Introducing Stress into your Training

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Jeff White

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Myself and several other members here have discussed introducing stress into your training in order to increase your proficiency. I came across this video tonight and it explains it better then I can in this format:



Training is a continuous process. It never ends. Too many of us get proficient at one skill and then we go to the range and “practice” it. It makes us feel good, but it’s not training. We need to push ourselves. Take that skill you’ve mastered and make it more difficult.
 
I know you’re being serious and I understand that this response might not sound serious.

When I want an extra challenge at the range, I don’t wear bug spray. We have these things called sand gnats here. Other coastal Southeasterners will know what I am talking about. It gets really hard to make good hits on the 500 yd range with sometimes 100 biting insects on your arms, face, and in your eyes.

I like timed shooting drills.

I also like planning a workout with a time constraint in addition to adding weight/resistance/distance.

Of course these are things I do on a regular basis. I suppose one should branch out into adding stresses that really get you out of your comfort zone like adding in extreme heat or cold or even putting grease on your hands.

My range has run and gun competitions every now and then. There are a few water obstacles too that guarantee you get wet. Nothing like being back in the military.....:confused:
 
Timed shooting on the move, with barricades, and transitions or reloads are helpful to me. Very humbling sometimes, and a helpful way to get better.

Unconventional shooting positions and weak hand shooting are also good.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I know you’re being serious and I understand that this response might not sound serious.

When I want an extra challenge at the range, I don’t wear bug spray. We have these things called sand gnats here. Other coastal Southeasterners will know what I am talking about. It gets really hard to make good hits on the 500 yd range with sometimes 100 biting insects on your arms, face, and in your eyes.

I like timed shooting drills.

I also like planning a workout with a time constraint in addition to adding weight/resistance/distance.

Of course these are things I do on a regular basis. I suppose one should branch out into adding stresses that really get you out of your comfort zone like adding in extreme heat or cold or even putting grease on your hands.

My range has run and gun competitions every now and then. There are a few water obstacles too that guarantee you get wet. Nothing like being back in the military.....:confused:
Click to expand...

You had a good post in the hunting thread about fitness. I do think improved fitness has helped my shooting from a strength/endurance perspective
 
At the mid point of my seventh decade I'm not the same physical fit person of my Marine Corps Days. Long in the past thou I do walk 3 miles most every day for a semblance of physical fitness. As for Ayoob is he now a Vampire ???
 
Training is different for everyone. Thats something a lot folks don't want to accept.

You NEED to do this or that. That is simply not the case for most folks.

I really don't understand why people like to compare trying to be a Seal to an EDC civilian.

I understand the OP but its going at it all wrong for Joe Average.

Its like folks think the only options are standing square at a range or Ranger training jumping out of planes.

This kind of thinking does a serious disadvantage to most folks wanting training.


My opinion is that for the average Joe some kind of action competition shooting is about the most beneficial type of "training" one can do, outside of actual purpose oriented classes.

Competition isn't real world but neither is any type of live training, military or otherwise. But it does induce stress which is what this thread seems to be about. And training outside of comps obviously there's all kinds of things one can do to induce stress while practicing for the upcoming stress.

Ultimately whether you shoot USPSA/IDPA or you're an elite soldier, mindset to deal with situations plays a bigger role than your physical training.
 
Good Ol' Boy said:
Training is different for everyone. Thats something a lot folks don't want to accept
Click to expand...

That’s because it’s not true. The basics are the same for everyone. And training is training regardless if you are training to be an elite soldier, a baseball or football player, of a good typist. The same methodology applies to any skill you can think of.

You start with the basics, practice them until you are unconsciously competent and then add different conditions to the training.

It doesn’t matter if you’re learning to shoot or learning to play the violin.

Good Ol' Boy said:
You NEED to do this or that. That is simply not the case for most folks.
Click to expand...

It is the case for everyone but the naturally talented. And there are very few naturally talented people who don’t benefit for proper training. Why do you think that the top hitters in Major League Baseball still practice hitting from the tee like the little kids?

Good Ol' Boy said:
I really don't understand why people like to compare trying to be a Seal to an EDC civilian.
Click to expand...

