Big match training tips?

[phara]

(Forgive me if this is an FAQ topic but I can't seem to find reference to it.) I have about one month to go before a major match. I'm starting to get nervous already. My first inclination is to panic and practice three times as much, and dry fire like crazy.

I'm curious about how others train the last weeks before a big match.

1. How much harder do you train?

2. Do you taper off and when?

3. Do you practice everything you know will be in the match every time you practice or do you practice an element at a time?

4. What can I really expect to be accomplished in a months time?

5. Any other tips you might have.

TIA,

Paul

[bountyhunter]

My humble pinion is to continue to train the way you did that got you to the level you are at right now. If you change horses, it will screw you up. Under stress you will fall back to whatever your baseline training is, so anything learned new in the last month probably won't be burned in well enough to be accessed.

One thing you can buff up in a month's time is muscle endurance of the rotator cuff (shoulder) and latissimus dorses (upper back) muscles that make up the primary support for the shooting platform. Improving the platform stability is always a good thing and doesn't require learning a new technique.

[vincent]

What I like to do the last couple weeks before a major match is to stop trying to push hard into new areas and instead find my current "match speed". This is pace that you can confidently run in and make good points. If you have been working hard on something then it should be faster than your previous pace. This can take some trial and error running drills and stages that you think represent the skills that you will need to perform at the match. This builds confidence and also gets you ready to perform at your best even on the first stage.

[benos]

1. How much harder do you train?

2. Do you taper off and when?

3. Do you practice everything you know will be in the match every time you practice or do you practice an element at a time?

4. What can I really expect to be accomplished in a months time?

5. Any other tips you might have.

1. In the last month, thinking you need to train harder will probably only stress you out by adding unnecessary pressure.

2. By around 2-3 weeks before the match, you want to be in basic, steady, repetitive training mode - not trying to learn any new tricks.

3. That varies hugely with the match and your skill level.

4. Really, you shouldn't expect to accomplish a whole lot, in the way of learning new things. In the last month or so before a major match you'll benefit from honing and polishing the skills you've acquired thus far. Especially if the COF is pre-published.

5. Breathe...

[schmitz]

5. Breathe...

Phara,

As in my quoted part of Brian's post, the most important is 5)

Good luck, Henny.

[mcoliver]

A long time ago, college taught me that to prepare for a big exam I have to study long before it came. So that when it drew near, I only need to refresh on things I know I already knew. The night before, I just sleep.

I figured it's probably the same thing with shooting.

[eric nielsen]

Strive to avoid injury. Be kind to your hands and feet, for starters.

Before the Limited nationals one year I practiced going prone, using the timer. I was so happy with my progress that I probably did 10-12 drops to the ground.

Would've done more but the last one cracked one of my ribs. Turns out - no prone in the match. But many tabs of ibuprofen.

I'm also very talented at pulling hamstrings and glutes. For the last 3 months I've been MIA due to back spasms...

[j1b]

Paul,

I too have a major match coming up.

All I really intend to work on is the basics when I'm at the range, and work out some of the kinks that have happened at some recent matches. Not learning anything knew - just smoothing over some edges and getting the confidence back in those areas where I had a couple of opportunities.

I don't get much live fire practice in - so I won't decrease. I may make it out to the range a couple of more times more than usual - but nothing intense. I dry fire about 30 minutes a night - and that will probably stay the same or increase slightly as the match gets closer.

No really drastic changes in the routine, and no experimenting with new techniques for me. At this point, I just want to get everything into that smooth state.

That's what I'm going to do -

You're match isn't Area 4 is it? If so I'll see you there!

JB

[phara]

Wow, thanks everyone. I'm training for the International Revolver Championships. You've managed to calm me down! I've practiced hard all winter and spring and my performance has reached a new high. It's really great to know I can just maintain and smooth out some of the areas that could use a little help and not go nuts trying to be perfect in everything.

Really, thanks for the input.

Paul

[j1b]

Paul

The perfect match is one well shot with no major mistakes. Little mistakes are recoverable, major mistakes represent huge losses in points that most generally don't become recoverable later in the match.

Its interesting to me that there are so many times when a person can practice at X level, shoot club matches at X level, but when they get to a major match a couple of misses or a couple of major mistakes kills them from being where they probably deserve to be.

If you go shoot your own match - you will do awesome!

JB

[shred]

I've been working on this since I'm going to Area 4 as well-- The Texas Monsoon Season kept me from shooting way too much this spring, so I'm sorta cramming some extra time in, but typically in the week(s) before a big match I'll be verifying everything is as it should be--

Group shooting at various ranges to be sure the sights are on and stay that way, multiple chrono sessions, loading each and every magazine full to make sure they're all working, etc. That extra edge of confidence in your equipment will make a world of difference.