Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

[ReaperDriver]

Wasn't sure which thread was appropriate for this question, but here goes....

I'm just now getting my feet wet in the tactical comp game and after a couple of matches - I've identified some obvious weak points in my shooting. For you guys that shoot routinely in Tac matches - what does your training regimen consist of, say for the month leading up to a match?

i.e. what kind of drills do you do and what would a single range session look like? Do you work on one specific skill in a range session, or do you try to mix it up with several drills each time out?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

KYL drills, dot drills, shooting from barricades, positional slung shooting, shooting from improvised positions, close in(less than 20 yards) etc. Read AARs from matchs and see what kind of drills they shoot and it will give you ideas of what to practice.

Basically anything but laying on your belly shooting groups at 100 yards.

 

[Lindy]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Rob's list is excellent. I would add: Know how to use your reticle for holdovers/holdunders so that you shoot targets from muzzle distance to 600 yards without touching the elevation knob.

(Hint: that can be done from a 100 yard zero with any scope with a graduated reticle. See: Calculating Holdovers and Holdunders

 

[KNIGHT11B4]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Depending on which match you will be attending, UKD is a huge issue for some shooters. Pratice ranging targets without a LRF and then engageing them, track how you range and how accurate you are. You will start to notice trends on how you range objects, and issues you have. After you engage targets pull out an LRF and see how you did.

Everything that is stated above by Rob and Lindy is spot on advice.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

I know I was forgetting something Lindy. Thanks. Definitely be able to use the reticle for holds or ranging.

Practice being able to break it down to atleast .1 mil for ranging. With alot of practice you can get down to .05 mils.

Practice holds from a 100 yards zero and even an intermediate range like 400 yard. In the recent BHTC Team match we were doing holds to 1000 yards from a 1000 yard zero.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

try to have someone there to time you. nothing prepares you for a time crunch until you actually do it. the more you do it the less you will rush your shots.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

If you havent signed up for the online training yet you should, Frank and Jacob did a realy good lesson on using the dot drill.

 

[Emilio]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Use a stop watch or some type of timer. I would also suggest off hand, kneeling, and sitting. I'm working on side prone and weak/support hand shooting.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Thanks guys. The local matches here all involve KD, so no ranging UKD is required. I do understand holdovers and ranging techniques. And I have my dope pretty well memorized for the COF.

I pretty much understand WHAT the drills are (like Rob's list). My question was more "HOW" you guys incorporate that list into a training routine. IOW, do you go to the range and work only on sling supported that day and then the next session is someting else, etc. And how many rounds do you allocate to each skill set during a range trip. Or do you try to run a similar COF to your match during each trip to the range?

And yes, the timing thing is really where my weakness lies. I feel I'm a good marksman in most of the COF's, but put a clock on me and I suck. I've definitely improved under the clock, mainly due to improved equipement (Thanks SAC!) - but I know that's one of the areas I need to concentrate on.

I think I'm going to break down and pay for the on-line training. I'm getting addicted to the Tac match game, and I'm meeting a bunch of really nice folks - so I want to get the full enjoyment out of it and stop getting my ass kicked.

 

[Swan]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks guys. The local matches here all involve KD, so no ranging UKD is required. I do understand holdovers and ranging techniques. And I have my dope pretty well memorized for the COF.

I pretty much understand WHAT the drills are (like Rob's list). My question was more "HOW" you guys incorporate that list into a training routine. IOW, do you go to the range and work only on sling supported that day and then the next session is someting else, etc. And how many rounds do you allocate to each skill set during a range trip. Or do you try to run a similar COF to your match during each trip to the range?

And yes, the timing thing is really where my weakness lies. I feel I'm a good marksman in most of the COF's, but put a clock on me and I suck. I've definitely improved under the clock, mainly due to improved equipement (Thanks SAC!) - but I know that's one of the areas I need to concentrate on.

I think I'm going to break down and pay for the on-line training. I'm getting addicted to the Tac match game, and I'm meeting a bunch of really nice folks - so I want to get the full enjoyment out of it and stop getting my ass kicked. </div></div>

The <span style="font-weight: bold">only</span> way to get better at matches is shoot more of them. I used to try and practice certain stages or COF's (dots, KYL, pool balls, etc.) when I would shoot but I don't think it pays off that much. Here is what I have concluded recently, and by no means will this be profound to anyone:

1) Shoot as many matches as possible. For example, I highly suggest rolling out to LA to shoot the CaPRC matches. They are a lil different than the Vegas matches and highlight many weaknesses you probably never knew you had.

