DD78 Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 This year I've shot a few more majors than I have in any of the 5 years I've been shooting USPSA and 3 gun. One very strange thing happens that I can't quite put my finger on as the cause. When I shoot local matches, whether they're USPSA or 3 gun, I generally do well, shoot very free, and execute my plans really well. As soon as I make ready on the first stage of a major, that all flies out the window. What winds up happening is I suddenly start shooting slow. While I'm accurate, I'm just not shooting stages as quickly as I would at a local match. It's not nerves because my heart rate is about the same as it typically is. It just seems like I'm hesitant to shoot at my normal speed, almost like I'm trying to avoid a miss here or there, when I don't have a whole lot of misses at local matches. One of my friends who is a much better shooter than I am asked me a question that may be the answer, but I figured I'd also ask here to see if there are any other idea on what may be my issue. The question he asked me is "when you're shooting a local, are you thinking about where you're going to finish before and during the match"? My answer was no, I just show up and shoot my best and try to push myself. He then asked "are you doing that at majors"? I laughed and said no. One of the things I have a bad habit of doing is taking a look at who is registered at a major in my division, and trying to figure out where I'd likely finish. What ends up happening is that I don't finish where I thought I would. Next year I'm going to try out not looking at the registration page and just showing up and shooting like I would for a local and see if that makes a difference. I'd be interested in hearing from others here who may have an idea about what might be causing this issue, or others who have had this issue and seemed to be able to get over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoyGlock Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Subscribe/Listen to Steve Anderson’s podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD78 Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 1 minute ago, BoyGlock said: Subscribe/Listen to Steve Anderson’s podcast Thanks, I'll definitely check that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limitedgun Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 2 hours ago, BoyGlock said: Subscribe/Listen to Steve Anderson’s podcast Definitely. You cannot go into a match looking for that kind of result. Shoot 1 less major next year and take Steve Anderson's Mental Management Class. It will accelerate your performance at majors. It is far from just for shooting. It will help your whole life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 You don't want to DQ . DQ at a major means lots of money gone and go home. Dq at local means a few bucks down the drain. i ahve seen it where folks were balls to the wall at locals and then cautious at level 2 and up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOF Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 IMHO it's a very poor idea to look at the competition and then try and figure out what your score will be in relation to them before the match. As well, keeping score during a match is also not a great idea. It takes your mind away from the simple "See targets, shoot targets as fast and accurately as you can". Run the match like you would at a local match. Go for it! Thinkin' ain't always good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdeal929 Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 On 10/23/2020 at 9:52 AM, BoyGlock said: Subscribe/Listen to Steve Anderson’s podcast Definitely! I didn’t think about the dq point. Might be on to something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomstick303 Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 (edited) You will quickly find that many of the top shooters will talk about how expectations can severely affect your performance. Anderson talks about it all the time as many others do. I have been working on this issue all of my life. I have in other hobbies and sports seen when I place zero expectations on stuff and let the sub conscious run the show the performance is usually at the top levels of my abilities in just about anything. Once I place expectations on any of it, it all falls to crap. Edited November 17, 2020 by Boomstick303 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 @DD78 you should've shot the shotgun match today. Nothing better at crushing your expectations than cold rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdeal929 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 On 11/15/2020 at 3:34 AM, Boomstick303 said: You will quickly find that many of the top shooters will talk about how expectations can severely affect your performance. Anderson talks about it all the time as many others do. I have been working on this issue al,of my life. I have in other hobbies and sports seen when I place zero expectations on stuff and let the sub conscious run the show the performance is usually at the top levels of my abilities in just about anything. Once I place expectations on any of it, it all falls to crap. Agree. I find focusing on the steps, the things I have to do, and not thinking about the results gets me close to the results I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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