saibot Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Well I finally was able to make it to a match today. It was my first match and I wasn't really sure if I was ready because I'm such a newb; not just to the sport but I really don't have much experience with shooting in general. But the people were extremely friendly and helpful and paired me up with a guy whole really stuck with me all day and made sure I understood everything and didn't DQ myself. It was a blast!!! I was definitely nervous but I was having too much fun to really notice. It was really different than I had imagined it would be. Prior to this I had really only shot at static targets. I did go through an IPSC class but there wasn’t really any stress like there is in a match. It was very surreal. It was kind of like looking through a keyhole once the timer sounded. I don’t remember how I was holding the gun, my stance, my breathing, trying to walk smoothly, any of the things I try to refine at the range, just the sights at the center of the keyhole. Is that strange or what? The stress made it a totally different experience. But much to my surprise I shot better than I ever did while group shooting. (except that darn Texas star). I hit mostly alphas and got 2nd place for something or other. Gotta love beginner’s luck! So anyway, I thought I’d share my experience and also thank everyone in the forum for answering all of my questions and all the good advice. I’ve never seen a sport with a nicer community! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanJim Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Welcome to the GAME Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boz1911 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Welcome, sounds like all of our first experiences. The "keyhole" gets much bigger as you progress. Keep in mind, this is a difficult sport and it takes time to improve. Have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Burtchell Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Welcome to "The Addiction" I'm glad you had a safe and fun first experience. It sounds like your club did all the right things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 You are now hooked on a new drug called USPSA. Resistance is futile. Sure, somebody once tried to develop a 12-step program for it, but we kicked the stuffin's out of him before he could complete his fool's errand. Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 There is only one way out for me...I've been shooting USPSA for almost 30 years and IDPA since it's beginning...12 steps won't do, only 6 feet under! Richard PS: Lots of good info here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OpenShooterGirl Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Welcome! I'm still a newbie myself... got into the sport just a few months ago to 'appease' my hubby so we could shoot together. However, 1 ladies camp and 7 local matches later, I'm HOOKED! Not to mention all the time I now spend on Enos instead of working... Hope your experience is as great as mine is. Here's to a long and exciting shooting journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcarter Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 We have gone and done it again and ruined another good American life. WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP! Welcome the a brave new world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saibot Posted November 24, 2008 Author Share Posted November 24, 2008 Hahahha! I know, I'm already getting OCD on this! OpenShooterGirl, I'd love to get my wife in a match but she doesn't seem too interested. What got you interested initially? Thanks for all the good info...you crack dealers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OpenShooterGirl Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Hahahha! I know, I'm already getting OCD on this! OpenShooterGirl, I'd love to get my wife in a match but she doesn't seem too interested. What got you interested initially? Thanks for all the good info...you crack dealers I started out going to the matches and playing 'paparazzi' for the husband. Lots of folks on here will tell you that one of the best ways to improve your skills is to film yourself at the match and watch it later. You'll learn what to focus your training on (and it can be great for laughs down the road!) Anyway, after a few matches as a spectator, and getting lots of "why aren't you doing this" from other shooters, I figured 'What the heck, why not?'. My hubby set up some targets on our farm for me to practice before the first match and the rest is history... I've got a LONG way to go in terms of improvement and haven't even gotten classified yet, but I am having a blast! And it sure beats sitting on the sidelines watching while everyone else is out there having all the fun! Perhaps if your wife comes along to some of the matches and sees the same thing I did, she will catch the fever too... Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjohns930 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 (edited) Hahahha! I know, I'm already getting OCD on this! OpenShooterGirl, I'd love to get my wife in a match but she doesn't seem too interested. What got you interested initially? Thanks for all the good info...you crack dealers I started out going to the matches and playing 'paparazzi' for the husband. Lots of folks on here will tell you that one of the best ways to improve your skills is to film yourself at the match and watch it later. You'll learn what to focus your training on (and it can be great for laughs down the road!) Anyway, after a few matches as a spectator, and getting lots of "why aren't you doing this" from other shooters, I figured 'What the heck, why not?'. My hubby set up some targets on our farm for me to practice before the first match and the rest is history... I've got a LONG way to go in terms of improvement and haven't even gotten classified yet, but I am having a blast! And it sure beats sitting on the sidelines watching while everyone else is out there having all the fun! Perhaps if your wife comes along to some of the matches and sees the same thing I did, she will catch the fever too... Good Luck! I might have to try this on my wife when I start shooting next year....Thanks for the info! Edited November 29, 2008 by mjohns930 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryP Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Well I finally was able to make it to a match today. It was my first match and I wasn't really sure if I was ready because I'm such a newb; not just to the sport but I really don't have much experience with shooting in general. But the people were extremely friendly and helpful and paired me up with a guy whole really stuck with me all day and made sure I understood everything and didn't DQ myself.It was a blast!!! I was definitely nervous but I was having too much fun to really notice. It was really different than I had imagined it would be. Prior to this I had really only shot at static targets. I did go through an IPSC class but there wasn’t really any stress like there is in a match. It was very surreal. It was kind of like looking through a keyhole once the timer sounded. I don’t remember how I was holding the gun, my stance, my breathing, trying to walk smoothly, any of the things I try to refine at the range, just the sights at the center of the keyhole. Is that strange or what? The stress made it a totally different experience. But much to my surprise I shot better than I ever did while group shooting. (except that darn Texas star). I hit mostly alphas and got 2nd place for something or other. Gotta love beginner’s luck! So anyway, I thought I’d share my experience and also thank everyone in the forum for answering all of my questions and all the good advice. I’ve never seen a sport with a nicer community! Great reading this. I started about 2 years ago and even though the "keyhole" isnt much bigger I look forward to every match. Thanks for sharing. LP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin c Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 It's a real kick in the pants, ain't it? Welcome! Enjoy what you learn here. May you learn more and bring it back. Kevin C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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