Practice, Training and attending matches

I typically consider the following a practice session....

Shoot at paper in at least one yard increment from 10-20 yards, and then from 20-55 @ random increments. I shoot from the position I'll use during the match (ie, NOT a bench). I range each distance with the scope, and use the corresponding dope sheet, which is specific to the side wheel on THAT scope on THAT gun at THAT speed with THAT batch of pellets.

No laser rangefinder or tspemeasure for the above, just throw the pellet traps down (5gallon bucket of rubber mulch) at random distances. The 10-20 is mostly known distances, three feet at a time, but the 20-55 is a bit more of an unknown, which is sorta the point.

The above verifies that my sidewheel distances are good to the dope chart. It's also a refresher for just how that particular scope's ao functions, and how to get the most out of it. On the farther shots it is hands-on experience for how much to hold and where for varying wind conditions. And finally, it's stability practice, by using the same position I'll be shooting from in a match.

Occasionally I'll wrap it up with 10-15 offhand shots at the steel paddles that live @ 30 yards in my backyard. Very rare for me to practice kneelers.

I just drop these at random places in my yard and then just range and shoot them. I take some notes on placement and then measure them later to verify my ranging was accurate.

Other times I'll just stick the sticker on a popsicle stick and litter the yard with them. It really depends on how much time I have to practice.

I like to wait until it's windy or hot or rainy, then I go out when I'm tired and hungry. I'll shoot some targets, then I'll give the turrets a random tweak and try to find my zero while still hitting targets. I've been doing this long enough that I don't need to practice for when things are optimal, I need to practice for when things are going off the rails, or the zero has shifted, or the sidewheel broke, or you just missed 3 shots and you have to hit the fourth. If I can have a club member come out and try to talk to me while I'm shooting, that is ideal.

I practice standing and kneeling in the house, nothing good has ever come of it.

scotton said:

I like to wait until it's windy or hot or rainy, then I go out when I'm tired and hungry. I'll shoot some targets, then I'll give the turrets a random tweak and try to find my zero while still hitting targets. I've been doing this long enough that I don't need to practice for when things are optimal, I need to practice for when things are going off the rails, or the zero has shifted, or the sidewheel broke, or you just missed 3 shots and you have to hit the fourth. If I can have a club member come out and try to talk to me while I'm shooting, that is ideal.

I practice standing and kneeling in the house, nothing good has ever come of it.

Click to expand...

My knowledge of ft is limited, but I am curious. From your post, does this mean you get 4 shots per target in a match...I assume with a lowered score for each shot it takes?

For American FT, it's two shots per target. Usually most clubs use two targets per lane. So I think Scotton was trying to practice putting extra pressure on himself to hit that last shot.

For WFTF it's one shot per target. (unless you are shooting USA WFTF...it could be one or two shots per target. depending on the match director)
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My practice routine now.
I used to shoot 80% sitting and 20% offhand. I've since switch to 80% off hand and 20% sitting as I gain more confidence in my sitting position.
I'm fortunate enough to have 55 yards in my backyard. So I shoot from different corners of the yard to practice reading different wind conditions. For the unsupported standing shots, I'm starting to practice: ranging standing, loading standing, I guess it shave some time off the clock and decrease the heart rate?. It ain't easy with a 17 lb rig.

Why?
You identify your weakness and you design training/practice to address those weaknesses.

But ultimately, to win I guess. Plus my main motivation is to beat PCPs. I'm shooting WFTF piston. I don't know why but I get this illicit gleeful joy from beating those PCP shooters.

Unfortunately, check my scores, I have been going thru a long long long long dry spell. I haven't been very successful yet. But I'm hopeful...I see thunder clouds in the horizon.

OR maybe I need to change my training routine
OR switch to shooting PCP....nah still having fun coming in last place in springers

Hold_Over said:

My knowledge of ft is limited, but I am curious. From your post, does this mean you get 4 shots per target in a match...I assume with a lowered score for each shot it takes?

Click to expand...

Yep, two shots per target. Usually the way things go when the wheels are getting wobbly is you miss two shots on the near target of the last lane, then you miss the first shot of the far target. If you have been doing the math while shooting (which I don't recommend but we all do it), you know that you have to hit the last shot to get into a shoot off. That's what I'm trying to practice, making one good shot on a hard target when you are cold/hot, tired, hungry, the give-a-crap meter is in the red and you have zero confidence in yourself and/or the equipment. Luckily, with a lot of experience I'm pretty good and simulating this scenario.

I practice about 75% positional shots and 25% sitting. For the sitting shots, I mostly shoot longer (50+) shots as those are the ones I'll tend to miss.

I don't try to shoot only in the wind, but I definitely don't shy away from shooting when it's windy. I think that, along with the standing and kneeling, the is the most important thing to get proficient at.

I also make a point of making the routine of coming to a lane, taking the gun out of the carrying bag, cocking it, loading it, shouldering it (guess this could be called "the routine"), etc. be exactly the same every time. When shooting I practice being aware of finger placement on the trigger and follow through.