Nervous for the first shoot!

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1000yards

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Based out of Red Deer, Ab
With less than 3 weeks away from my first IPSC shoot, I am going stir-crazy!
Getting really excited, and at the same time, really nervous!
Black badge course was almost 2 months ago already, been practicing as much as I can, focusing on safe movements, being aware of my 90 and dryfire.
As it stands, I will probably go at a walking pace lol Up til registration I wasn't even sure which division I wanted to shoot in, bit too indecisive.
Bit anxious about not knowing what to expect in regards to shooting in front of an unknown amount of people and spectators, or who to go to when I get there ect, but hoping to get more of that info soon here.
:runaway:
All tips are appreciated!
 
Relax....breath deep. When you start, it's about fun. You got through the BB, which means that you're competent & safe. You have the basics to get going. You'll do fine. When shooting, shoot "A"s and keep your muzzle and trigger finger where they need to be. Speed will come in time.

If you're lost at any time, just tell someone you're new and they'll either direct you to someone who can help you or help you themselves.
Odds are you'll see some familiar faces from your course - like your instructor. In my section, we put new BB students in with their instructor so they have familiar faces - your section might too. You *might* run into a jerk (they are in every sport) - if you do, ignore him. Jerks live for attention. There will be plenty of new friends there too.

Ask lots of questions. During your walk through of stages, check out where you might get close to a dangerous muzzle angle, ask the CRO who did the walk through what would get you tossed to clarify if you're unsure. Pick the safest route through the stage.

Don't let more experienced shooters set your pace. I've seen newer production shooters shoot with experienced open shooters try to double a 20 yard target like they do. It usually ends in a miss. There is no such thing as a double tap. Sight picture, prep trigger, break shot, WAIT for sights to settle, prep trigger and break the second shot. Follow through to ensure that the gun went off pointed in the right place, then move on to the next target. Again, speed will come.

Hope you have a great match.
 
1000yards said:
With less than 3 weeks away from my first IPSC shoot, I am going stir-crazy!
Getting really excited, and at the same time, really nervous!
Black badge course was almost 2 months ago already, been practicing as much as I can, focusing on safe movements, being aware of my 90 and dryfire.
As it stands, I will probably go at a walking pace lol Up til registration I wasn't even sure which division I wanted to shoot in, bit too indecisive.
Bit anxious about not knowing what to expect in regards to shooting in front of an unknown amount of people and spectators, or who to go to when I get there ect, but hoping to get more of that info soon here.
:runaway:
All tips are appreciated!
Click to expand...

If this is your qualifier match after the BB, there is no reason to go fast or push yourself. My advice would be to remove the competitive angle for the first few matches and simply focus on running through stages safely. Very quickly you'll get a sense for how stages run, how matches run, things to focus, stage strategy, match strategy, etc, etc. But in the beginning, safety should be your primary focus until it becomes instinctual.

Finger on the trigger while moving and reloading is a big one too....and an easy one to forget if you're new.


Not everyone on your squad will want to answer questions all the time since they may be focusing on their match performance as well. If you ask the MD at the beginning of the match if there is someone willing to answer your questions, that might be the way to go....it really just depends on the folks you're shooting with. Most will be great and more than willing to help a new shooter...as Sean said though, you could easily run into someone not so willing.
 
I would suggest that you shot the gun you took your BB with. it is familiar and you will be more comfortable with it. Send Dooby a email and ask her to squad you with your BB instructor.
 
Yeah, for my qualifier, my main goal was just not to get DQ'd... I didn't care about my score. Would that target bring me close to breaking 90? Won't engage. Did I shoot all the targets in this stage or did I miss some? No worries I'll just unload and show clear. Just keep in mind the following:

1) #1 priority is to be SAFE
2) It's a game, you're there to have fun
3) Speed and good scores will come with experience

You'll do fine :)
 
"Don't let more experienced shooters set your pace. I've seen newer production shooters shoot with experienced open shooters try to double a 20 yard target like they do. It usually ends in a miss. There is no such thing as a double tap. Sight picture, prep trigger, break shot, WAIT for sights to settle, prep trigger and break the second shot. Follow through to ensure that the gun went off pointed in the right place, then move on to the next target. Again, speed will come."

Excellent advise my main problem starting out was trying to go as fast as the hotshots in my squad. First few stages were a disaster then I slowed down and got back to the fundamentals. It has been 2 years now and I am slowly increasing speed while remaining accurate.
 
keep some astro glide and some paper towel in the glove box and knock one out just before the comp ;)
 
i always say to myself to enjoy the day, learn something, be safe, and remind myself that i will not break any world records but the more i shoot the better ill get and that always puts a smile on my face.
 