That’s not at all what this post is about. It’s about adding conditions to your training routine so that you will be able to perform those skills under stress. A very high percentage of gunfights happen in the dark. Do you train in the dark? When is the last time you did your standard range session in the dark?

Good Ol' Boy said:
Its like folks think the only options are standing square at a range or Ranger training jumping out of planes.
Click to expand...

You have to look past the examples used in the video. The video was made by a retired Army Special Forces officer and he talked about what he knows. They are all valid to us. Do you have a guarantee that if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a defensive gun use incident that it’s going to happen in bright sunlight after you’ve had a good nights sleep and you’re at your best? If so you don’t need to add stressors to your training. The rest of us who don’t have our lives so well programmed need to train to operate in the dark, when we’re tired or when we are injured.

Good Ol' Boy said:
My opinion is that for the average Joe some kind of action competition shooting is about the most beneficial type of "training" one can do, outside of actual purpose oriented classes.
Click to expand...

COMPETITION IS NOT TRAINING TO FIGHT!

Training to compete and competing in matches can teach you some things that will be useful but it can also develop habits that will get you killed. You have to be able to know what you do in competition that is applicable on the street and what’s not. And if competition is your only training you are going to do stupid things like clear and holster after you complete a “stage” on the street. I’ve seen police officers who spent years on the range firing two then holstering do the same thing in force on force training and in the FATS simulator.

People do not rise to the occasion they default to their level of training. I’ve seen it too many times. If your only training is playing a game that’s most likely exactly what you will do on the street.

Good Ol' Boy said:
Competition isn't real world but neither is any type of live training, military or otherwise. But it does induce stress which is what this thread seems to be about. And training outside of comps obviously there's all kinds of things one can do to induce stress while practicing for the upcoming stress.
Click to expand...

How many matches are conducted in the dark? Which match wants everyone to shoot it on three hours sleep? Which match uses role players to distract you from the problem? The old NTI was the only experience like that I know of.
 
The fellow who makes these videos is a retired SF officer. Most of his vids are for the purpose of helping others who are thinking about moving to a career in Special Operations, and his material is accurate and well presented. Most firearm owners don't need to go to the extreme lengths of inducing stress into their training. IMO, the best way to increase stress in training for a civilian gun owner looking for duplicating physical stress into things like HD and SD scenarios is to incorporate things like some pushups or a simple sprint into training drills. These activities increase heart rate, with all of the accompanying symptoms that you will exhibit in such an encounter. Unless you are already a fitness freak, you don't need to run a long distance or do a ridiculous amount of pushups to get this effect.
 
USPSA exceeds all of the weapon manipulation, and targeting skills.

I've taken manip classes, and tactics classes. But it's the manip and shooting skills that get rusty, not the tactics. Competition is an excellent tool to have in your mindset. They're leading the way in technique, not PD or .mil.

Once you have manipulation down path, all you have to worry about is tactics. You can't concentrate on tactics, if you're busy staring at your own sloppy reload. ''Competition isn't training.'' is just an excuse that somebody isn't getting enough range time in to stay proficient. IE: "I took a class, now I can sit on my butt.''
 
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FL-NC said:
IMO, the best way to increase stress in training for a civilian gun owner looking for duplicating physical stress into things like HD and SD scenarios is to incorporate things like some pushups or a simple sprint into training drills. These activities increase heart rate, with all of the accompanying symptoms that you will exhibit in such an encounter. Unless you are already a fitness freak, you don't need to run a long distance or do a ridiculous amount of pushups to get this effect.
Click to expand...

No one including the YouTuber who posted the video is advocating more then this. The examples in the video are just that, examples of more extreme methods of introducing stress. In the Emergency Service Team (SWAT) training I took decades ago we ran an exercises that started with a 20 meter sprint to the firing line then engaging the targets. This was a one on one competition with another student, the first one to hit all of the targets "won". The next iteration your weapon was on a barrel at the firing line. You had to sprint up to the firing line, pick it up and engage the targets. The third iteration your weapon was on the barrel and was unloaded, you sprinted up, loaded your weapon and engaged the targets. The fourth and final run your weapon was on the barrel and the magazine was empty with loose rounds sitting next to it. The tiebreaker round (if necessary) had your weapon unloaded and disassembled at the barrel.

