Practicing transitions?

[Shooting Bull]

With EOT coming up fast some folks may want to start practicing.  (Not me, of course.)  It's a well known fact that at a certain level your best bet for shaving tenths or hundredths of a second off your stage times is to improve your transitions.  That begs the question, how?  How exactly do you go about improving the speed/efficiency of your transitions? 

[Griff]

I've been trying to improve my transitions for more'n 35 years now... I'm still sloppy!  Practicing is religion type thing... I'm a sinner!

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Believe it or not...... but I'm kinda like Griff.   I don't practice much anymore and I surely dont practice my transitions.

 

I enjoy CAS a lot and I enjoy shooting fast and accurate.   BUT.....transitions and 'efficiency' in stage performance is not a big

priority in my life.    I do practice SAFETY,  even when 'plinking' with my Non-Cowboy guns.   But that is about the extent of

it.

 

Y'all keep a good thought.

 

..........Widder

 

[Yellowstone Vic SASS#32968]

Bull,

 

I have improved my shooting by using two methods:

 

• Practice under the eye of another accomplished shooter (preferably one that shoots your category/style (Duelist, I believe)) and take their critique of where you might improve your times. (Half a Hand Henri has helped me).
• Have someone video you while you are shooting (matches, practice, ect) and you identify areas that you can improve on.  You could review the video with other shooter(s) as well.
• Use video and a timer to see that you are correcting issues and improving during practice sessions / matches.

I identified issues with the way I was handling my shotgun (shucking) and my rifle this way and have improved my times.

 

YMMV

 

Wish you best of luck in your endeavors.

 

Vic

 

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

2 hours ago, Shooting Bull said:

How exactly do you go about improving the speed/efficiency of your transitions? 

 

Drink Bud Light.

[Shooting Bull]

11 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

 

Drink Bud Light.

 

 

I tried to sign up for Lady Duelist one year.  Misty said I'd have to shave my legs.  No thanks! 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Keep the fork in the left hand. 

Use the right hand only for knife and spoon. 

[Tennessee williams]

  To me, transitions and sg is where most shooters can gain the most time over another shooter. Not just tenths of a second but real, noticeable time. Depending on the transition, it may take me 1 to 5 thousand repetitions before I'm comfortable enough to do it in a match. 10k+ before I feel like I'm proficient. 

   Folks may not like it but one of, if not THE most overlooked ways to gain speed is footwork. For whatever reason folks just don't work on it.

[Shooting Bull]

1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Keep the fork in the left hand. 

Use the right hand only for knife and spoon. 

 

I eat Gunfighter, a fork in each hand. 

[Tyrel Cody]

4 minutes ago, Shooting Bull said:

 

I eat Gunfighter, a fork in each hand. 

I bet TN Williams could beat you one handed eatin a nanner split...

 

[Stump Water]

One shot drills. 

 

Come up with a gun sequences and shoot the "stages" with one shot from each gun (if you shoot a SxS load two because that's huge part of the SG transition).  Time yourself.  However, doing this dry-firing is a really good way to get into a bad habit of missing the first shot out of the gun, so live fire is better - if you miss you start over.

 

SG is the only gun we load on the clock.  If there's anything at all to be gained there, work on that first.

[Stump Water]

5 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said:

     Folks may not like it but one of, if not THE most overlooked ways to gain speed is footwork. For whatever reason folks just don't work on it.

 

True.

 

I once asked Red River Ray why he didn't draw on the move or load SG on the move when the circumstances allowed it.  He said, "When it's time to move, you move.  You shoot when you get there."

[Bearfoot Tracker]

19 minutes ago, Stump Water said:

One shot drills. 

 

Come up with a gun sequences and shoot the "stages" with one shot from each gun (if you shoot a SxS load two because that's huge part of the SG transition).  Time yourself.  However, doing this dry-firing is a really good way to get into a bad habit of missing the first shot out of the gun, so live fire is better - if you miss you start over.

 

SG is the only gun we load on the clock.  If there's anything at all to be gained there, work on that first.

That is a great idea.

I have been avoiding practicing with live fire at the range due to the amount of rounds I have to spend.

I will definitely set up some tables at the range and try this. Thanks.

[Shooting Bull]

44 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said:

  To me, transitions and sg is where most shooters can gain the most time over another shooter. Not just tenths of a second but real, noticeable time. Depending on the transition, it may take me 1 to 5 thousand repetitions before I'm comfortable enough to do it in a match. 10k+ before I feel like I'm proficient. 

   Folks may not like it but one of, if not THE most overlooked ways to gain speed is footwork. For whatever reason folks just don't work on it.

