Tips

Stage Planning

1 – Read the Stage Description and make note of the –

Start Position (where are your feet/toes, up range, down range, where are your hands, gun loaded or unloaded, where are your mags, etc.)
Specific instructions for the stage – Comstock or Virginia count, rounds per target, freestyle, strong hand, weak hand, mandatory reloads, movers visible at rest, must stay in shooting area at all times, etc.
Number of rounds
Number of paper targets, steel targets, movers, activators, etc.

2 – When walking through the stage make sure you find ALL of the targets

3 – Look for targets that can ONLY be seen from one position.

4 – Check your round count, how many targets can you engage before you reload? Keep track of how many extra shots (pick-up shots) you have available before you reload rather than how many shots you have taken.

5 – When you are planning your round count, count steel as two shots and moving paper targets as three shots. That way you will have enough rounds. As your skill level advances, you will require less pick-up shots. Note: Ultimate goal – no pick-up shots.

6 – Reload when you are moving from one position to the next, avoid a standing reload.

7 – The path you choose should have the least amount of steps and the least amount of positions. More steps, longer time, more positions more time to come into the position and to leave a position.

Some general rules.

These rules are not hard and fast and do not always apply.

1 -The ultimate goal is to be engaging targets continuously as you progress through the stage.

2 – At the start, move when you are drawing. Note: Sometimes you will not do this, it depends on the stage.

3 – If you can shoot it closer, shoot it closer. You will have better hits in less time.

4 – Choose a target(s) to come in on and a target(s) to leave on. This enables you to engage a target before you are completely still (come in on) and to start to move while you are engaging a target. It can take about a second to fully stop coming into a position and about a second to leave a position. By engaging a target(s) coming in and leaving you are reducing the time lost coming into and leaving a position.

5 – Shoot as many targets from the last position as possible (without reloading). You will be more stable since you do not need to leave the position.

6 – Engage targets from left to right or right to left if possible.

7 – If you have to perform a reload, perform it moving forward or moving left to right (if right-handed, right to left for lefties).

8 – If a position is difficult to leave from, try to make it your last position. i.e. a prone or kneeling position, leaning to your weak side, backing up, etc.

9 – When you are required to cross your arms (usually part of the start position), place your strong arm on top.

10 – When engaging a target that has an activator (moving target), try to engage a target after you have activated the mover and before you engage the mover.

11 – When moving four or more steps to engage your next target, take your weak hand off the pistol.

12 – When shooting one handed, shoot from the outside in (right side, shoot right to left, left side, shoot left to right).

Safety and Movement

1 – When you move, keep your finger off of the trigger and place it outside the trigger guard.

2 – When you are performing a reload, keep your finger off of the trigger and place it outside the trigger guard

3 – Always know where the barrel of your gun is pointed. Be careful of breaking the 180. Walls, barrels, props, etc. can get in the way and may cause you to break the 180.

4 – When you are required to open something (door, hatch, box, etc.) beware of the muzzle of your pistol and its position to your off hand and body so as to NOT sweep across a body part.

5 – When you are retreating from a position (moving up range) keep the barrel of the pistol pointed down range. The main ways to do this are:

(a) Facing up range and running, with your arm with pistol pointed down range. When you reach your position, turn your body down range keeping your arm with the pistol pointed downrange. If right-handed you use this technique when running to the left.

(b) Facing up range and running, with your arm with the pistol pointed down range, but this time your arm is across your body and the pistol is at eye level and over your shoulder. When you reach your position, turn your body down range keeping your arm with the pistol pointed downrange. If right-handed you use this technique when running to the right.

(c) You can also just back up while you are facing downrange. Probably the slowest way unless it is only a step or two.