ny32182 said:
I am interested in learning about how to win USPSA matches.
Although I promote accuracy and smoothness over speed, ultimately, it is stage times that matches are won or lost.
This is what I did to improve my stage times:
- Volunteer to help with stage setup/take down/clean up. You'll learn how the the stages are set and why. When I volunteered with match setup and clean up or other match related "work days", I got tips on how to properly engage the targets and shave stage times from other seasoned shooters - one chat with the right shooter will help you save several seconds per stage with a particular setup. If you can, do a walk through of the stage and determine which path of engagement will save you the least amount of steps.
- Set up mock stage setup at home. Mount/hang targets (ask for old cardboard targets) and practice draw from start box to transition from target to target. Conduct dry fire exercise while watching the front sight (when the hammer/striker is released, your front sight should not jerk/move). If you can, time the mag changes while you are on the move to save 1-2 seconds per mag change. I used 1-2 extra mags and did mag changes when leaving a set of targets and not when my mag was empty and slide locked.
- "Smooth is fast" - Work on smoothly flowing through the stage targets instead of rushing to get to the next target as fast as you can. I often visualize the entire stage walk through as I waited to shoot a stage - and kept repeating until it was my turn to shoot. Watch other shooters and identify where you can improve time based on mistakes they make. Anticipate what you will do next in your mind and carry that out as you arrive at your next set of targets.
- Do not rush! When I step into the start box, I clear everything from my mind. The other shooters and range distractions disappear and I am left with nothing but silence and the stage targets. Ultimately, you are not competing with anyone else, but your last/best stage times. Only way you are going to get better stage scores/times is if you improve on YOUR technique as you cannot dictate what other shooters do. Shoot at your speed that maintains acceptable accuracy (all Alphas) without having to make any unforced errors which add to stage times.
- Ask other shooters to watch you shoot and have them critique your stage/shooting techniques. They'll often point out the obvious mistakes you made and offer pointers how to correct them from 3rd person perspective. They may offer other tips that will help you improve target engagement and stage times.
- Make videos of your matches. Like a football coach/team reviewing their past game to identify the mistakes they made, take a camcorder and have someone record you shooting. Seeing yourself shoot will reveal all the obvious and detailed mistakes you made and areas you can improve from stance, posture, grip, trigger control, engagement, movement, transition, mag changes, etc.
- Have fun. It may sound obvious but I found the more fun I have at the match and less time spend on getting frustrated over bad stage score/times, I do better on the next stage. If you had a bad stage shoot, make fun at why. Laughing about it will help you relax for the next stage. Like fishing, my motto is, "Worst day at match is better than best day at work!"
- Get plenty of rest and have a good breakfast. Yup. If you are tired and hungry, your accuracy and stage times will not improve. Get all of your match gear ready and go to bed early night before and get up early enough to have a good breakfast. Take plenty of hydration with you (water preferred - no high caffeine/energy drinks) to the range and "sip" through the stages to prevent going thirsty, especially on hot days. If there's no shade, wear a big shading hat to minimize heat injury.
- Network. I find most competent shooters also great teachers of THEIR favored techniques. Talk to the best shooters at the match. Often, they will take on a new pupil and pass on their secrets. We have some "older" shooters who come occasionally and will absolutely dust the younger shooters in terms of accuracy and speed. Offer them a cold drink and you may learn to shave 5-10+ seconds on a stage to win.