Training Behaviors That End up Biting You

Published on September 9, 2025
Duration: 9:41

This video emphasizes the importance of developing disciplined training habits to avoid detrimental behaviors that can manifest during live fire. Instructor Joel Park advises against 'training for the gram' or only focusing on perfect reps, advocating instead for consistent, accountable practice. He stresses working through mistakes rather than restarting drills and maintaining strict safety protocols even during dry fire.

Quick Summary

Avoid detrimental firearm training habits by focusing on consistent, accountable repetitions rather than 'Instagram runs' or restarting drills after minor mistakes. Maintain strict safety protocols, especially trigger finger discipline, during all practice, including dry fire, to ingrain safe and effective behaviors for live fire.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Listener Question: Bad Training Habits
  2. 01:00The 'Instagram Run' Mentality
  3. 03:31The 'Mulligan' Habit: Reholstering Mistakes
  4. 05:01Safe Habits in All Training
  5. 06:46Balancing Speed and Discipline
  6. 08:00Avoiding 'Trick Shots' and Parlor Tricks
  7. 09:03The Importance of Ingrained Habits

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common bad habits to avoid in firearm training?

Common bad habits include 'training for the gram' by only focusing on perfect reps, re-holstering and restarting drills after minor mistakes, and neglecting strict safety protocols during dry fire. These behaviors can lead to a lack of discipline and accountability when it matters most.

How can I prevent bad habits from forming during firearm practice?

Prevent bad habits by focusing on consistent, accountable repetitions. Treat every rep seriously, work through mistakes instead of restarting, and always maintain strict firearm safety protocols, especially trigger finger discipline, even during dry fire exercises.

Is racking the slide after every dry fire trigger press a bad habit?

According to instructor Joel Park, racking the slide after every trigger press in dry fire is not necessarily a bad habit that will negatively impact live fire performance. The focus should be on overall discipline and safety rather than this specific action.

Should I restart a firearm drill if I make a mistake?

No, it's generally advised not to restart a firearm drill after a minor mistake like a bobbled reload or bad draw. Instead, learn to work through the error and complete the drill or stage. This builds resilience, as mulligans are not available in real-world scenarios.

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