how important are walkthroughs

Human performance experts have known that visualisation and mental rehersal improve results.

If your game allows it- do it. The trick is being able to use the information gleaned in the walk through to make a plan quickly, retain that plan and execute it the way you thought it out. Of course... if a person cannot do that- it could make things worse. And we tend to watch others, and out plan goes out the window- creating other issues when our turn comes up.

IDPA... you get a description of the COF... the rules say no "air gunning" and the "walk through" does not exist as we do it in USPSA 3 gun, etc.
IDPA would be even better in theory if the other shooters did not see the COF shot... the idea is to get it in "one take" as it where.
 
I'm always amazed at what other shooters notice that I didn't during the walkthrough. Some things are so obvious when shown! Then again, I'm also surprised when I mention something that others missed!

I know for a fact that whom I squad with at a match has a direct correlation with how well I do at a match. Not just from walkthroughs but also from trying to step up my game when in the presence of better shooters.
 
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It drives me nuts when I have my stage plan for 21 targets and then realize there are 23.
 
I mainly get a confirmation of what shooting positions I'll be using during the walk-through. And sometimes that changes. I don't think it makes sense to commit to a rigid plan unless you absolutely know it is the best plan, and that requires a lot of experience. Not committing to a plan also lets you stay creative on the fly.
 
I used visualization on a daily basis to win the $50,000 3 Gun Nation shoot off. I went through the course of fire over and over and over in my head and when the time came I just went out and won.

Oh wait I didn't win. I guess Keith visualized it better than me.

Seriously though this does help a lot! I probably run a stage through my head a minimum of 10 times if its simple and upwards of 20 or more if its complex. I focus on the details I need to remember such as reloads, footwork etc. Then when the buzzer goes off all of the visualization allows my subconscious thought to get me through the stage. My conscious mind can stay focused on watching the sights and correcting mistakes I see in my shots.
 
I felt silly doing walk through at first, but doing them made a huge difference in being able to move through a course.
 
Your stage is won or lost on the walk through. If your plan isnt completely dialed in and you are not 100% able to run the whole stage in your head with your eyes closed. You haven't walked the stage enough. This is a sport of decisiveness, and indecision is not fast.
 
You can have the best walk through in the world, but if you don't execute the basics well it does nothing for you. I agree with a good walk through, but don't run t a whole bunch of times and become rigid in you execution or planning, and PLEASE don't stand in the start box running the entire stage at the load and make ready.
 
Cool vid.

Agree with everybody so far. Mike made a good point about 3-gun. Generally it's more about fundamentals and less about gaming that USPSA.

My take on being flexible...you should have a good idea of what could go wrong for you. I.E. what targets are trouble, what shots I can make up from where, shotgun math. That kind of on the clock thinking comes naturally with experience (when the shooting part becomes subconscious) but it certainly helps to have contingency plans.

It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it, right? I get to learn A LOT.
 
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