Leozinho

You can't pin all Crossfit shoulder injuries on improper kipping, but even if you could, the fact that it is easier perform the kipping pullup improperly than a deadhang pullup would support my statement that kipping pullups greatly increase the chance for shoulder injury. I agree there was a problem with the programming. I'm 37 and have been lifting off and on for 22 years. I stopped doing CF when I was getting ready to go to Afghanistan. I didn't/don't need the same workout as a soccer mom, or a high school football player, although Glassman contends I do. My newbie strength gains are far, far behind me. For me to get stronger I need to lift at near my maxes, and this also requires periodization. If trained lifters made big increases in absolute strength with the WOD, you wouldn't have affiliates tinkering with it: MaxEffortBlack Box, CF Strength Bias, Gant Hybrid, Rip's push toward emphasizing the CF Total, CF Football, seminars from Tate and Simmons, etc. Nor would you see so many CFers recommending weak CFers to drop the WOD and instead doing a couple of months of Starting Strength. And that's probably why none of the CF games competitors use the WOD. (Even Glassman says he'll take a 900 lb squat and turn it into a 750 lb squat. He also says he'll take a 200lb deadlift and turn it into a 500-750lb deadlift. I know I shouldn't have gone there. )

Do you have any data to support this claim? I find it to be the exact opposite in myself and my clients. Again I'd like to see the data, also with information about your fueling and recovery. I saw a very strong link between my number of kipping pullups vs. number of deadhangs. With doing strictly kipping pullups for the last 6 months, I've increased my deadhang numbers from 9 to 21, and can do a weighted pull-up with more than 2/3rds bodyweight. This data would seem to fly directly in contrast with your claim? 5x5 weighted pullups definitely are a great supplemental exercise for a strength routine. Controlled dead hang pullup vs flailing around a pullup bar. Which one do you think would greatly increase the chances of a shoulder injury? No data, but Glassman doesn't trust scientific studies nor does he release any data, either . Rob of Mtnathlete does talk about it. I think Even-esh doesn't allow kipping pullups. I don't want to argue it (there are enough people arguing it all over the internet already), but there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that Crossfitters suffer a lot of injuries. High rep O-lifts for time while already fatigued, flailing around a pullup bar...you shouldn't be suprised there a lot of injuries. Also, I'm not a hater. I started the first Crossfit thread here and gushed so much about it that someone question whether I was spamming the board. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...amp;hl=crossfit To sum up my experience with Crossfit: It got me better at doing Crossfit, especially the metcon stuff. I had already lifted off and on for years, and I didn't gain any absolute strength. If your sport isn't Crossfit (and none of mine are), then something more sport specific and tailored to the needs of your activity is better. If all you want is some generic GPP, Crossfit is very good. Just be smart and avoid injuries.

FWIW, I did the Crossfit kipping pullups in the past but do strict deadhang pullups now. I think the kipping greatly increases the chance of shoulder injury. Also, I got better at kipping pullups, but didn't see strong correlation to increasing my dead hang pullups. Now I do weighted 3 x 5 dead hang pullups. I'm trying to increase my pullup strength the same way as I would increase my deadlifts: loaded the exercise till your at your 5 rep max, do three sets, increase the weight when you can, i.e. Starting Strength style.

The fight happened. Here's a link to it. (Spoiler below in case the link dies or you don't want to watch it and just want to know the results.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDpiu3tJLHI .\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

I'm certain it was your ammo, too. However, one small factor could have been that the scope may have settled as you shot it more. I've seen ten guys on the firing line with ACOGs, all of them chasing the zero and never understanding why they where having problems zeroing. If I need to move 3 clicks to the right, I will move it ten clicks to the right and then seven clicks to the left. I also tap the turrets with my Swisstool, too. In my limited experience, the ACOGs don't do small adjustments well. Another good habit is to make sure the scope is seated forward against the rail. Apply forward pressure as you tighten the screws down. Due to recoil, the scope is going to work it's way to that position anyway. Might as well start of with it like that. I don't know how much that effects a AR shooting mil-surplus ammo, but the best long range shooter I've met taught me to do that for a sniper rifle. So it's probably a good habit to get into.

