After completing our first season of SB matches on Staten Island, I checked my scores and see that I shoot, on average about 2 animals lower when I run the match and shoot it as compared to just shooting a match.

My mind is more on match duties than shooting so it makes sense. Just wondering if others have noticed the same

Ken

Hi Ken
You do a great job and it is worth 2 animals to the rest of us, but that is no help to you...LOL
I think the answer is at Blockbuster, and B&N, in fact save the rental because you will by the DVD anyway. Mental management is what you need. "Empty the trash" before you shoot. Oh the trash can is in your head.
DVD "Peaceful Warrior". Book, "Way of the Peaceful Warrior"
This is only the start, enjoy the Journey, It's not the ladder with the big steps it's the ladder with the small one's
Watch and read then we can discus

Delegate. Spread those duties around to everyone - share the load and the missed animals.

Ken, it also might help if you get rid of those buggers who can't tell what relay they are supposed to be shooting That should be worth a point or two.

All and all you do a great job, but it can be very hard to transition between match director and competitor. I think Dave and Mordecai have the right answer. Delegate as much as you can, and then spend time practicing how to flush out all the thoughts of match management before stepping to the firing line.

Casey

I always thought it was worth about 5 animals if you call all the relays.

I always thought it was worth about 5 animals if you call all the relays.

I've actually shot some pretty good scores while calling a match. It may have to do with not giving me the time to 'overthink' my shots.

But, it's pretty exhausting having no down time. More like work than enjoying a leisure activity.

Ken, I was involuntarily elected (tricked, hoodwinked, railroaded) into taking over as HP match director at CRC 3 years ago. And yes, my own scores had fallen off a bit. I rarely have time to practice a little before the start of a match. As time goes on I think you will get used to it and start getting back on track. I "came back " sort of and won state champ HP hunting rifle this year. I also placed as match winner a couple of times this year at our regular monthly match. Delegating some of the duties of running a match to others is the only way to take some of the pressure and worries off your mind so you can concentrate on your own performance. Everyone that participates in a match is expected to help out in some way to make the match run smoothly. Dont be afraid to ask for volunteers. If you dont get any, pick some. Being a match director is not an easy job. There are alot of responsibilities that go un-noticed by most of the shooters. But, someone has to do it. Remember...you dont have to be a match director forever. I plan on passing the title to someone else sometime in the near future. Now...if I could only learn to follow my own advise ..........Bob M.

In a club that I was a member of years ago we divided the work among the members. At our january meeting the members would pair up and decide which monthly match they wanted to run. One man would call the line while the other would run the target shack and score. As I remember this worked well and the guys running the match usually had time to shoot some. LouisV

Well, I hate to say this, but I normally run,and call the match twice a month on our local club, been doing it for about the last 10 years, sometimes my first shot of the day is for score, no practice, and for some reason or another my highest scores have been shot under this condition. I guess I don't have time to think or concentrate on shooting, I just concentrate on running the match, maybe that takes the pressure away.
The only thing I don't do is set up targets, since most of the time while the targets are being set I am checking on the lunch cooking.
Just my two cents worth.
Evelio.

I appreciate all the suggestions and differnt views. I enjoy running the matches, almost as much as shooting them, and I think the extra pressure makes it easier to shoot other matches where I'm just a competitor.

I received some very good advice offline regarding goals, practice and mental mangement. As the season up here draws to an end I'm going to start on these aspects for next year and see if I can get the average difference down to 1 animal and then zero.

Ken

Ya.. it's to bad our season is ending here in the north. Everyone else is just gettign into good shooting weather. Just one more reason to move out of here as soon as I can.

What has helped me the most was making a CD of the range commands.
When a relay is ready to go I push the button, then listen to myself giving the commands like everyone else. Have yet to forget to give the fire comand on the CD...

The shooters like it also, as everything is consistent, the phrasing and time before the "ready" are always the same, and they are ready for the "ready".

I like it as during the ready time I can get ready and not be trying to watch the clock to give the 'fire" command. It also helps me pay more attention as I can look at what the other shooters are doing and not be looking at the timer. If need be the CD stops with the push of a button.

eeleater wrote:Have yet to forget to give the fire comand on the CD...

That is an awkward moment, when all those heads turn and peer over those butt stocks 20 seconds after the ready command.