Kyle Defoor, former US Navy SEAL and instructor for TigerSwan, now runs his own company, Defoor Proformance Shooting.
He describes his courses, such as Advanced Carbine Course, as athletic events:
“It’s an athletic event” is also an apt description for a gunfight. Stress, like that of a gunfight, raises our heart rate, quickens our breathing and otherwise affects our bodies much like physical exertion. If we’re not training under stress, we’re not really training for a gunfight. In the training environment, there are two ways of imparting that stress. The first is adding the pressure of time, which is common in most modern firearms instruction. The second is adding physical exertion, which is all too uncommon. Defoor utilizes both ways, setting himself apart from other trainers in the industry.
One important aspect of training is having ways to measure performance, both for establishing a baseline against which to measure improvement and for comparing one’s abilities to those of peers or given standards. Defoor had us jump right in with a basic rifle marksmanship test wherein we fired 10 rounds from 100 yards prone, 8 rounds from 75 yards kneeling, 8 rounds from 50 yards standing, and 8 rounds from 25 yards standing, all on an NRA B-8 target. Scoring was simply based on the scoring rings on the target.
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/special-weapons/advanced-carbine-under-stress/
Colorado Pete
Sep 20, 2012 @ 13:37:43
His yardstick test right off is a good idea, much like the ‘before’ redcoat at the start of an Appleseed. Erases all illusions of the students and gives the instructors their baseline for who needs what.
It’s hard to teach folks who think they know everything and are performing well. When you stand with them in front of their perforated target, which does not reflect their assumptions, you both see otherwise, and they can’t fool themselves, or try to fool you, any longer. Then maybe most minds open up.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Sep 20, 2012 @ 19:08:07
+1
My advice for all gun owners to use some sort of empirical skill measure. Competition is obvious but alot of folks (many of whom should know better) poo-poo that sort of thing. No worries. Use former Navy SEAL Kyle Defoor’s course instead. Or go to Appleseed. I don’t care what yardstick gets used as long as one is being used.
Interestingly, any useful skill metric also makes a decent competition shooting course, but don’t tell anybody… :)
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