For our purposes, training is defined as taking a class, individually or in a group, with a qualified defensive instructor. Every time I mention training, I hear from individuals who comment how expensive the good schools and instructors are. Yes, given enough time and ammunition, we might figure a lot of defensive techniques out on our own but that, too, is expensive. An improvement in our skills that might take us six months or a year to figure out will often be suggested by a good instructor after he has watched us shoot for all of five minutes. How do you put a price tag on that?
Another failing that we all have is unconsciously making mistakes. We simply aren’t aware of what we are doing that is holding us back. A good instructor is on that like a Texan on tacos. When it comes to developing personal defense skills, time is not our friend. We need to get up to speed with good training and then practice to stay at that level.
Personally, I find that I learn more when I take a class with instructors that I like. Out at Gunsite, Mario Marchman, Il Ling New, Lew Gosnell and Charlie McNeese are some of my favorites. I like the way they teach and their personal philosophies regarding self-defense. Over at Thunder Ranch, who can beat Clint Smith with his great wise-ass comments that always drive the lesson home? Defensive shooting is one skill and the ability to teach it is another entirely different skill. Good instructors are a combination of both.
In my own case, I teach the Modern Technique of the Pistol as do these instructors that I have mentioned. One of the reasons that I take classes from qualified instructors is so that I can steal borrow. I am always listening to hear a better way to make a point, a better example or demonstration. Just as developing defensive skills is a never-ending journey, so is the ability to teach it successfully.
Just as the instructor should continually strive to be a good teacher, we as students should make every effort to be the best students possible. I don’t take a class to win the top gun award. I don’t take a class to try to impress the teaching staff. I take a class to improve my own defensive skills. In the long run, that is quicker, cheaper and uses less ammo than anything else I can think of.
