Judgment Training Ideas?

[envelope]

Hi all,

I've been trying to come up with different types of training to hone different skills. By no solid basis I've categorized them as such:

-Precision (Include hostage-like target setup)
-Operation/Manipulation
-Malfunctions (Identification, resolution, etc)
-Speed
-Moving while shooting
-Shooting moving things
-Moving while shooting moving things
-Judgement/Assessment

When it comes to assessing a target, I've come to realize I haven't been training my mind enough. I started making my own targets to mess with my senses and make myself think first, yet still make a swift decision. It requires a buddy to call out the targets, and aside from the HSP ones, I've roughly got:

-Various Colors (Colored construction paper - friend flashes the appropriate color)
-Left vs Right
-Colors spelled out, yet in a different color (word "Blue" but in the color Red)
-Happy Face vs Threatening Face

Do you guys have any other ideas to help this type of training? Thanks!

[gun fu]

I admire your search for more distinct skill sets

Please tell us about your shooting experience?

Previous training?
Self taught?
Taken basic firearms course?
How many rounds a month you fire at range?

Good luck!

[envelope]

Hey there, thanks for trying to get more context.

-1.5yrs experience in shotgun, rifle, pistol, though this training is more geared towards defensive pistol. Started competing in production class precision league late last year.

-No official training. Just feedback from LEOs and league/IPSC/IPDA contacts I have. Does watching the magpul dynamics and other videos count?

-Mix between self taught and self-practiced, per feedback from the above

-Looking into a local course, but I want to hit my self-taught limit before taking a course. I feel I'll take away more that way, despite probably having to unlearn a few things.

-I shoot 1-2 times a week, though that's split between the aforementioned platforms above. I really hate quantifying this, but I think I go through probably 500-600 rds a month. I'm trying to slow that down and extract more value per shot by practicing judgment/manipulation/trigger discipline.

[envelope]

shameless bump :]

[Jason Paletta]

Like Gun Fu stated, good for you on searching out other skills. With that being said, I would have to say by doing that and not having any structured training, you are going to create serious training scars. Though I do applaud your enthusiasm, there is nothing more important than the basic firearms skills.

Just remember, advanced firearms skills are just the basic firearms skills mastered.

Good luck to you!

[ZombieTactics]

Like Gun Fu stated, good for you on searching out other skills. With that being said, I would have to say by doing that and not having any structured training, you are going to create serious training scars. Though I do applaud your enthusiasm, there is nothing more important than the basic firearms skills.

+1

Another aspect of this is that almost everyone's videos make a hell of a lot more sense if you have taken a couple of different classes.

OP: Once you take a class or two from someone other than Magpul, go back and watch those vids again. It'll be like you got "brand new stuff I've never seen" for free.

Magpul training is legit, BTW. I'm just saying that different perspectives can aid in a more well-rounded understanding.

[Matt P]

My suggestion would echo Jasons encouragement of mastering basic skills.
Basic in the regard of establishing a grip, presentation to extended with sight alignment/sight picture and finally trigger press. Of course there is a great deal in between those movements that can benefit from continued proper practice.
The greater your confidence with just those basics, will allow for you to process more information outside that.

Decision making targets and drills are fun. But I suggest will not be an accurate test of how effective you would be in an actual situation. Given that is what you want to develop proficiency with.
You have already been equipped with decision making ability. Your life experience. If you are reckless in choice making then that is something that will always over ride your practice with a firearm. So if not reckless, excellent. Focus on mastering the basics more.

Your involvement in competition is an excellent way for you to be on a solid path to your own excellence. Its not the only path, but one I feel would be the best pursuit if choosing an involvement in firearms competition.
What do the other competitors have more then you? .........Speed.

Work on draws and basic manipulations. Like mag changes and slide release.
These activities can be done at home.
Get a shot timer. This can easily create stress for you almost like nothing else.
Video your form(Start surrender or arms relaxed at sides. Go through a draw), or have someone do it for you. Check your form and critique the heck out of it. Compare it to videos of shooters you know are well respected....Hint...USPSA guys/gals...hehe

Work on your accuracy out to 25 yards. Insure every round you fire at a target you can see the end result on the target. Structuring your target where you can not do this is wasting ammunition in practice. You learn little to nothing if you can not see the hit. Not in all things, but absolutely most as it relates to practice.

Lastly look on the web for info on dry fire practice at home. There will be benchmarks in time that you can shoot for...Or practice for.
Get either the surefire shot timer or another as an app for your phone. They are not as good as a pact or others, but it will be an excellent starting point.

Most of all thank you. Awesome you want to be a safer and more responsible firearm owner.

[GM_77]

A couple of thoughts.

First, the type of training you do is used or was at some point by folks at TigerSwan. But their background is not civilian, its the type that goes in kicks ***, takes names and leave.

Second is that you aren't doing judgement exercises, you are giving examples of identification exercises. Really good tools to use during a night shoot to become honest with your flashlight work. Also working on the focal shift from ID'ing something to shooting where you need to shoot instead of the thing you ID'd (lots of people shoot the numbers and not the A-zone). That is probably what you can do for now.

Third, there is probably more to it. I'm sure the stuff found on the internet got trickled down from somewhere legit and found its way to the water cooler and then to open enrollment classes and youtube. It could be that type of drill is done in conjunction with FoF and shoot house to gain max affect. Regardless I'm willing to bet there is context missing.

As far as judgement exercises go I don't know but its most likely individually based. Its probably good that you at least want your head in the game in the first place. What you can do is work on making decisions under real pressure and see how you do and go from there.

[gun fu]

I agree with the replies here. Sounds like you are on the right track. There may not be an exact course for which you seek but the mastery of fundamentals will allow you to achieve your goals.

Subconscious - Skills, reloading, draw, transition any mechanics you can learn.
Conscious - The decision making
Self Image - What makes you , you.

Practice / train with those in mind you will achieve them.
(I just quoted Bassham!)

[envelope]

Hey all,

I've read each of your responses, and you all have really great feedback ranging from basic principles to the 'training' media floating around. I think everyone brings up a lot of relevant, and some mind-blowing concepts.

I think my main take-away is indeed, to get formalized training. At the very least, not only is it reinforcing the basic principles, but one point of data as I start a long path of personal excellence.

I've started timing, recording, and observing my behavior under stress-- it's easy to see performance dwindling and areas to improve, so I've got much to work on now . Thanks again for everyone's thoughts; I've always got my ears open for the thing that takes me to the next level.

Favorite quote by Mr Paletta: "advanced firearms skills are just the basic firearms skills mastered"

Most mind-blown quote by Matt P: "You have already been equipped with decision making ability. Your life experience. If you are reckless in choice making then that is something that will always over ride your practice with a firearm."