 

 

Please expand on this.  What are the major errors you see in footwork?  How exactly do you practice to improve your footwork? 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

1 hour ago, Shooting Bull said:

 

 

Please expand on this.  What are the major errors you see in footwork?  How exactly do you practice to improve your footwork? 

 

Howdy Bull.

 

I can comment to a small degree concerning 'footwork'.

 

When appropriate, start your movement with the correct foot in that you end up at your shooting position in your correct stance.

This will help prevent you from shuffling your feet just to get into your shooting position.

Some shooters will 'choreograph' their foot steps to arrive at their shooting positions to best suite them with

minimal body movements once they stop moving.

 

Another item is that you want to stop using 'baby steps' between shooting positions.   Many folks don't want to stretch their legs and run

between point A and B but rather take 1 ft steps as though they are avoiding egg shells on the ground.

 

These are just a couple of the small examples concerning footwork.

 

..........Widder

 

 

 

[Tennessee williams]

34 minutes ago, Shooting Bull said:

 

 

Please expand on this.  What are the major errors you see in footwork?  How exactly do you practice to improve your footwork? 

   Think about it this way. You have to pick up your guns on every stage. It makes sense to practice what you have to do on every stage, so a lot of my practice is picking up and putting down my guns at speed. You also have to be in position for EVERY firearm use, EVERY prop manipulation, EVERY shooting location, EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DO ON THE FIRING LINE, you have to get into position for. I've spent a lot of time analyzing videos. The difference in a 14 second stage and a 34 second stage is only a small portion trigger speed. It's what you do between the trigger pulls that make the most difference. Your for instances are: Shooter says "ready", picks up the rifle and then either stops and levers it on the way to their shoulder, or they move their feet to get more comfortable. Cost them 1-1½ seconds. They then not only stand there to restage the rifle but when they go to move, they may turn 90° to the firing line to only move 4 or 5 feet and then turn 90° back to face the line. That's 2 unnecessary turns that cost another ¾ second when a karaoke step would've been quicker. There's a reason so much attention is paid to footwork in boxing, basketball, football, judo, etc. I'm not a fast trigger puller. If it takes me a half second longer for me to run a pistol string than you, but I get into position a second and a half quicker than you...

Sorry for the long post. I started to just call you.

[Dream Chaser, SASS #79316]

TW, so glad you posted rather than call him.  I am lurking here because it is a topic of real interest to me.

[Shooting Bull]

41 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said:

   Sorry for the long post. I started to just call you.

 

 

Wouldn't get me anyway, I'm at work. 

[Tennessee williams]

3 minutes ago, Shooting Bull said:

 

 

Wouldn't get me anyway, I'm at work. 

I didn't say what I was going to call you.

[Tyrel Cody]

56 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said:

   Think about it this way. You have to pick up your guns on every stage. It makes sense to practice what you have to do on every stage, so a lot of my practice is picking up and putting down my guns at speed. You also have to be in position for EVERY firearm use, EVERY prop manipulation, EVERY shooting location, EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DO ON THE FIRING LINE, you have to get into position for. I've spent a lot of time analyzing videos. The difference in a 14 second stage and a 34 second stage is only a small portion trigger speed. It's what you do between the trigger pulls that make the most difference. Your for instances are: Shooter says "ready", picks up the rifle and then either stops and levers it on the way to their shoulder, or they move their feet to get more comfortable. Cost them 1-1½ seconds. They then not only stand there to restage the rifle but when they go to move, they may turn 90° to the firing line to only move 4 or 5 feet and then turn 90° back to face the line. That's 2 unnecessary turns that cost another ¾ second when a karaoke step would've been quicker. There's a reason so much attention is paid to footwork in boxing, basketball, football, judo, etc. I'm not a fast trigger puller. If it takes me a half second longer for me to run a pistol string than you, but I get into position a second and a half quicker than you...

Sorry for the long post. I started to just call you.

 

Will you be giving karaoke  lessons at Wartrace anytime soon? 

 

 

[Tennessee williams]

15 minutes ago, Tyrel Cody said:

 

Will you be giving karaoke  lessons at Wartrace anytime soon? 

 

 

Actually, yes. I will be helping in a shooters' clinic at Wartrace coming up soon and the Karaoke "step" is in part of my transition portion. I don't do "the other karaoke".

[Tyrel Cody]

Just now, Tennessee williams said:

Actually, yes. I will be helping in a shooters' clinic at Wartrace coming up soon and the Karaoke "step" is in part of my transition portion. I don't do "the other karaoke".

 

Cool, when is this clinic?

 

Aww c'mon, you'll sing Rocky Top if I play it, right?

 

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

4 hours ago, Shooting Bull said:

 

I eat Gunfighter, a fork in each hand. 

Seen you shoot, you're a fork-off for sure. 

[Dantankerous]

I shoot CC so I watch a lot of T Bone Dooley YT videos to learn.

