People like certain techniques, skills, and drills. Inversely they also do not like certain techniques, skills, and drills. How are these preferences started? Learning is often times uncomfortable, and failure is an important part of the process, but avoidance or neglect can become the easiest way to deal with these challenges. The more skillful we become in one area, the more likely we are to avoid areas of weakness, essentially making the gap between skills grow even larger. This cycle will continue until necessity requires us to change, and grow, often times with our ego on the line.
Recently, I competed at our local IDPA match at Ga. Firing Line with a mix of 30 competitors from novice to master level. The stage was limited (no make up shots), support hand only, one to the body, and one to the head, reload, and freestyle one to the body, and one to the head. The targets were mixed partials with one non threat, at 6 yards from the low ready.
The dread was palatable, and murmurs of discontent filled the bay. I heard every possible excuse, and watched a general lack of preparation for the stage. Many just accepted that they would struggle with this challenge. All of this would add up to a self fulfilling prophecy.
I, on the other hand, look forward to stages like this one, because I practice support hand shooting as part of my warm up, shooting 5-10 rounds on small circles. I also shoot qualifications that require dominant and support hand only shooting. I know the pace that I can shoot with one hand only, so I settled in to see the dot, and to shoot the available target area with confidence. When you practice areas of weakness they transform into areas of strength. The welcome feeling of my current level of skill manifesting itself in a timeless sensation, allowing me to just shoot the target. End result is one point down, at a pace that was neither quick nor hurried, allowing me the stage win. This an example of having range in your skill, exploring the fundamentals, and prioritizing the challenges of your skill set. Some shooters lost upwards of 20 points on a 12 round stage, because they had preferred not to shoot with their support hand in practice.
The price of neglect, or avoidance is a lack of skill, which damages our self image of who we are as a shooter. Find your weakness, forget your preferences, and change your priorities in training. The rewards are competence and confidence, the bastion of a strong self image.
Published by The Complete Combatant, LLC
My name is Brian Hill and I am owner and head Coach at The Complete Combatant. I have over 35 years experience in training and instructional combative firearm techniques and Martial Arts. My expertise is primarily in the context of the armed citizen.
If you are your first responder, then you are responsible for a wide array of skill sets. Seeing, recognizing, and believing danger is the first task. Having a plan for avoidance, deselection and escalation is second. If these fail, the fight is on, and it must be won. The first time you have to use the different levels of force, and everything is on the line, should not be the first time you practice your non-lethal (mindset, verbal, walk away, flashlight, etc.), less then lethal (OC/pepper spray, Combatives, etc.) and lethal options (firearms, advanced Combatives, etc.).
One of the areas students can improve their self protection skills is through organization and efficiency in their approach to practice. Methodology, structure, and feedback are critical elements that are often overlooked, but provide the best options for improvement. Strategy, tactics, and techniques need to be practiced until they can be performed with unconscious competence. Equally as important is the client's mindset, and how they can strengthen their performance under pressure. Believe it or not, decisions are more important then techniques.
While I still teach, and occasionally use iron sights and shoot from strong side, I switched to the red dot sighting system/pistol optics many years ago because it has several benefits that just can't be ignored. The way we aim our firearm is an area that sees constant improvement. These sights offer a tremendous advantage in speed, accuracy, and application.
This RDC class will focus on the draw to first-round hits from concealment unless you have an open rig. We will work on proximal extension relative to the attacker, using the red dot to the most significant advantage at different distances, multiple hand positions that the armed citizen encounters during a fight, and stacking complex cognitive tasks under pressure. Biomechanics of movement and the neuroscience of the decisional process and training methodologies will be explored. If you shoot competitively or carry a pistol for personal protection you will benefit from this class.
The pistol mounted optic is excellent for quick and precise target acquisition, allowing a focus on the target. Transitions are greatly enhanced due to the simplicity of using the dot aligned on the target, as opposed to the three focal planes of iron sights. If you have vision issues, the dot may be the solution for you. I primarily carry in the appendix position which allows for a quicker draw, and improved weapon retention. Instruction in the proper draw stroke improves the use and safety of appendix carry, and in addition allows you to find the dot sooner.
I have specifically designed The Complete Combatant for our US citizens that "carry or want to". I have always seen a need for the varied disciplines of self protection to be combined. Proper strategy, escalation of force and employment of tools…is one complete subject. Making good decisions, thinking ahead, the proper use of non-lethal, less then lethal and lethal tools will help you to fight back more effectively. Being creative, tool cycling and adapting could save you or a loved one.
MEASURE. REFINE. PERFORM
Brian Hill
View all posts by The Complete Combatant, LLC
Brian's Blog 
Thank you. Very helpful. Sometimes I finds myself dreading a drill. I need to look at it in a different light.
LikeLike
Excellent article! With inspiration from you, I will work more on those skills that humble or embarrass me at the range.
LikeLike