Nick Young, a practical shooter and competitor, joins Professor Hwansik Kim, a practical shooting expert, to delve into the thrilling Carry Optics Nationals. They discuss the unique challenges of the match, including weather impacts and stage designs. The duo reflects on personal growth amid competitive pressure and shares coping strategies for performance anxiety, emphasizing mental preparation techniques. They also highlight the importance of tailored training strategies while drawing insights from elite competitors to enhance shooting performance.
The Carry Optics Nationals featured innovative stage designs that emphasized technical shooting skills and the ability to adapt strategies under pressure.
Competitors faced unique psychological challenges, managing performance anxiety through techniques like visualization and emotional compartmentalization during high-stakes events.
There is a recognized need for shooters to adapt their training regimens, focusing on physical conditioning and diverse shooting techniques for future competitions.
Deep dives
Match Overview and Venue
The Kary Optics Nationals was held at the Cardinal Center in Ohio, featuring a diverse range of top talent in practical shooting. Although the range was noted for its suitability for a national event, some limitations were observed, such as the inability to shoot to the side berms, which restricted the type of challenges presented in the match stages. Competitors discussed how shooting conditions sometimes mimicked those of indoor ranges, with concrete walls limiting wide transitions. Despite these constraints, the stage designs were praised for their creativity, offering a mix of performance challenges that engaged participants throughout the competition.
Stage Design and Difficulty
The stages at this nationals event were comparable to those seen in high-level competitions, featuring a mix of medium and large course designs that focused on movement and technical shooting skills. Among the 30 stages, very few were categorized as small courses, with most requiring a higher round count, thus emphasizing the competitors' proficiency under varied conditions. Participants expressed that the unique nature of these stages set this match apart from previous nationals, which often included more traditional USPSA elements like box mandatory reloads. This innovation received acclaim, although some competitors felt the match favored higher skill levels, potentially making it difficult for lower-ranked shooters.
Challenges of Target Difficulty
Competitors raised concerns about specific targets that required long-range, precise shooting, particularly those with small partials located over 30 yards away. While experienced shooters like Professor Kim successfully scored on these challenging targets, less experienced shooters expressed frustration, indicating that such difficult conditions could disadvantage B-class competitors. However, there was recognition that national championship matches should push the limits of shooters’ skills, testing diverse competencies like accuracy and decision-making under pressure. The available options for starting positions provided some strategy for managing these difficult shots, allowing competitors to choose their approach based on their comfort level.
Mental Preparation and Performance
Competitors discussed the intense pressure that accompanies participation in high-stakes events like nationals, emphasizing the psychological challenges of managing expectations and performance anxiety. Techniques varied, with some finding ways to compartmentalize emotions and focus on preparation for each stage. The discussion highlighted the importance of mental resilience, with participants sharing personal strategies to cope with stress during competition, such as visualizing success or maintaining a calm demeanor. The experiences shared by competitors illustrated that the mental game is crucial for optimal performance, affecting not just the shooting but overall competition experience.
Training Insights for Future Matches
Looking ahead, competitors recognized the need to adapt their training regimens to align with the demands of national competition, particularly in developing physical conditioning for endurance during the match. The importance of diversity in shooting techniques and skills was underscored, with many expressing intentions to work on specific competencies like shooting on the move. Observing the tactical approaches of top shooters provided valuable insights, inspiring competitors to refine their strategies and enhance performance at future matches. These takeaways reinforced the notion that ongoing learning and adaptation are essential components of improving competitive shooting capabilities.
Carry Optics Nationals was a very stacked match for the top talent in practical shooting. Nick Young and Professor Hwansik Kim talk about the match, their mindset and some takeaways for training.
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