The video was posted here to encourage people to think about ways they can make their training better by introducing stressors. I think that was the intention of the YouTuber also. No one is saying your training is inadequate unless carried to the extreme examples in the video. I'm saying your training will be better if you introduce stress into it. It will also be better if you introduce conditions you are likely to encounter such as low light shooting.
 
I was once a member of a club that had occasional use of the police range. I have seen the SWATters going through that sort of track and field to cause physical stress before shooting; including run and exercise, then field strip, reassemble, and load your gun, then shoot.

There is another stress involved in such things, condition of employment. If you don't pass the tests, you will lose your position in SWAT or prestigious elite military squad.
 
I've noticed making accurately shots is a lot easier when I'm at the range by myself just casually shooting than I do during matches. I've also noticed that when I practice with a shot timer and/or do some type of exercise to get my heart rate up, I do better in matches. I agree with Good ol' boy that Joe EDC doesn't need to train like a combatant, but, I think adding some stress will increase your effeciency.
 
mokin said:
I agree with Good ol' boy that Joe EDC doesn't need to train like a combatant, but, I think adding some stress will increase your effeciency.
Click to expand...

but when Joe EDC is called upon to do combat (survive an attack) it would probably be better if he had trained more like a combatant. It is my opinion that it doesn't hurt Joe EDC in anyway.

I don't do enough real training.
I do some, more than most, perhaps. I recognize that there is a gap in my training and am looking to correct that.

I do think that timed games like USPSA and such are awesome at honing skills on the clock. trying to be competitive is good for this too.
I think that par time practice is good for inducing stress.

In my mind, mastering individuals skills sometimes means you can lean on those skills in situations where your other skills may not be as strong.

Training can be fun, keep you physically and mentally in shape, and point out gaps or flaws in your methods/thinking.

remember, it can be fun
 
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Corpral_Agarn said:
but when Joe EDC is called upon to do combat (survive an attack) it would probably be better if he had trained more like a combatant. It is my opinion that it doesn't hurt Joe EDC in anyway.

I don't do enough real training.
I do some, more than most, perhaps. I recognize that there is a gap in my training and am looking to correct that....
Click to expand...

I agree with you there. If you're in a fight, you'd better fight like your life is on the line. The thing is, after active duty in the Marines, I don't have the budget to train like a combatant.
 
Some of you folks are intolerable.

Nowhere did I say competition is the end all be all.

For most folks its the most practical form of training, yes TRAINING, that one can get. I'd take regular comp over a once a year combat course every day and twice a Sundays.

I realize the shooting sports don't advertise as "training" and a lot of high speed folks like to reiterate that, but for the average person it really can be.

No one is saying that because one shoots comps they're going to absolutely prevail in a SD situation. Then again there are countless scenarios in which someone who keeps a j-frame in their sock drawer that they've never shot defends themselves.

I am so bold as to claim that a regular comp shooter is going to at least have those odds if not fare a bit better in any SD situation.
 
Our level 1 uspsa stages have been pretty interesting lately. Most start positions arent holstered with arms at the side. We are doing more table and sitting starts, more hard leans from cover, even no shoots behind the plate racks and texas stars. Its not idpa stuff but definately makes you slow down.

I dont think of it as training just more fun than blasting 150rnds at nothing. And its an excuse to buy cool guns. Second sunday of every month, fire mission for wannabe seal team 55yr olds
 
NVcharlie said:
And its an excuse to buy cool guns.
Click to expand...

This is one of the big reasons I discourage the idea that shooting in matches is training for a deadly force encounter. Unless you carry your race gun in your high speed holster and belt on the street you’re going to be building muscle memory and reaching the level of unconscious competence with equipment that will likely be at home in the safe when you have an encounter on the street.
 
Biggest stress I have at the square range is how am I gonna replace this ammo...
The Dept tries to put stress on us for qualification, but it's laid back so as not to cause heart attacks among older staff.
 
Training is expensive in time and money.
Retraining is difficult to justify if it is not your job... or even if it is in an era of defunding.
Focused practice takes real commitment. Being certain you are practicing what and how your school taught to maintain doctrinal purity is real tough. Evaluating your own progress is hard, lots of marksmanship drills out there, but tactics? And a place to do stuff the local range doesn't allow.

