My 5th USPSA Match

[Brandon Breeze]

This match is from the beginning of May, going to be shooting my 10th match this weekend!

The Good:

Moving a little more confidently
Better Target Transitions

The Bad:

Plagued with several malfunctions during this match, which obviously didn't help my match performance, but it is what it is! Of course, my mag fell out... on the Classifier! Still managed a C Class run, but that could have easily been a B Class run!

When I have those malfunctions, it throws me off in a big way. I'll forget to shoot a target either one shot or the target all together.

Still working on executing my stage plan well at this point. I missed one target entirely as a result of this. That was those 2 misses on stage 4. One other was because I had an unplanned reload due to malfunction and failed to shoot at the target once I was back up and running. The other was simply a shoot and a miss.

What I'm working on now:

Getting the gun up earlier to take shots earlier
Accepting a little less confirmation for shots
Execute stage plan as intended

Constructive criticism welcome! Sorry for lagging behind on getting these videos posted, I'll likely already be working on suggestions you may have from this video, but we all know more eyes observing will always yield better observations!

How many matches have you shot?
What did your journey look like?
Thinking about competitive shooting? Reach out!

 

[doggman61]

So far great start!
If you speed up your transitions between targets (like the opens behind the barrels) there is a lot of meat on the bone there. making sure you're target focused and not dot focused might turn some of those charlies and mikes in to alphas which is ESPECIALLY important shooting open minor. (something I still struggle with myself occasionally)
I took the tom castro class this year and it really leveled up my game so if you ever have a chance to take a uspsa oriented class you should!

 

[Brandon Breeze]

So far great start!
If you speed up your transitions between targets (like the opens behind the barrels) there is a lot of meat on the bone there. making sure you're target focused and not dot focused might turn some of those charlies and mikes in to alphas which is ESPECIALLY important shooting open minor. (something I still struggle with myself occasionally)
I took the tom castro class this year and it really leveled up my game so if you ever have a chance to take a uspsa oriented class you should!

Appreciate the observations!

The slowing of my transitions is due to 100% Confirmation on the first shot. Meaning I was waiting for the dot to be 100% clear, exactly where I wanted to shoot. And locking my arms too stiff to mitigate as much muzzle flip/recoil as possible to be able to rip a double where both shots are typically alphas. Loosening up a bit, even slowing splits still leads to faster transitions and takes less time overall (for most). Working on accepting less confirmation and to be less worried about split times to speed up transitions overall.

I hadn't realized this yet by the time of this match, which is why I didn't bring it up in the OP as to what I was working on, since I wasn't working on this aspect as of this match.

Went to a skills based practice after this one with seasoned USPSA folks and learned a LOT about my grip, how even fast doubles don't necessarily lead to faster overall times etc.

Going to a skills based practice today with seasoned folks as well, where we will be practicing a few stages and helping each other with constructive criticism, talking smack and just having fun!

 

[doggman61]

Appreciate the observations!

The slowing of my transitions is due to 100% Confirmation on the first shot. Meaning I was waiting for the dot to be 100% clear, exactly where I wanted to shoot. And locking my arms too stiff to mitigate as much muzzle flip/recoil as possible to be able to rip a double where both shots are typically alphas. Loosening up a bit, even slowing splits still leads to faster transitions and takes less time overall (for most). Working on accepting less confirmation and to be less worried about split times to speed up transitions overall.

I hadn't realized this yet by the time of this match, which is why I didn't bring it up in the OP as to what I was working on, since I wasn't working on this aspect as of this match.

Went to a skills based practice after this one with seasoned USPSA folks and learned a LOT about my grip, how even fast doubles don't necessarily lead to faster overall times etc.

Going to a skills based practice today with seasoned folks as well, where we will be practicing a few stages and helping each other with constructive criticism, talking smack and just having fun!

Talking smack is half the fun!

One of the drills that stuck with me after the Castro class was we shot one or two bill drills at the same target, he drew a line about the middle of the the center of the group with a sharpie then we started doing doubles starting at 5 or 7 yards and worked our way back to 25. when I got to the point where my wheels fell off, I could diagnose if my grip pressures were bad or looking at the dot etc. eventually I could rip splits to where the second shot was almost subconscious because I knew when/how the gun would come back to the black line.
(Hope that all makes sense)

I just watched the video again and keeping the gun up and ready to shoot THE second you clear the wall is a easssyyyy way to shave some time on stages also.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Talking smack is half the fun!

