SPP Blog Archives - Page 48 of 54 - Scholastic Action Shooting Program

Staff Tip: Visualize the Process

Written on October 16, 2014.

Note: This is the first in a series of shooting and competition tips from the SSSF staff.

While working with an ammunition company several years ago, I joined members of our sales and marketing team at a police pistol range for some training on a bitterly cold January morning to gain a better understanding of officers’ needs in ammunition and the dangers they face in the field.

A tactical course was set up, with the officer required to shoot accurately, correctly distinguish the good guys from the bad guys that were popping up and moving into the course of fire, rescue a partner who had been “shot” without also getting shot, move to a safer area, and more — and do it all FAST.

I was seriously out of my element. Although I was a shooter, I had no law enforcement or tactical expertise, nor did the rest of our team. The range officer brought in an expert to demonstrate the course. But not just any expert — it was the officer who held the record for shooting the course. He dazzled us with his speed and accuracy as he performed every challenge perfectly. Then it was our turn.

Several members of our staff went through the course before Randell’s name was called. Underdressed in his warm-weather clothes and loafers, Randell approached the starting box. Tap, tap, move. Tap, tap, move. Minutes later, Randell had not only stunned all the spectators, but he had broken the course record the first time he shot it!

His secret, he explained, was that it wasn’t the first time he shot the course; he had spent the previous half hour visualizing the course and mentally shooting it. In his mind, he placed every shot, moved to the next challenge, took every step, rescued the downed partner, took cover, and developed the rhythm he needed to do it quickly and smoothly.

We all learned something important from Randell’s performance. It was too late to help me that day — I was the next shooter — but I’ve practiced it many times since then, not just in pistol shooting, but in shotgunning and other active pursuits. I haven’t broken any records, but I’ve benefited every time I have visualized the process.

— Sherry Kerr, SSSF Media & Communications

MidwayUSA Foundation Matching Deadlines Are Approaching

Written on October 13, 2014.

As another year starts to wind down, we are inching closer to the MidwayUSA Foundation matching deadlines. Don’t miss your chance to double, triple, even quadruple your money!

Funds returned to the MidwayUSA Foundation stemming from one of their recent promotions (Zeiss Binoculars, Browning Knife Set, Winchester 280, SKB RS300) by November 30, 2014, will be matched 3:1. Funds returned from previous promotions (Our Family Legacy, Silver Sporting) are matched 1:1. See MidwayUSA Foundation’s promotions page for additional details.

General donations are also matched. Donate to the team of your choice and your donation will be matched 2:1 by Larry and Brenda Potterfield! Find your team here. Your donation is tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to your local shooting team. But hurry — this match also ends November 30, 2014.

According to MidwayUSA Foundation, in 2015 they plan to bring new incentives to your teams to grow your Team Endowment Accounts. They also hope to offer another matching program, but don’t miss your chance this year! Donate today!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Written on October 10, 2014.

When you need to contact the SSSF staff, we want to give you the help you need as efficiently as possible. We know that no one likes being passed from person to person in search of a simple answer.

To help you get to the right person the first time, please follow these guidelines:

Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)

For any program-related issues regarding SCTP, such as:

Registration

SHOT System assistance

Team, coach, or athlete registration

Username / password help

Contact Amanda Wondrash, awondrash@sssfonline.com, 262-206-4634.

For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.

Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP)

For any program-related issues regarding SPP, such as:

Registration

SHOT System assistance

Team, coach, or athlete registration

Username / password help

Contact Tammy Mowry, tmowry@sssfonline.com, 724-822-7390.

For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.

USA Shooting Proclaims 10.9 Day

Written on October 9, 2014.

In this country, we take pride in making up days to celebrate anything – donuts, pirates, and even our bosses. USA Shooting knows a good celebration when they see one, and traditionally, that’s been as a result of medal-worthy performances set down by its athletes. But today, 10.9, USA Shooting has claimed the day as its very own.

In target shooting, a 10.9 is the mark of perfection, proof that excellence has been achieved. Excellence is a virtue of the USA Shooting Team, so on 10.9 (October 9), USA Shooting has encouraged its community to aim for excellence in all the shots you take in life.

“We’re recognizing those moments in time when the ordinary became extraordinary and when jaws were dropped,” says USA Shooting. “On this day, and every day thereafter, strive for excellence in all that you do, and may every shot you take in life be in pursuit of the highest mark, your 10.9.”

While not everyone has shot that elusive 10.9, what’s important is encouraging and celebrating people who help us on that path toward excellence. Encourage someone this week, and be sure to say “thanks” to someone who has encouraged you!

SPP to Offer Pistol Coach School in Tucson, Arizona

Written on October 2, 2014.

Scholastic Pistol Program, along with NRA and USA Shooting, will offer a Level 1 Pistol Coach School on November 1-2 in Tucson, Arizona at the Pima Pistol Club.

The coach school is the heart of the coach education program. The Level 1 pistol coach’s course through the National Rifle Association, USA Shooting, and the Scholastic Pistol Program covers all required coaching fundamentals for pistol coaches in the SPP, in addition to other disciplines of pistol competition. The training is provided by the SPP/NRA/USAS National Coach Development Staff (NCDS). The instructors use up-to-date materials and PowerPoint presentations to present the discipline-specific coach course.

The course duration is 2 days with class running from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Candidates should bring eye and ear protection and note-taking materials with them. Firearms will be provided, and the Boy Scout Council will provide the ammunition.

