructive criticism. If you have read my log or watched my videos and noticed anything... I encourage you to come across with opinions, skill drills or anything that I might need to work on.
So basically Im telling you to bring it, tell me "you suck at ####, work on that"
Had my final live fire session prior to DTC on sunday with Seth. Things felt good and I was happy with the balance of speed and accuracy I had. I've dryfired every morning this week after work because its just cooler out in the shop in the morning and I dont have any distractions that early in the morning. Most of my work was on port to port style shooting and movement techniques. I was going to try to squeeze in one more live fire but I dont think I'm going to have the time.
Been busy. I meant to post earlier but this week has been crazy. I have mixed thoughts about Double Tap Championship (DTC). It was a fun match, and it was run well. My squad was awesome. Seth, Brandon, Keith and I were at it both days. We talked elephant dung, screwed with each other in fun...but I think the main thing is that we worked together on every stage to find the best way to shoot it. The match was a little gimicky for me. Robert has always been great at making elaborate prop centralized stages, but at this match I think we might have went over the edge. When a shooter can zero a stage for something that has nothing to do with his performance in shooting, I start to draw the line. End of rant.
I shot decent. Had 3 mikes and a no shoot. 2 of them came on the first stage of the match. We started on stage 2 and there were some mid range targets that you had to aim at (odd for DTC). It was early morning and my combonation of titegroup and lead bullets screwed me. I couldnt see the targets, I especially couldnt see the black painted steel against a shaded berm. My other miss and no shoot came on stage 6. I had been shooting well and I was really confident about my shooting. I took a slight risk on a bear trap target. The second set of arrays through the "cannons" were a popper that activated a bear trap and two paper with a no shoot in the middle. On the right array, the bear trap moved just a little faster. I came into that array and hit the steel quick, but I hesitated on my transition to the outside paper target. That split second of hesitation meant that when I came back to the bear trap target I fired an alpha and called a low charlie on the second shot but never saw the no shoot (which was blocked by my gun in my sight picture). The no shoot moved into my second shot. Alpha, Mike....no shoot.
I ended up with 84% of the points after my penalties. I was disappointed with that, but alot of the shooters in the top 10 were in the 84-88% range of points shot. I didnt bring home a trophy, but I finished in the top 10 which personally is a big deal for me at DTC. This match has always been super competitive, hell 6 GM's shot in production.
I didnt touch the gun all this week. I had other stuff going on and I didnt even remember we had an ITPSC club match until late last night. Seth and Greg Martin and I set up some rough targets today, hard cover and no shoots everywhere. I felt like I saw and tracked the sights today close to the best I ever have. Shot 92% of the points, no penalties and came out HOA for the match. I was impressed with that because Seth has been shooing in beast mode lately.
I shot decent. Had 3 mikes and a no shoot. 2 of them came on the first stage of the match. We started on stage 2 and there were some mid range targets that you had to aim at (odd for DTC). It was early morning and my combonation of titegroup and lead bullets screwed me. I couldnt see the targets, I especially couldnt see the black painted steel against a shaded berm. My other miss and no shoot came on stage 6. I had been shooting well and I was really confident about my shooting. I took a slight risk on a bear trap target. The second set of arrays through the "cannons" were a popper that activated a bear trap and two paper with a no shoot in the middle. On the right array, the bear trap moved just a little faster. I came into that array and hit the steel quick, but I hesitated on my transition to the outside paper target. That split second of hesitation meant that when I came back to the bear trap target I fired an alpha and called a low charlie on the second shot but never saw the no shoot (which was blocked by my gun in my sight picture). The no shoot moved into my second shot. Alpha, Mike....no shoot.
I ended up with 84% of the points after my penalties. I was disappointed with that, but alot of the shooters in the top 10 were in the 84-88% range of points shot. I didnt bring home a trophy, but I finished in the top 10 which personally is a big deal for me at DTC. This match has always been super competitive, hell 6 GM's shot in production.
I didnt touch the gun all this week. I had other stuff going on and I didnt even remember we had an ITPSC club match until late last night. Seth and Greg Martin and I set up some rough targets today, hard cover and no shoots everywhere. I felt like I saw and tracked the sights today close to the best I ever have. Shot 92% of the points, no penalties and came out HOA for the match. I was impressed with that because Seth has been shooing in beast mode lately.
