Training/Lessons... in Houston

[Scott in Houston]

I've done about 5 IDPA matches now. I'm not a natural. I do ok for my experience level, but could use some instruction. This same instruction would also apply to SD scenarios too, I know.

I'm looking for someone to help me learn to get on target efficiently, fire accurately, and transition quickly.

My issues right now are:

1) I forget fundamentals when I'm anxious, so I tend to jerk the trigger. Being new to it, and wanting to do well, I just get pretty anxious. (All mental I know) I think when I have some basic fundamentals to act on, I can focus on those and the anxiety may subside some.
2) I forget to look at the front site, and I don't think I have good fundamentals down or learned in order to acquire the target then front site quickly. I end up doing a lot of point & shooting. Surprisingly, I'm decently accurate enough with point and shoot, but not as good as I would be doing it properly.

If anyone has a good instructor recommendation in the Houston area, please let me know. You can PM me if you don't think it's appropriate to post in the forum.

Thanks!

[Steve M]

Good for you seeking more instruction. I find it interesting though that someone who is "decently accurate" with point shooting thinks he needs to replace that with "doing it properly".

Point shooting vs sighted fire isn't an either/or situation, you may use and need both in a dynamic gunfight.

Also, as you pursue skill in the shooting sports, take time to consider where your "game skills" might not be the best choice on the "two-way range" of a gunfight when someone is shooting back at you.

Good luck with IDPA, it's a really fun time shooting!

[Divided Attention]

I am not sure how close Pearland Shooting Club is to you , but I know they offer classes etc. Check with the ranges where you shoot IDPA. Many of those that have this in our area offer classes as well in "drills and skills".

If you were closer I would say cheeck into Thunder Gun range or Spring Guns and Ammo - both offer classes as well as a couple ranges in the Tomball area that I am sure USA1 can fill you in on as I am forgetting the names.

Good luck and Kudos to you for looking to increase your skills. MAR and I sure enjoy our classes and learn something EVERY time we go out.

[Scott in Houston]

Good for you seeking more instruction. I find it interesting though that someone who is "decently accurate" with point shooting thinks he needs to replace that with "doing it properly".

I mean for better scoring in a game scenario. Point & shoot will put rounds on the torso, but not enough in the down zero. I get too many in -1 & -3. So, for SD, I do ok with point & shoot, but for IDPA, not as good as I'd like. I know there are techniques I can learn to improve that... so that's what I'm after.

I also know that in order to go faster, I need to get smoother. And without good technique, I'll struggle to get smooth.

[Scott in Houston]

I am not sure how close Pearland Shooting Club is to you , but I know they offer classes etc. Check with the ranges where you shoot IDPA. Many of those that have this in our area offer classes as well in "drills and skills".

If you were closer I would say cheeck into Thunder Gun range or Spring Guns and Ammo - both offer classes as well as a couple ranges in the Tomball area that I am sure USA1 can fill you in on as I am forgetting the names.

Good luck and Kudos to you for looking to increase your skills. MAR and I sure enjoy our classes and learn something EVERY time we go out.

Thanks! I'm in Memorial now. The West side of town is easiest, but I have family in Cypress and Sugar Land, so going either direction there is possible.
One of my best friends, and fellow gun-nut, lives in Silver Lake, so maybe I'll get down to PSC. I think he's a member there.

[canvasbck]

I've done about 5 IDPA matches now. I'm not a natural. I do ok for my experience level, but could use some instruction. This same instruction would also apply to SD scenarios too, I know.

I'm looking for someone to help me learn to get on target efficiently, fire accurately, and transition quickly.

My issues right now are:

1) I forget fundamentals when I'm anxious, so I tend to jerk the trigger. Being new to it, and wanting to do well, I just get pretty anxious. (All mental I know) I think when I have some basic fundamentals to act on, I can focus on those and the anxiety may subside some.
2) I forget to look at the front site, and I don't think I have good fundamentals down or learned in order to acquire the target then front site quickly. I end up doing a lot of point & shooting. Surprisingly, I'm decently accurate enough with point and shoot, but not as good as I would be doing it properly.

If anyone has a good instructor recommendation in the Houston area, please let me know. You can PM me if you don't think it's appropriate to post in the forum.

Thanks!

PM me and I can get you in touch with several good instructors who shoot IDPA.

For the most part it sounds like your main thing you need to do is SLOW DOWN. For a beginner, you shouldn't worry about time and shoot for 3-4 points down per 12-14 shot string. If you have more than that, then you went too fast on the particular string, less than that and you can maybe start looking at pushing your speed a little. Remember........slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

On the front site thing, outside of ranges where you can shoot from retention (1-3 yards), DONT PULL THE TRIGGER till you find your front site! In defensive shooting sports, the front site is your accelerator. You will get better at aquiring the front site through time, especially if you have a correct grip and are using good trigger control.

ETA: FM2 does the Sunday night tactical shooting at Best Shot in Friendswood. His approach focuses on the fundamentals that are needed for SD and IDPA, it's a very good and economical starting point. During his sessions, there are normally some drills that focus on one or two key aspects, such as transistions, retention shooting, drawing, reloading, ect. and then there is usually an IDPA/SD scenario.

[gigag04]

How's your dryfire practice going?

[Scott in Houston]

How's your dryfire practice going?

That has helped me a lot, I think. In particular with one-handed (weak and strong) shooting. I've even found some online sites that have dry fire drills, etc.

I still think I need training to learn some good fundamentals. Without the training, I could be grooving in bad habits with dry fire practice.
Sort of like in golf. I see it all the time, folks get limited instruction, then practice their butts off at the range, only to work in more bad habits.

[Scott in Houston]

PM me and I can get you in touch with several good instructors who shoot IDPA.

For the most part it sounds like your main thing you need to do is SLOW DOWN. For a beginner, you shouldn't worry about time and shoot for 3-4 points down per 12-14 shot string. If you have more than that, then you went too fast on the particular string, less than that and you can maybe start looking at pushing your speed a little. Remember........slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

On the front site thing, outside of ranges where you can shoot from retention (1-3 yards), DONT PULL THE TRIGGER till you find your front site! In defensive shooting sports, the front site is your accelerator. You will get better at aquiring the front site through time, especially if you have a correct grip and are using good trigger control.

ETA: FM2 does the Sunday night tactical shooting at Best Shot in Friendswood. His approach focuses on the fundamentals that are needed for SD and IDPA, it's a very good and economical starting point. During his sessions, there are normally some drills that focus on one or two key aspects, such as transistions, retention shooting, drawing, reloading, ect. and then there is usually an IDPA/SD scenario.

It is starting to sound like I need to make a visit or two southeast!

Good advice and thanks. A PM is on the way.