What are good credentials for an instructor?

[Lead Waster]

Assume you want to take a class to improve your shooting. What actually qualifies someone else to teach you to shoot?

Some credentials are "Oh, I've been on the SWAT team for 30 years" or "I was in the Army for 20 years and served in Afghanistan" etc. That's very nice, but it doesn't mean that 1) they can shoot straight 2) they can actually teach people to shoot straight.

I had brilliant professors in University, but they could TEACH for jack.

Is student referrals the only real good indicator? If someone shows before class, then after class targets and it's good. Is that the mark of a good teacher?

I'm thinking about taking a class at some point int he SF Bay Area, but I'm seeing $300+ for one day!

What say ye, Collective?

[Tripper]

Referrals is a good thing
even then, the instructor might not be 'your' style

[Mute]

Ask students what they've learned and what tangible improvements they made after attending a class. Also ask about what they learned that they didn't know before taking the class.

[MrEd]

If a student is not ready to sell a gen4 glock 19 for 1 k AFTER the class to get a spot in the class then that instructor is useless

[The Virus]

Student referrals are somewhat overrated. You get alot of first timers who don't know anything so they think there getting the best thing since JMB built the 1911.

NRA Certs are good only if you plan on learning the NRA curriculum.
If youre looking for competion training then look for an accomplished shooter in the disciplin you are shooting in.

If you are looking for Tactical type training, I believe the instructor should have real world experience in that area and be able to teach what he has employed in the field.

There are FAR to many outfits that have zero real world experience or have ever fired a shot I self defense of in combat yet are "experts" in theoretical instruction techniques.

There are many legit trainers out there to waste money on the phonies.

[random name]

Stay away from any place that says we train navy seals and sec ops.

[Striker]

Assume you want to take a class to improve your shooting. What actually qualifies someone else to teach you to shoot?

Some credentials are "Oh, I've been on the SWAT team for 30 years" or "I was in the Army for 20 years and served in Afghanistan" etc. That's very nice, but it doesn't mean that 1) they can shoot straight 2) they can actually teach people to shoot straight.

I had brilliant professors in University, but they could TEACH for jack.

Is student referrals the only real good indicator? If someone shows before class, then after class targets and it's good. Is that the mark of a good teacher?

I'm thinking about taking a class at some point int he SF Bay Area, but I'm seeing $300+ for one day!

What say ye, Collective?

Referrals and reading AARs will give some information. Other than that I would ask you what type of shooting? If you're thinking competition shooting, I would look into to people that have done at a high level and give classes, so someone like Rob Leatham. Read AARs on previous classes and you should get an idea of what type of instructors they are. If you're talking defensive shooting; today, I would look at guys with Tier 1 Spec Ops experience and the people they recommend; so to say Larry Vickers, Kyle Defoor, Kyle Lamb, Mike Pannone, Super Dave Harrington, Pat McNamara etc etc. Again, read the AARs on previous classes and go from there.

First, you need someone that has had experience because how can someone teach something they haven't done. If you're just looking for a basic class, there are plenty of good instructors around to help you with your fundamentals, but if you're looking for shooting and tactics, you have to learn from someone who has done what you're looking for. I could go even further than that and say something like if you want to learn how to run DA/SA correctly train with X. Different people do different things. Some can do a lot and some are specialized. Todd Green is a great pistol guy, especially if you want to learn how to run DA/SA correctly, but carbine for instance isn't really in his realm. The important thing is you know what you want, you do your research and you go to learn. It seems obvious, but some, okay a few, go because they think they're going to impress the instructor with their knowledge. That's not what you're there for. You're there to learn what they have to teach. If after the class, you incorporate it and it works for you; great. If not, discard it, but you are there to learn their way of doing things.

[9mmepiphany]

I'm still trying to figure it out too...and I've been teaching for years. BTW: $300 for one day is pretty pricey for a group class and a bit underpriced for a 1:1 class...if it is a whole day.

When I traveled to teach, the draw was the lead instructor who was a USPSA GM and had been ranked #6 in the world...plus he was a great teacher. He'd also worked as an overseas contractor in Africa and with some very high end domestic spec op folks.

Most of what he taught was basic shooting...accuracy at speed...from which you could go any direction you wanted. I just got lucky, because he was local and that is what I teach today.

Other than the Big Schools, Gunsite, Thunder Ranch and Rogers, everything else in fighting schools is rather directive . For competition, most of the big names hold classes, but how well they teach is highly dependent on your learning style.

I have 28 years in LE and that didn't add to my ability to teach shooting...other than to be able to filter out a bunch of stuff than doesn't work. NRA certs don't mean much about ability to teach either...but it makes folks feel good.

My clients all come via word of mouth and are mostly on a 1:1 basis. The only thing I offer, besides my ability to make you a better shooter, is the guarantee that if you don't improve, you don't pay.

[ZombieTactics]

Assume you want to take a class to improve your shooting. What actually qualifies someone else to teach you to shoot? ...

"Shooting" comprises a wide swath of related skills.

There are different kinds of instructors who teach different kinds of skills or techniques. Military and LE organizations often contract for training with someone like Rob Leatham for one kind of thing, Rob Pincus for some other thing, and perhaps someone like Larry Vickers for something altogether.

Identifying your goals is the first step.

[Gun_Owner_901]

I am looking for a good shooting teacher in the Yuba Sutter area with a good price or willing to teach a eager student for free I am currently short on funds but can afford ammo thats about it, I can shoot I just need some tips on stance and things like that, PM me if anyone has someone in mind. thanks

[whipkiller]

If a student is not ready to sell a gen4 glock 19 for 1 k AFTER the class to get a spot in the class then that instructor is useless

I don't know what that means

[The Virus]

If you want to learn things like hanging upside down and doing situps with a gun or doing kettle bells with a gun, then Rob Pincus is the way to go.

[ZombieTactics]

If you want to learn things like hanging upside down and doing situps with a gun or doing kettle bells with a gun, then Rob Pincus is the way to go.

Uh-huh ... 'cuz that's what he does in every class. I swear man sometimes it's like you don't even care about the truth at all, but simply want to cause crap at every turn. Why must you act this way, Are you 12 or something?

Name an instructor or school ... anyone can find something to make fun of, if that's their goal. Would not a better goal be to contribute something useful to the discussion?

[AAShooter]

I few thoughts to offer.

First, too many shooter get stuck in endless analysis to pick the perfect class. Find one of many classes and go to it.

Second, training is very individual. It is like asking someone to pick your spouse. Be clear on our training objectives before you start evaluating instructors. Further, your needs will change over time.

Third, view training as an ongoing journey and variety is your friend. Don't get stuck in the single point of view of one instructor or school.

Finally, like many sports, much of firearms training is intellectually simple but the ability to execute the skills consistently is difficult. Don't be in a hurry to move ahead until you have mastered fundamentals skills required. Many shooter want to take the low-drag high-end classes without solid fundamentals mastered.

[Hopalong]

I've seen more people hide behind credentials

No matter what the field or discipline

Word of mouth, for me, but also consider the source