My shooting season has been thrown for a loop. I fought and fought to get out of some training but in the end I lost. The result is that I'm going to miss TX state limited and Area 3. I was a little pissed and disappointed but there is a bright side. I have the opportunity while I'm gone to refocus on whats left of my season. I'm going to use the time to hit the gym hard and work on my physical agility and weight. I am also going to revisit every shooting book I own and spend time studying shooting. I think it was Mike Seeklander who said in his book that at one time he could'nt train, so he spent time training in his mind. I will be very isolated while I'm gone and I will use that time to improve.
The new plan is to go to High Desert Classic and then Nationals. I've set some lofty goals. I want a top 5 at High Desert and a top 20 at Nationals. I purchased a CZ SP01 Custom Shadow from CZ Custom Shop, I'm done with Glock for now. After playing with a couple of them I believe this gun compliments my style of shooting. Ive never shot anything but a Glock in competition and I felt it was time for a change to push me to the next level. We will see....
The new plan is to go to High Desert Classic and then Nationals. I've set some lofty goals. I want a top 5 at High Desert and a top 20 at Nationals. I purchased a CZ SP01 Custom Shadow from CZ Custom Shop, I'm done with Glock for now. After playing with a couple of them I believe this gun compliments my style of shooting. Ive never shot anything but a Glock in competition and I felt it was time for a change to push me to the next level. We will see....
drmitchgibson
The white Morgan Freeman
I do this a LOT, and it seems like it's been very beneficial. I tend to concentrate on what I was doing when I did everything right, not so much on mechanics as the feel of the performance, whether it was in practice or a match. Just thinking about shooting seems to have a positive impact on actual shooting.
Little over 200 rounds of live fire today as a final tune-up for Texas State Limited. Shot 10 rounds at "match speed" cold at 57yds. Ended up with 5A, 4C and 1D. I thought that was kinda cool. Also shot some drills to practice some of the funky start positions.
I ended up on a drill setup up for reloading while moving to the rear. Felt like I was pressing a little too much during the drill so I tried to focus on relaxation.
Overall I feel ready, I shot good points on all the drills. Goals I have for this match:
1. 90% points overall
2. No misses or penalties
3. No extra shots
Not going for a placement goal, if I accomplish my goals I should be happy with my finish. Good luck to all the BoomerShooters at the match. Hope to run into you guys.
I ended up on a drill setup up for reloading while moving to the rear. Felt like I was pressing a little too much during the drill so I tried to focus on relaxation.
Overall I feel ready, I shot good points on all the drills. Goals I have for this match:
1. 90% points overall
2. No misses or penalties
3. No extra shots
Not going for a placement goal, if I accomplish my goals I should be happy with my finish. Good luck to all the BoomerShooters at the match. Hope to run into you guys.
Full review on this one because I pretty much left my brain at home for this match. It was one of those weekends where even when I did good, I was making stupid mistakes. I've watched this video over and over and I keep saying to myself: "Thats not a master class shooter". I shot 86% of the points available in the match, 3 mikes and a no shoot. I keep making a goal of "no extra shots" but obviously I'm not commiting to working on it hard enough because that was the theme for me at this match. Missed steel.
Stage 1 - 7th place/77% points shot
My stage plan was bad on this. I should have just gone port to port instead of trying to find a sweet spot. I blew a reload and had bad positioning for shots. I knicked a no shoot in the middle port and the RO never saw it. I had to call his attention to it or he wouldnt have scored it.
Stage 2 - 13th place/ 69% points shot
The wheels fell of on this stage. I went to the low port and missed a plate three times. That totally blew my plan and my mind. I then decided to prance around like a fairy to the next port and blow by a low target. I then turned it on too much and about ran past the last port.
Stage 3 - 4th place/ 95% points shot
I forgot I was shooting production. I miscounted the rounds I was going to shoot and ended up surprising myself when my gun ran dry. This confused me for a second and caused me to pause mid stage. Had good points though and ran the first target array fast.
Stage 4 - 4th place/ 94% points shot
This one went well other than I missed the steel on the first shot.
Stage 5 - 2nd place/ 100% points shot
My draw is terrible and I'm throwing shots at steel on the first set of poppers.
Stage 6 - 6th place/ 75% points shot
Missed another plate and ran out of ammo, had to leave it costing me a mike. Pretty much lost my mind after that. Dropped lots of points.
Stage 7 - 7th place/ 85% points shot
I never could get comfortable with a stage plan for this one so I just ended up shooting it, and I blew it.
Stage 8 - 1st place/ 92% points shot
Missed a popper in the first array that cost me about a second. Reloads were not aggressive at all. Grabbed a stage win here though.
