Match Video Analysis

A systematic process for reviewing recorded match footage to identify, rank, and fix the specific issues that cost the most time and points. Match video analysis extends self-assessment beyond what you can perceive in real time by providing an objective, reviewable record of your actual execution. The process closes the loop between match performance and practice prescription.

Every stage at every match is recorded on video (any smartphone is sufficient). After the match, the shooter watches each stage systematically, identifying the specific moments where time or points were lost. Issues are ranked by time cost -- biggest time wasters get addressed first. The shooter then replicates the specific problem scenario on the practice range and works through a progressive rebuilding process: walkthrough, hands-only dry fire, gun dry fire, then live fire. Each step uses a calibrated par time.

Charlie Perez's 7-Step Process

1. Record every stage at the match (camera on tripod, phone in pocket mount, or have a squad mate film).
2. Watch the footage post-match. Identify the primary time-consuming issues on each stage. Be specific: "misses on steel at position 3," "foot shuffling at position 2," "gun poking in/out of port at position 4."
3. Rank issues by time cost -- biggest time wasters first. A 2-second steel miss problem gets priority over a 0.3-second transition hesitation.
4. Replicate the scenario on the practice range. Set up targets/positions that match the problem situation from the match.
5. Walk-through timing: Walk the replicated scenario with shot timer. Give each target a verbal "boom boom" at quarter-second splits. Click timer at end. This establishes the starting par time.
6. Progressive dry fire: (a) Hands-only dry fire at par time. (b) Gun dry fire at same par time. Times should match across both steps. If gun dry fire is slower, lower the par time.
7. Live fire: Same par time. Times should be within a few tenths of dry fire. If live fire is consistently slower, the dry fire pace was unrealistic.

The ratio should be approximately 80% dry fire / 20% live fire. Use the 80% to identify and fix issues; use the 20% to confirm corrections.

1. Recording but not reviewing: Filming every stage but never watching the footage. Fix: schedule 30 minutes post-match specifically for video review.
2. Entertainment viewing: Watching video to see how you looked rather than to diagnose problems. Fix: watch with a pen and paper, write down specific issues with timestamps.
3. Fixing the wrong thing first: Spending practice time on a minor issue while a major time-waster goes unaddressed. Fix: always rank issues by time cost and address the biggest one first.
4. Skipping the replication step: Identifying an issue from video but practicing generic drills instead of replicating the specific scenario. Fix: build the match scenario on the practice range.
5. Unrealistic dry fire calibration: Dry firing the scenario at an impossible pace, then feeling rushed during live fire. Fix: walkthrough timing establishes realistic par, validated by live fire.
6. Analyzing only one match: Drawing conclusions from a single match video. Fix: look for patterns across multiple matches before treating an issue as systemic.

Post-Match Video Review Protocol

Setup: Laptop/tablet, match footage, notebook.
Execution: Watch each stage once at full speed for overall impression. Watch again at 0.5x speed, pausing at any moment where time appears wasted. For each issue: note the timestamp, describe the problem specifically, estimate the time cost. After all stages reviewed, rank issues from largest to smallest time cost.
What to watch for: Foot shuffling, gun lingering on targets, visible pauses between positions, over-confirmation on close targets, inconsistent cadence on steel, port management problems.
Output: A prioritized list of 3-5 issues to address in the next practice session.
Source: Charlie Perez, "Match Video Skills Assessment & Training Process," 2021-06-23

Scenario Replication Drill

Setup: Replicate the top-priority problem scenario from match video on the practice range. Match target positions, distances, and transitions as closely as possible.
Execution: (1) Walk-through timing with verbal "boom boom" to establish par time. (2) Hands-only dry fire at par. (3) Gun dry fire at par. (4) Live fire at par. Times should converge across all four steps.
What to watch for: Whether dry fire and live fire times converge. If dry fire is consistently faster, the dry fire pace is unrealistic. Raise the par until they match.
Benchmark: Live fire time within 5% of walk-through par time across 3 consecutive reps.
Source: Charlie Perez, "Optimize Your Live Fire Practice Sessions," 2022-07-04; "Realistic Dry Fire Training While on the Range," 2020-08-11

GM Comparison Drill

Setup: Video of your stage execution and video of a GM shooting the same stage.
Execution: Watch both videos side by side at 0.5x speed. Note specific differences: position time, transition speed, number of steps between positions, where they reload, how they handle ports. Identify the 2-3 biggest differences.
What to watch for: The differences are rarely about raw speed -- they are usually about efficiency (fewer steps, less settling time, no gun lingering, better port management).
Source: General practical shooting pedagogy

• Self-Assessment is the prerequisite -- video analysis is an extension of the self-assessment skill applied to recorded footage.
• Shot Calling provides the real-time data that video analysis cross-references.
• Stage Planning benefits directly from video analysis -- you see what worked and what didn't in your stage plans.
• Pacing problems are highly visible on video (over-confirming, gear-change hesitations, rushing).
• Training Methodology benefits from video analysis driving targeted practice prescriptions.