Dialing in your training

Ben Stoeger, an expert firearms instructor, details the components and purpose of standard shooting tests. These tests are designed as tools for individual skill development, emphasizing complex drills like position changes and convoluted engagement orders to build proficiency beyond simple target acquisition. Stoeger highlights that the goal is self-improvement, not just external rewards, and that high scores reflect significant dedication and training.

Joel Park, an experienced firearms instructor, emphasizes that an outcome-focused mindset can hinder progress in shooting. He advocates for a process-oriented approach, urging shooters to concentrate on the mechanics and execution of each step in a drill rather than solely on the final score or time. This method, honed through years of competitive shooting and instruction, helps identify and correct fundamental flaws for more effective skill development.

This video from John G. Johnson, a firearms instructor, addresses the common issue of improper trigger pull affecting 99% of shooters. He demonstrates the critical difference between a trigger 'pull' and a trigger 'press,' emphasizing that a smooth, controlled press is essential for accuracy, even more so than grip or sight alignment. The guide includes dry-fire drills using the HTS Dry-Fire Bullet Insert and live-fire examples to illustrate how a proper trigger press leads to tighter shot groups.

Instruction from Joel Park, a seasoned firearms instructor and competitor, addresses building speed in USPSA. He emphasizes that speed and accuracy are not mutually exclusive, debunking the myth that increased speed must lead to more C-zone hits. Park details common time-wasting habits during stationary shooting, movement, and target transitions, offering practical techniques to improve efficiency. The integrated approach of dry fire for habit building and live fire for testing and refinement is highlighted as crucial for continuous improvement.

Instruction from Ben Stoeger, a recognized expert in practical shooting, details ideal training volumes and effective practice methodologies. Stoeger emphasizes focused repetition on a limited number of drills per session to maximize learning and skill development, even when ammo is scarce. He also recommends specific training resources for shooters looking to improve.

This video, featuring competitive shooter Ben Stoeger, explores the necessity of high-volume live fire for achieving elite proficiency. Stoeger argues that while dry fire is crucial and can lead to Grand Master status, competitive success at the national level often requires significant live ammunition expenditure (20,000-40,000 rounds/year) to achieve marginal gains and build confidence. He emphasizes that dry fire is more efficient for specific drills, but a combination of both is optimal.

This video highlights a critical firearm malfunction where the magazine drops during firing, indicating a potential issue with the magazine catch or frame interface. The speaker, Ben Stoeger, demonstrates professional handling of the malfunction, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing mechanical failures promptly. The firearm in question is a customized Shadow Systems MR920.

This video demonstrates a critical uncommanded discharge incident with a Sig Sauer P320 during a holstering procedure. The footage, analyzed by expert Ben Stoeger, highlights the importance of firearm safety and mechanical reliability, showing the discharge occurring without the shooter's finger on the trigger. It serves as a stark reminder of potential risks even during routine actions.

Ben Stoeger debunks common red dot sight misconceptions, emphasizing that 'finding the dot' and 'blooming' indicate a misunderstanding of optic mechanics. True red dot use requires focusing on the target, not the dot itself. Stoeger suggests training methods like occluding the optic to promote binocular vision and target focus, comparing this skill to trigger control which needs constant refinement.

This 15-minute dry fire program by Ben Stoeger focuses on refining fundamental shooting skills through deliberate practice. It covers slow-motion draws, varied draw techniques including lateral movement, and meticulous reload mechanics. The program progresses to advanced drills like strong-hand/weak-hand reloads and positional shooting from a kneeling stance, emphasizing precision over speed initially.