Practicing Standards all the time is not smart

Published on May 22, 2025
Duration: 10:51

This video advocates for a balanced approach to firearms training, emphasizing the strategic use of fixed standard drills for assessment and variable setup drills for skill development. Practicing only fixed standards can lead to being a 'one-trick pony,' while variable drills, which should constitute the majority of training, build adaptability by presenting randomized challenges. The speaker suggests using fixed drills sparingly to diagnose weaknesses, then applying that knowledge to diverse, unpredictable variable scenarios.

Quick Summary

Firearms training should balance fixed standard drills for assessment with variable setup drills for skill development. Fixed standards, like the LRES drill, help diagnose weaknesses, while variable drills, comprising about 95% of practice, build adaptability through randomized target placement and scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between fixed standard and variable setup drills in firearms training?

Fixed standard drills have predetermined target setups, distances, and sequences, like the LRES drill. Variable setup drills, however, randomize target placement, distances, and types, focusing on adaptability and problem-solving rather than a specific score. The latter should form the bulk of practice.

How should fixed standard drills be used in firearms practice?

Fixed standard drills should be used sparingly, perhaps once or twice at the beginning of a training session, to assess current skill levels and identify specific weaknesses. They serve as diagnostic tools, not as the sole focus of practice.

Why is practicing only fixed standard drills considered detrimental?

Practicing only fixed standard drills can make a shooter a 'one-trick pony,' proficient only in that specific scenario. This limits adaptability, making them less effective when faced with different distances, target types, or unexpected situations encountered in real-world scenarios.

What percentage of firearms training should be variable setup drills?

The speaker suggests that variable setup drills, which focus on adaptability and problem-solving through randomized challenges, should constitute the majority of firearms training, ideally around 95%.

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