Stage 9 - 6th place/ 90% points shot
Came into the last position way too hard and had to regain my balance. Missed the activator steel after that and had to come back to it. First two arrays went well.
Stage 10 - 5th place/ 82% points shot
More misses on steel cost me more time. Felt I gave the no shoots too much respect.
Stage 11 - 4th place/ 93% points shot
Went well other than missing the steel plate.
Stage 12 - 13th place/ 88% points shot
My gun puked on this stage and I dont know why. Had 2 jams, then a double feed. Ended up with a 25 second stage time on a stage that I would have shot in 13-14 seconds. I went back and put a round on a target in the right array because at the time I was shooting clean in the match and I didnt want a miss. Stupid.
I've been mulling it over, too, trying to figure out how I left another 9% out there. Watching your vids has helped a bit. Thought I would share share some stuff since you said you wanted feedback.
I used to do that, too. You think 'I can save a position' but you are actually adding several difficult transitions into arrays that cost you 3/4 second each and usually make the shots harder.
That last port had a big transition to those targets on the right side. If you got a little deeper into it you wouldn't have had to move as much/bring the gun in. Also since you're ending there getting deep into the port isn't a big deal since you don't have to come out of it.
This stage looked symmetrical but it wasn't. If you took a half step to the left, you could have shot both the center array and the inner target on the right from that first position. The inner target on the other side wasn't in the same place, relatively, and you had to add a couple of steps to shoot it on the way out. Moving the other way would have made the last reload a 180* trap(ish) but I still think it would be worth it.
Good reminder (for me) to always look at a stage from a righty/lefty perspective, even if it looks symmetrical.
On the first array, coming into the far paper target first and ending on the popper saves you some transition, gives you some more shots to get on your sights, and sets you up better for the second port. Your entry into the second to last port was freaking nice. I suspect that's where you won the stage. I nearly ran that left barricade over trying to stop!
That's one of my big problems now -- smoothing up the movement and not overrunning positions. I'm getting a lot better at respecting the tough shots but I still take targets for granted sometimes. I threw a mike on the sideways paper target on the double swinger stage simply because I treated it like it was a normal guy. Called it close in my sights, but it wasn't close enough.
Pretty much everything I mentioned was stage breakdown related. Nice shooting!
I used to do that, too. You think 'I can save a position' but you are actually adding several difficult transitions into arrays that cost you 3/4 second each and usually make the shots harder.
That last port had a big transition to those targets on the right side. If you got a little deeper into it you wouldn't have had to move as much/bring the gun in. Also since you're ending there getting deep into the port isn't a big deal since you don't have to come out of it.
This stage looked symmetrical but it wasn't. If you took a half step to the left, you could have shot both the center array and the inner target on the right from that first position. The inner target on the other side wasn't in the same place, relatively, and you had to add a couple of steps to shoot it on the way out. Moving the other way would have made the last reload a 180* trap(ish) but I still think it would be worth it.
Good reminder (for me) to always look at a stage from a righty/lefty perspective, even if it looks symmetrical.
On the first array, coming into the far paper target first and ending on the popper saves you some transition, gives you some more shots to get on your sights, and sets you up better for the second port. Your entry into the second to last port was freaking nice. I suspect that's where you won the stage. I nearly ran that left barricade over trying to stop!
That's one of my big problems now -- smoothing up the movement and not overrunning positions. I'm getting a lot better at respecting the tough shots but I still take targets for granted sometimes. I threw a mike on the sideways paper target on the double swinger stage simply because I treated it like it was a normal guy. Called it close in my sights, but it wasn't close enough.
Pretty much everything I mentioned was stage breakdown related. Nice shooting!
The Antichrome
Moderator
A general observation: You look a little out of sorts.
I've seen you shoot enough to know that you're usually very aggressive, always pressing, but not recklessly.
In this video you look slightly off balance, back on your heels so to speak.
You have a few itty bitty hesitations. You sometimes look like you werent confident in the shot you just broke.
I guess thats where the extra shots and target re-engagements come from.
Kinda splitting hairs since its the difference in an A performance and a M performance.
But sometimes ya just gotta growl a little.
I've seen you shoot enough to know that you're usually very aggressive, always pressing, but not recklessly.
In this video you look slightly off balance, back on your heels so to speak.
You have a few itty bitty hesitations. You sometimes look like you werent confident in the shot you just broke.
I guess thats where the extra shots and target re-engagements come from.
Kinda splitting hairs since its the difference in an A performance and a M performance.