 

And then I see a video of me or hear my stage time...yuk.

 

Hmmm. Ain't working but at least I know what AWESOME transitions look like.

 

 

[Beaver]

One shot drills Bull, one shot drills.

This has helped me the most to improve my stage times. This helps you get the first shot off fast and on target then to the next firearm. Set up for all sequences. Pistols first, then rifle,  then shotgun. Then mix it up and do it again. Then add different positions. Then do it again. Firing one shot from each. Always two from the double. 

 

We can talk some more this weekend if you want.

 

See you there

 

Beaver

 

[Tennessee williams]

2 hours ago, Tyrel Cody said:

 

Cool, when is this clinic?

 

Aww c'mon, you'll sing Rocky Top if I play it, right?

 

 

Still figuring out the when part. Probably on a Sunday after church. Rocky Top is about the only thing I sing. Usually with 100,000 other like-minded individuals!

[Bad Bascomb, SASS # 47,494]

  Hi, Bull.  I remember conversing with China Camp one time at Cal State match at 5 Dogs and he said his footwork was most improved by the classes he took in ballroom dancing.  He was very graceful and smooth going through a stage.

Lots of good advice above.  Decisive pre-planned foot positioning with a solid planting has helped me overcome the 'shuffle' I see so much of.

 

The vision of you in a ballroom dance class has me chuckling.....

[Tennessee williams]

Enough said.

[Bad Bascomb, SASS # 47,494]

  Bull has tried the water and slippery mud thing........

[Beaver]

Last Tuesday!............I had to leave

Some thing you just can't un see

[Grizzly Dave]

How do you improve?

 

You ask ME?  Like I'd know?  Like I've improved over the 15 years I've played this game??

 

Well, I did to a point, then life got in the way, then health, then quite frankly apathy.

 

But, Mr Mongo, because I consider you a friend, to improve, you must push, you must practice, you must train.  Not just your hands, but your feet, your core, and your brain.

 

The more you shoot, the better you get, the more you get better, the more you'll shoot.  Invest in primers, power, brass and lead.

 

Hope to see you again soon my friend.

 

Grizz

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

"WHAT??"  Might I ask is this "Practice" thing of which everyone speaks??  I see it sort of like this.  If I get "really" "really" good and "fast" I might shoot a stage in twenty seconds.  That means I only get to have fun for 20 seconds a stage.  On the other hand, at my age, I consider a 40 second stage as really great > and I get to have fun twice as long.  Double your Pleasure - Double your Fun (Stolen commercial jingle).  I happen to like having double the fun.  And NO!! I do not "run" during any stage.  "Run" is not in my lexicon under "fun."

[Stump Water]

22 hours ago, Tennessee williams said:

   Think about it this way. You have to pick up your guns on every stage. It makes sense to practice what you have to do on every stage, so a lot of my practice is picking up and putting down my guns at speed. You also have to be in position for EVERY firearm use, EVERY prop manipulation, EVERY shooting location, EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DO ON THE FIRING LINE, you have to get into position for. I've spent a lot of time analyzing videos. The difference in a 14 second stage and a 34 second stage is only a small portion trigger speed. It's what you do between the trigger pulls that make the most difference. Your for instances are: Shooter says "ready", picks up the rifle and then either stops and levers it on the way to their shoulder, or they move their feet to get more comfortable. Cost them 1-1½ seconds. They then not only stand there to restage the rifle but when they go to move, they may turn 90° to the firing line to only move 4 or 5 feet and then turn 90° back to face the line. That's 2 unnecessary turns that cost another ¾ second when a karaoke step would've been quicker. There's a reason so much attention is paid to footwork in boxing, basketball, football, judo, etc. I'm not a fast trigger puller. If it takes me a half second longer for me to run a pistol string than you, but I get into position a second and a half quicker than you...

Sorry for the long post. I started to just call you.

 

Shooting through windows/doors and over props... you see people "belly up" to the window - pretty much hanging out of it.  When done with the shooting sequence whadda ya gotta do?  Back up.   Unless you have to get in the opening to see the targets, stand back and shoot through the opening.  IOW, when you can, minimize footwork.

[John Kloehr]

2 hours ago, Stump Water said:

 

Shooting through windows/doors and over props... you see people "belly up" to the window - pretty much hanging out of it.  When done with the shooting sequence whadda ya gotta do?  Back up.   Unless you have to get in the opening to see the targets, stand back and shoot through the opening.  IOW, when you can, minimize footwork.

I recommend sticking at least a few inches of the barrel past any framing. Have seen too many instances of competitors shooting prop edges (window and door frames and such). Even with a few inches into the opening, bringing the gun safely back does not require backing up or breaking the 170.

[Stump Water]

As they say, YMMV.