The Arms Guide
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry
  • Firearms Training
  • Handguns
  • Rifles
  • Gun News
  • AR-15
  • Reloading Gear
  • Gun Safes

Learning to Shoot USPSA from Ben Stoeger

Learning to Shoot USPSA from Ben Stoeger - TheArmsGuide.com

May 4, 2013 by Kevin 12 Comments

Shooting my first USPSA last weekend was a wonderful learning experience, not only in my first exposure to the fast-paced world of competitive shooting, but also in the opportunity to spend a full day training with a quality instructor and USPSA champion, Ben Stoeger.

Ben and his wife, Kita, both shoot USPSA and offered me the chance to train with them to better prepare me for my first match. One thing that is generally true for most learning situations was true in this one: the more they showed me, the more I discovered I needed to learn. It seems ironic, and could be frustrating, but with how much I enjoyed seeing the improvements in my shooting, I found that epiphany galvanizing. That may simply be a result of my own perfectionist and competitive natures, or possibly my never-ending quest to learn perking up, but I believe a good deal of it must be credited to the approach of my instructors.

As a newer USPSA shooter (compared to Ben, that is), Kita helped to introduce me to some of the basics of the sport. With both Stoegers imparted the safety rules of the course and their importance, Kita taught me typical starting positions, some of the names of different types of USPSA targets (no shoots, drop-turners, poppers, swingers, etc.), and how to to safely execute a draw from facing away from the target.

Ben’s instruction was based off of the techniques and strategies he developed and put into practice to become successful in his sport. He, too, introduced me to skills I had not before used, but would have to put into practice for the match the following day. My biggest hurdle, however, was entirely mental. Prior to last Saturday, I had never trained with a timer, and had only a shade of practice with shooting on the move. Using the timer and his encouragement, Ben continually challenged me to move more efficiently while drawing, shooting, and reloading without breaking any safety or competition rules. When casually shooting from a standstill, I demonstrated the capacity to consistently shoot the “A zones” (the highest scoring portions of USPSA targets) of the targets presented to me, but until I started learning how to deal with the pressure of having a time constraint, as well as an audience of other shooters, I quickly found that if I did not take the time to relax and shoot with proper technique, my accuracy, and therefore potential scores, degraded.

Much of what I learned with Ben can be practiced and improved with dry fire practice. I have now begun to integrate exercises I learned at the range with Ben, and from a book of exercises that he (and fellow USPSA competitor, Jay Hirshberg) developed for the purpose. Out of everything I learned from training with the Stoegers, there were several key skills in which I was more weak than others that can be improved with dry fire practice: learning to manipulate my handgun effectively and efficiently under [time] stress, speeding up my draw, and correcting my tendency to jerk the trigger when trying to shoot “fast.”

I’ve decided to compete in future USPSA matches because it was way too much fun “running and gunning,” but I also appreciate the benefits to my shooting skill overall that competitive shooting encourages. In one weekend, I became more effective with shooting under pressure, and began executing techniques I had learned prior with a speed I had never before achieved. And because I enjoy the thrill of competition, regardless of score, it has become a driving force that encourages me to become a better shooter overall.

My gratitude extends to Ben and Kita, for offering the aid of training, the ammo, and even loaning me gear to use while training and for my first match, and for being thorough, but patient instructors who didn’t accept excuses. The worst thing about working with them over the weekend is the huge disservice they’re doing my bank account by getting me hooked on another expensive divertissement (as if hobbyist shooting and reviewing guns and gear wasn’t taxing enough on my wallet). I look forward to developing my shooting skills in the sport, and including others on my journey.

