Professional golfers have a pre-shot routine that they go through each and every time prior to a shot. Many use a pre-shot "waggle," immediately before the shot. It is a insignificant motion of the club head right before they beginning their shot. It is a signal to their bodies and especially their minds that they are ready to go. All preparation has been completed.
When I started to shoot I had the privilege of hand judging Wild Onion Willie. He has a waggle which at the time I thought may be a violation of the rules but I did not say anything because of his stature in the sport. Of course, it was not a violation I just did not understand the rules. I just watched a video of Yusta B Fast in which there appears to be a waggle but it was not there on every draw. To be a waggle it must be done intentionally, each and every time, and be a signal to the mind and body that the shooter is ready to go.
I have a pre-match waggle which is to draw and dry fire my gun twice. After that I am set and do not think about my draw or anything related to it again. If I lose a bye round I always unload and show clear so that I can go through my waggle again on the load and make ready command.
I am currently working on a pre-shot waggle but have not perfected it yet. I did use one at Nationals and shot my fastest competitive time.
We can learn from other sports. I wish I had been a sprinter in track and field because I am sure that there are some techniques used there to get off on the light. I heard of trying to anticipate the light but when I do that I am generally 50 mls slower because I am thinking, and whenever you think you are slow.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Mind Set
I think the mental part of this game far exceeds the physical. At the High Plains Territorial I followed WildShot around for five rounds, he was either hand judging me or I he, or on the next lane. He shoots the long gun and he was on. In round four he put three shots in a dollar size circle. I figured he was the cowboy to beat.
In round five, WildShot, met Marshall Cooper. He put one in the ground 6 feet in front of the target, several over the top, don't remember him hitting the target once. After the round I asked him what happened, you were so accurate in the earlier rounds. He said well I shoot with Marshall every week and I always shoot different against him. I always try to go faster.
The mind affects how we shoot. Thinking about anything is bad. I was cruising along and really had found the target. In round three I missed an inch wide on the first shot then proceeded to walk the shots right to the middle on the next three winning in four shots. I was so pleased with myself that I bragged in between matches. Then I met Deacon, a 90% shooter. I never hit the target once. Mind set?
The next round I shot what I considered the near perfect adjustment match. Four rounds, first a miss light high to the left, then three shots walked to the middle in perfect horizontal line.
Next, I met Wildshot and my mind was right. Match over in three or four shots.
Then in round eight, I met Luckey O'Riley. He is faster than me but he also knows that when I am on he has to hit. He had just defeated Beaver Creek Kid, wearer of the black badge, in two consecutive matches so he was flying high. We both had our minds right! First shot he wins .434 to .436. The die was cast. He wins two on speed, I win two on speed. He hits 4 out of 5, I hit 5 out of 5. That is what this sport is about, a perfect match beween good friends, felt like a marble match.
I am a student of the game and the mind set. You would think I would learn. Met Marshall Cooper in the 10th round and I think (all thinking in bad) "Well, I can't beat him on speed just put it on the target" Marshall hits one out of the first five shots, I hit none. It was just as if I met Deacon again.
This game is not about who can shoot the best, but who can get or keep their mind in the proper set. As Little Bill explained, "Quick don't mean much in a gunfight."
In round five, WildShot, met Marshall Cooper. He put one in the ground 6 feet in front of the target, several over the top, don't remember him hitting the target once. After the round I asked him what happened, you were so accurate in the earlier rounds. He said well I shoot with Marshall every week and I always shoot different against him. I always try to go faster.
The mind affects how we shoot. Thinking about anything is bad. I was cruising along and really had found the target. In round three I missed an inch wide on the first shot then proceeded to walk the shots right to the middle on the next three winning in four shots. I was so pleased with myself that I bragged in between matches. Then I met Deacon, a 90% shooter. I never hit the target once. Mind set?
The next round I shot what I considered the near perfect adjustment match. Four rounds, first a miss light high to the left, then three shots walked to the middle in perfect horizontal line.
Next, I met Wildshot and my mind was right. Match over in three or four shots.
Then in round eight, I met Luckey O'Riley. He is faster than me but he also knows that when I am on he has to hit. He had just defeated Beaver Creek Kid, wearer of the black badge, in two consecutive matches so he was flying high. We both had our minds right! First shot he wins .434 to .436. The die was cast. He wins two on speed, I win two on speed. He hits 4 out of 5, I hit 5 out of 5. That is what this sport is about, a perfect match beween good friends, felt like a marble match.
