Project Appleseed

Rapid fire Seated and Prone......on the 25M AQT or at an Appleseed KD event.

This is where I would first refer the reader to my post on mental management, because your conscious mind can only think of one thing and one thing only.  Don't believe me?  Try to think of two different colors at the same time, it is impossible.

Knowing this, what are you thinking about when the clock starts and the "fire" command has been given?

I'll give the answer to the above here first, and that is "You should only be thinking about the center of the V in the V ring when executing your shots".

But....it took me a long time to get there.  Some of that was as a result of bad habits I had developed.  One of them I will discuss here....

TIME

You get what, 55 and 60 seconds for rapid fire seated and prone respectively?

First off....I will absolutely agree that that is not a lot of time at all.  BUT...

It is absolutely ADEQUATE to execute perfect fundamentals!

One of the bad habits I developed were as a result of my first few AS events.  The line boss would call "Time Remaining"....I would constantly hear him/her yelling "45 seconds remaining, 30 seconds remaining, 10 seconds remaining". 

Then, at the 10 second mark the gunfire would really get faster.

Why?  For me (and many others I have discussed this with), we started to think about the time.....more specifically, we started to think about "running out of time", truly a NEGATIVE thought *see post on mental management here: https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=56886.0 

Once I shifted my thoughts to the time remaining, I would neglect other fundamental steps in the process, like shifting my natural point of aim, settling for less than ideal NPA, agressive and not smooth trigger control, etc etc.

After the string, I would think a positive thought "Got em all off"!

Then I would see the target, and it would more than likely have been deplorable.  But....at least I "got em all off"!

One complete miss, or even 2, with time spent taking better shots, would have resulted in a higher score, or a better group.

I think time remaining should be called once, maybe twice, but that is it.  Once or twice for the shooters to get an idea on exactly how much time 55/60 seconds feels.  Then, no more time calls.

Allow the shooter to develop the subconscious memory of what the 55 and 60 seconds is when executing the fundamentals of making the shot.

NRA and CMP do not call time remaining at all.  And we have our fair share of shooters that also rush the 2nd magazine, and typically end the string of fire and sit there for 15-20 seconds while the High Masters and Masters are still shooting.

It does take time and experience to learn that there is really plenty of time to execute the fundamentals the same way we do in slow fire.

I used to use a timer for rapid fire strings, I no longer do.  All the timer did for me was make me think about the time! LOL...The only positive thing it did was show me that after I was done shooting, I still had plenty of time left!

I've heard people say, "It is not Rapid Fire, it is 10 slow fire shots in 60 seconds with a magazine change".

The Cadence is "OK" at first, teaching "inhale/exhale/pause/fire (repeat)".

But, even the cadence thing at some point can be a detriment, because if it becomes a habit it is tough to break.

In rapid prone, I may do something like this:
inhale/exhale/pause/INSPECT/fire
inhale/exhale/pause/inspect/adjust NPA
inhale/exhale/pause/inspect/fire
Mag change
Repeat for remaining 8

Point is, I will make sure that my rifle is recoiling back to the center of the V in the V ring each and every time.  If that means I need a fast NPA adjustment mid string, then so be it.  A 5 is a lot better than a 3 or a miss.  This becomes even more critical at KD events.

In closing, the real points here are:

1.  Forget about the time, get that out of your head...and if someone is calling time remaining, ignore it.  As the competitor, you are really only listening for "Fire and Cease Fire".

2.  Do not be afraid to adjust NPA or start the 6 steps over, if it is not "there".

3.  Rapid fire is really only 10 slow fire shots with a magazine executed within a time period of 55 or 60 seconds.



R/
Chris

I have never had time remaining called on any Appleseed SoF, I think part of the challenge for the shooter is to be able to do the rapid fire, in cadence, in the time allotted without any coaching in the form of time remaining. 
Seems like where I most often loose focus is in inadequate follow through, and my groups often show it.  If I am on scope, I can see it and take corrective action. 
Bolt action with my CZ is even a bigger challenge to smooth and complete operation for each and every shot in rapid fire, as I often may break the NPoA in cycling the bolt (even when I seemingly maintain steady hold factors and cheek weld...it just happens Yet might highest official score to date was with the CZ.)

Quote from: NavyBowChiefRetChrisOne of the bad habits I developed were as a result of my first few AS events.  The line boss would call "Time Remaining"....I would constantly hear him/her yelling "45 seconds remaining, 30 seconds remaining, 10 seconds remaining".

Then, at the 10 second mark the gunfire would really get faster.

In my early AS days, I saw this at a couple of the events I attended.  And I immediately noticed this instant "freak out" via increase in shot tempo.  Not long ago, I heard the phrase, "Breathe Faster!" - pays homage to Rifleman's Cadence, but regardless induces similar effect.

This is why I don't announce a countdown.

I think Lannie Bassham has it right (see quote in sig line).

Quote from: Monkey on September 27, 2019, 06:36:58 PM

Quote from: NavyBowChiefRetChrisOne of the bad habits I developed were as a result of my first few AS events.  The line boss would call "Time Remaining"....I would constantly hear him/her yelling "45 seconds remaining, 30 seconds remaining, 10 seconds remaining".

Then, at the 10 second mark the gunfire would really get faster.

In my early AS days, I saw this at a couple of the events I attended.  And I immediately noticed this instant "freak out" via increase in shot tempo.  Not long ago, I heard the phrase, "Breathe Faster!" - pays homage to Rifleman's Cadence, but regardless induces similar effect.

This is why I don't announce a countdown.

I think Lannie Bassham has it right (see quote in sig line).

Good stuff Skipper!

Sig line Lanny quote is perfect!

AMU teaches, small breaths between shots.  The important thing is to breathe.

My advice, FWIW, forget the cadence stuff, it does not typically go well with accuracy.  Or.....,insert a few things like "inspect", come off trigger past the reset, and execute 10 slow fire shots with a magazine change.  Bet the scores rise!

R/
Chris