It is important to integrate a lowered center of gravity into your training regimen as it is one of the most common reactions to being scared and/or startled. The reason for this survival reaction is that it prepares us to move. In fact, if we try to integrate lateral movement into our presentation quickly when…
In part 1 of this article, I tried to draw correlations between two areas (combative and competitive) in each of the five critical skill sets. My purpose was to outline how techniques used in either area relate, and more importantly how to train them. In this part, I will get into the weeds and discuss…
I’ve often been asked, “Does practical shooting under the stress of competition offer training benefit to those who want to use these skills for combative purposes?” My answer is a strong yes, and I will break down why in this two-part article. In part 1, I will draw correlations between the two areas (combative and…
Over the past few months, I’ve been discussing the first seven of my Ten Commandments of Street Survival in two articles: Ten Commandments of Street Survival Part 1 and Ten Commandments of Street Survival Part 2. Now I’d like to conclude with the final three commandments. Commandments 8-10 of Street Survival 8. Thou Shalt Not…
Last month, I discussed the first three of my Ten Commandments of Street Survival: Thou Shalt Not Not Train, Thou Shalt Not Defeat Thyself, and Thou Shalt Not Give Up. Let’s move on to numbers four through seven. Commandments 4 – 7 of Street Survival 4. Thou Shalt Not Fear Fear 5. Thou Shalt Not…
You may be familiar with an essay that I wrote in 2008 on the topic of Respectful Irreverence as an approach to tactical training topics. I want to explore an underlying theme in more detail, the theme of Sapere Aude, “Dare to Know.” Originally, this Latin phrase was used to advise people to “trust their…
I make a big deal about efficiency. I use the word a lot. I sometimes correct people awkwardly when they say “effective” but mean (or should mean) “efficient.” The ease with which people interchange the two words without actually thinking about their different meanings is indicative of why the difference needs to be stressed. Merely…
While preparing a personal safety lecture for a local group, I was looking for an opening that would get everyone’s attention. My audience was a group of teen and pre-teen girls and a few parents. The inspiration for the class was the recent abduction and murder of a seven-year-old girl. Being in an upscale community,…
An attribute is defined as a quality, character, characteristic, or property belonging to a person, thing, or group. In this article I’d like to discuss the essential attributes of the combative shooter, as I see them. Note I do not list accuracy or speed in my list of shooting attributes. While these are certainly desirable…
As we launch the Personal Defense Network, we realize that a huge portion of you are going to be interested in firearms training for defensive use. As I looked over the dozens of topics that I expect to be covered here in the coming years, it was not easy to pick the most important ones.…