Treating matches as athletic events?

[Mormegil87]

I've started reading some of the books Phil Velayo and Co has been recommending on MDS. The obvious one being "With Winning In Mind" and now I've started reading "Winning" by Tim Grover.

It got me thinking a little bit. The PRS has obviously moved away from the field style matches of the West and moved to more of a run and gun match. The eastern half if filled with venues similar to Altus and K&M. This isn't a knock on that type of match. It's just different from the field type of matches.

Which begs the question, as anyone started treating matches like athletic events?

Things like:
-Training regimens
-Eating right (prior to and during the match)
-Sleep
-Stretching
-Working out (cardio and weights)
-Ditching the tactical Timmy get up, for more athletic wear like shorts and specific shoes when warranted
-Mental game
-Proper hydration

The margins between 1st and 20th are Razor thin at a lot of matches. The books I've been reading just having me thinking about more and I was curious what others thoughts are?

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

How many PRS matches do you shoot a year?

 

[Mormegil87]

5-10 one days

1-2 two days

I think this is my 7th season.

 

[mercracing]

Yea I think most of that is a good plan. Probably hydration and stretching are most important.

 

[308pirate]

I've started reading some of the books Phil Velayo and Co has been recommending on MDS. The obvious one being "With Winning In Mind" and now I've started reading "Winning" by Tim Grover.

It got me thinking a little bit. The PRS has obviously moved away from the field style matches of the West and moved to more of a run and gun match. The eastern half if filled with venues similar to Altus and K&M. This isn't a knock on that type of match. It's just different from the field type of matches.

Which begs the question, as anyone started treating matches like athletic events?

Things like:
-Training regimens
-Eating right (prior to and during the match)
-Sleep
-Stretching
-Working out (cardio and weights)
-Ditching the tactical Timmy get up, for more athletic wear like shorts and specific shoes when warranted
-Mental game
-Proper hydration

The margins between 1st and 20th are Razor thin at a lot of matches. The books I've been reading just having me thinking about more and I was curious what others thoughts are?

You should do everything that gives you an advantage. More strength, flexibility, and endurance are all advantages.

 

[308pirate]

How many PRS matches do you shoot a year?

It makes no difference if his answer is 0, 5, or 100

 

[Mormegil87]

You should do everything that gives you an advantage. More strength, flexibility, and endurance are all advantages.

That's kind of the mentality I'm going to take into this year. I've won a couple of regional matches. I got close at the 2020 Midwest Regional with a 2nd place finish. Last year finished in the top 10 in our club series and top 20 in the region. I want to take that next step.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

It makes no difference if his answer is 0, 5, or 100

Yea i was just wondering since its such a silly question.

Why not eat good, get enough sleep, stretch, stay hydrated, wear cloths you can move in ect.

Is there any activity on the planet that someone would perform better in by neglecting all of this?

 

[usafa77]

I would love to ditch my Tactical Timmy clothing if someone else made pants and shirts with knee and elbow pads.

 

[Mormegil87]

Yea i was just wondering since its such a silly question.

Why not eat good, get enough sleep, stretch, stay hydrated, wear cloths you can move in ect.

Is there any activity on the planet that someone would perform better in by neglecting all of this?

I guess I don't view it as a silly question when you see so many "pros" literally do the exact opposite of all of those things on the Friday before a match. But hey, your opinion is noted.

 

[mojavejim]

Fitness, mental management, dry & live fire training all have there piece of the puzzle. But the top of field have superior vision that can't be trained for or bought. JMHO

 

[FatBoy]

Yea i was just wondering since its such a silly question.

Why not eat good, get enough sleep, stretch, stay hydrated, wear cloths you can move in ect.

Is there any activity on the planet that someone would perform better in by neglecting all of this?

I’m getting pretty good at drinking bourbon. My non-stretchy jeans seems to be working ok

Seriously though, I would train as hard as you can and still keep it fun. If that means upping you’re game both physically and maybe more important mentally, it couldn’t hurt.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I guess I don't view it as a silly question when you see so many "pros" literally do the exact opposite of all of those things on the Friday before a match. But hey, your opinion is noted.

There are no Pros in the game, unless you count the 1-2 guys shooting Production for big name manufactures.

Want to know how people get good? They shoot, ALOT. They practice Alot. They Dry Fire, Alot.

They are just better shooters and can away with that shit.

