The skill level of shooters in my IDPA club (actually several clubs, but many of the same shooters) has been improving quite a bit lately. It seems like over half of the folks I shoot with have Expert or higher classifications in at least one division- many in multiple divisions. Those that aren't will probably be soon, whether by classifier or match bump.
To say the least it keeps me on my toes and motivates me to practice more...and everyone else is pretty motivated, too. It's alot of fun seeing everyone improve and trying to keep up with them to stay competitive.
The cool part- we're all great friends and everyone is extremely encouraging. I hope everyone is able to find a group to shoot with that's as great a bunch of folks as the ones I'm able to shoot with.
Shooting with better shooters...
Started by
astephenson
, Sep 12 2010 03:28 PM
61 replies to this topic
#1
astephenson
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 03:28 PM
Alex Stephenson
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#2
Sarge
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 04:26 PM
I agree 100%. Nobody likes to be the worst shooter of the bunch.
That's why I thank god for new shooters!
That's why I thank god for new shooters!
Kevin Sanders
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US Army 1SG (Retired)
NROI Chief Range Officer
Match Director 2013 Ohio State Championship
http://www.ohiochampionship.com/
"Support" class shooter and proud of it!
#3
WildWest N AZ
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 04:28 PM
I agree 100%. Nobody likes to be the worst shooter of the bunch.
That's why I thank god for new shooters!
LoL..... I agree I love shooting with my GM open buds the advice they give is great and has helped me be a better shooter
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#4
GrumpyOne
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 05:47 PM
Shooting with people better than you, raises the bar for you, makes you think "If they can do it, so can I". I used to play pool alot, but never got any better until I played someone better than me. I find that to be true of shooting as well.
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Every cloud has a silver lining, but hundreds of people are killed each year by lightening trying to find it.
Clever got me this far, then tricky got me in....
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I shoot to support the support class shooters!
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#5
DyNo!
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 06:02 PM
And on the other side of that - if you're the best shooter in a bunch, it is challenging to set the bar without having someone else to be the guinea pig. 
I also always try to shoot with people who shoot better than me.
I also always try to shoot with people who shoot better than me.
Edited by DyNo!, 12 September 2010 - 06:03 PM.
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#6
GuyC
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 06:08 PM
I would love to practice with better shooters than me. I like to shoot with the open guys at a match, it pushes me shoot faster.
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#7
calishootr
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 10:27 PM
at a sectional championship yrs ago, my shootin partner and I were 'tossed in' with a super squad full of GM's and M's, we were only B class shooters at the time, but looked at it this way, if we could hang with the big boys and run within a few seconds of their times and have decent hits...hey goodthings might happen??? as it turned out we were correct in our assumption, we both finished 1 an 2 in b class
I heard it yrs ago that if you hang with a certain skill level crowd you will rise no higher than the crowd, which is fine ifthat is your thing, butf orthose who want to excell to the maximum oftheir abilities??? need to look beyond the comfort zone/squad
I heard it yrs ago that if you hang with a certain skill level crowd you will rise no higher than the crowd, which is fine ifthat is your thing, butf orthose who want to excell to the maximum oftheir abilities??? need to look beyond the comfort zone/squad
#8
SiG Lady
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Posted 13 September 2010 - 09:51 AM
During the time I did happen to engage in competition, the "better-than-me" shooters not only taught me indirectly through example, they were generous with their tips and chat about how they accomplished what they did on whichever target array--or about some technique they used. It was amazing the constant stream of coaching I received. Indeed, it gradually improved my shooting skills because I LISTENED to them.
#9
Hartmann
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Posted 24 September 2010 - 08:03 PM
I heard it yrs ago that if you hang with a certain skill level crowd you will rise no higher than the crowd, which is fine ifthat is your thing, butf orthose who want to excell to the maximum oftheir abilities??? need to look beyond the comfort zone/squad
Recently I heard a similar concept explained as, "You are the average of the five people you hang around with most."
Interesting to ponder that, for both shooting and non-shooting aspects of life.
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#10
Chris iliff
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Posted 17 March 2011 - 07:27 PM
I love to shoot with better shooters. I always learn something. Best squad to date put me with Flexmoney, Keen, Micah, Budewitz, and Metts at the Michigan Section. If I recall correctly, most won their division overall. I, on the other hand, just tried to keep up. Fun stuff and great learning. Mentally, it took me a couple stages to get over the wow factor. Wish that was my regular squad weekly!!!
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#11
Coach
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Posted 18 March 2011 - 02:21 AM
I heard it yrs ago that if you hang with a certain skill level crowd you will rise no higher than the crowd, which is fine ifthat is your thing, butf orthose who want to excell to the maximum oftheir abilities??? need to look beyond the comfort zone/squad
Recently I heard a similar concept explained as, "You are the average of the five people you hang around with most."
Interesting to ponder that, for both shooting and non-shooting aspects of life.