2) Recognize your main weaknesses, duh. I go over every stage the next day or two and ask myself what went to shit? After the last match I realized I desperately need to develop a more stable seated shooting position.

3) Worry less about my reloading, and more about not making mistakes while actually shooting those bullets.

4) And perhaps the most important: Never zero a stage, or have negative pts. This I'm still working on.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Good stuff Swan, thanks!

 

[JFComfort]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks guys. The local matches here all involve KD, so no ranging UKD is required. I do understand holdovers and ranging techniques. And I have my dope pretty well memorized for the COF.

I pretty much understand WHAT the drills are (like Rob's list). My question was more "HOW" you guys incorporate that list into a training routine. IOW, do you go to the range and work only on sling supported that day and then the next session is someting else, etc. And how many rounds do you allocate to each skill set during a range trip. Or do you try to run a similar COF to your match during each trip to the range?

And yes, the timing thing is really where my weakness lies. I feel I'm a good marksman in most of the COF's, but put a clock on me and I suck. I've definitely improved under the clock, mainly due to improved equipement (Thanks SAC!) - but I know that's one of the areas I need to concentrate on.

I think I'm going to break down and pay for the on-line training. I'm getting addicted to the Tac match game, and I'm meeting a bunch of really nice folks - so I want to get the full enjoyment out of it and stop getting my ass kicked. </div></div>

The <span style="font-weight: bold">only</span> way to get better at matches is shoot more of them. I used to try and practice certain stages or COF's (dots, KYL, pool balls, etc.) when I would shoot but I don't think it pays off that much. Here is what I have concluded recently, and by no means will this be profound to anyone:

1) Shoot as many matches as possible. For example, I highly suggest rolling out to LA to shoot the CaPRC matches. They are a lil different than the Vegas matches and highlight many weaknesses you probably never knew you had.

2) Recognize your main weaknesses, duh. I go over every stage the next day or two and ask myself what went to shit? After the last match I realized I desperately need to develop a more stable seated shooting position.

3) Worry less about my reloading, and more about not making mistakes while actually shooting stages.

4) And perhaps the most important: Never zero a stage, or have negative pts. This I'm still working on. </div></div>

I'm working on those things too!

 

[Lindy]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Don't get too worked up about zeroing a stage. I have been involved in scoring every Rifles Only match since 2005, and shot every one from the fall of 2003 until then. Every winner has zeroed some stages - including me. It happens even to Terry Cross - and I'm no Terry Cross.

Once you have shot a stage, put it behind you, and drive on. Contemplate the lessons from each stage when you have time, after the shooting for the day or the week is finished.

Go away from every match with a list of things to practice. As time goes on, you'll stop working on the big things, and start concentrating on little things. But there will never not be things to work on.

The big difference between those who perform well and those who don't will be in the knowledge of how their system performs under all conditions and shooting tasks, and in the ability to think under pressure.

The former is made easier by picking a good rifle, a good scope, and a good load, and shooting only that system. "Beware the man who has only one gun - he may know how to use it."

"Successful application of the precision rifle is a lot more about thinking than shooting." -- Jacob Bynum, Director, Rifles Only

"It's just a rifle match." -- same guy

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Thanks Lindy. Good words. And I'm really starting to concentrate on this:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The former is made easier by picking a good rifle, a good scope, and a good load, and shooting only that system. </div></div>

That's exactly where I'm at right now. I'm pretty much past the laod development stage and am concentrating on just loading and shooting that rifle/load well and stopping all the damn "tweaking". Its taken me a while to get there, but now that I have pretty good confidence in my equipement - now I just need confidence in me.

 

[SSG3K]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Throw rifle in the back of the car and hope for the best. Thats been my routine for 2010.

Rich

 

[Rob01]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

LOL No far from mine either Rich. Hasn't been a good year for range time.

 

[SSG3K]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Yea Rob hangin out on our new boat sure has been a bitch but I just have to do it. LOL

see everybody in the spring...