I am a student of the game and the mind set. You would think I would learn. Met Marshall Cooper in the 10th round and I think (all thinking in bad) "Well, I can't beat him on speed just put it on the target" Marshall hits one out of the first five shots, I hit none. It was just as if I met Deacon again.
This game is not about who can shoot the best, but who can get or keep their mind in the proper set. As Little Bill explained, "Quick don't mean much in a gunfight."
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Style or Draw Technique
A few weeks ago a regular and seasoned contributor to the forum opined that there really was only two types of draw for the fast shooter, the level and follow through and the upswing draw. I took offense that the locked elbow draw had being omitted and opined that the current world champion used it. The contributor corrected me that the World Champion uses the level and follow through but has omitted the follow through. Marshall Cooper in his video explains his draw that way.
Problem with this is it is exceeding hard to learn. I seen numerous shooter work years to learn the level and follow then work years trying to unlearn the follow through. Many are successful in practice getting into the 4s but in competition the target draws them out and they shoot 5s and 6s.
On the other hand with the lock elbow draw, you never learn the follow through so you don't have to unlearn it. The lock elbow draw may be the favored draw in the Valley of the Sun because the desert master teaches it.
I was fortunate in that I had hand surgery and could not shoot for two months. I used the time to copy a multiple champion who shoots the locked elbow draw and she was trained by the desert master. Since I now shoot a variation, the thumb roll draw, I will explain that and let some else explain the lock elbow draw.
The thumb roll draw is a variation of the locked elbow draw out of a high rise Shaniko holster. The Shaniko is suited for it because of its high position on the hip and its wrapped trigger guard. You start by crossing the thumb over the hammer (as Wyatt Earp recommended, yes that Wyatt). This helps in eliminating slip cocks and provides the power for the draw, You draw by forcefully cocking the hammer thereby rolling the gun out of the holster.. When you clear the holster you should be in the locked elbow position and the trigger is pulled. The gun is solidly against your body, there no forward motion, there is no upward motion. You should be able to shoot better than 80% because of the stable position from which the gun is fired. Misses result from misalignment of your stance, not from variation in the draw.
If you can do it, I recommend the thumb roll draw, if not then the locked elbow draw.
An humorous side note. About six months ago a pretty young thing came to a shoot and needed help learning the sport. The old geezers could not get in line quick enough to help her. There was that purveyor of videos trying to teach her the level and follow thru, the prayerful one was selling the locked elbow draw, and there were other cowboys mentoring when they have never mentored before. I was worried she was going hurt herself she was getting so much conflicting advice. Fortunately, the desert master took her under his wing as he does with all novices, She now has a .373 competitive PR and routinely breaks into the threes. If you want to see good form on the locked elbow draw, look at her facebook page. There is a straight line from her locked elbow to the muzzle horizontal to the ground, gun solidly a her side as the trigger is pulled.
Problem with this is it is exceeding hard to learn. I seen numerous shooter work years to learn the level and follow then work years trying to unlearn the follow through. Many are successful in practice getting into the 4s but in competition the target draws them out and they shoot 5s and 6s.
On the other hand with the lock elbow draw, you never learn the follow through so you don't have to unlearn it. The lock elbow draw may be the favored draw in the Valley of the Sun because the desert master teaches it.
I was fortunate in that I had hand surgery and could not shoot for two months. I used the time to copy a multiple champion who shoots the locked elbow draw and she was trained by the desert master. Since I now shoot a variation, the thumb roll draw, I will explain that and let some else explain the lock elbow draw.
The thumb roll draw is a variation of the locked elbow draw out of a high rise Shaniko holster. The Shaniko is suited for it because of its high position on the hip and its wrapped trigger guard. You start by crossing the thumb over the hammer (as Wyatt Earp recommended, yes that Wyatt). This helps in eliminating slip cocks and provides the power for the draw, You draw by forcefully cocking the hammer thereby rolling the gun out of the holster.. When you clear the holster you should be in the locked elbow position and the trigger is pulled. The gun is solidly against your body, there no forward motion, there is no upward motion. You should be able to shoot better than 80% because of the stable position from which the gun is fired. Misses result from misalignment of your stance, not from variation in the draw.
If you can do it, I recommend the thumb roll draw, if not then the locked elbow draw.