If you are a fan of the World's Strongest Man, you might be interested to know that Mariusz Pudzianowski is fighting his first mixed martial arts fight Dec 11th in Poland. I wouldn't be suprised if it's terrible fight, but could be interesting just to see how he's able to use his strength. Skill trumps strength in MMA...until a certain point, and then it seems to be the reverse.

Correct. No need to consult an attorney.

Most states don't allow concealed carry 1) where alcohol is sold, and 2) inside public events.

He's on Lean or 'drank.' Cough syrup with Promethazine and codeine, plus Sprite and maybe Jolly Rancher's for flavor. From what I understand Promethazine disrupts the equilibrium. Big in Houston, Texas.

"The Ricky Gervais Show" podcast, and previously the "The Ricky Gervais Show" on XFM radio. Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant (creators of The Office) had a hour-long weekly radio show. They discovered the producer assigned to the show, Karl Pilkington, is a simpleton, and they make fun of him relentlessly. Here's Karl Pilkington giving a weekly installment of Monkey News, which is exactly what it sounds like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmp1uymNKGs (the animation is done by a fan. It's a radio show.) Here's Karl reading from his diary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXews7Z2GTg You can download the podcast and radio shows. I play them on long car trips.

I really like my VTAC. But it sounds like a some one-inch webbing tied with water knots would work if it is just for transporting between stages.

I have no experience with yurts (other than poking my head into a few in Central Asia). However, a friend is seriously considering a "tiny home," which can be done under less than 20k if you build it yourself. If you are trying to do a 'off the grid' alternative house, you might check them out if you haven't already. http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/

I think you are right, Rob. I certainly had the impression that IDPA was beginner friendly and "IPSC" was for "race guns." I suppose I got that idea from the gun rags and maybe some internet chatter. IDPA probably is more beginner friendly, with low round count stages and less-demanding stages. I started in IDPA, but after shooting a 36-round field course at my first USPSA match, I was hooked and haven't shot an IDPA match since. You're right, again. The defensive angle is a big draw to the guys I used to shoot with. I'm not up on the history and timeline of USPSA's various divisions but I wonder if IDPA would have taken off like it did had USPSA had a single stack and production from the beginning.

It's a glock. It'll be alright. Maybe not. I think he's referring to the stoppage after the reload at around the 5 minute mark of the video. One easy thing that helped me that I think you could benefit from is a good pre-shoot routine. At LAMR, I draw, get a sight picture on all the targets that I will engage from the starting position, load as if on the clock, and take another sight picture if applicable. Then I stop and take a breath, do a press check, and reholster. I look over the stage one more time, do a dry draw, move my hands to the correct starting position and wait for the beep. You dropped your gun down during a couple of the reloads. Most keep the pistol up higher. It seems as if you were shooting relatively fast splits but rather slow transitions. (Without seeing the stages, I'm not sure of the distance to and between the targets. ) You mentioned you dropped a lot of points. Just wondering if you were getting a good sight picture on the second shot or just trying to double tap.

After the comment about competition from Bob Vogel, I looked for videos of Vogel on Youtube. Didn't find many. But it does appear that he has at least some sponsorship from the clothing company Eotac. They have a shooting team that seems to be IDPA-focused.

Wow! I've never seen anything like that. Looks great! Can you describe again how you got the skull on the grip? Just using a box cutter to cut out a stencil and then spray painting? (Not sure if I understood correctly.) That's going to be my new desktop image for a while.

Not sure if I understand exactly what you have in mind. If you are asking if you should practice certain classifiers to be a 'paper GM' before your 18th birthday, then the answer would probably be no. If you are asking if you should ramp up your practice of 'all around' skills that will make you a GM before your 18th birthday, then yes. Not because you are trying to do it while still a junior, but rather because don't you want to get as good as possible, as soon as possible? I'm not sure I understand the comment that more or less seems to say that you have to do your time as a M. It's not like other sports, where you might need to spend some time in AAA before facing the pitchers in the big leagues. Or facing some journeymen boxers before taking on the contenders. We all shoot the same stages, at the same matches. Why not improve as quickly as possible?

I crossed the running of the bulls in Pamplona off my list in 2001. (That video is from somewhere in Portugal, though.)

Thanks, guys. The heads up about a lighter bullet was the type of information I was looking for. Regarding smoke from cast bullets: I had read here that Solo 1000 produced less smoke than Titegroup. That's why I tentatively had that in mind. Smoke isn't a huge concern but I wonder which powder produces the least. But I at least know where I still have to do research to do.

