Shooting Better In Matches Than In Practice

[ErikW]

When I was a C class shooter, and maybe into B class, I always shot my best in practice. Not just score and time, but being aware of everything and really in synch with the gun. I'd mow down the plate rack, seeing the sight lift and move, feeling the trigger reset, seeing the sight settle, etc.

Now I can't shoot the plate rack in practice to save my life. I really have to get deliberate to go 6 for 6. After several blown runs and a few slow, clean runs, I'll eventually put together a fast, clean run. But I rarely feel grooved in.

But at a match, I turn into the steel monster. At gardens of Pepper Poppers, US Poppers, and plates arrayed for transitions much more difficult than a plate rack, I usually go one-for-one on the steel, quickly. I feel totally grooved in and confident and it shows downrange.

There's some switch in my brain that's flipped for local matches. (It gets flipped to the "Rush" position for big matches.) I'd love to be able to get into this state in practice, so there's no difference between practicing and shooting a match.

[Garfield]

Could it have to do with lack of tension during practice ?

What if you make it some sort of small competitiom with some buddies or have a few people wtaching you just to build up tension ?

[Flexmoney]

Every piece of steel you miss in practice...ten push-ups...on the spot!

[TriggerT]

I like Flexmoney's idea! I used to do that for each POINT I dropeed on a practice run. I think that is probably a bit much. Though you will get good at shooting when your arms feel like lead.

[Loves2Shoot]

Flex is that where those "guns" came from?

[Flexmoney]

Flex is that where those "guns" came from?

Used to be part of it. My "guns" are shooting minor now. Must be a worn-out barrel...I used to make Major easily.

The push-up trick is real. It seems to get into the head.

[wide45]

Practice time, score not important.

Big Match, score too important.

[TDean]

I think Wide NAILED it!