An humorous side note. About six months ago a pretty young thing came to a shoot and needed help learning the sport. The old geezers could not get in line quick enough to help her. There was that purveyor of videos trying to teach her the level and follow thru, the prayerful one was selling the locked elbow draw, and there were other cowboys mentoring when they have never mentored before. I was worried she was going hurt herself she was getting so much conflicting advice. Fortunately, the desert master took her under his wing as he does with all novices, She now has a .373 competitive PR and routinely breaks into the threes. If you want to see good form on the locked elbow draw, look at her facebook page. There is a straight line from her locked elbow to the muzzle horizontal to the ground, gun solidly a her side as the trigger is pulled.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
The Opening Statement
Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury. You are here today to determine what the facts are. Most of observable facts are not in dispute. It is not disputed that Mr. Blackman was a neighborhood youth of only 13 years, although 6 foot 3 inches with a menacing appearance. It will also not be disputed that he approached the defendant, Miss Rightous, wearing a hoodie and baggie jeans below his hips. It will not be in disputed that he asks Miss Rightous what she was doing in his neighborhood in the only language that he knew, saying "Whitey, whatsup?
It will not be disputed that the defendant responded by pulling a 357 small revolver from her training bra and pulling 5 slugs into Mr. Blackman's heart from a distance of 3 feet..
The only issue in this case is what was the defendant's intent? Undoubtedly she will claim that she was in fear of her life. That is what you will have to decide.
The prosecution will show that Miss Rightous is a card carry member of the NRA. We will show that she practices regularly at the Shootem Gun Range, at least twice a week. We will show that she is proficient with her handgun being able to put 5 shots in a human target in less than 60 seconds at 15 feet. The prosecution will also show what is maybe the most telling evidence, her facebook comments, that she carries her weapon concealed for the element of surprise and that if she ever has to stand her ground she has been taught to be sure her opponent does not get up.
Ladies and gentlemen, you will have to decide, is Miss Rightous a innocent fearful victim or a well- trained killer just waiting for the opportunity to use her skill.
It will not be disputed that the defendant responded by pulling a 357 small revolver from her training bra and pulling 5 slugs into Mr. Blackman's heart from a distance of 3 feet..
The only issue in this case is what was the defendant's intent? Undoubtedly she will claim that she was in fear of her life. That is what you will have to decide.
The prosecution will show that Miss Rightous is a card carry member of the NRA. We will show that she practices regularly at the Shootem Gun Range, at least twice a week. We will show that she is proficient with her handgun being able to put 5 shots in a human target in less than 60 seconds at 15 feet. The prosecution will also show what is maybe the most telling evidence, her facebook comments, that she carries her weapon concealed for the element of surprise and that if she ever has to stand her ground she has been taught to be sure her opponent does not get up.
Ladies and gentlemen, you will have to decide, is Miss Rightous a innocent fearful victim or a well- trained killer just waiting for the opportunity to use her skill.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Holster Location
The Irishman on facebook posted a photo of an alleged illegal holster position. I don't understand the problem with the rule because if the trigger guard must be over the seam of the jeans, then the location of the end of the holster or muzzle of the gun is determined by the cant of the hollster which must be less than 20 degrees. I guess there is about an inch of fudge factor there by the size of the trigger guard, but the muzzle is where ever it is by the cant. That inch is important so that the gun is properly lined up for the shooter's draw. Any way this post is not about that. It is about holster location and movement
We have several new shooters that have been working hard to learn their holster location. One is a former olympic athlete and former college field event coach who was adjusting his holster to the limit of the rules. The opinion of those watching was that "he couldn't do that." The other novice has been chasing the clock and she would adjust her holster and belt 10-15 times before each shot. It would tire me out just watching her. She has been looking for that magical location that would produce the fastest time.
When you watch the pro s they do not move their holsters during a match. They may check the alignment before the start but they do not constantly adjust their holster location. If you change the location during a match you are essentially changing your draw. If you are changing your draw each and every shot, then you are going to be inaccurate and slow.
During practice you might want to try different locations, but if you do you should do it in a manner that you can remember what you did and the results. To be constantly changing it without any way to remember the change and results is just practicing missing.
Once in competition, you dance with the girl you brought. The draw you brought to the competition is the draw you should shoot, start to finish. You can beat anyone in the field. Just believe in that pretty little gal who came with you.
