Brandon Breeze
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I finally made B Class in USPSA Open Minor, and looking back, the biggest lesson is that it wasn't equipment, some magical technique, or simply trying to shoot faster.
It was training with intention.
I started as a USPSA in March of this year with zero competition experience. From the time I was actually classified as C Class to making B Class was 98 days. 139 days from my first match.
The biggest things that moved the needle (for me):
If you want to move up, identify the thing that's costing you time or points, then go home and deliberately practice THAT thing.
I made B Class. Cool.
Now it's B → A → M → GM.
I'm going after A Class in roughly the same timeframe.
I put the whole journey, mistakes, classifier progression, dry-fire changes, and the actual B-Class run into the video for anyone interested:
If you're currently C Class and trying to make B, hopefully some of the mistakes I made can save you a few months of making your own.
It was training with intention.
I started as a USPSA in March of this year with zero competition experience. From the time I was actually classified as C Class to making B Class was 98 days. 139 days from my first match.
The biggest things that moved the needle (for me):
- Stop chasing speed. I had a my first B-Class run months ago, then immediately tried to push harder, and shot a 16.8% D run to follow it up then two more LOW C's. I eventually learned to run classifiers at about 90–95% of my actual capability.
- Get analytical about your classifier scores. C Class is a huge range. Don't just look at “C”, know whether you're shooting at 40% or knocking on B's door at 59%.
- Dry fire consistently. My biggest improvement came when I stopped casually running stages and started using par times and hit-factor goals.
- Practice specific weaknesses. A GM recommended I work on a scoop draw. I cut roughly 0.2 seconds simply by practicing it. Same thing happened with my reloads.
- Watch better shooters. Then ask them why they're doing what they're doing. Local M/GM shooters are incredibly valuable.
- Keep the gun up while moving. Coming from a tactical background, this was a major adjustment. Those little tenths add up.
- Don't let equipment become an excuse. My battle belt and Open Minor Sand Viper aren't/weren't holding me back. I was/am.
- Shoot more matches. Matches aren't a substitute for training, but the more you compete, the less foreign the environment becomes.
- Don't shoot faster than you can shoot accurately. A fast run with Charlies and Deltas isn't necessarily a good run, especially on classifiers.
If you want to move up, identify the thing that's costing you time or points, then go home and deliberately practice THAT thing.
I made B Class. Cool.
Now it's B → A → M → GM.
I'm going after A Class in roughly the same timeframe.
I put the whole journey, mistakes, classifier progression, dry-fire changes, and the actual B-Class run into the video for anyone interested:
If you're currently C Class and trying to make B, hopefully some of the mistakes I made can save you a few months of making your own.
