Boudreaux78

He broke 180, so we have reenforced and practice how to maintain control of muzzle at all times. Had a ND after an all shotgun stage and was unloading. He wasn’t familiar enough with unloading and I couldn’t assist. We spent everyday for three weeks loading and unloading. Last one was an unfamiliar borrowed gun at a match. Shouldn’t have shot, but he learned some things. Left the hammer back without the safety on, used to a striker fired and forgot. Now we are focused dry fire constantly and covering all aspects of shooting. I take responsibility for each DQ, I should’ve trained him better. I just don’t forget why we shoot!

If you use the normal belt loop holster hanger made by Safariland and then attach your QLS to it, it works great. Not sure I would run a ELS on my holster.

Safariland makes great holsters for lights. With a minimal amount of work you can learn to deactivate the retention device or you can remove it with one screw. Great products and no I’m not sponsored, just love their gear.

Forgot my sons gun and on another occasion my belt. Now I make sure everything necessary to shoot is in the bag the day before.

Yes it will happen and has happened to me. The problem is, if you focus on it so much, it takes a lot of joy out of shooting. My son has DQed for several different reasons and not the same one twice. The problem now is he is terrified of doing something wrong and shooting is not as much fun for him. I think it’s the old adage, don’t focus on what not to do, but focus on what you should be doing right. It’s working with him, just have some scars to heal from. And yes they are important scars, he definitely learned from them, we just don’t focus on them.

If you actually think about how much ammo it takes for an average class, it’s not much and I’m sure you could chose not to shoot all of the drills to conserve. The idea is not about shooting, but gaining skills to be much more confident. The class will not magically make you confident. The knowledge, guidance and planning will. Find a local shooter who is really good and wants to get into the teaching field. Be their test dummy a few times. Saves money and ammo. The most important thing that someone else mentioned is, relax. Trust yourself, you can shoot and make it through a stage just fine! Remember to have fun along the way!

Before stretching, you should get your blood flowing through your muscles. Jumping jacks or a light jog for a minute or two should work. Moving stretches seem to be the best types of stretches. Focus on hip flexors, hamstrings, glutes, quads, and calves. Throw in a few trunk twist and shoulder rotations and you should be fine

My advice would be listen to David Goggins, people will always throw rocks at someone else trying harder. It makes their insecurities feel less. Stay strong and focus on you. Peoples ego will be the down fall of them. Stay humble and ever forward!

I have a bunch of superstitions that have worked their way into my stage prep and performance. Touching my gun, ears off, deep breaths all work to calm me. The superstitions are closing my eyes and picturing my kids smiling, if I can’t see it, bugs me so I almost can’t shoot. I have to know they are there with me...

I like the comparison to driving. When you grow up driving on 55 mph roads and then you are suddenly driving in SO Cal at 85 mph just to not get run over, it seems daunting. After a while, 85 seems normal and 65 seems super slow. I think I’m going to use this in my practice. Thank you!!! Mental game always needs work!

Another thing about just going, call your hits or misses before moving. If you have already left, it’s not worth coming back. It’s a hit factor calculation that I can’t do, but it’s not worth the time to go back and reset, shoot and then leave again.

Tore my calf muscle at work in June last year. Was healed by August but not back to full strength till late September. Now I don’t even think about it. Crazy part is how easy it was, but thankful it wasn’t my Achilles. Good luck with the healing process and don’t forget to stretch!

If you have a reload to perform, it’s faster to get that done while prepping to move. Then go. The question is how to go. Does a drop step work better to leave the position, does a side shuffle work better or opening the hip and moving? It all depends on which way you are moving. Efficiency of motion saves an amazing amount of time. Some people don’t realize how much time is saved by simply shuffling sideways saves over turning, running and turning back. Try it both ways and find your max distance on a timer. Clock never lies....

Any plan vigorously executed is a good plan, most of the time. Doesn’t hurt to change, just make sure your skill level can handle the change, if not, don’t do it. Meaning some changes are hugely beneficial and may make or break your match depending on if you can execute them properly. It’s all risk versus rewards!