I am providing a forum for voicing your opinions.  I claim no 
responsibility for any opinions expressed here.

GET MORE FROM YOUR TRAINING


I would like to pass along some information that might make you tuition
at your next class go further. This is directed toward firearms and tactical
training but will most likely apply to other areas of Instruction.

I remember my very first training class. It was very exciting and a little 
scary. Who were the other pistoleros? Would they laugh at me? Would they be 
safe? There were many things going through my mind as the class began. My 
first class, like many other people's, held the highest amount of information 
I would ever take from one lesson. Why? Because shooting isn't too complex 
and after you get the basics there isn't a lot left. No matter how "high 
speed" a class is advertised as it is still applying all of those basic 
things you learned at the first class.

I have been instructing for a while now and I still take classes to keep
up with the current "high speed" techniques, which as I said, aren't that
new or high speed. Being an Instructor has made me a better student. I have
learned from the other side what makes a class flow more smoothly. I am
going to give you my opinions on what will make you learn more while training.

The Golden Rule is to have an OPEN MIND. Go to every class with the opinion 
you know nothing. Push all of your previous training to the side and do the 
class EXACTLY like the Instructor tells you. Even if he tells you to do something 
that is alien or never worked for you in the past. I was taught the isosceles 
stance FOUR TIMES before I realized it is the best for me. I now look back at 
all of the money I wasted on training before I learned this concept.

Another problem changing techniques in a class is the fact that your groups 
might open up as you perfect the new method. This is a natural thing but 99.9% 
won't do it because we don't want to look bad in front of the other Ninjas. So 
we keep on pluggin' away with our inferior ways. If you change the way you 
shoot you will most likely have a short period of feeling awkward about the 
new technique. Classes are not competitions. Stay with it a while before 
you give up on it. It just might pay off.

Nobody wants to take a basic level class. Everyone wants an "advanced"
class. I hate to be the one who breaks it to you but they are all pretty
much the same. No REALLY BIG difference in a basic and advanced class. Sure
advanced classes are different but not too much. Take basic classes. They
contain a lot of very good information. I have taken about 7 or 8 basic
classes and I learned a lot from every single one of them. Don't turn your
nose up at lower level classes.

If you think you know more than the Instructor keep your mouth shut. It is 
his class and if you want to teach start your own school. I did. What you 
shouldn't do is interrupt and correct him. If you have a valid point to make 
wait for a break in the lecture, he will want to hear it. Don't tutor other 
students. If you want to teach....

After you take a class you must practice the things you learned. Getting
new skills at a class and practicing is kind of like buying a new car and
making payments. After you make enough payments the car is yours. If
you go to the range and "make payments" the new skills will be yours too.
I have taken MANY classes with guys who take training all of the time.
At the beginning of every class they have to be shown the basics of how
to shoot and they slow the class down. Take time between classes and
ingrain those new techniques. IDPA and IPSC are great places to build
skill and confidence.

No matter how good your favorite school is you have to train at
different places. If your school tells you to never do "this" go find
a school that says to always do it. If you favorite school teaches
Weaver go find an Isosceles program. Go to as many different
types of learning environments as possible. Go to schools run by
ex-military, police, champion shooters and learn something from
all the different outlooks to be well rounded.

Most schools sell more pistol classes than all others combined.
Learn to use those long guns, hands, knives and other tools too.
Many people will train handgun and nothing else. You will find
your tactical toolbox to be empty those times when you have
no alternative but to fight your way to safety.

Show up for class on time and be prepared to stay. I have
been to schools that you "trained" 5 hours out of the 8 and
yet others where you where begging for a break. Besides
your standard range gear take water, a snack, and weather
appropriate clothing if training outside. Pack any needed
medications in your bag.

Try to stay relaxed but focused. Staying calm during the
exercises will enable you to learn more and do better. Not
being tense will make you much safer. When students get
jumpy they have a tendency to make safety violations.

Train with the gear you wear every day. Don't have a carry
gun, a training gun, and a match gun. Train like you fight, and
fight like you train. Pick a reliable gun and wear it out. I
know guys who carry Glocks but if they go to a certain school
they carry a different brand to appease the staff. Train with 
the gun you carry in the holster you carry it in every day.

Take your training seriously. Don't go out and get drunk
the night before. Get a good night's sleep and a decent
breakfast. Hangovers and gunfire are not a good combination.

I am sure I am forgetting something but you get the idea. Be a 
professional student and get the most out of your training dollar.



James Yeager
Chief Instructor OPS Southeast
http://www.OptionsForPersonalSecurity.com
Cutting Edge Training Across the U.S.A.