But sometimes ya just gotta growl a little.
Thanks for the input Mike, thats exactly what I'm looking for. Everyone looks at things through a unique set of eyes and I appreciate feedback from anybody, whether your a D class shooter or a Master like Chambers.
If you haven't noticed, im a lefty. IMO that makes things a little different for me stage planning wise and its something Ive always struggled with. Im the guy bumping into everyone during the walkthrough because im going the opposite direction. Mike has some really good points here and I definitely will be able to use them.
On a funny note, the sliding stop I make at 00:53 on stage two....I like to call that my "hockey stop" because its straight out of my time as a hockey player lol
If you haven't noticed, im a lefty. IMO that makes things a little different for me stage planning wise and its something Ive always struggled with. Im the guy bumping into everyone during the walkthrough because im going the opposite direction. Mike has some really good points here and I definitely will be able to use them.
On a funny note, the sliding stop I make at 00:53 on stage two....I like to call that my "hockey stop" because its straight out of my time as a hockey player lol
I was off balance, mentally and physically. I have identifed the reason for that and Im fixing it. Thanks for the input Robert, your description of my shooting has given me some things to think about.
Mid Season time. I've reviewed my videos and my training plan and its time to adjust for the final stretch to nationals. I have developed a new live fire training plan based on roughly 200 rounds per week (Not including matches). I have broke the plan down into blocks that I will spend 100 rounds a piece on. I will shoot block 1 (Accuracy) every time and alternate Block 2 (Speed) and Block 3 (Movement/Field Course skills). If I have the time and energy I will try to shoot all three blocks.
Block 1 â€" Accuracy
Notes: No timer unless used as a start signal
Alpha/Index card hits are all that count
Track/Score hits only. Goal is to clean the drill then move it back
Drills:
DR Performance Deck card drills w/ 5x8 index cards (Start @ 15yds)
Group Shooting (Track group sizes @ different distances)
Dot Torture Drill (Start @ 3yds)
NRA Slow Fire Pistol Target (25yds, Track Score)
One Shot Steel Drill (Plate/Mini Popper, Start @ 15 and move back until miss)
Surprise Drill (Find something I've never shot before)
Block 2 â€" Speed
Notes: Decreasing par times, work on calling shots faster
90% Accuracy Goal
Shoot 1 cold, 3 for an avg. par then start decreasing par time to train
Track par times
Drills:
DR Performance Deck card drills w/ 5x8 index cards
Stoeger Drill
Enos Transition Drill
Extra Shot Drill
Some USPSA Classifers
Timing Drills w/ Swingers
SHO/WHO Drills
Popper/Plate/Star Drills
Surprise Drill
Block 3 â€" Movement/Field Course Skills
Notes: Work on decreasing stage times and movement point to point
90% Accuracy, One shot steel
Track times between positions (last shot to first shot)
Experiment with different techniques to learn what is faster
All about movement during the drill/stage
Drills:
Entry/Exit Drills (Shooting into and out of a position)
Stages (Small, not too complicated)
Anderson Field Course Drill (Variations)
Shooting While Moving
Off Balance/Fault Line Drills
Low Port Shooting
Specialized Skills for an upcoming match
Surprise Drill
This seems like a lot but I'm not shooting everyone of these drills each time I do the block, its just a list of possible drills for the block.
Block 1 â€" Accuracy
Notes: No timer unless used as a start signal
Alpha/Index card hits are all that count
Track/Score hits only. Goal is to clean the drill then move it back
Drills:
DR Performance Deck card drills w/ 5x8 index cards (Start @ 15yds)
Group Shooting (Track group sizes @ different distances)
Dot Torture Drill (Start @ 3yds)
NRA Slow Fire Pistol Target (25yds, Track Score)
One Shot Steel Drill (Plate/Mini Popper, Start @ 15 and move back until miss)
Surprise Drill (Find something I've never shot before)
Block 2 â€" Speed
Notes: Decreasing par times, work on calling shots faster
90% Accuracy Goal
Shoot 1 cold, 3 for an avg. par then start decreasing par time to train
Track par times
Drills:
DR Performance Deck card drills w/ 5x8 index cards
Stoeger Drill
Enos Transition Drill
Extra Shot Drill
Some USPSA Classifers
Timing Drills w/ Swingers
SHO/WHO Drills
Popper/Plate/Star Drills
Surprise Drill
Block 3 â€" Movement/Field Course Skills
Notes: Work on decreasing stage times and movement point to point
90% Accuracy, One shot steel
Track times between positions (last shot to first shot)
Experiment with different techniques to learn what is faster
All about movement during the drill/stage
Drills:
Entry/Exit Drills (Shooting into and out of a position)
Stages (Small, not too complicated)
Anderson Field Course Drill (Variations)
Shooting While Moving
Off Balance/Fault Line Drills
Low Port Shooting
Specialized Skills for an upcoming match
Surprise Drill
This seems like a lot but I'm not shooting everyone of these drills each time I do the block, its just a list of possible drills for the block.
