Instructor needing instuctor advice...

[Jamez]

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but I'll start here.

I just got my NRA instructor cert's for rifle and pistol a few months ago and I decided to put a "Basic Defensive Pistol" course together. It's mainly a pistol clinic, shooting at human threat targets instead of shape targets, wound placement, things like that.
My question is this: What are some of if any problems you've encountered with it? Is this something I should seek legal advice or have a waiver signed before teaching?
I'm already aware that for first time tactical shooters it'll be basic problems and the pre requsite is some form of recognized pistol training like Basic Pistol or something like that.
And before anything have students demonstrate safe and proper techniques, ect.
Advice?

I plan on using my girlfriend and a couple of their friends as test bunnies.
Since none of them have had any real instruction (other than me giving a quick 5 min how to at the range)
My logic is if they can do it, it's easy enough for intermidate shooters.

[rkt88edmo]

Since you aren't teaching the NRAcourse you are cert'd for, what are your qualifications to teach the subject you propose?

IMO don't do it.
There are plenty of more experienced self defense instructors, I would suggest arranging to attend one of their classes with your bunnies.

[mtenenhaus]

I would tend to agree with rkt88edmo,

Reputations and first impressions are very important. Skills take time to develop. See how other successful instructors conduct their classes, note both the good points as well as the areas that you feel you might improve upon. You might even be invited to participate as a co-instructor.

I would imagine the easiest way to begin would be with an introduction to rifles or handguns making the best use of your hard earned foundation and qualification. The classes and your student mix will evolve along with you and the course content.

[Jamez]

Sorry,
Active Army from 2003 to 2007. 2 iraq deployments, team leader in the national guard since last year.

[Gisray]

You might want to have a 1 on 1 instructor ratio. Based on the info given. People react differently under stress (assumtion that you will place some stress level on them) time pressures.

People who have alot of range time still do something stupid when not watched extremely close.
Are you having them use holsters? Movement? Lights? malfunction clearance? different positions? all of these will add influence as to how they react.

If these are people who only go to the range and shoot 50/100 rounds per year it may be a little much for them. ( I don't know the level of skill as to who is coming).

You will need a liability waiver and permission from the range to do this class also because of liability.

Don't know your situation as to the range and such just a couple of thoughts. Hope this helps.

[AngelDecoys]

If I recall, the Lincoln rifle club does some training, and shooting events. You might touch base, or audit something they do to get a better idea on curriculum. They should be close enough for you to check it out.

Or, if you have time, follow my signature to the free Women's classes we do. Being cautious of level of student, we tier our classes with assessment between levels. Some who have been shooting for years 'think' they know something. We start with newbies and move through 5 count draw, movement, and clearing a home. And that's over several classes.

You've mentioned more 'involved' types of classes and I applaud you for doing so. Whatever range you're thinking about operating out of, I'm sure the biggest concern they are going to have is liability. See what they are willing to allow you to do 1st (At our range, it was several years before we could build up enough of a safety record for students to draw from holster with a loaded firearm). Good luck.

[Dean]

You've been given some good advice so far. One thing >

you might want to consider is to be a Line Coach for someone else first. Volunteer if you have to just to get the teaching experience in. We're always looking for a qualified second pair of eyes to have on the range. While helping the students and helping run the class, you will learn what the must have's are and formulate your own style of teaching from there.

You will need insurance, see what the NRA has to offer, what your range will require from you, releases both for the range and you personally will also be required. Then start small, one or two students by yourself in a 1/2 day basic handgun format and see how that goes. Make sure you have a course outline to help you stay on track and to make sure you cover all of the safety and teaching points you wanted to cover. Unless you've taught the students before, bringing someone new or unknown to you into a tactics class could be questionable unless you spend a big portion of your day upfront making sure they are safe and up to speed before getting into any real tactics.

Good luck!

[doug4747]

I have been an instructor for a couple of years, I emphasize to prospective students, that I do not teach tactical. I teach safety and marksmanship. If they want instruction other than the NRA courses, then I am quick to point out I am not certified as to that. Basically trying to get to the root of what they want to learn. Then I tailor the instruction to their needs, but if what they want is beyond my scope of knowledge or comfort, I then refer them elsewhere. There are many very good tactical schools to choose from. When I teach I make sure to point out when we are talking about my opinion, not the course book, or law, or advice, or whatever.
Each student reads and signs a waiver, then I verbally go through the waiver, to make sure they have not overlooked anything. The waiver is about a page long, written in lawyer speak, which is why I go through it again with them.
I do not teach more than a few students at one time, my max is 4 at this writing, because I want to make sure that the information is understood, we all need to remember back when we had no knowledge of firearms, and teach from that perspective.
I also allow plenty of range time, as practice of new knowledge and skills are vital to retention.
Unless requested, I teach the range part with .22 rimfire. A couple of reasons, the first being, recoil. A new shooter will quickly tire from heavy recoil, they tire out anyway, as they are using muscle and concentration in a new way. The second is economy, a new shooter can get more range time for less money.
Hope this helps, and thank you for your service to this country.