Steve Anderson Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 I've wanted to start this for awhile, finally got around to it. I though it would be cool to have a thread where we could list all the general principles we "know" about ipsc style shooting. Will be a great resource for beginners, and will help the rest of us too. I'll start: 1. Avoid standing reloads whenever possible. Always plan the stage so you can reload while moving. 2. Dry Firing every night will drastically increase your confidence level when you get on the line. 3. You must practice strong and weak hand shooting on a regular basis. You don't want to be surprised by this at a match. I've seen grown men cry... 4. If you wish to excel at IPSC shooting, you must seek out your weaknesses and make them strengths, or at the very least, non-issues. 5. When planning a stage, look at it from many angles. Don't discount an irregular path through the stage, it may save time. 6. Shoot for points. 7. You must learn to call your shots on steel with confidence. Waiting for them to fall takes time. Calling all shots is important, but steel is crucial. 8. You can break fault lines if you don't shoot while outside them. (thanks Uncle Bill) 9. (related) The good shooters at your club will most likely be glad to help you...if you just ask. 10. Your draw and reload must be consistent and sure, even if not lighting fast. A blown reload is disaster for a speed shoot or classifier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 Steve, cool initiative! 11. Trust your skills and shoot at a pace where you're able to see everything you need to see. Never go too fast. 12. Don't trust how fast something "feels". Use a timer to check which mental state gives you the best times. 13. If you shoot a revolver, practice reloads a lot. 14. Overconfidence leads to minimal awareness. Try not to lose interest in the shooting that's happening right now, because you've overpracticed. (Edited by spook at 7:06 pm on Feb. 18, 2003) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Di Vita Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 15. Stay hungry. Never be just "satisfied." 16. Listen to everyone. 17. Have someone experienced critique your style and execution. 18. He who will sacrifice the most for the battle will win every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 19) Learn to harness your own ability to be aware of everything that happens while shooting. That includes visual, auditory and spatial. 20) Have fun. If you want to get mad at yourself, take up golf. 21) Learn humility, and learn from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyn Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 22) Smooth really is fast 23) During major matches don't shoot outside your comfort zone 24) If you make a game plan, stick with it 25) Watch the super squad every chance you get. don't just ape them but observe and evaluate 26) Learn how to build an accurate shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassy knoll Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 27) In practice try to go full out, just to see what its like, and then try to go even faster 28) try the 50 yd+ shots in the routine, 29) don't get brought down by somebody elses bad attitude, if they don't want to try, then that's their problem 30) Full mags all the time, do not put empty ones back in your belt. 31)Make sure you see all the targets before you shoot and know your plan to shoot them 32) If reloading your own ammo, know that it is all good, if in doubt buy an electronic scale and weigh it, and chamber check it. 33) Have an "on the line" routine especially in practice, go through in your mind the same thought everytime before the timer starts 34) Zero the sights 35) Understand the COF, and know what has to be done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loves2Shoot Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 36. Calling your shots saves time. 37. When you shoot faster than you can see you are gambling. 38. The more you practice the "hard" shots in practice, the better the nerves are on match day. 39. Never take anything for granted, make sure you know everything is A OK. 40. Whiners SUCK!!! It is about getting to shoot guns and have fun, right? Leave the bad attitudes at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 41. You cannot miss fast enough. 42. Find a spot on the target. Shoot that spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 1. Bring equipment that works. Never show up to a match with the same "stuff" that didn't work last time. Know that you gun, ammo and mags function. 2. Learn to call the shot. Know where the bullet will hit by reading the sights. 3. It is impossible to miss if the sights are in proper alignment with each other and the target...when the bullet leaves the barrel. 4. Most all the things that are blamed on equipment...turn out to be the shooter. (But hey...we need a good reason to buy new stuff!) 5. Progress comes from within. 6. Never do a standing reload. They are worse than misses. 7. Misses suck! You get no points...you just waste time. Use your time to get hits. Take however much time you need to get a "good hit". 8. I "hoper" is a miss. 9. A "good hit" in Minor power factor is an Alpha. A "good hit" in Major is a Charlie or better. 10. There are no Charlie hits on steel. 11. Fast is an illusion. 12. Economy of motion is vital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 43. Learn how to stop smoothly and be shooting when or before you stop. (this is my current "thing") 44. Don't look for holes!!! 45. Pick one or two things you want to improve and think about them all the time. If you can't visualize yourself doing the "thing", it is very hard to actually do it. 1. BRING EQUIPMENT THAT WORKS. It is very hard to compete when you are not sure your gun is going to fire. 46. See rule #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 Steve, great thread! You guys have already posted more that I know about IPSC. But here's one suggestion. 