 

[Matches Malone]

I guess I don't view it as a silly question when you see so many "pros" literally do the exact opposite of all of those things on the Friday before a match. But hey, your opinion is noted.

To be fair, and I’m not trying to pick your words apart, before the match is not the time to be doing all that, besides the obvious hydrating.

Being more athletic in general and wearing clothes that gives you comfort and a edge in competition is just a smarter way to go. In general, fitness is a healthy habit for ALL things that are life, and it’s usually a lifestyle choice for those successful in most or all that they do.

 

[Mormegil87]

@DeathBeforeDismount

That's why pros was in parentheses. Man do you bog down every thread with your bullshit? This place was better when you were banned.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Fitness, mental management, dry & live fire training all have there piece of the puzzle. But the top of field have superior vision that can't be trained for or bought. JMHO

LOL everyone should just give up then now.

They aren't a piece of the puzzle, they are the key.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

@DeathBeforeDismount

That's why pros was in parentheses. Man do you big down every thread with your bullshit? This place was better when you were banned.

I am sorry you need to ask questions that are obvious. You should probally use the bathroom before match as well, wouldn't want to piss yourself.

 

[Mormegil87]

To be fair, and I’m not trying to pick your words apart, before the match is not the time to be doing all that, besides the obvious hydrating.

Being more athletic in general and wearing clothes that gives you comfort and a edge in competition is just a smarter way to go. In general, fitness is a healthy habit for ALL things that are life, and it’s usually a lifestyle choice for those successful in most or all that they do.

Agreed but there are things to take into consideration prior to a match just like a game. For example, all my childhood I heard "carb up" before a game. That's dumb, carbs lead to glucose spikes, I want to eat better foods before a match.

Another example, a dude at our matches makes awesome breakfast burritos and burgers. But they make the stomach roll all day and I get lethargic. So this season. I'm going to avoid them.

 

[Darkside-Six]

I do all this shit anyways. I think being in shape is something that is important. “Good health is true wealth”. I haven’t shot any PRS matches where I got my ass kicked on a physical level. Obviously the more physical matches like the SAC and those hike & shoot matches are a bit different. I have seen some local guys I shoot with put a little more emphasis on losing some extra weight over the last year and it’s benefited them both on the corse of fire and off.

But if you’re one of those dudes that runs out of breath walking more than a few steps then yeah…..get in the gym.

I personally wanna be the best I can be on life in general and I think being in shape plays a major roll in that. As far as prepping for the season I have put a lot more emphasis on the metal side and stage prep. But at the end of the day I don’t think benchpresses and jogging are going to make me a better shooter. As some have mentioned above, practice, practice, practice.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Agreed but there are things to take into consideration prior to a match just like a game. For example, all my childhood I heard "carb up" before a game. That's dumb, carbs lead to glucose spikes, I want to eat better foods before a match.

Another example, a dude at our matches makes awesome breakfast burritos and burgers. But they make the stomach roll all day and I get lethargic. So this season. I'm going to avoid them.

You just don't know what you are talking about.

In sports where you burn alot of energy, you do Carb Up. Such as Hockey or Swimming or Heavy Lifting. You get a glucose spike, which is what you want so you can use that as short term energy for maximum effort activities.

PRS does not require much in the way of energy expenditure, unless you think running 25 yards to spool is physically daunting.

Its your body, You should be old enough to know by now what foods you run on well. Its not rocket science, although some people seem to think it is.

 

[Mormegil87]

I am sorry you need to ask questions that are obvious. You should probally use the bathroom before match as well, wouldn't want to piss yourself.

I thought it'd be nice to see what other shooters routines are. Maybe pick up some small detail I can add into mine.

 

[Mormegil87]

I do all this shit anyways. I think being in shape is something that is important. “Good health is true wealth”. I haven’t shot any PRS matches where I got my ass kicked on a physical level. Obviously the more physical matches like the SAC and those hike & shoot matches are a bit different. I have seen some local guys I shoot with put a little more emphasis on losing some extra weight over the last year and it’s benefited them both on the corse of fire and off.

But if you’re one of those dudes that runs out of breath walking more than a few steps then yeah…..get in the gym.

I personally wanna be the best I can be on life in general and I think being in shape plays a major roll in that. As far as prepping for the season I have put a lot more emphasis on the metal side and stage prep. But at the end of the day I don’t think benchpresses and jogging are going to make me a better shooter. As some have mentioned above, practice, practice, practice.