This is troubling
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#12
AlamoShooter
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Posted 18 March 2011 - 05:56 AM
shooting with better shooters is something that happens at every match I go to
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#13
Red Ryder
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Posted 20 March 2011 - 07:44 AM
I agree 100%. Nobody likes to be the worst shooter of the bunch.
That's why I thank god for new shooters!
Last place! I hate finishing in the middle of the pack or lower.
"Talk low and slow and don't say too much!"
On rare occasions, violence may be the only answer.
World War II hero Jack Lucas became the youngest man in THIS CENTURY to receive the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR award when he threw is body over TWO grenades at Iwo Jima just 5 days after his 17th birthday. (At the time of his heroism he had already been in the Marine Corps for THREE years.)
On rare occasions, violence may be the only answer.
World War II hero Jack Lucas became the youngest man in THIS CENTURY to receive the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR award when he threw is body over TWO grenades at Iwo Jima just 5 days after his 17th birthday. (At the time of his heroism he had already been in the Marine Corps for THREE years.)
#14
Red Ryder
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Posted 20 March 2011 - 07:50 AM
It definitely helps me to shoot with a few Grand Masters. I try to observe and repeat!
"Talk low and slow and don't say too much!"
On rare occasions, violence may be the only answer.
World War II hero Jack Lucas became the youngest man in THIS CENTURY to receive the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR award when he threw is body over TWO grenades at Iwo Jima just 5 days after his 17th birthday. (At the time of his heroism he had already been in the Marine Corps for THREE years.)
On rare occasions, violence may be the only answer.
World War II hero Jack Lucas became the youngest man in THIS CENTURY to receive the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR award when he threw is body over TWO grenades at Iwo Jima just 5 days after his 17th birthday. (At the time of his heroism he had already been in the Marine Corps for THREE years.)
#15
oak hill
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Posted 23 March 2011 - 05:03 AM
I agree. It always helps to learn new things, especially from someone who can not only tell you what to do, but can actually do it.
#16
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Posted 23 March 2011 - 03:07 PM
I hate comming in last !
#17
blaster113
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Posted 25 March 2011 - 02:10 AM
shooting with better shooters fires up the competitive instinct. plus you can gain insight on how they break down stages, reloads, etc
#18
Rick417
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Posted 30 March 2011 - 02:15 PM
HaHa. That is exactly what I was thinking.
#19
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Posted 11 May 2011 - 05:29 PM
I agree. I shoot sporting clays with my uncle-in-law he has so much good advice my scores skyrocket! As I shoot without him I often start to slip. He's almost like a drug addiction, when I have a bad day, I'll call him to come shooting, and invariably his advice and perception of the field and my action, helps me get back in the game. I just wish I could shoot more, so his advice would stick. I seem to lose the advice with large stretches in time. Oh well, more excuse to hang with the family!
...a wounded man shall say to his assailant 'If I live, I will kill you. If I die you are forgiven. Such is the rule of honor...'
#20
Garrett
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Posted 29 May 2011 - 02:54 PM
Those who have bounced around a bit will notice that most clubs tend toward one or two divisions. Some places, the majority shoot Open. Other places Limited and Production seem to be the favorite. I recently moved to an area with one of these clubs. While I prefer to shoot Open, I'm half considering going back to Lim, just so I have a few better shooters to compete with.
#21
soundwave
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Posted 06 June 2011 - 12:02 PM
Definitely believe shooting with great shooters will make you better. I also believe hanging out with ugly people makes me more handsome. 
As the great warrior-poet Ice Cube once said, "If the day does not require an AK, it is good."
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Production - Glock 34
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#22
shooter57
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Posted 25 June 2011 - 09:27 AM
It's not only in shooting to play with better shooters but any sport playing with the best players will make you better in that sport. you may still suck but you will suck better.
If you served in any Military branch, Than You
#23
steel1212
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Posted 25 June 2011 - 12:26 PM
That works both ways. When I started shooting I shot with a group of masters and went through the ranks to where I'm at now. Now when I go to matches I don't want to be beat by lower class shooters so it keeps me pushing.
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USPSA: A-57351
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My youtube videos
DVC is a three legged stool. Remove one leg and you're just left with a pile of sticks.
#24
Zerwas
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something else?
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Posted 27 June 2011 - 06:44 AM
I would love to practice with better shooters than me. I like to shoot with the open guys at a match, it pushes me shoot faster.
The wanting to shoot faster part is the dangerous area you don't really want to visit. The better shooters can and sometimes (depending on who "they" are
) will give the other shooters little tips during a given course of fire that could help them streamline their plan. Shooting faster is not necessarily a good thing.
Being more efficient IS a good thing, and THAT is what a much better shooter can do for you.
Steven Z
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Get to know HIM before HE pays you a visit......
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#25
Lee B
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Posted 27 June 2011 - 07:08 AM
I hope everyone is able to find a group to shoot with that's as great a bunch of folks as the ones I'm able to shoot with.
Indeed. It's nice to have good folks to shoot with who encourage, instruct and push you to be better. That's what I like about the matches and clubs around the area.
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