Rob Pincus discusses why training a skill in context is vital for being prepared for the real thing. It’s easy to feel overconfident about your shooting after you hit a target dead center from 100 yards while standing still, and this confidence doesn’t do you any good when you are faced with a live, dangerous defensive incident. It is important to train yourself for context during your practice sessions. Next time you’re at the range, try going through all the steps that would be necessary for you to set your sights on the target in a real firefight. Imagine yourself switching focus from the target to your sights and doing all the things that would fully prepare you for the life-threatening situation.