I do a lot of what I listed already. I couldn't do my job effectively and efficiently without being in shape.

I'm hoping to pick up small details to add to my routine. I already dry fire, a lot and do live fire practice a fair bit. I'm looking for the small minute details.

 

[mojavejim]

LOL everyone should just give up then now.

Just out of curiosity what did you eat the night before the PRS Finale?

 

[Darkside-Six]

I do a lot of what I listed already. I couldn't do my job effectively and efficiently without being in shape.

I'm hoping to pick up small details to add to my routine. I already dry fire, a lot and do live fire practice a fair bit. I'm looking for the small minute details.

You’re a fire fighter bro. I know your I shape. Hahaha. I know you’ve been putting on the time this winter in prepping for the upcoming season, asking a lot of question and stuff. It’s all good.

One thing I remember Heckler saying was how he really started paying attention to electrolytes the day before and during the match. I’ve always made sure to stay hydrated but that’s something I picked up on and need to incorporate this year.

 

[Mormegil87]

You’re a fire fighter bro. I know your I shape. Hahaha. I know you’ve been putting on the time this winter in prepping for the upcoming season, asking a lot of question and stuff. It’s all good.

One thing I remember Heckler saying was how he really started paying attention to electrolytes the day before and during the match. I’ve always made sure to stay hydrated but that’s something I picked up on and need to incorporate this year.

I've been paying a lot of attention to how Heckler approaches things and how he carries himself.

One of the things I've focused on this off season is my practice routine. More technique practice rather than practicing stages.

Also trying to cut out coffee, but that's not always easy, especially after a cold night at work. That coffee can make a guy feel like a million bucks when he's an ice cube

 

[Darkside-Six]

I've been paying a lot of attention to how Heckler approaches things and how he carries himself.

One of the things I've focused on this off season is my practice routine. More technique practice rather than practicing stages.

Also trying to cut out coffee, but that's not always easy, especially after a cold night at work. That coffee can make a guy feel like a million bucks when he's an ice cube

Yeah I’d die without coffee.

Biggest thing I’ve tried to switch up this year is making my live fire practice sessions more meaningful. I’m probably the opposite of you. All I Sisley do is practice positional and technique. But after a while it’s pretty easy to just build a stable positions and have good fundamentals. One thing I picked up from watching Phil was the way he did his build & break drills. I really only do build & break from the prone. Really to just work on a good foundation of fundamentals but when I saw him working with a specific time to get set up and break his shot, that was something I really liked and wanna start doing in my practice sessions.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Just out of curiosity what did you eat the night before the PRS Finale?

 

[Mormegil87]

Yeah I’d die without coffee.

Biggest thing I’ve tried to switch up this year is making my live fire practice sessions more meaningful. I’m probably the opposite of you. All I Sisley do is practice positional and technique. But after a while it’s pretty easy to just build a stable positions and have good fundamentals. One thing I picked up from watching Phil was the way he did his build & break drills. I really only do build & break from the prone. Really to just work on a good foundation of fundamentals but when I saw him working with a specific time to get set up and break his shot, that was something I really liked and wanna start doing in my practice sessions.

Funny you say that. I just started really working on that lately. Ken and Nate with their God damned 75 second par times or 10 shots from 10 different props.

 

[mojavejim]

a deformed pussy? sounds about right

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

a deformed pussy? sounds about right

The broken ones are more fun

 

[308pirate]

Why not eat good, get enough sleep, stretch, stay hydrated, wear cloths you can move in ect.

Is there any activity on the planet that someone would perform better in by neglecting all of this?

Well, yeah now that you put it that way..........

 

[308pirate]

But the top of field have superior vision that can't be trained for or bought. JMHO

I'm going to call bullshit on you knowing what their eyesight is, or even how good is good enough.

 

[308pirate]

That's why pros was in parentheses.

Then why even use it? Just say "top shooters"

It conveys your meaning much more accurately.

 

[308pirate]

Another example, a dude at our matches makes awesome breakfast burritos and burgers. But they make the stomach roll all day and I get lethargic. So this season. I'm going to avoid them.

That shit is real, and I've learned the hard way to avoid carb-laden lunches.

I actually fell asleep during an afternoon break on day 1 of a two day handgun class after eating a sub for lunch. Yeah I was probably tired from the week but still, that didn't help.

