This page lists most of the training sessions I do. I will basically be following my training plan for 2008, and you should be able to look at my YIS (year in sight)/Plan and watch it unfold with these sessions. This log does NOT include what I may do for defensive or other purposes, it is a competition log only. To see my 2008 Training Plan/YIS (year in sight) click here. To learn more about developing a training plan/YIS see the training design cycle.
Date
Session Notes
2/19/2008
Purpose: Match/Smith and Wesson IDPA Match/ IDPA skillsets Goals: Low Light (flashlight manipulation), Use of cover (roll out positioning) Time: 1600-1730 Session: Met with Brian Hill today, USSA's Director of Training to work on some skills I hoped to use at the Smith and Wesson IDPA Indoor nationals. My main goal was to finalize my plan to use one hand only during my flashlight shooting techniques. Although I can stabalize the gun better with two, I had not yet found and validated a two handed technique I liked when coming from the holster. I teach mostly one handed flashlight techniques (a modified method of the old cheek or neck index, but a bit higher on the face for several good reasons), and wanted to use it if possible. Spent about half of the session timing the splits with different techniques, as well as timing the first shot using both techniqes. The second half of the session was used to working on stabalized shooting platforms from behind positions of cover, as well s getting into and out of these positions. I pay particular attention to what the gun does in recoil when practicing these drills, as that is what shows me what I need to know. Getting into the positions themselves can be practiced at home without wasting ammo. Last but not least, Brian and I spent the rest of the session working on hitting three targets, and applying proper fundamentals of the firing cycle. Shooting is basically going through this cycle properly, and learning to apply it during difficult positions and during movement. Elements we paid particular attention to are index the target, prep the trigger, verify the sight relationships (target and each other), and stabalization of the gun while pressing the trigger straight to the rear. This drill has a goal of performing without missing the critical aiming zone and steel (we had one set up) target 10 times in a row without making any errors. We MADE ourselves pay particular attention to the details (or the cycle) while doing this drill. You can find more on the firing cycle on the Train Brian Compete , Train 4 Combat, etc. pages.
2/24/2008
Purpose: Single Stack Division/USPSA/ Single Stack Nationals Goals: First Practice session, Test new holster. general gear test Time: 1130-1300 Session: I have switched over to USPSA legal gear and begun (early!) my training plan for the single stack nationals in April. I switched to the Safariland holster and magazine pouches that are legal in that division, and used today as a test day for that gear. I focused on simple mechanics of drawing and reloading, all while paying attention to the firing cycle critical areas (index points, trigger management, sight management). Focused on reloads with and without slidelock manipulation (speed reload and emergency reload), from a static position. I worked on these mechanics until I was feeling like I had met my goals for consistency, and then began the same draw and reload drills moving. I practice almost everything moving when training for USPSA, since we perform most reloads while moving. I do focus on the index points and other key areas while static (initially) just so I can focus on those areas without complicating it with movement. Shot 350 rounds total, all A's except for 3 d's (???), and 12 c's. This accuracy level is not good enough and I will pay more attention to sight management during future session (recognizing the alignment, or misalignment of the sights, and watching them as the gun goes off).
2/28/2008
Purpose: Single Stack Division/USPSA/ Single Stack Nationals Goals: New gun test. I received my USSA 191practiced GP model handgun that is a dual purpose competition gun/carry gun. Time: 1630-1800 Session: Today I will spend the entire session testing the new pistol. Obviously, when you get a new gun you want to test it thouroughly, making sure it works well, is sighted in, and still works with your current gear plan (fits in you holster. etc.). I shot about 300 rounds today working on getting in the groove with the firing cycle of the new gun. Obviously, every gun recoils and returns slightly different, and learning how a gun tracks (in recoil) is very important if you are trying to perform well at top speed. I will be posting a list of drills in the near future that I use, all of which are designed to force me to perform some action that I want to be able to repeat correctly over and over. Each has "critical points" in it that I attempt to pay attention to (I admit, sometimes I just like to shoot...but MOST of the time I follow a pre-planned routine). Today, I set up my standard drill with two IPSC targets and a resetting mini popper between them. Each repetiton is Brian rounds per target, and one shot (has to be a hit) on the popper. This is done static and standing. I repeated this over and over until I felt that I had gotten the feel of the new gun, and then started to add movement dynamics to the drill. I add these dynamics just to try to force myself to stick to the basics of the firing cycle (extend and prep the trigger, verify what I want to see, stabalize and press...reset and repeat if necessary) even when I am moving. I remind my self that the shooting, and what I need to focus on and see doesn't change much with a movement dynamic attached to it. Movement dynamics and props are just meant to distract you from the critical stuff, which is seeing something you need to in the sight picture, and manipulating the trigger the right way. I shot a few D's again today, and about 15 C's. Once again, I need to increase my attention on getting good hits, and in future sessions I plan to break down where I may be moving the gun off center.
3/4/2008
Purpose: Single Stack Division/USPSA/ Single Stack Nationals Goals: Single Stack draw and reload. Time: 0700-0830 Session: It is cold today, and this is exactly the condition that we shot the single stack match last year, except that it was raining on us all day too. What a great day to train! I don't particularly enjoy these sessions, but I learn what I can and can not do in terms of performance when my hands and fingers are cold. Too often we train in good conditions, and never test our ability to perform in bad conditions. My main goal for this session is to work on my draw and reloads with my new gun. I strongly believe, and predict that the fundamental components are key to winning the single stack match this year. Rob L. comments regularly that he likes the match because of this fact, that the match is still a shooting test and not a gear race or gimmicky stage match. I shot a total of 20 or more c's out of about 350 rounds or so today, which is once again not where I want to be in terms of accuracy in my training. I have caught myself training with less than adequate attention to detail lately, and will attempt to fix this. I firmly believe that a fully written out training plan is the cure for this, as it keeps you on track with your goals and what you need to focus on during your sessions.
3/6/2008
Sorry, no notes!
3/11/2008
Sorry, no notes!
3/24/2008
Note: I have been teaching for about a week and will attemp to get back on track with my practice and note taking sessions. Unfortunately, those who teach more usually shoot less, especially when they are working full time! Don't ever think that instructors get to shoot all day, cause it ain't so!
