Importance of Foundational Training

Importance of Foundational Training

(posted January 2023)

Most of us will admit that bad habits are hard to break. In fact, research indicates our habits will always be there, wired in our brains, and we can only add habits which can take precedence. Why not establish good habits from the start and minimize the bad ones? This is where getting good foundational training is important.

Most men who get into shooting guns have never had any formal training since the process seems relatively simple. You just point it, hold it steady, and pull the trigger, right? Usually, your first shot will be the best one you’ll ever take. You likely hit the bullseye or the tin can you were shooting at because your body didn’t know what to expect. However, that first shot introduced your brain and body to a shocking event - a small explosion happening right in front of you and the jolt of recoil in your hands. After that, your subsequent shots were likely not as good. You began anticipating the recoil and/or flinching when you pressed the trigger.

Beside overcoming flinching, what are other areas of competency and component skills of shooting effectively and efficiently? If my gun doesn’t fire when I need it to, what is the best way to remedy it? Am I doing things right or are there better ways of shooting and handling my weapon? What are the advantages of gripping the gun a certain way or techniques of shooting standing, kneeling, lying prone, or moving?

When I was a kid, my parents and I started golfing together. The first thing they did was get us all golf lessons from a pro. This was the best thing for us as it created a good foundation for playing the sport. I had no habits, good or bad, when it came to swinging a golf club or hitting golf balls - those would come later. I remembered a good friend commenting, when I played with him the first time, “You’ve had lessons, huh?” When I asked him how he could tell, he replied, “Because your swing looks like it.”

When my daughter was 8 she expressed an interest in archery. Although I had shot archery recreationally as a kid and in college, we decided to take her to a professional for lessons. I believe it was the best decision for her success in the sport. She was able to establish a good foundation by starting with minimal preconceived habits, get corrections early, and minimize bad habits.

Learning to shoot firearms is no different. There are many aspects to being a competent shooter and it is vital to get good training. It is never too late to begin to establish your foundation. Yes, you may have some bad habits, but with good instruction and effort, you can create better habits which will allow you to gain competency and become more effective to achieve your desired success.