Since everyone learns by experience, and not everyone has had the experience of attending a large match, I thought I'd post up my experiences with attending the Olympic Trials this past weekend. I managed to get through the weekend without getting into too much trouble or being too embarrassed by my actions (or inactions, as the case my be), but I could have done things in a Much less stressful manor. I'm sure the next time I attend a larger match, I'll STILL learn something new, but it should be a lot less stressful.
So you've decided to step up from local matches to a regional or national (or maybe an international) event. You're used to showing up at the range an hour early, after sleeping in your own bed, and BSing with the guys/gals you see weekly. There's no tech inspection, no pressure, it's all just for fun and you generally know where you're going to place before the shooting even begins. Everything is familiar, comfortable even. I was complacent about how matches were, and while I *KNEW* things would be different, that was a logical thought and emotionally I was expecting the same.
So, after finding your match and signing up, get some important information. Find out if there's a tech inspection and WHEN that inspection is. I knew I'd have to tech my pistol, but just thought it'd be something done the same day right before the match. I was wrong. Tech was the day before, and when I showed up at 5pm to ask about teching the next day, they said there would be NO tech the next day (which turned out to be incorrect, as there were a large number of shooters like me who had no clue... heh). When it comes time for that tech inspection, know the rules OR be flexible. My shooting glasses had a couple illegal things going on. I had tape on the sides (wrap-around glasses) for side blinders, but they were deemed to be too far forward and I just removed them right there. And my blinder was too wide (though it's just a piece of tape that I turned 90* and met the rules). I intentionally set my trigger heavy (600gr) so I'd never had to worry about not making weight, though I spoke with several others who were forced to change their trigger weight right then and there. If you've ever adjusted your trigger weight up, you know full well that it takes a bit of time to get used to. Rifle guys, you've got it worse with the gear tech... know what to expect. Same thing on registration (find out when and where), which I had to complete the next morning. At least they didn't seem to think that would be a problem. Also, find out of there's a test day. For the Team Trials, this was Friday (the same day as tech), all day... I had NO clue about this. It would have been nice to get in there and use the target carriers at least once, and just get a feel for shooting in there. This wasn't essential, but it sure would have been nice (and may have helped eliminate some of the nervousness I did experience the next day). Ask about squadding too. Again, I'm used to small and familiar, 8 lanes on my home range so it's pretty hard to get lost/in the wrong location. The CO. Springs range has 2 floors, and about 70 lanes... the list was posted (I think online, though I never thought to even check) on a window that was out of the way and not obvious. It was only through a question from one of my room mates that I learned to look, and Where to look (Thanks Steve! You did provide lots of Very important/useful information for me this weekend.) For those of you with air cylinders, finding out where to fill, when, and if it's going to cost you will be of vital importance (I'm a fan of SSPs). You'll need your own adapter, I saw a few people scrambling to find the right adapter for their cylinders.
All in all, I was pretty stressed out, and it wasn't even the day of the match yet! Thankfully, I had housing and food already taken care of, but those could add more stress. Make sure you know where you're going to be, how to get around in at least a Basic sense and where to find those things that are important to function. My room was Boiling hot the first night, and apparently it can be brutally cold at times too.... I didn't sleep well, and know that added to the stress of the first match day. If you can ensure that you're as comfortable as possible and sleep well, you can eliminate a little of that stress.
Not knowing myself what to expect, and shooting the last match of the day (finals excluded), I spent the majority of the first day observing the other matches. I don't think there is anything else I could have done that would have been of more benefit. Now, the benefit wasn't much, but it was enough. I saw that people were showing up between an hour and an hour and a half before their scheduled start time. It seemed like this was a fairly casual time, the rifle shooters unpacked their 18 bags of gear (each :) ) all over the floor and stretched, socialized and started preparing. Pistol shooters opened their cases and dry-fired a little... I can say that NOT feeling rushed was Fantastic on that first day (the next 2 days were more along the lines of wishing time would pass Faster as I was tired of waiting). I spent the time listening to music, stretching and just trying to relax. I can't really offer advice on dealing with the stress of that first big match, I was still Very shaky and sweaty when th prep period started And ended. I've never shot so many sighter shots before in my life, just trying to work out the nerves. And that first for-record target was difficult too, but I just ran through my shot routine and let the shot break when my brain was ready (this took a few aborted holds).
You need to know the rules too, and Basic range safety. I watched one gal get flustered as she arrived during the prep period, set her case down to remove her pistol and proceeded to point it directly at the range officer. He reminded her to not do that (in a friendly manor, others were chuckling at the humorous way in which he delivered the reminder), and yet it still took a few seconds before she even recognized what she'd done wrong. I'm sure it was because she felt rushed for time. Another gentleman was penalized 2 points for leaving the line while his pistol had the action closed (or at least that's what I'd heard, he was a no-show the next 2 days.) And I was reprimanded (in the same friendly but to-the-point way as the gal) about clearing my pistol from the line before the range officer had given the Ok. All of these things made it into my journal so I never have to worry about remembering them again in the future (I'll just read them prior to any future matches).
After all the preparation, all the nerves, the time spent traveling and money invested to get to your match.... it's still just doing the same thing that you're used to doing in your home range/basement. You, your pistol (or rifle and 4-tons of gear.. :P ), and a target. Just remember that you already shoot a single shot match, your location doesn't matter (or Shouldn't matter).
I personally really enjoyed shooting in the Trials. My primary goals were to show up, shoot and get some experience. I walked away having easily satisfied those goals, and able to set some new personal goals. Also, a belated thanks to those who post on this forum.... I do a lot of searching and reading, yet never give thanks (don't really want to bump threads from years ago). I've gotten some great information here. Now, it's time for me to go train some, there's a regional match in 2 weeks I want to compete in.
Cheers,
Brian
ShootingAir.com
A newbies guide to attending your first large match
Moderators: pilkguns, m1963, David Levene, Spencer, Richard H
A newbies guide to attending your first large match
Last edited by Brian M on Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Fantastic write-up.
You hit just about all the important aspects there.
Another tidbit would be to check with your airport in regards to travel, and allow PLENTY of time for check-in. If you're a rifle shooter, you will want to at the very least untorque your stock and action. I've seen plenty of tears flowing at the OTC by people who arrived with a cracked stock.
Another GREAT point you mentioned, is talk to other shooters! Whether its learning something about how the match operates, some technical advice, or even just shooting the shit to calm the nerves, it's the best thing you can do!
And coming from a rifle shooter, you weren't kidding on the 4 tons of gear. At the JORC's every year, the rifle guys would finish up just before the pistol guys. There was all of us, climbing over the MOUNTAINS of equipment in that tiny little locker room. Then you pistol guys would walk in holding a teeny little bag or mini pelican case, stuff it into a locker, and laugh at the rest of us! :-D
You hit just about all the important aspects there.
Another tidbit would be to check with your airport in regards to travel, and allow PLENTY of time for check-in. If you're a rifle shooter, you will want to at the very least untorque your stock and action. I've seen plenty of tears flowing at the OTC by people who arrived with a cracked stock.
Another GREAT point you mentioned, is talk to other shooters! Whether its learning something about how the match operates, some technical advice, or even just shooting the shit to calm the nerves, it's the best thing you can do!
And coming from a rifle shooter, you weren't kidding on the 4 tons of gear. At the JORC's every year, the rifle guys would finish up just before the pistol guys. There was all of us, climbing over the MOUNTAINS of equipment in that tiny little locker room. Then you pistol guys would walk in holding a teeny little bag or mini pelican case, stuff it into a locker, and laugh at the rest of us! :-D