Cost of the course is $140, which includes all printed materials, 3-year coaching credentials with the NRA, a binder for your materials, and lunch/refreshments each day.

The registration fee includes a copy of the coach student study guide and other materials to help you with the details of coaching. Participants complete an open-book test as homework during the first evening of the course. The test is graded in class, reviewed for understanding, and then submitted to the NRA National Coach Trainer by the school instructor for credential processing. Upon successful completion of the coach school, you will be a Level 1 Coach (or Youth Trainer, if under 18 years old) in that discipline.

Pre-registration for the course is required. To register, complete the attached form. Contact Tammy Mowry with any questions.

NSSF Infographic: The Changing Face of Today’s Target Shooter

Written on September 25, 2014.

A new infographic from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) tells the story, at a glance, of the growing number of new target shooting enthusiasts and how they’re surprisingly different from established shooters. The report clearly affirms the premise of the SSSF that our programs present equal opportunity to shooters, regardless of age or gender.

Newcomers — defined as those who have taken up target shooting in the last five years — are trending younger and female; also, they are city and suburban dwellers. In these ways, they are quite different from established participants and, as a result, are changing the face of target shooters in America. This influx of newcomers also underscores that the traditional pastimes of handgun, rifle, and shotgun target shooting continue to have a broad appeal to new generations of Americans.

Driven by newcomers, target shooting participation has leaped by 19 percent, from 34.4 million in 2009 to 40.8 million in 2012. That’s a 6.4 million increase; by comparison, golf and some other traditional activities have seen their participant base decline by millions.

Although they may be different in age and gender, newcomers share one important thing with established participants — their passion for firearms ownership and the shooting sports.

SPP Southeast Regional Fall Match in Tennessee

Written on September 25, 2014.

Carroll County Shooting Sports Park in Huntingdon, Tennessee, will be the site of an SPP Southeast Regional Fall Match on November 8.

The Southeast Regional is open to Junior, Senior, and Collegiate SPP teams. Both Centerfire and Rimfire (JV) divisions will be recognized.

Endowment funds will be available for this event.

The match will be limited to 100 shooters, so register soon!

More Information and Registration Form

Dry-Fire SPP Course with New Poster

Written on September 19, 2014.

Pistol shooters can now practice the SPP courses at home with a new Dry-Fire Poster offered by Next Level Training. Teamed with a laser training pistol, the 60″ x 36″ poster lets shooters practice moving target to target while viewing all targets as seen from the shooter’s box.

Dry-fire practice allows shooters to improve speed and accuracy without ammunition costs and can be done when you can’t go to the range. The addition of an inert training pistol eliminates safety concerns.

The full-size target costs $24.95, while a half-size version is $9.95. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Scholastic Pistol Program. The company also sells laser training pistols and software for conducting online matches.

See complete information on the Dry-Fire Poster

SPP Northeast Fall Regional Match

Written on September 12, 2014.

SPP will host a Northeast Fall Regional match at Camp Hinds Boy Scout Camp in Raymond, Maine on Saturday, October 4. Sponsored by Smith & Wesson, the match is open to all Junior, Senior, and Collegiate SPP teams.

Match fee is $20 per shooter.

Both Centerfire and Rimfire (JV) Divisions will receive awards, and endowment funds will be available.

We will be offering the teams the opportunity to place an ammo order for the match. The ammo pre-order deadline is September 25.

Loaner guns will be available for those who will need to borrow guns on the day of the match.

Camping will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone who would like to arrive on Friday or stay over on Saturday. Tent camping (must provide own tents), 4-person cabins, and multi-bunk bunk rooms are available. Cabins and bunk rooms have cots and field mattresses.

Camping reservations must be made in advance by calling Tammy at 207-797-5252 ext. 10 or emailing tachapma@scouting.org.

Click here for full details and registration form.

SSSF’s Donation of Over $1 Million to MidwayUSA Foundation Benefits 182 SCTP, SPP Teams

Written on September 12, 2014.

Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation made contributions of over $1 million this week to the MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc. accounts of 182 SCTP and SPP teams from 36 different states. The teams earned the endowment funds at recent national, regional, and state events.

This week’s total donation was $1,045,125. SCTP team accounts received $905,000 of that, which includes team earnings at the National Team Championships, regional events, and state shoots during the second and third quarters of 2014.

SPP teams received $133,100, which included earnings from its National Junior/Senior Championships and recent state matches.

“Through our broad membership base, we are fortunate to be able to support so many teams across the country,” commented Ben Berka, SSSF President and Executive Director. “These donations will help provide a perpetual funding source for local Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Pistol Programs. The funding we provide to team endowment accounts is another way for us to thank all of the teams, coaches, and athletes for their participation and excellent performance in SCTP and SPP events!”

In addition, $7,025 was donated via internally generated endowment money through SSSF and SCTP fundraisers. These funds will be matched by Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA. “By providing teams with fundraising tools at the local level, we are able to help contribute to team endowment accounts. At the same time, teams have the ability to raise operating money and awareness about their programs in the local community. The SSSF looks forward to providing more of these opportunities in the future to our SCTP and SPP member teams,” said Berka.

The donations bring SSSF’s contributions to $1,461,175 to date in 2014. SSSF expects its annual contributions to total more than $1.7 million by the end of 2014.

SCTP and SPP teams are awarded endowment funds through participation in sanctioned shoots. SSSF contributes the funding to the MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account Program on behalf of the teams. The purpose of the endowment program is to provide sustained financial support for youth shooting teams. Teams with an endowment account are able to draw a grant each year to use for team expenses.