Jake Di Vita

....so pumped.

Did you fire him? lol

I don't fail to see that at all. I've put many many hours in designing stages, stats, and helping to run matches on my own time as well. I do know that I would be a better shooter if I were paid to do it. I'm not, so I do what I have to do to get where I want to be. I don't think using you or me as an example in this case is relevant simply because most people have an aversion to doing anything hard. You obviously don't. That makes you special and, unfortunately, a rare breed. I understand you spend an inordinate amount of time working on matches as a volunteer. If everyone were as committed as you, I don't think we would be disagreeing. But, everyone isn't as committed as you. Just because money doesn't motivate you, doesn't mean it won't motivate anyone. Regardless, that's not how I was referring to it. As I said before, I am in total agreement with you for local and state level matches. I think national level matches could and should be several magnitudes better than local or state matches. Can you give me a better way of doing that without injecting money into the match and staff? Eventually you're going to be limited by man-hours available. I also think this would make a significant difference for attendance in future matches.

My Dad has been eating Paleo and lifting heavy 3 days / week for 2 months now. At 55 years old and 5'11, he's gone from 215 to 187 with higher strength and energy levels. As of now he is approaching a 2x BW deadlift (I think he has it already on the right day). Sleep Apnea literally disappeared after the first 2 weeks. He'd likely be even further along had he been eating more meat and fat for this long. Amazing how well this stuff works if you have the discipline to do it right.

Thank you. That was exactly my point. I never suggested the current logistics would work for every match. On the local level, absolutely. On the state level, sure. On the National level? I don't know. Having a "flagship" match (such as the nationals) would probably do a lot to increase general interest and marketability of the sport.

So you're actually telling me if you and all of your cohorts were paid fairly to do what you do, you couldn't put on a better match?

One thing I will say. With a paid staff, the quality of the match would likely go up quite a bit.

Very true. He has a phenomenal mental game. It goes back to thinking about only what you can control. Moderator hat on. Let's keep this discussion on course. A bunch of posts about how much people love or hate him will get this thread closed quickly.

He's shooting left because that is where the gun is pointed when the bullet exits the barrel. It isn't any more complex than that.

Never use a dot focus. In Open, I try to always keep my eyes moving from one target (until the shot breaks) to the next. (Whether that be shooting or moving).

I really don't believe formal training, especially in the beginning, is that necessary. There are hundreds of videos of the top shooters in the world in action. Video yourself and compare the two. Look for nuances. Someone who is diligent and hungry can teach themselves very well. This is especially true if money is an issue. Most of the battle for new shooters is just getting the motor recruitment pattern for what we do efficient. Technique can and should be played with along the way.

If the sights are on the target when the bullet leaves the barrel, it's impossible to miss. Basically, you need to do a couple 50,000 more draws. Use the amount of force you feel works the best for you. I would suggest you not pull the gun out of the holster until you have a solid grip. I would also suggest biasing the support hand to the strong side of the body during the draw. This enables you to get the support hand on the gun at the earliest possible moment of the draw stroke.. P.S. Oly lifting rocks! Shooter A should get the equipment best suited to his anthropometry. As others have said, it ultimately doesn't matter that much. Pick one, and practice. That being said, buy good equipment that you like and that functions well. It's amazing how a lot of these things sort themselves out as you become a better shooter. Just grind away.

As someone who knows a thing or two about gun problems.... Equipment is NOT the place to save money.

I should have read your entire post first before commenting... I'm not sure if he was asked the correct question for this current discussion.

If the rules didn't change, there is not really anything to have a different "view" on?

I dig it.

Yeah. Now all we gotta do is get him to shoot again.

Don't over think it bud. In the end, all you have to do is hit the target at the earliest moment you can. There is a lot of good information in those books, use and apply what helps...don't use them as a step by step guide (and don't think you need a step by step guide). Let your body do what you've taught it to do. Then teach it better for next time.

Program the stage to the best of your ability. Visualize that stage as many times as needed to eliminate hesitation. Let yourself shoot at the ability you've trained for.

That's life man. Work harder when you have the opportunity to.

Sure, you haven't yet had a problem - but you can only say that until you do. It's also a good way of making sure all your mags continue to drop free correctly. There's really just no good reason to not do it.

Lighten up, Francis.

I recommend dropping a mag at least 75% of the time or more. Set a chair in front of you with a laundry basket full of clothes on it.

That's a trick I've used for many years actually.

Are those the regular steel challenge stages? 80 second barrier my ass. 76 is truly impressive.