Demos give you anxiety?

Published on September 19, 2025
Duration: 3:34

This video discusses the anxiety instructors can feel when performing live demonstrations for students. Ben Stoeger emphasizes the importance of demos for effective teaching, suggesting instructors should show both correct techniques and common errors. He believes this approach helps students develop a better understanding and that teaching itself can solidify an instructor's own knowledge.

Quick Summary

Firearms instructors can experience anxiety during live demonstrations due to the pressure to perform perfectly for students. Ben Stoeger emphasizes that demonstrating both correct techniques and common mistakes is crucial for effective teaching, helping students understand better and solidifying the instructor's own knowledge.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Instructors, Demos, and Stress
  2. 00:06Does Instructor Role Induce Anxiety?
  3. 00:12Pressure to Perform on Demand
  4. 00:25Early On: Demos and Pressure
  5. 00:46The 'Judgy Eyes' of Students
  6. 00:59Teaching as a Learning Tool
  7. 01:11Forced Explanation Solidifies Knowledge
  8. 01:34Importance of Demonstrating Skills
  9. 01:43Instructors Who Don't Do Demos
  10. 01:51Why Demos Are Crucial
  11. 02:03Anxiety as a Reason for No Demos
  12. 02:12New Rules: Daily Live Fire Demos
  13. 02:35Philosophy: Never Shoot in Front of Students?
  14. 02:45Stoeger's Philosophy: Show Right and Wrong
  15. 03:03Critique of the 'No Demo' Crowd
  16. 03:14Fear of Messing Up Demos
  17. 03:19Learning from Demo Mistakes
  18. 03:29Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do firearms instructors sometimes feel anxious during live demonstrations?

Instructors can feel anxiety due to the pressure to perform flawlessly on demand for their students, similar to the stress experienced in competitive shooting. They want to effectively demonstrate skills and are aware of many 'judgy eyes' watching their every move.

What is the benefit of instructors performing live demonstrations for students?

Live demonstrations are a proven method for students to better understand desired actions and techniques. Showing both correct execution and common mistakes helps students develop a clearer comprehension of what to do and what to avoid.

How does teaching firearms skills help the instructor themselves?

When instructors are forced to explain what they know to others, they often discover they understand more than they realized. The process of articulating concepts and demonstrating techniques solidifies their own knowledge and identifies gaps.

What is Ben Stoeger's philosophy on instructor demonstrations?

Ben Stoeger believes instructors should demonstrate the correct way to perform a skill and also show common wrong ways. He finds this approach leads to a better and quicker understanding for students and dismisses the idea of never shooting in front of students.

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