Butterflies are just your body's way of saying "You're Ready, You got this". Now go have fun. Everybody else is concerned about themselves, so put them out of your mind, (as much as possible). IPSC is FUN! So have FUN. Plenty of time to get overly serious later. :)

Breathe, SMILE!!! Smiling is great when you "think" yourself stressed. Smiling helps your nervous system to not be so nervous. Chewing gum helps distract your ego so you don't over think stuff. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast, so go, slofast. My normal routine, still with butterflies after many years... Load and make ready, take a few deep breaths, last dry run in my mind, smile, nod that I'm ready and wait for the beep.

Have the best time! IPSC can be fun...
 
If your using reloads, before the match, pull the barrel from your pistol and "chamber check" every round that you expect to take to the match. It prevents problems on the firing line, that cost you time on the clock.
 
Wow, thank you all!
The Pm's and Responses are just amazing, it is all being taken to heart and already quite calming!
Certainly setting my own pace will be tough but its great advice, might buy a airsoft glock and paint it orange to practice movements in a bigger space than our basement suite lol
I think all the youtube time made me focus more on the competition,
Today I went back over the notes I wrote the nights of the BB course, and it is quite apparent the only person scaring me is myself.
I had the time of my life with the BB course, the first time I shot a pistol on the move, it was so much FUN!
Thank you for sharing and opening up, Quite reassuring that I am not the first and wont be the last person to feel a bit less than confident beforehand !

I look forward to seeing and meeting you all at future shoots, classifier 2 on the 20th, I will be the short round one with a big ol smile!
 
You don't need too much space to practice movement and realistically, you don't need a gun in hand either (even though I prefer it). Generally speaking, fresh out of BB, chances are that shooting on the move won't make practical sense.. Not saying that you shouldn't try it, but be willing to accept some Mikes in return for the safe fun you'll be having ;) For my qualifier, I'd probably just skip it and granny it. Then again, I couldn't resist taking a couple of ill-advised but fun shots on mine :evil: Finished 2nd last
 
I meant just to safely practise walking with a gun in my hand not even shooting lol but ya that BB gun $ would be better spent on ammo.
Even if I am dead last, I'll be proud for coming out and trying, but I like the term for granny-ing it!
Happy Canada Day!
 
Garand said:
If your using reloads, before the match, pull the barrel from your pistol and "chamber check" every round that you expect to take to the match. It prevents problems on the firing line, that cost you time on the clock.
Click to expand...

Absolutely great advice right there! Chamber check every round. If they drop right in they go in the shoot pile. Nothing like having the gun all jammed up because of a bad reload. Also, avoid the rookie mistake of putting an empty, or partially loaded mag back on your belt, during/after the stage. I can guarantee you will grab that one for a reload, and well, it's just sad really...
 
i often get naked infront of the washroom mirror with my belt and holster and practice my draw, it really helps :)
 
Update- July 24th

So, I shot my first match on Sunday the 20th at the BTSA range,
WOW.
I had certainly let my own anxiety take over a bit, and was much more nervous than I needed to be.
This was an amazing day!
I met a ton of great people, I didn't see a single shooter that didn't have a smile on their face.
I took my time, but the idea of walking thru the stages was no where to be found when I heard that Beep.
The stages were so much fun, and I don't think I could have ever picked a better day.
Still grinning for the weekend, and already signed up for another shoot lol

Everyone asked if there was anything I needed anytime I got that dumb look on my face, everyone was encouraging and congratulated me on passing my BB.
I had let myself be intimidated by the thought of the worst case scenario, as I tend to do with my anxiety disorder.

Big thank you to everyone on here's advice and words of encouragements, and for all the fellow shooters at the range too!
I am so grateful to be a member of the IPSC community, I have found a hobby that means so much to me, and made alot of new friends.

To anyone else that looking to get into it, Do it!
Feel free to PM me anytime, I am not going anywhere lol
Don't scare yourself away from such a fun sport and nice group of people.
I had some misses, I shot Tom Hanks and a few other no shoots, and I set zero records for speed, but I had one of the best days of my life!
And hearing Alpha Alpha for the first time... That was so exhilarating!

I can't wait to meet more people at q3/q4, and again, Thank you to everyone!
 
Awesome. I still get wound up. Even before practice. Its a good rush though. And the people are awesome. In the three years I've been doing it I've yet to meet someone I couldn't stand squading with. Sure there are eccentric's, Keeners, gamers, noobs, elitists but for the most part all are friendly and hella fun to shoot with.

Keep with it and it only gets better.
 
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