Front Sight Focus
Sep 16, 2015 by in Training
Front Sight Focus

Front Sight Focus

For Instructional Purposes Only! This pistol was verified clear and aimed at a camera set on a timer.
For Instructional Purposes Only! This pistol was verified clear and aimed at a camera set on a timer.

This article will answer a reader’s question debating the importance of front sight focus. While addressing this topic, I’ll also cover the mechanics of the human eye and the different types of pistol sights.

“A lot of instructors, including you, stress the absolute importance of sharply focusing on the front sight when shooting a pistol.  You also put a heavy emphasis on the importance of shooting tight groups in your articles and gun reviews.  However, I attended some other courses and read a ton of other articles that downplay both the importance of front sight focus and shooting tight groups.  In these cases, they emphasize gaining only ‘flash front sight’ to achieve ‘combat accuracy’ as the key to effective defensive shooting.  I’m inclined to side with the latter because … Read more »

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The Development of Shooting Specific Physical Skills
Apr 13, 2015 by in Training
The Development of Shooting Specific Physical Skills

Train Smarter, Not harder…

Stacie Tovar, North CentralWhile physical skill development is discussed at length in training manuals for sports such as martial arts, cycling, powerlifting, and running, very little is written on how to apply periodization techniques to shooting. The application of modern training techniques in developing physical skills has massively changed the way professional athletes train. Over the years performance has massivley increased across the board. Unfortunately, those concepts have in large part eluded the vast majority of shooting enthusiasts and professional instructors. Too often the development of shooting specific physical skills is accomplished by instructors doggedly adhering to the “What I learned first, must be the best” theory. Fortunately, there is a better (or more efficient) way of developing the shooting specific skills you are looking for. The most widely known example of the principles of periodization is the workout routine known as Crossfit.

Physical skill development in any … Read more »

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How to Build a Firearms Training Course
Jul 8, 2014 by in Training
How to Build a Firearms Training Course

A training program is different than training…

Aegis Academy-pistol training-firearms training course“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” – Confucius

As a firearms instructor I consider myself a mentor or guide and I believe a great amount of thought should go into creating and implementing a firearms training course. If you are an experienced shooter or an instructor, the ability to shoot is not often the problem. Sharing your experience or knowledge often is. It is not just the physical action of shooting, but the organization, logistics, safety and small details required to successfully run a course. Setting up drills is easy. My intent is to provide you some guidance on how to begin and what subjects you need to consider.  If you look online for how to build a firearms training course, you will see a plethora of “courses of fire”, drills or target schemes … Read more »

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Evaluating Range Safety
Dec 1, 2012 by in Training
Evaluating Range Safety

Are your Firearms Instructors Qualified?

Shoot houseThere was a tragic incident last week at a firearms range facility in Texas where a presumably unqualified instructor made a significant error in judgement and shot a fellow staff member.  Here are few things to look for when you evaluate the safety procedures of your training provider.

1. Did they conduct a detailed safety brief identifying procedures, responsibilities (to include yours as a client) to prevent range accidents, and explain the procedures to respond to an accident?

2. Did they identify the location of on-site medical equipment and explain the process for requesting emergency medical assistance?

3. Did they identify range specific or evolution specific hazards and inform you of exactly what part of safely controlling for those hazards do they expect you to do?

4. Did they explain range commands so that everyone participating speaks the same language for that exercise?

5. Is … Read more »

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