One of the drills that stuck with me after the Castro class was we shot one or two bill drills at the same target, he drew a line about the middle of the the center of the group with a sharpie then we started doing doubles starting at 5 or 7 yards and worked our way back to 25. when I got to the point where my wheels fell off, I could diagnose if my grip pressures were bad or looking at the dot etc. eventually I could rip splits to where the second shot was almost subconscious because I knew when/how the gun would come back to the black line.
(Hope that all makes sense)

I just watched the video again and keeping the gun up and ready to shoot THE second you clear the wall is a easssyyyy way to shave some time on stages also.

Yup, I was practicing keeping the gun up today very specifically!

 

[Gawernator]

It's John USPSA

 

[rodralig]

not bad...

i think you have you self-identified what you need to work on, so, all i can say... relax more... loosen up.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

not bad...

i think you have you self-identified what you need to work on, so, all i can say... relax more... loosen up.

I tried that in practice and at the match today (10th match), wound up with shots all over, lol. I'll get there, fortunately the community at matches is always helpful when you ask!

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Love to see the progress!

++ to what @doggman61 said, taking a full 3 day from from the likes of Tom Castro, JJ Raccaza...is going to be a pretty big jump to competition skills. Smaller groups and lot's of time dedicated to improving your shooting, movement, stage runs/plans as an individual.

A few things:

TL;DR: "smoothing" out the stage where you're constantly moving as much as possible, minimizing the amount of full stops while continuously closing the distance to the last target. Use angles when you can to minimize getting pinned into windows and blending transitions in/out of them.

1. Get the camera guy to switch to landscape and ultra-wide. It's difficult to see the stage so close up.
2. For the first stage:
   • For the first stage, get a fast draw on that first target and start moving back. Rather than having to do a full retrograde you should be at that back corner and turning right immediately after your last shot breaks on the third target
   • When you moved to the next section, it appears your gun could've been up sooner, shooting that first target as soon as you clear the wall. Also, you should have gone wider into the corner - looks like you move forward a bit, closing the angle. I can't quite tell from the camera angle but you might have been able to hit both targets while moving if you go into the corner
   • For the target at 14:00 secs, hard to see from the angle but maybe move left first and hit that target from a distance. Might have been able to hit that target in the window from an angle and avoid getting pinned
   • The idea general is to try and minimize the amount of times you have to come to a complete stop, continuously closing the distance to the last target
   • In that last section/window, I probably would've gone far left first then entered the window shooting the targets from right to left. That allows me to transition in a single direction and maybe start shooting before going all the way into the window. You lost a lot of time transitioning back and forth there.
3. Consider loading using 140mm (LO/CO max) mags or loading to 20-21rds for at least a few stages. Practicing reloads as part of your stage plan is a very valuable skill.

 

[Gawernator]

Ok I watched the video. You can def come play escape from Tarkov with us

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Love to see the progress!

++ to what @doggman61 said, taking a full 3 day from from the likes of Tom Castro, JJ Raccaza...is going to be a pretty big jump to competition skills. Smaller groups and lot's of time dedicated to improving your shooting, movement, stage runs/plans as an individual.

A few things:

TL;DR: "smoothing" out the stage where you're constantly moving as much as possible, minimizing the amount of full stops while continuously closing the distance to the last target. Use angles when you can to minimize getting pinned into windows and blending transitions in/out of them.

