A long time ago ( I was a Jr. ) I lost a shoot off and was pretty P O'd about it. Larry Bartlett came up to me and said " Hey kid, don't sweat it... remember it's better to get beat in a shoot off than to be shot in a beat off." True words.
Where's the disgrace in getting your azz handed to you by a better shooter, regardless where you finish? Unless you win every time, your a loser? I don't buy into that line of thinkin at all.
"Nothing to be ashamed of. You shot great today. Better than all the folks who didn't get into the shoot-off. Old whats-his-name just shot a little better."
I have often said: "The shoof-off only determines who takes home the trophy, you're both winners just getting there."
Personally, I would always prefer to win through a shoot-off, than a straight out win. It builds character.
I am reminded on that after tying for singles champ at our state's Zone shoo many years agot. After breaking 100x100, my good friend and traveling squad-mate and I shot off for champ. We shot a total of 375 straight until I missed my 375th. He accused me of dropping it on purpose. I don't think I did on purpose, but I did have a handicap AND a doubles shoot-offs afterwards.
Jim and I still talk about that "lost target". He and I agree that we were both winners, he just got the gold.
Losing a shootoff makes you appreciate it more when you win one. I'll never forget the 10 way shootoff I won at the last year at Vandalia 2005 Grand. Its sad there won't be another one there. Clyde
I was at the Dixie Grand last year,and shot well enough in the caps(93,94?) to get in my first shoot-off(19-21yds).........Oh happy days.Well,I win the shoot off,22-21,by now I'm floatin' on cloud 9.I go ask at the front desk what occurs next.......To my suprise they told me that I didn't shoot a high enough score to continue in the shoot-off.........needed a 23 or better.I ended up placing 5th which I was totally happy with.Ya just never know.
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