47) Too many people "tune out" the RO when they are preparing too shoot. Always pay close attention to the RO when you come to the line. Look them straight in the eyes when they are taking to you. Nod your head or whatever, but communicate with the RO. This will save you MUCH GRIEF someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimel Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 48. If you aren't having fun, you are doing "something" wrong. What a great collection of wisdom. Great thread! I hope all this is going to be added to the FAQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcoliver Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 This is great! 49. Your gun doesn't suck. You do. 50. If you hear yourself whining, it's either you're not shooting, didn't practice enough, or both. 51. Nobody ever tells you that you're suppose to shoot the A-zone. You just have to figure that one out yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Anderson Posted February 13, 2003 Author Share Posted February 13, 2003 52. If you're shooting minor, you MUST get A's. 54. Aim small, miss small. (thanks, mel) 55. Make a checklist for your match gear so you don't spend the drive wondering if you forgot something. 56. Bring water and a lite snack to keep your energy up. 57. Plan ahead for colder and warmer weather than you're expecting. 58. If you're planning an unconventionally angled shot, ask the RO BEFORE you shoot if HE considers it a 180 violation. It's too late afterwards. 59. Dry fire groups on tiny targets in addition to your action dry fire drills. It helps more than know. 60. You must be able to shoot on the move with conidence. 61. You need positive actions in your head, not negative ones. Think, "I will hit the A zone twice" NOT, "I better not hit the no shoot." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Anderson Posted February 13, 2003 Author Share Posted February 13, 2003 62. Don't be afraid to challenge the RO on a hit. You might win. If you know it's there, argue for it politely and professionally. 63. Have you stage plan DOWN. A well executed plan always beats a miracle plan than you can barely remember. Confidience is in simplicity. 64. None enough practice enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinney Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 65. Shoot ammo that you KNOW makes major PF, not ammo that you HOPE makes major PF. Cutting it close is not worth the anxiety. 66. "Equipment that works" does not necessarily mean the most expensive equipment. It just needs to work, every time, regardless of cost. 67. Spend most of your shooting budget on ammo, not new guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDean Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 66. The most important shot on the stage is the one you're taking NOW! 67. While drawing, keep your shoulders level, don't move head too much. 68. When transitioning from target-to-target, keep your upper body position the same. Rotate at the hips, waist, knees, ankles and toes. 69. Don't think about this # while you're on the line! 70. Give yourself an advantage. Drink water, eat sensibly, get into the shade. 71. Think possitive. You know you can do it, so just do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveZ Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 Quote: from TDean on 9:46 pm on Feb. 13, 2003 71. Think possitive. You know you can do it, so just do it! 72. Give up the Glock and shoot a 1911! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bird Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 73. Think about every little thing while practicing. 74. Don't think at all during the match ---->trust. 75. Drink alot of water. 76. Stretch. 77. Think positive thoughts 78. Leave your Ego at home 79. Learn something new at every match. 80. Have fun, you are not at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSeevers Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 This is real hard since I am at the end 81. Never change anything before a match. ( I had squadmates at the Nationals buying the latest/greatest techmo device and putting it on on the safety area. Stupid. 82. On the first stage turn it back to 90%. In fact try that for the whole match. 83. Know your split times since that's the only way to say is A or B faster. 84. Practice accuracy relentlessly. If not, you will not win, it will catch up with you. 85. Buy a wagon, cart or gun bearer. Chair is good too 86. Relax 87. Negative thought and people are to be avoided. 88. A clean gun/glasses/equipment is an advantage. 89. Don't get hung up on a .8 draw. That won't win a match by itself. 90. Pro Grip/Grip tape/modified grip Nuff said 91. Reloading is a skill. Get good at it. Its part of the win. 92. Thank your RO. 93. When your plan goes away. Relax and shoot the sight. Don't rush or try to make up time. You will lose then. 94. Never give up. Your competition could also have a 20 second jam on the next stage. 95. Never quit. See above. 96. Never surrender. Nothing to do with IPSC but sounds good 97. Shoot with confidence. Confidence is developed in practice and is NOT cockyness. 98. Don't be afraid to ask someone better or worse than you for advice. I would lean more to the better but when you quit learning, well.... 99. NEVER "double tap" a target 100. Never make up a rule to get to a certain number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Anderson Posted February 15, 2003 Author Share Posted February 15, 2003 101. When you get GOOD, share what you know. That's how you pay back those that helped you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 "100. Never make up a rule to get to a certain number. " Rats,,,I had a phoney rule planned just for it and lost track. Did anyone mention 'Pay attention' as a rule yet??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 18, 2003 Share Posted February 18, 2003 What an awesome thread! Thanks Steve! 102: Pay attention, to everything at all times. 103: Just go. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Anderson Posted February 18, 2003 Author Share Posted February 18, 2003 104. When you make a mistake or blow a stage, or even tank a match...Find something to learn from it and move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcoliver Posted February 18, 2003 Share Posted February 18, 2003 105. The easiest fix when you're not hitting anything is to check your sights. It may be wiggling in the notch or worse already missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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