[Rabbi]

Gentlemen,

I'm hoping somebody with competition shooting experience can give me some input. Has anything similar to what I'm about to describe happened to you?

Saturday was my second experience with a formalized, that is structured COF type shooting event. The rangemaster has organized a series of shoots patterned after IPSC, IDPA and a combat style he teaches to several police agencies. First off, there were many more low scores this time than there were last month due to the course being about three times as complicated. The rangemaster even stated about halfway thru the first string of shooters that he may have made it "too complicated". Anyway, during the first half of the match (four, six round magazines) I got stressed and almost panicky, having some of the same symptoms that a real firefight survivor experiences. I got tunnel vision at one point, forgot to count rounds and engaged two targets out of sequence. Fortunately, I shot no "good guys". After the first round, I commented about it to the rangemaster's son who was my RO. He said that the same thing happenend to him during last months shoot to the point where he fumbled a mag change so badly, he dropped his pistol and was disqualified. I then completed the second half with no problems.

I shot thru the second time and breezed thru both halves without a problem, shooting what was for me, an excellent score.

OK, has anything similar happened to you guys? Another point, during last month's shoot, my Springfield 1911 had about six FTFs, requiring my switching to a BHP to finish the course. I spent three or four hours repolishing the ramp, radiusing the hood and chamber mouth and polishing the whole chamber. I did not have chance to fire it before saturday's match. Could concern about reliability have caused a psychological hesitation resulting in the stress/panic? I am usually able to maintain a very cool head under stress and I really need to understand what happened here.

Thank you for any input.

Doc

[Don45cal]

Doc, Welcome to IDPA/IPSC/USPSA and any other competitions out there!!

Shooting out of sequence, not "slicing the pie", not using cover, not reloading from behind cover, moving in the face of a threat without engaging, etc....

These are all proceedural penalties depending on which one and which sport. We practice (shoot these mock stages) so as to keep ourselves alive during a real firefight!!

In Springfield Mass. at the S&W IDPA Championship a top notch, 1st class, Master shooter was disqualified for dropping his blaster!!

My point is even the best screw up!! It is part of the learning process!! The important part is to be safe and stay alive!! More than once in a scenario I said to one or more folks, "If this were for real I would not move and I would stay behind this cover and defend myself instead of attacking or running!!

Take the class for what it is worth, Practice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bubba]

Doc... to quote Yogi Berra.... "10% of this game is 90% mental..." ;)

Yeah.. I have mentally beaten myself any number of times. For me, the biggest problem is getting TOO wired in. I over think the heck outta some matches.

A while back, I started winning local matches against people I had never come close to in the past. As I began to analyze the differences, I saw a pattern. When I was doing really well... I was busier than a one armed paper hanger. :) I was guiding new shooters, SO'ing short handed .. any number of things. But what was happening to my shooting was I was so busy working the match that I didn't have time to think about my shooting. Someone would say.. Bubba.. your turn... I would then just fly through the COF without thinking and I was smoking the times.

Now, that is NOT the best way to work a major match. So I needed to dissect what I was doing. I also looked at a few majors where I had TOTALLY messed up. What I found was I was putting TOO much pressure on myself. Without the false pressure that I was creating, I could shoot with anyone in my classification.

I have now developed a routine that I follow every single time. I do it the same for every COF I approach. One of my shooting mentors told me I should watch Kevin Costner's "For the Love of the Game". There is a piece in the movie that Costner does as he starts to prepare to make a pitch. He uses a trigger phrase "Clear the Mechinism". Everything around him fades out. Everything goes out of focus except for his catcher, the batter and then ump. His focus is just on the single task at hand. After the pitch everything goes back to normal... until the next pitch.

I learned a lot from that scene. I actually incorporated that trigger phrase as part of my pre-shot routine. I visualize the COF I am about to shoot several times .. a few in slow motion and a few at real time speed. I see it in my mind over and over. I use one other trigger phrase.. "Calm and Confident". This tells my mind to relax yet stay focused and prepared. For me, the key is not to get OVER charged and excited. It is to remain even and fluid regardless of the competition at hand.