I met a guy who took the same course as his vacation every year, but it was about a second level course and not the gunfighting training you are talking about.
 
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Our stress training consisted of running in place for two minutes, then the lights went out and loud sirens blasted and red lights flashed. Timed fire then commenced in low light and no light.

I don't know if it helped, but it certainly got your adrenaline flowing.

It was an indoor range so no running around the place with a firing line of 20 officers.
 
Speedo66 said:
Our stress training consisted of running in place for two minutes, then the lights went out and loud sirens blasted and red lights flashed. Timed fire then commenced in low light and no light.

I don't know if it helped, but it certainly got your adrenaline flowing.

It was an indoor range so no running around the place with a firing line of 20 officers.
Click to expand...
This was literally 30 years ago... but I never forgot it.

My final academy range qualification started by writing a report in a classroom, then answering a shots fired officer down call on a radio.

You left the room and ran around the whole set of academy buildings to the range. It was at night, so the range was very dimly lit and a car with a light bar/siren going was parked on the far side as you enter. At 25 yds you concealed yourself behind a mailbox as three targets turned, one shoot and two no shoot.

After a few seconds they turned away and you then ran to another point of concealment (barrel) at 15 yards and again three targets turned.. but right at the turn a range guy you never saw behind you touched off a blank- firing shotgun. Made that one set a bit lively. One shoot, two no shoot targets.

After about four seconds these targets turned and you again ran across the range to the 5 where a dummy in a uniform was down behind a 3’ simulated brick wall. Right as you get there three more targets turned; one shoot, two no shoot. These were exposed for maybe two seconds, tops.

Had to score 100 pct to pass. Any less you get one remediation, if you blow that one you’re out of the academy and would have to recycle the whole thing.

Not much stress heaped on a bunch of kids that night :what:.

Obviously this would be very difficult to do at most any range, but any bit of stress one can put on themselves when doing some defensive firearms training is better than nothing... even if it’s just raised pulse/respiration from some jumping jacks.

Stay safe.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I know you’re being serious and I understand that this response might not sound serious.

When I want an extra challenge at the range, I don’t wear bug spray. We have these things called sand gnats here. Other coastal Southeasterners will know what I am talking about. It gets really hard to make good hits on the 500 yd range with sometimes 100 biting insects on your arms, face, and in your eyes.

I like timed shooting drills.

I also like planning a workout with a time constraint in addition to adding weight/resistance/distance.

Of course these are things I do on a regular basis. I suppose one should branch out into adding stresses that really get you out of your comfort zone like adding in extreme heat or cold or even putting grease on your hands.

My range has run and gun competitions every now and then. There are a few water obstacles too that guarantee you get wet. Nothing like being back in the military.....:confused:
Click to expand...
Don't forget the yellow flies!
 
Jeff White said:
This is one of the big reasons I discourage the idea that shooting in matches is training for a deadly force encounter. Unless you carry your race gun in your high speed holster and belt on the street you’re going to be building muscle memory and reaching the level of unconscious competence with equipment that will likely be at home in the safe when you have an encounter on the street.
Click to expand...



This is one thing I can agree with you on.

I'll just go ahead and throw it out there that I shoot way more IDPA than USPSA.

That being said yes, the guy that shows up with a 5.11 vest, fullsize pistol and in a duty style OC holster more than likely isn't there to "train". And I was one of those guys initially, mainly because its easier to get familiar with manipulations when you're starting out. Some folks continue that load out because its more competitive.

I shoot matches now (have been for quite a while) with the EXACT SAME LOAD OUT I EDC. That includes clothes. The only variable is that my EDC I only carry one spare mag on my weak side instead of 2. I do not consider that an issue, other than maybe I should be in these times.

Point is, some folks take comps more seriously than others as far as "training" and not just competing. This is almost unheard of in USPSA from my experience. I have witnessed it 10 fold in IDPA.

Nothing wrong with just wanting to compete and wanting to be competitive, but the sport I believe has other values for those that want to take it more seriously as it pertains to the real world.
 
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