I'm searching the classifieds here and on other sites for the right reloading press, and given the state of things, it's not too early to start acumulating the rest of the components. What are the recommended components for a reloading beginner? Ideally, something that is 'forgiveable' (ie not finicky). In terms of performance, I'd like something that mimics the Atlanta Arms competition load. From perusing the forum, so far I think I've come up with moly 147 gr Black Bullets (or some other moly cast bullets), Solo 1000, and which ever small pistol primers I can find. I'm planning on using cast bullets because of the cost, but could be persuaded to use JHPs if cast bullets are somehow trickier to reload. I want to buy in bulk, rather than accumulating small amounts of various powders and bullets. So load testing with different powders and bullets wouldn't be an option. My gun is a Beretta. Thanks.

I do like the Dawson FO front sight. It took a little work to not get fixated on the red dot on targets that called for a Type 3/4 focus. Now I've been presently suprised to realize I may shoot a stage and just put the red dot on the center of the brown on the hoser targets, and at longer, tighter shots I focus on the top of the sight post and never see the red dot. I don't think about it. Kind of cool. I wish I could try one that was a bit thinner just to see if I liked it better. I suppose one could open up the rear sight if you really needed more light on the sides of the front sight. Plus, I think the Dawson is the only thing available if you want to go the fiber optic route. (At least it was a few years ago, and as far as I know there are even fewer companies now that are interested in limited market for Beretta aftermarket mods.)

I have a Dawson FO on the front of my Brig. No problem with elevation using the top of the front sight post as the POA. If you don't get a good answer here, you might try the Beretta forum or David Olhasso's page (if he's still in the Beretta 'smithing business.) I recall reading something about the various front post heights, but I can't remember what the deal was. At least when I bought mine a few years ago, Dawson only offered one height and width. I still use the stock rear sight. (I blackened the white dots.)

You didn't mention live fire practice. If that's the case, from my humble experience, you would be better served dropping some of the matches in favor of live fire practice if you truly are trying to maximize your improvement. The match fees and the hours spent standing around at a match could be better served paying for ammo and working on the fundamentals and weaknesses you have. It's like the difference between playing a round of golf versus hitting balls on the range (if that analogy makes any sense to you). One is more fun, but the other will lead to greater improvement. Regarding your dryfire routine and given your lack of space: practicing transitions would seem to come higher on the hiearchy of things to work than movement drills. (By all means, practice movement, too. I just noticed you didn't mention practicing transitions.) Good luck.

I used to use Matt Burkett's flash/animated timer with the voice commands (Shooter ready...standby....beep....par time beep...........................................Shooter ready.... standby.... beep....par time beep....) I got away from it when I realized I could make 3 to 4 times more presentations in the same amount of time by not having to wait for the commands and for the whole thing to reset. I occasionally throw in some to get used to reacting to the beep, and more importantly to use the par timer to push myself, but I get more effecient practice just drawing and sighting without all the down time waiting for the commands. I thought the comment about dryfire and getting a timer relates just as much to the improvements you'll be able to quantify with a timer during live fire. (Which would sell you on the efficacy of dry firing.)

I'm using a Brigadier. It's not what I'd recommend if you are going to buy a gun for production, but I had it for years before discovering USPSA. Plus, I carry a Beretta when I play Army, so it makes sense for me. I am looking for a different gun for production, but that's more of a case of wanting to add a gun to the collection than it is a reflection on Beretta. I use a D spring and polished the sear/hammer/trigger bar. The D spring made a big difference, but I could go further with the polishing, I think. I once tried to buy a cheap hammer and sear off a forum so I could try to give it a real trigger job, but the deal fell through and I sort of forgot about it. I don't want to tinker any further without having a backup hammer and sear, lest I screw up. I do wish I could reach the mag release button without shifting my grip. (I know shooters much faster than me have to flip, too, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice not to have to.) That reminds me -- I need to see if it's legal to dremel a little groove on the grip to make it easier to hit the release (as shown in Brian's book, I think.) Cylinder and Slide have some nifty looking hammers and sears, but I can't justify spending that much. http://www.redstararms.com/index.htm?c69.htm&1