Training and Competitions

[MikeDVB]

I've been enjoying shooting at the range for a long time now and have been to several.

That said - I'd like to get some good training from someone / somewhere that knows what they're doing and can identify where I can improve, what mistakes I'm making, etc. That said it seems every range offers training and I have no real way of knowing which ones offer quality.

Basically I want to learn to handle a firearm in a defensive situation / to learn to shoot when I'm not just standing on a line.

While I was thinking about this - it also occurs to me that I'd like the opportunity to put such training to use [obviously in a safe non-defensive environment] such as in competition.

Having never sought any formal training or looked into competitions - I really am not sure what to expect / what to look for / where to start.

I'm a big fan of the premise that there are no stupid questions - so I'm asking the questions.

Thanks!

 

[russc2542]

Shameless plug for Hoosier Hills since I'm the pres. Once the weather warms up we run weekly matches of every type, biweekly (alternating) steel and bullseye, monthly NRL22. We have classes at a variety of levels from time to time and have several great instructors in the club. Only downside is it might be a it of a hike for you on 46 between Columbus and Nashville.

Website: www.hhrp.org matches are on the schedule page, trainers on the resources page.

What you'll need to bring to any given match or class will depend on the event. In general: ammo, spare mags and a way to carry them, a safe holster, range bag, chamber flag, and eye/ear pro will get you by for 95% of events.

 

[MikeDVB]

Shameless plug for Hoosier Hills since I'm the pres. Once the weather warms up we run weekly matches of every type, biweekly (alternating) steel and bullseye, monthly NRL22. We have classes at a variety of levels from time to time and have several great instructors in the club. Only downside is it might be a it of a hike for you on 46 between Columbus and Nashville.

Website: www.hhrp.org matches are on the schedule page, trainers on the resources page.

What you'll need to bring to any given match or class will depend on the event. In general: ammo, spare mags and a way to carry them, a safe holster, range bag, chamber flag, and eye/ear pro will get you by for 95% of events.

Columbus isn't far - I have friends down there I visit pretty regularly.

I definitely want to work on training before I work on competing if at all possible.

 

[bwframe]

Columbus isn't far - I have friends down there I visit pretty regularly.

I definitely want to work on training before I work on competing if at all possible.

You can do dual duty by taking the time to watch a match or few. It costs nothing to observe and you will be rubbing elbows with competitors and often instructors also. Well informed folks who who know their way around everything you are talking about.

Take eyes and ears. You will be shooting matches before you know it.

Watch the Shooting Sports forum here on INGO. There are regular matches all around you. INDY, Terre Haute, Atlanta, Freetown...

Also watch the Training forum here.

 

[MikeDVB]

You can do dual duty by taking the time to watch a match or few. It costs nothing to observe and you will be rubbing elbows with competitors and often instructors also. Well informed folks who who know their way around everything you are talking about.

Take eyes and ears. You will be shooting matches before you know it.

Watch the Shooting Sports forum here on INGO. There are regular matches all around you. INDY, Terre Haute, Atlanta, Freetown...

Also watch the Training forum here.

Sounds fantastic. Any issues bringing my kiddos [8~13 year olds] so long as they have eyes/ears and stay out of the way?

 

[russc2542]

Sounds fantastic. Any issues bringing my kiddos [8~13 year olds] so long as they have eyes/ears and stay out of the way?

You definitely don't need to train that much before going to matches and going to matches will let you know what to train. Most classes just give you some tools in a structured manner (with guidance and feedback though), actually training is on your own time. What that also means is you can get most of the tools in a less structured manner from youtube.

That's another benefit of HHRP matches that are at a smaller club and unsanctioned: you aren't standing there next to a guy in a sponsor shirt running a race gun a million miles an hour while you spend all day waiting to run the 12 stages, our "intro to USPSA" is 2-3 stages and relatively "flat" to accommodate users of all skill levels and physical ability. Let us know you haven't done that game before and we won't line you up first, that way you can see what the stage looks like. The minimum skill level to show up is follow the 4 rules, we'll walk you through the rest. If you can safely draw, reload, move, clear malfunctions, etc that's all bonus. If you let us know you want feedback/guidance, you'll get it

Kids are welcome as long as they have ear & eye pro and are safe and follow directions. We have two youth programs that use the range too if they're interested. Hoosier Hills Youth Marksmanship is more traditional positional shooting and Hoosier Daddys is clays and steel, more active games.