1. Get the camera guy to switch to landscape and ultra-wide. It's difficult to see the stage so close up.
2. For the first stage:
   • For the first stage, get a fast draw on that first target and start moving back. Rather than having to do a full retrograde you should be at that back corner and turning right immediately after your last shot breaks on the third target
   • When you moved to the next section, it appears your gun could've been up sooner, shooting that first target as soon as you clear the wall. Also, you should have gone wider into the corner - looks like you move forward a bit, closing the angle. I can't quite tell from the camera angle but you might have been able to hit both targets while moving if you go into the corner
   • For the target at 14:00 secs, hard to see from the angle but maybe move left first and hit that target from a distance. Might have been able to hit that target in the window from an angle and avoid getting pinned
   • The idea general is to try and minimize the amount of times you have to come to a complete stop, continuously closing the distance to the last target
   • In that last section/window, I probably would've gone far left first then entered the window shooting the targets from right to left. That allows me to transition in a single direction and maybe start shooting before going all the way into the window. You lost a lot of time transitioning back and forth there.
3. Consider loading using 140mm (LO/CO max) mags or loading to 20-21rds for at least a few stages. Practicing reloads as part of your stage plan is a very valuable skill.

Much appreciated! Been working a lot on shooting on the move, and keeping the gun up when applicable. It's crazy how much quicker one can be when taking targets on the move, even if doing it slowly compared to shooting from a full stop, burning down all the available targets, then sprinting to the next full stop and burning down the targets again. Did some training earlier this week with some M shooters that are making their way to GM this week and got a lot of perspective!

This is one thing about this community, nearly everyone is helpful and wanting to see you succeed!

 

[FriedChickies]

You're too upright in your stance. You should look into athletica/aggressive shooting positioning and incorporate it into your practice.

 

[jkcerda]

I don't compete but I do have keyboard courage right now so here it goes.
WE can ALL benefit from cardio. some of your transitions seemed a tad slow.

 

[FriedChickies]

I don't compete but I do have keyboard courage right now so here it goes.
WE can ALL benefit from cardio. some of your transitions seemed a tad slow.

Transition speed between targets in the same array is related to shot call ability and splits, rather than cardiovascular fitness.

I think you're talking about his movement from one shooting position to another shooting position. If so, that's not really referred to a transition in practical shooting.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

I don't compete but I do have keyboard courage right now so here it goes.
WE can ALL benefit from cardio. some of your transitions seemed a tad slow.

Cardio definitely doesn't hurt, and I think everyone can benefit from being in better shape.

The interesting thing about USPSA is that it's not really an endurance sport. Most stages are only 15-30 seconds, so explosive movement, efficient footwork, and good entries/exits tend to matter a lot more than being able to run long distances. You definitely get your heart rate up, but it's usually from the timer and pressure more than the physical effort.

My movement is also a bit limited from some lingering motorcycle crash injuries, so I know I'm giving up some time there. That's actually one of the biggest things I'm working on right now, cleaner entries and exits, moving sooner, and keeping the gun up while moving.

I appreciate the feedback though. If you haven't already considered competitive shooting, I would highly recommend it since it's fun and essentially a never ending challenge.

You're too upright in your stance. You should look into athletica/aggressive shooting positioning and incorporate it into your practice.

Also been working on this, especially when moving and shooting. I shot the same match twice this weekend in different divisions and purposefully tried one stage standing still, burn all the targets down, run like hell to the other side, stop and burn all of those targets down. The next day I started moving right away and slow walked and shot all targets on the move.

Day 1: 10.77 Seconds
Day 2: 6.69 Seconds, with better hits

Funny part is, the 6.69 second run felt much slower and much easier to do well!

Worked on this and learned from an M Class shooter at one of the clubs, who is working on GM. He showed me first hand how his slow walk of a 36 round stage that had targets all over the place was about 10 seconds faster than me running short sprints and stopping for each array of targets.

 

[Gawernator]

I ran a 9 minute 46 second 1.5 mile in Cuba

Now it's 9 minutes to wake up

 

[Gawernator]

You're too upright in your stance. You should look into athletica/aggressive shooting positioning and incorporate it into your practice.

Ok am I crazy (?) but in the Navy they said don't lean over too much like that because you expose your chest to a fatal hit instead of keeping the armor facing the enemy. I never did a competition shoot though lol

 

[rodralig]

in the Navy they said don't

the Navy?

 

[Gawernator]

the Navy?

View attachment 215169

God d*** it.

Well, I was in a NECC unit https://www.necc.usff.navy.mil/organization/operational-forces/neic/mission/

 

[Gawernator]

Fk, bro has me going down memory lane noooooo https://www.necc.usff.navy.mil/Pres...5199/navy-expeditionary-intelligence-command/