I have had the opportunity to discuss these thoughts with some of the major players. Every one of them have something similar they use to focus themselves prior to starting. Too many people try to maintain this focus for the entire match. That simply wont work. You have to call on it as you approach the line.. and then turn it off until the next stage. The other thing they tell me is to forget the COF as soon as the last shot is fired. That doesn't mean they can't recall each and every shot. But what it DOES mean is they don't dwell on the bad or the good. It is over and they can't do anything about it Dwelling on a bad shot will carry over and effect then next stage. So they lock all that away before they leave to the next stage.

I have also talked to some PGA players and they use similar techniques.

To be honest, this is a constant battle for me. One of my mentors told me something recently. "Terry, you can make every shot that could come up in a match. You have the skill as good as anyone. Your next hurdle is to learn to deal with the mental aspects of shooting. You out think yourself from more matches than anyone I know." Interestingly, several instructors from the last school I attended made the same assessment.

I am now incorporating some self hypnosis into my shooting. I have a couple of scripts to program myself for positive results. I use the two trigger phrases to kick off the post hypnotic suggestions to clear my mind of all emotions and focus me on the COF at hand. It's not perfect yet. But it is beginning to show positive results when I have done all the other preparations correctly. I still have to practice and have all my mechanics honed and grooved. But I can see where I am not over thinking nearly as much as I did even just a year ago.

All that may be a bit much for you where you are in your competitive learning process. But rest assured, we all went through it. Relaxing is the key. My instructors in Dallas yell that at me on a regular basis. "Relax Bubba... RELAX" Mentally rehearsing the COF will help. Focus on your breathing. Calm and confident... Clear the Mechanism.

If you would like, I can send you the Word documents of the self hypnosis scripts I am using. Drop me a note if you want them.

[Rabbi]

Don and Bubba,

Thanks, guys. I always thought that I would eventually get into competition action shooting because when I was younger I shot in a couple of target handgun leagues and really enjoyed it. I realize that getting started in my middle fifties is a partial handicap because of slowed reflexes and less stamina, but I'm stuck with what I have.

Being a beginner, I don't want to start off with bad habits or do irreversible damage to my "match bushido". I just made that up by the way, but I like it.

Any and all tips are welcome and yes Bubba, I'd like that self hypnosis tutorial if you don't mind. I'm hoping that I just suffered from rookie jitters and the more comfortable I become, the better I will get. I also think I've been guilty of trying to go too fast to keep up with the twenty five year olds, which of course isn't in my best interest as a student.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Doc

I don't know how that inappropriate smiley got in there.

[Redrum]

Doc....I echo the preceeding sentiments and suggestions...There is however a real physical and psycological cause and effect here as well. I have been trying to get someone to analyze that damn start beep tone!!! That has to be the most brain scattering tone there is!!! Here I am all cool and calm...BEEP ! Brain goes to mush!!!:lol: It's in the tone I tell you!!! :lool:

Actually Doc...I think you hit the nail on the head...Ya can't keep up with the 20 yr olds...at least not right away!!! As every coach says in just about every game..."Stay within yourself". In these games, speed kills. Accuracy is more important than speed. Slow down...make your shots...the speed will come with time.

Bubba...can I get a copy of that script??? I need all the help that I can get! I too have a ritual when I go to the line. Before getting there I like to watch a couple of people shoot the stage. Then figure out how I am going to shoot it. Then just chit-chat. When I go to the line I survey the course, get into the box and tune out everything. Then that damn BEEP! Oh well...I have fun! I haven't been DQ'ed yet!!!

[Bubba]

As someone just getting started, it is very common to go into "adrenalin rush" every time you hear the buzzer go off. It happened to me for a long time. Part of what you are experiencing will fade as you get more accustomed to shooting under the stress of a timer. The good news is, you are getting use to shooting under stress in a controlled environment. Much better than the alternative, don't ya think? ;)

What I posted is something that happens at advanced level shooting. However, that doesn't mean the techniques to deal with stress can't be applied by both Novice and Master.