We have several new shooters that have been working hard to learn their holster location. One is a former olympic athlete and former college field event coach who was adjusting his holster to the limit of the rules. The opinion of those watching was that "he couldn't do that." The other novice has been chasing the clock and she would adjust her holster and belt 10-15 times before each shot. It would tire me out just watching her. She has been looking for that magical location that would produce the fastest time.
When you watch the pro s they do not move their holsters during a match. They may check the alignment before the start but they do not constantly adjust their holster location. If you change the location during a match you are essentially changing your draw. If you are changing your draw each and every shot, then you are going to be inaccurate and slow.
During practice you might want to try different locations, but if you do you should do it in a manner that you can remember what you did and the results. To be constantly changing it without any way to remember the change and results is just practicing missing.
Once in competition, you dance with the girl you brought. The draw you brought to the competition is the draw you should shoot, start to finish. You can beat anyone in the field. Just believe in that pretty little gal who came with you.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Mental Preparedness (Updated)
Cowboy Fast Draw is largely mental. Any athletic or competition driven
activity is mentally important. Fast draw requires focus, concentration
and relaxation. Getting prepared mentally before a practice session or
match is challenging some times. Top level performers don’t just show up
on game day and perform at a high level. They come with a well tuned
mental attitude.
High level performers practice on and off the range. A University (don’t ask me which one) conducted an experiment with the basketball program. The whole team shot free throws to get a baseline score based on the number of free throws made out of 10. Half the team physically practiced improving their skills on the court for 2 weeks. The other half of the team never stepped foot on the court for the same 2 week period. The second group did nothing but in a relaxed state vividly imagined themselves shooting free throws successfully. Imagining the feel of the ball and the smell of the gym and the sound the ball made going trough the hoop. At the end of the two weeks the first group did improve their skills. The second group that didn’t touch a ball for 2 weeks but vividly imagined successful shots improved more than the group that physically practiced. Athletes call this “skull practice”. A night or two before a big match rest your body but exercise your mind getting mentally prepared vividly imagining yourself standing on the line, imagine the feel of the grip, watch the light come on and explode into action hitting the light, imagine your perfect trigger pull position, smell the gunpowder in the air. Your subconscieous mind can’t tell the difference between a real experience and one that is vividly imagined. That’s why dreams seem so real.
Mental preparedness plays a big roll in your confidence. When you are on that line you need to believe that you are the best shooter on that line. You have practiced, you know what your abilities are, you know what is going to happen, you know you can do it you’ve done it thousands of times before. Believe in yourself to be successful. Believe you are good enough not to be afraid to face anyone, your the best, nobody is better than you are. I realize for this to work for you that you have to have the skills to get yourself to believe that so practice until you develop the skills so you can believe that winning attitude.
High level performers practice on and off the range. A University (don’t ask me which one) conducted an experiment with the basketball program. The whole team shot free throws to get a baseline score based on the number of free throws made out of 10. Half the team physically practiced improving their skills on the court for 2 weeks. The other half of the team never stepped foot on the court for the same 2 week period. The second group did nothing but in a relaxed state vividly imagined themselves shooting free throws successfully. Imagining the feel of the ball and the smell of the gym and the sound the ball made going trough the hoop. At the end of the two weeks the first group did improve their skills. The second group that didn’t touch a ball for 2 weeks but vividly imagined successful shots improved more than the group that physically practiced. Athletes call this “skull practice”. A night or two before a big match rest your body but exercise your mind getting mentally prepared vividly imagining yourself standing on the line, imagine the feel of the grip, watch the light come on and explode into action hitting the light, imagine your perfect trigger pull position, smell the gunpowder in the air. Your subconscieous mind can’t tell the difference between a real experience and one that is vividly imagined. That’s why dreams seem so real.
Mental preparedness plays a big roll in your confidence. When you are on that line you need to believe that you are the best shooter on that line. You have practiced, you know what your abilities are, you know what is going to happen, you know you can do it you’ve done it thousands of times before. Believe in yourself to be successful. Believe you are good enough not to be afraid to face anyone, your the best, nobody is better than you are. I realize for this to work for you that you have to have the skills to get yourself to believe that so practice until you develop the skills so you can believe that winning attitude.