Now to dry fire. I'm junking the dry fire practice I have been doing and re-starting Steve Anderson's second book. I'm already in the process of going through and establishing my par times for each drill. I really want to focus on gun handling in dry fire considering my grip is crap and my average draw time for an Alpha at 10 yards is 1.25 sec....slowwww
I've always had a goal of a sub 2 second bill drill, to date my fastest with all alphas is 2.07 seconds. That was with a 1.20 draw. I have to whittle my draw times and reload times down and get more consistent. Also I have noticed that my transitions are fast but I'm taking to long to break the shot because the sights aren't settling fast enough (grip).
I've always had a goal of a sub 2 second bill drill, to date my fastest with all alphas is 2.07 seconds. That was with a 1.20 draw. I have to whittle my draw times and reload times down and get more consistent. Also I have noticed that my transitions are fast but I'm taking to long to break the shot because the sights aren't settling fast enough (grip).
100 rounds if Live fire today, Stoeger drill and bill drills. I didnt really go out with the intention to improve on anything, I was more curious if the limited minor gun was going to run. Ended up having a really good day and broke some of my personal records.
Ran a 7yd bill drill @ 1.91 (2.07 old record), had a 1.12 draw.
2.47 bill drill at 15yds and a 3.11 at 25yds, all new personal records.
For fun I ran a headshot bill drill at 7yds and ran 2.34
Heres a pic of the group in the A zone on my 7yd 1.91 run (which was cold by the way)
http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/uploads/imgs/pre_1344553442__2012-08-09_16-50-32_179.jpg
Ran a 7yd bill drill @ 1.91 (2.07 old record), had a 1.12 draw.
2.47 bill drill at 15yds and a 3.11 at 25yds, all new personal records.
For fun I ran a headshot bill drill at 7yds and ran 2.34
Heres a pic of the group in the A zone on my 7yd 1.91 run (which was cold by the way)
http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/uploads/imgs/pre_1344553442__2012-08-09_16-50-32_179.jpg
A little over 100 rounds of live fire this morning with Seth at ITPSC. Ran accuracy and movement block focused drills. Started off with a Stoeger drill. I let go of time and just tried to shoot A's at match speed. This drill is meant to work on speed and the Enos scoring for it really rewards ripping shots off fast and allowing for more points dropped. That wasnt what I wanted to work on today. Ended up with a little bit slower overall times than I normally run, but alot better points. My sight tracking felt good during the drill.
We then ran a couple card drills from the DR performance deck. Both of the drills involved box to box movement. I stapled some 5x8 index cards in the A zone and we ran the drills without a timer. We just scored hits in the cards. My focus was improving my accuracy while keeping moving and shooting and also breaking shots earlier as I come into a position. I really wanted to feel like I never stopped moving. The movements were short (less than 5yds). I think the key to short movements for me is to keep my grip and keep the gun up high, it allowed me to regain my sight picture quicker right prior to moving into a box.
At the end of practice I moved up to 5yds and worked on getting a smooth quick draw to A zone shot. I wanted to see how far I could whittle it down. Initially I was hitting the A zone right at 1 second. After about 5-6 rounds I had it smoothed out to .86 consistently. Shot about 10 more but I didnt get one in the A zone any quicker than that. At 5yds, I would really like to see it closer to .65 or .7
We then ran a couple card drills from the DR performance deck. Both of the drills involved box to box movement. I stapled some 5x8 index cards in the A zone and we ran the drills without a timer. We just scored hits in the cards. My focus was improving my accuracy while keeping moving and shooting and also breaking shots earlier as I come into a position. I really wanted to feel like I never stopped moving. The movements were short (less than 5yds). I think the key to short movements for me is to keep my grip and keep the gun up high, it allowed me to regain my sight picture quicker right prior to moving into a box.
