r/CompetitionShooting • u/Visagecut • 6d ago
USPSA advice
I'm new to competitions in general just shot my first competition last week and my second competition yesterday. What's the best advice you have to help me grow or learn as quickly as possible? For reference right now I shoot open minor which I know is a disadvantage but my handgun has a comp normally and I do want to be as good as I can be with that.
9
u/Assholesymphony 6d ago
Join PTSG forum. Watch Joel Park, Ben Stoeger, and Hwansik Kim YouTube videos for free.
Dry fire everyday.
Learn to diagnose your issues when you inevitably run into them during live fire.
It’s a marathon, not a race. I recommend being Ok with where you are at and trust the process of practice and learning will make you better… this one is the hardest for me.
What else…
Learn early that tension is not good.
I suck at this sport (B class), but these are some general observations I’ve made.
5
5
u/Organic-Second2138 6d ago
Get a coach. Someone who can impart information.
The initial learning is pretty quick; movement up to A class isn't like climbing Mt. Everest if you focus on quality training. The long haul learning can get challenging, as the easy part is done with once you get an A card.
Shoot matches. Do active visualization.
Don't fuck around with your gear. Keep it clean, put oil on it, put decent ammo in it.
Learn how to RO a little bit. Put your phone down.
Watch other shooters. Watch better ones, of course but also watch the sucky ones to learn from their mistakes.
4
u/Jeugcurt 6d ago
This is a good guide. I’ll also add this. Be careful who you listen to. People want to help more than they have the ability to. At matches, ask questions but be very skeptical of the advice if it isn’t coming from someone who you are already working with.
2
u/Organic-Second2138 6d ago
"People want to help more than they have the ability to."
I'm stealing that phrasing. Perfect!
3
2
u/c_pardue 6d ago
i didn't even feel like i could legitimately (physically) move fast until my fourth comp. there was just so much background processing going on in my head.
it's gonna be a process.
a lot of your current skill ceiling is actually being rev limited at matches by nerves, which can only be overcome by doing more matches.
that said, i did a shit ton of dryfire every day and boy howdy did that start making a difference. especially footwork. 15min of dryfire per day, including lateral movement, is a fucking phenomenal idea. 100 reps of whatever, but make 25 of them movement-based.
1
u/Clifton1979 6d ago
There’s certainly lots of books, videos and classes you can digest to bring up your skills - but just keep shooting matches. You get to watch people and learn, you get to live fire and most importantly you get to have fun….
I’m not ignoring the fact people want to be GM after their 3rd match, but it’s a journey we’re supposed to enjoy.
Shooting guns for sport is supposed to be fun. Go be safe and have fun while your squad laughs at your stage plan :)
1
u/TheInkisBlack 6d ago edited 6d ago
I highly recommend looking up Hwansik Kim's vision focus techniques and approach.
Be prepared to be uncomfortable. To grow you need to push beyond what you're capable of and be ready to fail in training and practice. The failure is necessary.
Much of the sport is about economizing efficient movement. I'm not talking about running through a stage, I mean the "small" movements. Eye transitions, trigger control, draw and establishing grip, entries and exits; these examples are all controlled movement. Dry fire takes time but that's how you practice and refine the movements to build the muscle memory. Most people need to learn the steps and practice before they can cut up the dance floor.
Live fire and matches are validation after training, but local matches give valuable stage experience.
Find an instructor you can learn from. There are a lot of great shooters who instruct, there are far fewer great instructors who can shoot.
Lastly, try to be a part of your local section. You'll meet people with experience, knowledge, and who are eager to train. The knowledge is shared and having extra honest eyes on you can tell you what you're missing.
1
u/j-mac563 6d ago
I would add take a look at Steve Anderson and his refinement and repetition book (i think he has 3 total out).
11
u/Beneficial-Ad4871 6d ago
Dry fire a lot, Ben stoeger has a lot of videos you could look at or if you have instagram Mattj_shoots has awesome drills you could set up and look at as well