When you are standing on that line empty your mind of everything. Flush your thoughts. You have made the decision and investment to be standing on that line at this point in time. All that matters is focusing your attention on exploding on that target when the light comes on. This is the fastest sport in the world measured in thousands of a second. You can focus 7 seconds at a time and not have a thought in your mind for that long between “Shooters on the line, shooters set” to the 3 – 5 seconds the light comes on. Then let the world rush back in until you hear “The line is ready.” Flush your mind and focus for another 7 seconds.
Relax. Relax your mind and body on the line. Loosen the grip on your gun grip, relax your shoulders, relax your arm. Explode from the relaxed position when that light comes on. Have you ever had a practice session where you are tensed up and the harder you try the worse it gets? I have. Then you give up to the point you almost don’t care anymore so your not trying as hard, your more relaxed then you just let it fly and happen on its own is when you get your fastest times ever. Easy to say relax, hard to do. Practice it.
Prepare mentally, relax, focus, develop your skills for a confident winning attitude. See you on the line.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
What is more important, elevation or windage?
What is more important to develop in cowboy fast draw technique, elevation or windage (left-right).
Most mentors would say that it is most important to be lined up on the target in respect to left and right and then to adjust the elevation as you see where the misses are. I think this is poor advice. Normally you are told to just "aim higher" or "aim lower" to compensate. Aiming is only relevant for "the point and shoot" shooter. You should not be aiming. you should not be thinking about aiming. Any aiming or any thinking about aiming slows you down.
Another method of moving the elevation of the point of impact is to adjust your balance, forward or backward, as needed. Again change during the shot will slow you down, any thinking about change will slow you down. But you can change your balance before the set command. Once you have change your balance, forget about it. Draw your normal draw.
Another method is to use body movement. Some shooter visibly and sometime violently move to adjust the point of impact. Any additional motion can not be good for accuracy.
Some say you can fire on the up swing of the gun. Accuracy then becomes a function of timing. It may be quick but seems to be tough to do accurately to me.
I suggest a much better way is to develop your draw so that you consistently shoot 50" inches above the ground from a stable shooting position. When practicing or developing your draw right or left makes no difference. Every shot should hit 50" above the ground. A taller shooter will have an advantage, since all shooter will shoot slightly upward, but the tall shooter will have less of upward trajectory. The perfect shot string will be one which all bullets hit in a horizontal line. That would mean the shooter is consistently drawing and shooting in the same position as it relates to elevation.
Why this is so important is that once your draw has been finalized, you can adjust your point of impact right or left BEFORE the set command without aiming and without any change to your draw. If hitting right turn your stance slightly to left. Once you have adjusted your stance forget it. Do not aim, do not think about aiming, do not think about hitting. You simply draw your normal draw that will send the bullet 50" above the ground. You change nothing. If by chance, you now hit left, a slight adjustment back the other way should split the difference.
Most mentors would say that it is most important to be lined up on the target in respect to left and right and then to adjust the elevation as you see where the misses are. I think this is poor advice. Normally you are told to just "aim higher" or "aim lower" to compensate. Aiming is only relevant for "the point and shoot" shooter. You should not be aiming. you should not be thinking about aiming. Any aiming or any thinking about aiming slows you down.
Another method of moving the elevation of the point of impact is to adjust your balance, forward or backward, as needed. Again change during the shot will slow you down, any thinking about change will slow you down. But you can change your balance before the set command. Once you have change your balance, forget about it. Draw your normal draw.
Another method is to use body movement. Some shooter visibly and sometime violently move to adjust the point of impact. Any additional motion can not be good for accuracy.
Some say you can fire on the up swing of the gun. Accuracy then becomes a function of timing. It may be quick but seems to be tough to do accurately to me.
I suggest a much better way is to develop your draw so that you consistently shoot 50" inches above the ground from a stable shooting position. When practicing or developing your draw right or left makes no difference. Every shot should hit 50" above the ground. A taller shooter will have an advantage, since all shooter will shoot slightly upward, but the tall shooter will have less of upward trajectory. The perfect shot string will be one which all bullets hit in a horizontal line. That would mean the shooter is consistently drawing and shooting in the same position as it relates to elevation.
Why this is so important is that once your draw has been finalized, you can adjust your point of impact right or left BEFORE the set command without aiming and without any change to your draw. If hitting right turn your stance slightly to left. Once you have adjusted your stance forget it. Do not aim, do not think about aiming, do not think about hitting. You simply draw your normal draw that will send the bullet 50" above the ground. You change nothing. If by chance, you now hit left, a slight adjustment back the other way should split the difference.
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