At the end of practice I moved up to 5yds and worked on getting a smooth quick draw to A zone shot. I wanted to see how far I could whittle it down. Initially I was hitting the A zone right at 1 second. After about 5-6 rounds I had it smoothed out to .86 consistently. Shot about 10 more but I didnt get one in the A zone any quicker than that. At 5yds, I would really like to see it closer to .65 or .7
200 rounds of live fire today. Had a great practice. This limited minor experiment has been a blast so far.
Ran a Stoeger drill for speed block. Dropped a little too many points but I think it was worth it because I got a great feeling while shooting the gun today. It just felt like I was standing behind the gun and watching it shoot. Hell I called every shot, knew I was dropping points but the way things were going during the drill...what I was seeing was too cool to stop. I've studied Eno's book and read a lot on his forum. I dont really subscribe to the "Zen" stuff but today I believe I experienced some of the things he talked about in his book. Thats why I'm such an advocate for reading everything out there available to the practical shooter. All these guys have a different perspective on shooting and its good to pick through it and find what works for you.
Moved to a dot drill at 7 yards. I was feeling froggy so I thought I'd try to clean it at a new distance. Fail. I need a lot of weak hand work before I'll get it at 7yds. I'm playing around with a new weak hand technique that doesnt cant the gun so much while I'm shooting....still figuring it out.
I've finally found a draw technique and grip that I think suits me. Its worked in pretty good now and I think its already starting to show benefits considering I'm breaking personal records on drills everytime I go out. I consistently run under a 2 second bill drill now, it just feels easy to shoot A's that fast. My new goal is to get it under 1.75 at 7yds. I also want to break 3 seconds at 25 on the bill drill. I'm running consistent under 3.4 right now.
Spent the last 100 rounds working on partials (target with no shoot or hardcover). I set up a target with a no shoot covering the bottom half of the A zone. This target has been my nemesis this year for some reason. Did some draw-2 shots and some moving into the position-2 shots. Pushed myself at 7yds and dropped a couple into the no shoot. At 25 I shot it clean and quicker that I expected. I then worked on a transition drill on the same target where I put an index card to the left and right of the no shoot head. I shot one card, the head of the brown target and one card. I was really getting close to keeping my transitions and splits the same.
No card drills today because I was shooting on my little local shooting area not ITPSC. I only own 1 target stand which limits my choice of drills. I really need to build a couple more target stands.
Seth and I will be heading to the DoubleTap Ranch club match tomorrow. Cant wait to see how things go with this limited minor rig. Its been a long time since I've shot anything but production.
Ran a Stoeger drill for speed block. Dropped a little too many points but I think it was worth it because I got a great feeling while shooting the gun today. It just felt like I was standing behind the gun and watching it shoot. Hell I called every shot, knew I was dropping points but the way things were going during the drill...what I was seeing was too cool to stop. I've studied Eno's book and read a lot on his forum. I dont really subscribe to the "Zen" stuff but today I believe I experienced some of the things he talked about in his book. Thats why I'm such an advocate for reading everything out there available to the practical shooter. All these guys have a different perspective on shooting and its good to pick through it and find what works for you.
Moved to a dot drill at 7 yards. I was feeling froggy so I thought I'd try to clean it at a new distance. Fail. I need a lot of weak hand work before I'll get it at 7yds. I'm playing around with a new weak hand technique that doesnt cant the gun so much while I'm shooting....still figuring it out.
I've finally found a draw technique and grip that I think suits me. Its worked in pretty good now and I think its already starting to show benefits considering I'm breaking personal records on drills everytime I go out. I consistently run under a 2 second bill drill now, it just feels easy to shoot A's that fast. My new goal is to get it under 1.75 at 7yds. I also want to break 3 seconds at 25 on the bill drill. I'm running consistent under 3.4 right now.
Spent the last 100 rounds working on partials (target with no shoot or hardcover). I set up a target with a no shoot covering the bottom half of the A zone. This target has been my nemesis this year for some reason. Did some draw-2 shots and some moving into the position-2 shots. Pushed myself at 7yds and dropped a couple into the no shoot. At 25 I shot it clean and quicker that I expected. I then worked on a transition drill on the same target where I put an index card to the left and right of the no shoot head. I shot one card, the head of the brown target and one card. I was really getting close to keeping my transitions and splits the same.
No card drills today because I was shooting on my little local shooting area not ITPSC. I only own 1 target stand which limits my choice of drills. I really need to build a couple more target stands.
Seth and I will be heading to the DoubleTap Ranch club match tomorrow. Cant wait to see how things go with this limited minor rig. Its been a long time since I've shot anything but production.