I also have seen my afternoon performance suffer on USPSA level 2 and 3 matches (10-15 stages in a day) if I have a big lunch.

This coming season I plan to pack in everything I need, including food to last all day, for the sectionals and area matches I'm in for. And instead of gorging at noon, nibble and drink all day long.

 

[Sheldon N]

I sometime practice shooting with elevated heartrate to make it seem familiar. Will do wind sprint drills where you run 20 yards, fire one round off barricade positional, run back/forth 20 yards, shoot another round, repeat 5x. Goal is not to get "in shape" but rather to be able to stop-stabilize-settle-break the shot quickly even if I'm gasping for breath. Parallels pretty well with how adrenaline affects me.

I think the best place time can be made is not in athleticism or pure speed, but rather efficiency in build/acquire. Nail body position perfect first try, nail target centered in scope first try. I sometimes will practice by putting scope on max power and doing build/break drills. Force myself to do it until I can "point" with precision and have target in scope. Cutting out that target search/body shuffle can save a couple seconds per position.

Hydration for sure. Drink a bottle of water per stage in the summer. Downside when you have to piss right before it's your turn to shoot.

Sleep matters, I can do matches where I drive 3 hours the morning of. Getting up earlier for a 4 hour drive has usually resulted in poor mental performance. 5 hours distance, definitely going the night before.

All the other stuff I'm a little less rigorous about. I don't want to make it so serious that the net result is added pressure on myself. I find I shoot my best when I relax, get in a groove and just execute without worrying about what everyone else is doing or what score I have. Two of my best results last year Rocky Mountain regional finale (won the season) and PRS Finale (14th overall) were both matches where I wasn't in a "super squad" and just kind of did my own thing. I had a couple other matches last year where I shot with super squads and generally performed less well... spent too much time worrying about how others were shooting.

 

[Buzzinga]

Things like:
-Training regimens
-Eating right (prior to and during the match)
-Sleep
-Stretching
-Working out (cardio and weights)
-Ditching the tactical Timmy get up, for more athletic wear like shorts and specific shoes when warranted
-Mental game
-Proper hydration

These are all healthy things to do even if not shooting matches. But, yeah I've noticed my diet has a huge impact on my shooting and ability to hold the rifle still. I good rule of thumb for hydration, from Tom Brady's TB12, is to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. So a 180 pounder would drink 90 oz of water per day, more if in hot weather/active/etc.

 

[Mormegil87]

I sometime practice shooting with elevated heartrate to make it seem familiar. Will do wind sprint drills where you run 20 yards, fire one round off barricade positional, run back/forth 20 yards, shoot another round, repeat 5x. Goal is not to get "in shape" but rather to be able to stop-stabilize-settle-break the shot quickly even if I'm gasping for breath. Parallels pretty well with how adrenaline affects me.

I think the best place time can be made is not in athleticism or pure speed, but rather efficiency in build/acquire. Nail body position perfect first try, nail target centered in scope first try. I sometimes will practice by putting scope on max power and doing build/break drills. Force myself to do it until I can "point" with precision and have target in scope. Cutting out that target search/body shuffle can save a couple seconds per position.

Hydration for sure. Drink a bottle of water per stage in the summer. Downside when you have to piss right before it's your turn to shoot.

Sleep matters, I can do matches where I drive 3 hours the morning of. Getting up earlier for a 4 hour drive has usually resulted in poor mental performance. 5 hours distance, definitely going the night before.

All the other stuff I'm a little less rigorous about. I don't want to make it so serious that the net result is added pressure on myself. I find I shoot my best when I relax, get in a groove and just execute without worrying about what everyone else is doing or what score I have. Two of my best results last year Rocky Mountain regional finale (won the season) and PRS Finale (14th overall) were both matches where I wasn't in a "super squad" and just kind of did my own thing. I had a couple other matches last year where I shot with super squads and generally performed less well... spent too much time worrying about how others were shooting.

I think I'm going to try to avoid our clubs super squads this season and just shoot my game. I like talking strategy with other guys in the top 10 or 15 from our club but I find myself second guessing at times.

 

[Mormegil87]

These are all healthy things to do even if not shooting matches. But, yeah I've noticed my diet has a huge impact on my shooting and ability to hold the rifle still. I good rule of thumb for hydration, from Tom Brady's TB12, is to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. So a 180 pounder would drink 90 oz of water per day, more if in hot weather/active/etc.