Personally, I think there are some common elements between shooting and say golf or baseball. The pre-shot routine is common in all of them. Watch a good hitter. He does the same exact things every time he steps to the plate. Same with Tiger Woods or any great golfer. They do specific steps every single time to tell their bodies.. NOW we are going to perform. I have one final trigger I use to tell my body.. It's time to go... I touch the bill of my hat as a final step. Everything after that is action. It's just one final trigger to myself.

What I can suggest to help you get over the early stress is building your own pre-shot routine. One that was given to me by some excellent shooters is as follows.

Two shooters before you go up, start your preparation. Look at the COF. Visualize the COF. See it in your mind. Now.. step yourself through the COF at 1/4 speed. Mentally, see the sight picture as you engage each target. Feel yourself press the trigger and see the hole appear in the Zero down. Move your eyes to the next target as SOON as the last shot breaks. Keep your rhythm smooth and steady. See the reload in your mind. No double taps. Just a constant rhythm TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP. See all your hits going Zero Down. Clear and holster.

Now.. do it again... exactly the same way. Same speed. Same results. Once again.

Now speed up to half speed and see the COF again. Every thing smooth. Not rushing. Steady rhythm. Zero Down. Once again and half speed. And now a third time.

Finally, run the COF in your mind at full speed. Feel each shot break smoothly and cleanly. See the holes in the target appear in your mind. Feel the reload go crisply and cleanly. Now, run it again at full speed. And a third time.

By this point you will have rehearsed the COF 9 times. You know it well. There are no surprises. You know exactly what you are going to do at each step of the way. Calm and confident.

When your name is called.. RELAX. Clear the Mechanism.... Calm and Confident...you have nothing to fear. there is no stress because you have already made this run 9 times flawlessly.

Shooter ready?? Standby........................ BEEEEEEEP. And now you shoot exactly the way you have already done it in your mind's eye.

This helped me a LOT to control my excitement level and adrenalin. I shoot much calmer and effectively when I do this.

This is the basic premise behind my self hypnosis scripts. There are some additional things I have in there too. And I have modified it for other activities. I did one for my Dad for Golf.

Drop me a note at the e-mail addy below and I'll send you the word doc.

[Redrum]

Bubba...ya had me until....Shooter ready?? Standby........................ BEEEEEEEP!! :lol:

I userstand what you are saying. I do the same thing when I am am bowling. I do EVERYTHING the same way, in the same time frame in the same order. It really does eliminate the need to over-think...just go on autopilot and think about the important things and RELAX.

Thanks for the tips! Hopefully I will be able to practice some of them between now and next month!

[Don45cal]

I call my prep "getting into my Zen"!! I mentally prepare myself for that all to scarry BEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!

[rotty]

Hi Doc, i wish i couldve been there, i had no idea how he was going to set it up, from what i heard Kurt may have actually laid the course out.
Anyway, here is my take, all the other responses you got have been good, no doubt about it, I look at it from my MA training, first step to controlling a given situation is being able to control yourself, and its definatly harder than it sounds, but a good way to start is a "ritualistic" approach, for example, practice some basic techniques every time you shoot, and or practice.
Number one is breath control, you would be amazed at how much your breathing can mess you up in regards to being nervous, shaky etc....as you practice or shoot be concious of your breathing, in through nose out through mouth at a steady rythm, dont hyperventilate.
Number two as you get used to the breathing focus on your shooting basics, stance, grip, sight, aquire, fire.
Number three practice your scanning and viewing your COF/targets etc.... keep your vison open, dont tunnel.
Number four, this is the fun one, make all of these things part of your daily routine. As you drive practice being more aware of your surroundings, to lessen the habit of tunneling, many drivers tunnel badly. As you walk here and there do the same thing, war game situations, as you walk to a certian area think to yourself, if there was a bad guy at that spot how would i do it, visualize these things in your head, and work through the problem. Tyr to apply some of the situations of the COF you wnet through to everyday locations, and troubleshoot how you would move, shoot from cover, cut the pie, and shooting order.
It seems like a lot to do, take small steps to start, i try to remember to do number 4 everyday, just because thats me, my worst one lately is #1, i dont train nearly as much as i used to and have been losing my breathing habits. I notice the difference quite a bit.