Rich

 

[edward r homeyer]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

if I have limited training time before a match I will always confirm zero on all my guns. one drill I like to help my eyes look for tgts as opposed my gun looking for targets. set to 2 tgt about 15 to 20 meters off your right front and left front. make them far enough apart so that you can't see one when you aim at the other. raise your gun and shoot at one of the tgts. follow through after reaquiring your final sight picture, leave your gun pointed at that target and obviously move you head to look at the other tgt. pause half a sec and the bring your gun to line of sight and engage your tgt. repeat again and again and again. i think this drill helped me the most. and I wasn't out running my gun. when you progress in this drill you will only be moving your eyes to the other tgt and bringing you gun to it simultaneously.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.J. McQuade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if I have limited training time before a match I will always confirm zero on all my guns. one drill I like to help my eyes look for tgts as opposed my gun looking for targets. set to 2 tgt about 15 to 20 meters off your right front and left front. make them far enough apart so that you can't see one when you aim at the other. raise your gun and shoot at one of the tgts. follow through after reaquiring your final sight picture, leave your gun pointed at that target and obviously move you head to look at the other tgt. pause half a sec and the bring your gun to line of sight and engage your tgt. repeat again and again and again. i think this drill helped me the most. and I wasn't out running my gun. when you progress in this drill you will only be moving your eyes to the other tgt and bringing you gun to it simultaneously. </div></div>

That's a great drill. I'm going to try that next time out. Thanks!

 

[broke_again]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wasn't sure which thread was appropriate for this question, but here goes....

I'm just now getting my feet wet in the tactical comp game and after a couple of matches - I've identified some obvious weak points in my shooting. For you guys that shoot routinely in Tac matches - what does your training regimen consist of, say for the month leading up to a match?

i.e. what kind of drills do you do and what would a single range session look like? Do you work on one specific skill in a range session, or do you try to mix it up with several drills each time out?

Thanks in advance. </div></div>

If you need someone to run drills with you, I'm down. There is at least three groups of guys that get together separately to shoot. PM me if you are interested.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: broke_again</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wasn't sure which thread was appropriate for this question, but here goes....

I'm just now getting my feet wet in the tactical comp game and after a couple of matches - I've identified some obvious weak points in my shooting. For you guys that shoot routinely in Tac matches - what does your training regimen consist of, say for the month leading up to a match?

i.e. what kind of drills do you do and what would a single range session look like? Do you work on one specific skill in a range session, or do you try to mix it up with several drills each time out?

Thanks in advance. </div></div>

If you need someone to run drills with you, I'm down. There is at least three groups of guys that get together separately to shoot. PM me if you are interested. </div></div>
Will do! I'm going to a carbine course out at Nellis AFB tomorrow put on by some former high-speed operators. But after that, I'm going to concentrate on bolt gun drills.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Practice, what's that? I thought matches were practice for matches.....

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Swan nailed it pretty well, especially #4.

 

[JamieD]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

Rob has a lot of good pointers as do the others above!

A couple things I might add...

Once I'm confident in the load, I stop shooting groups. I like the single shot bullseyes for practice. Hit or miss you get one shot. After the shot, I will get up off the rifle and start all over again.

Stay with the same gear for a while too. Don't be switching things up all the time. It doesn't give you enough time to become familier with it.

I think this is important enough to mention - An adjustable LOP stock (or cut to fit) so you can set it up correctly for your build and shooting style. And a Cheekpiece.

Something that I think helped out a lot too is I have been runing the same AICS stock for several years and now it is like riding a bike. I don't own or shoot a lot of different guns. I use and train hard with one, although I do have a .223 in an AICS that matches my .260 for training.

Good Luck,

JamieD

______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994

 

[Unknown]

Re: Training routine for Precision/Tac matches

I usually break practice sessions into the specific skills I want to improve or learn. For example:
1. reloading
2. getting into natural point of aim quickly
3. multiple target engagement
4. target transitions
5. changing from one position to another
6. supported positions (from the side of a barricade, or fence post)

Anyhow, the point is that just going to the range and firing a bunch of rounds without a specific plan is no where near as productive as knowing what you want to improve, writing a lesson plan with your range exercises, and following that plan. It is not the case that practice makes perfect, rather, Perfect practice makes perfect.

A side benefit is having a range plan conserves ammo, and really focuses you on the precise skill you want to improve. It may not be as fun as practicing what you are already good at, but I believe that the point of practicing is to improve those skill areas where you are not as strong as you could be.