I'm at about 80 per day but will probably bump that up to 90. A couple of days prior to and leading into the match I might even go higher. The problem is that if you over hydrate it bumps BP up.

 

[Darkside-Six]

I think I'm going to try to avoid our clubs super squads this season and just shoot my game. I like talking strategy with other guys in the top 10 or 15 from our club but I find myself second guessing at times.

Man you’re nailing exactly how I feel. Hahaha.

One of my other goals is to create my own stage strategy and wind calls. I don’t mind conversing with friends on wind ideas but last year I found my self more times than not getting talked into something that sounded good but found out I should have just stuck to my plan.

 

[D_TROS]

...

Also trying to cut out coffee, but that's not always easy, especially after a cold night at work. That coffee can make a guy feel like a million bucks when he's an ice cube

I see a ton of people hitting accelerants...stay off them. Hit some hot caffine free tea if you need something warm.

Lots of small snacks to keep blood sugar up is good also. at the min a granola bar or nuts every 2 stages...

and as mentioned, hydrate like crazy.

Funny you say that. I just started really working on that lately. Ken and Nate with their God damned 75 second par times or 10 shots from 10 different props.

You mentioned some good books. Now try to implement it. One of them is to have realistic goals. Stop worrying about stuff you cant do (get all shots off) and just focus on maybe 7-8 good shots. Ive done the, get all shots off and get a 5 OR take your time, get a good first shot off, see where it impacts, and maybe get a 6-7 hits taking you time. Those 1-2 hits add up very fast.

Last Id say it sounds like maybe you need a class. Wouldnt hurt to get anothers set of eyes on ya. There only a few Id use so search carefully.

Last, as Sheldon mentioned, target acquisition is key. Practice that. Less time spent finding target is more time spent getting solid and controling your beath.


GL
DT

 

[Mormegil87]

I'm taking a JTAC class this spring. I'm looking for those little things that gets me the slightest edge. That 2nd place finish at the regional finale in 2020 was like that first free taste of heroin, i was hooked. A couple club match wins and being towards the top of the club these last few years without finishing in the top 5 yesrly finish just drives me crazy and makes me want to push harder.

 

[superde]

I'm taking a JTAC class this spring.

Take a lot of notes in the classroom portion, and then get a copy of someone else notes. I thought I wrote down everything important when I went 2 years ago, but when I combined notes with a buddy I had 2 extra pages. And as in all training, you'll probably have to pick an choose what you can implement.

 

[Oryx]

It all adds up to the tools in the toolbox, what condition those tools are in and your ability to use them. Physical and mental conditioning will come in a wide variety of states similar to the equipment used (including ammuition). If you lack all of the necessary tools or they are not in good shape it becomes hard to compete at a high level consistently - this is all pretty much fundamental.
What typically separates the top from mid pack is the understanding of finer details that focus on why/where they are dropping points, time or what ever the scoring is based on and working those out of their performance. They don't just practice stuff they are good at, they practice what they suck at and what costs them.

Pretty much all sports (and probably everything in life) are this way. You get out what you put in.

 

[Shoots 700's]

Shooting a-lot has a ton to do with how the Top Shooters place. It takes lots of reps to perfect the slap on that 2 ounce trigger.

 

[308pirate]

Shooting a-lot has a ton to do with how the Top Shooters place. It takes lots of reps to perfect the slap on that 2 ounce trigger.

You sound bitter, resentful, and petty. I'm sure you'll go far.

 

[Shoots 700's]

You sound bitter, resentful, and petty. I'm sure you'll go far.

Do just fine, not bitter, just choose to run a heavier trigger

 

[308pirate]

Do just fine, not bitter, just choose to run a heavier trigger

Your comments betray you.

 

[Shoots 700's]

My first part stipulated that it takes lots of practice. We we know where your trigger is set

 

[Tempest 455]

The night before F class match I try and drink less beer.

 

[HousePlant]

Generally to prepare for a match I reserve the cheapest motel room in the vicinity of the match, eat Wendy's on the drive there, rub one off if my phone has enough service for XVideos.com, eat McDonalds the morning of (along with a large coffee), get to the match and zero my rifle, take a shit in what is usually an outhouse, and by about the 4th round take an Advil because of all the muzzle brakes.

Champion material.