Learning to flow

This entry synthesizes Ben Stoeger's insights on standard shooting tests, emphasizing their role as tools for individual skill development rather than mere reward systems. Stoeger, an expert instructor, details the components of these tests, including position changes and complex engagement orders, explaining their purpose in preparing shooters for practical scenarios. He highlights performance expectations and differentiates competition shooting from real-world applications, stressing safety and effective practice as key for class participation.

Christian Sailer, an expert with significant experience in law enforcement and military training, emphasizes focusing on fundamental shooting skills over complex hit factor math for most practitioners. He advocates for mastering sight picture, transitions, and consistent accuracy before delving into advanced scoring strategies. Sailer's approach prioritizes positive reinforcement and practical application, aiming to genuinely improve shooter performance.

Joel Park explains why setting up USPSA-style stages in classes is often an inefficient use of time. He advocates for focused drills that build specific skills rather than broad stage simulations. While acknowledging 'scrambler' drills can offer a snapshot of performance, he emphasizes isolating components for effective skill development.

This drill focuses on efficient transitions between shooting positions (standing, kneeling, prone) while emphasizing the proper use of magnification adjustment on a Low-Powered Variable Optic (LPVO). The instructor highlights the importance of working the magnification control during the prone transition and engaging targets from various angles, including over-the-shoulder shots.

This video by Ben Stoeger discusses the effectiveness of shooting on the move versus snapping to a static position. Stoeger demonstrates that for longer distances or more challenging targets, a slow, creeping shooting style is often less productive than quickly moving to a stable stance and engaging targets. The core takeaway is to assess if shooting on the move is genuinely improving your time and accuracy, or if a static engagement is more efficient.

This training progression, demonstrated by Ben Stoeger, moves from 'corrective' shooting (ensuring accuracy by pausing for sight alignment) to 'reactive' shooting (firing as sights return) and finally to 'predictive' shooting (shooting faster than conscious reaction allows). The goal is to improve firearm control and accuracy through understanding the cause-and-effect of shooting inputs at increasing speeds.

This video demonstrates a critical malfunction where the magazine drops during recoil, a common issue in competitive shooting. Ben Stoeger, a professional competitive shooter, highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing such failures. The guide provides steps to troubleshoot this specific problem, emphasizing safety and proper firearm handling.

This video demonstrates a critical safety incident: an uncommanded discharge of a Sig Sauer P320 during the re-holstering process. Expert analysis from Ben Stoeger highlights the visual evidence of the discharge originating from the holster, emphasizing the importance of constant vigilance and proper technique even when the firearm is supposedly "safe" in its holster. The incident underscores the need for thorough firearm inspection and immediate post-incident assessment.

Ben Stoeger, a professional shooting instructor, explains common misconceptions about red dot sights. He emphasizes that true proficiency comes from focusing on the target, not the dot itself. The guide details training methods, like occluding the optic, to develop this crucial skill, comparing it to the lifelong refinement needed for trigger control.

This comprehensive dry fire program, led by World Champion shooter Ben Stoeger, focuses on refining fundamental handgun skills. It includes a structured warm-up, detailed drills for draw stroke mechanics, efficient reloads (including strong and weak hand only), and positional shooting from kneeling. The program emphasizes precision and control, progressing to dynamic movements and transitions essential for competitive shooting.