Filed Under: Firearms Training Tagged With: accuracy, Ben Stoeger, firearms, learn, marksmanship, pistol, Shoot, stress, Training, USPSA

Related Posts

  • iMarksman dry fire training
    iMarksman Dry Fire Training System
  • 3rd Ranger Battalion & The Big Four
    3rd Ranger Battalion & The Big Four
  • Math and Guns – How Math Can Improve Your Shooting - TheArmsGuide.com
    Math and Guns – How Math Can Improve Your Shooting

About the Author

Avatar for Kevin

Kevin Kevin is an avid hunter and military history enthusiast. He participates in WWII reenactments every year and boasts a large antique firearms collection. The Winchester 1873 and Colt M1911 are two of his favorites. Kevin enjoys researching the best products on the market to keep The Arms Guide reader up to date and informed.

See All Kevin Articles

Comments

  1. Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

    May 4, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Good article, Destinee.  Did you actually compete that weekend or was it all training?

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      May 13, 2013 at 2:40 pm

      JoeFabeetz I did indeed compete. That Saturday,  I trained, and Sunday I ran my first match. The whole weekend was crazy fun.

      Reply
  2. Avatar for KevinAlessioBaldi says

    May 4, 2013 at 10:31 am

    “I found that epiphany galvanizing”: definelly love this phrase! ;P
    I agree with the importance of dry fireing, i allways raccomand to do some every times possible. It’s free, you can do it at home, is virtually safe (be sure not to have live ammo around), and is the right way to develope skills, teqniques and even individual and buddy/team tactics. Sometimes a wear my gear, put a movie on tv, and excercise to draw at every screen change. Think i’m a fool? xD

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      May 13, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      AlessioBaldi haha thank you. I like the word “galvanizing,” but so rarely get the opportunity to use it in a sentence.
      I know many who practice dry firing similarly, so I don’t think you’re a fool at all. Quite the contrary, I think you’ve found a great means of encouraging yourself to practice.

      Reply
  3. Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

    May 4, 2013 at 10:56 am

    You can already see the competitive side of your nature come through, you like to over achieve and I’m sure this will drive you to enjoy as much success in this as in most tasks you tackle. Keep us updated and it will be good to follow your progress.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      May 13, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      peter3101 I’ve always had a pretty strong competitive streak; it’s just my nature. As a child, I often found myself frustrated with team sports because of that. But, the same trait pushed me to improve in individual sports, such as martial arts and the shooting sports. That way, my performance is the sole factor in how well I score. It motivates me to work harder and do better.

      Reply
  4. Avatar for Kevinhartcreek says

    May 5, 2013 at 6:52 am

    Once you start reloading you will see your score go up again because your ammo will be more uniform and less expensive.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      May 13, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      hartcreek I’ve been meaning to get started reloading for *ages*. It’s just such a big investment on the front end. Any time I’ve saved the money I’d need for presses/dies/etc., I buy a new gun instead lol

      Reply
  5. Avatar for KevinMeL80 says

    May 5, 2013 at 10:48 pm

    Your videos and blogs (vlogs) are an inspiration. Keep up the good work.
    P.S. where can I get a FoD hat?

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

      May 6, 2013 at 7:34 am

      MeL80http://www.zazzle.com/fateofdestinee/gifts?cg=196091417710611536

      Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      May 13, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      MeL80 Thanks much!

      Reply
  6. Avatar for Kevinhartcreek says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:17 am

    It can be a large investment but you dont have to dive in and load a couple dozen calibres like I do.  You can just start with one that you shoot the most and add other calibres later.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

In Case You Missed It

The 7 Best Fireproof Gun Safes For Your Money Featured
Gun Safes

The 7 Best Fireproof Gun Safes for Your Money

January 19, 2021

Best Ar 10 Lowers Featured
Rifles

Best AR-10 Lowers (2021)

January 19, 2021

Best Sig Sauer P365 Holsters Featured
Handguns

Best Sig Sauer P365 Holsters

January 19, 2021

Best Ar 10 Upper Receiver
Rifles

6 Best AR-10 Upper Receivers – A Buyers Guide

January 11, 2021

© Copyright 2021 Thearmsguide · All Rights Reserved.

  • Comms Check
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.