HTH

[Still Creekin']

While I can't say I've experienced the effect you're talking about here, this all sounds like very good advice. I started action pistol shooting last year and really enjoy it. My trouble is recovering the "groove" once I'm thrown off by a miss or two. My best scores are always when I've had the impression that I'm moving a little slower, but hitting everything. When I try to speed it up, I often find I'll miss and need to stay on a target for another shot or two, (or go back to a plate which didn't fall), and I just can't seem to get back into the "groove" for the rest of that COF. I think that for some reason the miss causes me to shift focus to the target, losing concentration on the front sight. I need to work on a "start from the beginning" mental image to get me back on the front sight, shooting smoothly again.
I've seen shooters have a FTF or blow a mag change and get so discombobulated that they just give up on that COF! Not a good habit to get into re: real life senerios. BD

[miquela]

Doc,

What caliber is your Springfield 1911?

I shoot a 9mm and used to get FTFs all the time. If that's what you're shooting, the problem is inherent in the shorter cartridge of the 9mm. There's a bit of extra space and sometimes they just kinda squirt out of the magazine and you'll get double feeds or worse. I found that new mag springs helped. Bubba swears by using 38Super mags instead of the 9mm mags. Since I did spring cleaning on my springfield (actually replaced all the springs in the gun and mags) I've not had any problems with FTFs again.

IF you're shooting another caliber, then I know little about anything. But perhaps changing out magazine springs would help there too.

As for the rest stuff you mentioned, yeah, I've had some of those problems. If a stage is too complicated, there will be LOTS of penalties for shooting out of sequence or whatever. Simple stages are better for matches for a number of reasons - the main one being they just help the match flow smoother and a shooter doesn't come out thinking "Man, this is too tough. I'll go back to target practice," rather than "WOW! How cool! I can't wait to come back!"

Don't worry about those things. Don't worry about your speed. Go. Have fun. Be safe. Take your time and get your shots. Speed in competition shooting will come. Mostly focus on being safe and having fun. The rest is gravy. ;)

Take care.
Melissa :)

[Rabbi]

Miq,

I'm shooting a .45 with Mec-Gar magazines. I believe the problem with FTFs is solved. Thanks for your input and I'm glad you came back to FFF.

Doc

[miquela]

Hi Doc,

I'm still here. Just not as vocal as before, more cautious. But still here and reading, keeping an eye on things and the friends I've made here. :) Ted and I started another forum - specifically with IDPA in mind (since that's our main focus in the shooting sports) so I've been kinda busy with that lately, but I still check in here from time to time.

Glad to hear you solved the FTF problem. Those can be soooo annoying.

Take care.
Melissa :)
http://www.idpaforum.com
http://www.eastontacticalops.com

[Rabbi]

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the links. Ted's forum came up but the idpaforum gave me a white screen and an hourglass that never loaded.

I'm going to look into the idpaforum as soon as I figure out what went wrong.

Doc:goatee:

[miquela]

try this link then... not sure what happened with the other... works on my computer.. but this one ought to work. (fingers crossed)

http://pub62.ezboard.com/bidpaforum
(dont' worry - you won't get hit with those annoying pop-ups. we paid someone to get rid of them. :lol: )

hope to see ya over there sometime. :)

melissa :coolchug:

[Redrum]

Yeah Doc...Come on over! You'll see some names that you recognize!!!

http://pub62.ezboard.com/bidpaforum

[Rabbi]

Melissa and Redrum,

After two earlier unsuccessful attempts, I finally got registered at idpaforum and introduced myself tonight. I stated my purpose is to sit back, shut up and learn from you experienced folks.I also briefed the forum on what my league is doing.

Thank you both for having invited me to join.

Doc

[Redrum]

Glad ya made it there Doc! Lots of good info and good people!!! Ted and Missy run a tight ship...which is a good thing sometimes!!! It's starting to slowly pick up there!!!:up: