Is anyone else rusty or just me

So like most people nationwide I had to take 6 weeks off from shooting and at that point I was peaking just in time for the Dixie Match. I was shooting several times a week and scoring over 2600 on most of them. My wobble was very small and my shots was all on call. Well now that seems like years ago. My wobble is horrible! I mean very bad edge to edge of the black. I am as rusty as I can be. At best 2520’s and I feel like I haven’t shot for years not just 6 weeks

It took me several sessions, but I got much of my (limited) skill back.

From my journal entry for an 1800 that we shot on Monday, my first time shooting since March 4th:

"Overall, not bad, but definitely rusty. The skills are still there and my hold is good. It will come back."

I have been keeping up with my strength training, so my hold is good. Execution was definitely not as razor-sharp as I expect it to be.

It will come back. These are unprecedented times; don't beat yourself up.

Expectations?
Anticipation?
Rushing?
Need to review or refine pre-shooting routine?
Lack of dryfiring?

Are you shooting a match or are you training?  If shooting at (like a match) then for me most of the time after a layoff, the first shot is an X.  Then it begins to go downhill if I start "trying" rather than "just shoot".  Relax, you can't fix anything at a match, even a practice one.

If you are training, then you have your direction.  Really look at your wobble and see how it is progressing as you dryfire before your live shot.  Get a sense the for best time / smallest area (now, doesn't matter what it used to look like) and then just shoot (pun intended) for completing the trigger in that time frame or whatever indicator you see. At best, you'll find your zone.  At worst, you'll be focusing on something productive.

This is also good training for dealing with expectations / anticipations (nerves) when shooting the BIG match.  Get a good grip on your mind and then you'll have a better grip on your gun. 

CR

I totally agree with everyone’s opinions. I am just training but I treat it just like a match. My worst match in 2019 was a 4th place. I expect to be spot on every time I go shoot. I will say this has humbled me to say the least. I am sure that a few more sessions I will come back alive. My major concern right now is only the wobble is excessive. Thankfully I have 30+ years of bullseye to fall back on and I will get it!

Sorry, I don't understand some of your comments. But don't let placing have any influence on present performance or performance inprovement. I assumed we were looking for performance improvement and that is always relative to your past efforts.

In my environment, either we are training, working on a single part; or practicing (shooting like a match). Training has a specific purpose, one area and goal. One thing only, with full emphasis on that specific item, singular focus and judging execution and results on that one thing.

Practice has no specific focus, only execution of the complete process without hesitation or judgement while performing. The training part of practicing (shooting a practice match) (at least for me) is to learn how to not let your past performance (shots) negatively influence your present or future performance.

By the way, what looks like excessive wobble usually isn't that much worse but it is that much more distracting. Once you get over the mental aspect, the wobble seems to get better.

Just continuing the conversation to see what other areas and ideas may come up. Always looking for ideas and suggestions and discussion of the mental aspects.

CR

My reply is more suited to a shooter who is just starting out, because i was not shooting well to start with. But I am actually shooting better than before the range shutdown.
    I think it is because I've been working a lot to improve my jerking trigger pull by training with my air pistol at home.
My wobble is probably just as bad as before (due to age maybe), but my sight alignment, trigger pull, and follow thru is much better.

Forgot to mention one important concept to consider.  Anything can be an opportunity if you look at it the right way. 

How does learning how to shoot through a bigger wobble area differ from learning how to shoot in the wind?

Think about it.

CR10X wrote:Forgot to mention one important concept to consider.  Anything can be an opportunity if you look at it the right way. 

How does learning how to shoot through a bigger wobble area differ from learning how to shoot in the wind?

Think about it.

Excellent.

Ahhh rust, my favorite. Had been training extensively for the indoor state championship and the the foo flew. Watched one match after the next get cancelled hence add disappointment to the mix. Sometimes when you step back you stop polishing faults and get a chance to heal yourself. I'm my case I shot muuuuch shorter courses. Only 15 shots but I took as long as before to really observe what my hand, and brain were were were doing. I paid much more attention to grip and I would like to hear details on how other high level shooters do that. I know it's hard for them to describe because it's all automatic and subconscious to them. Improve the grip and stance and voila, the wobble improves. This was a Bennie from 3p offhand rifle problem s l was having. In my case stand tall and straight, head mostly erect.   More to come