Mix It Up

All too often, whenever people practice for personal defense, they practice the same thing over and over again. In reality, most tactical practice scenarios are set up for miltary and police situations where an officer confronts their target head on. But most of us know that's not how it will go down if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to draw your gun.

So how does one practice shooting if one doesn't know what they will expect?

Simple solution: mix it up a bit. A lot of times, once you have mastered your technique, you need a little help on where to go from there. Practicing becomes mundane and boring. If you have ever gone to a gym and did the same work out every time you went, you realize you probably became more lax about going because your workout was boring you. Physical trainers try to mix up your routines to keep you interested, mentally aware, and to most importantly, keep you going. You need to do the same with your shooting.

If you ever find yourself getting bored of your practice, do something new. Try shooting one handed. Try shooting with your off hand. If you have access to an indoor range, shoot at a tennis ball on a rope. Shoot at steel plates. Bowling pins. Exploding targets. Do what it takes to keep it interesting and to keep your mind stimulated and focused on the task at hand. The fundamentals will be the same every time, but the target will change and the way you choose to shoot it will present itself differently and keep you thinking and alert.

Remember, if you are alert of your surroundings and learn to pick up on signs, the chances you will ever need to draw your gun will be slimmer than if you pay no attention at all. When you train to shoot, don't just train on fundamentals alone. Train to learn to react to different situations and to pay attention to your surroundings.