Performance Shooting…in my opinion
I started my training company in January 2012 and as I started it I struggled with what flavor of shooting I would focus on, tactical or competitive. I ended up at a blend and for a lack of a better term I simply call it Performance Shooting.
I define Performance Shooting as: Applying the correct ratio of speed and accuracy to dynamic shooting situations with a goal of scoring maximum points in minimum time with 100% accountability. As I see it that definition applies to whatever we do with the guns if winning is a concern. If you are a competitive shooter you need to score more points in less time than the other shooters you are competing against. If you are a tactical shooter I think you absolutely need to score more “points” in less time than the other guy that’s shooting at you or someone else.
That correct ratio of speed and accuracy is a key factor that will allow us to score more points in less time. Accuracy is awesome and it has been said that accuracy is final and I believe that for sure, but if it takes longer than it needs to, you will loose. Case in point, if shooter A can fire 5 accurate rounds from 25 yards will 100% accuracy at a rate of a shot every second and shooter B can deliver the same accuracy for 5 shots at a rate of a shot every half second, who wins? Speed is also awesome, however if we shoot fast and miss, we loose and for the tactical shooter…where did those bullets go?
I push for the correct blend of speed and accuracy with a heavy dose of accountability and repeatability and the ability to deliver it under stress. I think a great place to test your shooting abilities under stress is to go out and shoot a match. Competitive shooting is the thing that drove me to become a better shooter and I have taken a lot of lessons away from it that have made me a better tactical shooter and operator. I encourage anyone that carries a gun in the line of duty or for self-defense to go out and compete. Do it with an open mind and use it as a tool to evaluate your shooting abilities under stress and your ability to process information quickly. You’ll find out what you need to work on (I certainly did and still do) and have a good time doing it with some like-minded people. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning!
I’ll probably do another one of these articles focused on my take aways from competitive shooting and how those things crossed over and made me a better operator. Until then go out and shoot a match and see what YOU think, see if your shooting skills under stress are where you want them to be.
-Frank Proctor
Frank Proctor has served over 18 years in the military, the last 11 of those in US Army Special Forces. During his multiple combat tours in Afghanistan & Iraq he had the privilege to serve with and learn from many seasoned veteran Special Forces Operators so their combined years of knowledge and experience has helped him to become a better operator & instructor. While serving as an instructor at the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course he was drawn to competitive shooting. He has since earned the USPSA Grand Master ranking in the Limited Division and Master ranking in the IDPA Stock Service Pistol division. He learned a great deal from shooting in competition and this has helped him to become to become a better tactical shooter. Frank is one of the few individuals able to bring the experiences of U.S. Army Special Forces, Competitive Shooting, and veteran Instructor to every class.
All this experience combines to make Frank Proctor a well-rounded shooter and instructor capable of helping you to achieve your goal of becoming a better shooter.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
Good article but dang. LOOSE and LOSE are different words. Why have people started interchanging them in the last ten years? You LOSE something. You set your dog LOOSE in the yard.
Fucking amen, well said. Competition is the same as PT, it will better prepare you for the fight.