Suarez Intro. to Defensive Pistol-AAR/pics

[moyler]

Thanks! Dry fire practice,...

A big portion of our range work is to verify that our dry practice that week was sound. Jesse, you did really well.

[moyler]

The weather was great. Couldn't have asked for much more.

We started the day with our safety lecture and our fundamentals lecture:




The focus of the Intro to Defensive Pistol is on our base fundamentals. If our foundations are strong, well built and well rounded, we have a better chance of standing tall after an earthquake. We train simple, effective tactics that are easily repeatable, and focus on doing the little things the right way.

Defensive pistol work, because of its nature, has to be reflexive and natural, as we will most likely be caught 'behind' in the reactionary curve in a critical incedent. Our immediate, spilt-second reaction will likely, and hopefully, be an extension of what we have trained. Multiple, correct repetitions help to ingrain the proper movements into our muscle memory.



We train with a civilian operator mindset, working on the skills that may help save our lives in a critical, potentially lethal situation.





One of the many highlights was a girl who was new to shooting. In fact new to holding a gun altogether. For the entire safety discussion and fundamentals lecture I made her hold and work with a blue gun of the same Glock 19 variety she would shoot for the day. She ended up doing amazingly well, giving other shooters something to strive for. The quintessential, perfect student: no bad habits, no preconcieved notions, no ego, and a willingness to do everyhting exactly as asked.


Thanks to Wahsatch RSO, Chuck for his range duties and for the pics.

Great job to the students for having positive attitudes and for making it a successful day for everyone. The Suarez Training Group for Utah gained a few members on Saturday; looking forward to our first event!

[muddy]

Great class Mark. Thanks.

[UtahCFP]

Looks like there is a lot of "modified Weaver" in the pictures. Is that the preferred stance they teach?

[moyler]

Looks like there is a lot of "modified Weaver" in the pictures. Is that the preferred stance they teach?

We teach the basic stances or positions and the pros and cons of each, and our preferred position is Isosceles when our situation will allow a full shooting stance. The philosophy is to not become a slave to any one stance, over another. Our situation will ultimately drive our tactics, so the ability to be fluid and versitile with our movements and positions is our goal.

I urge them to experiment and I let them use what's comfortable for them, and I only correct poor form, ie: weight on their heels, leaning back away from the gun, etc..

[UtahCFP]

Looks like there is a lot of "modified Weaver" in the pictures. Is that the preferred stance they teach?

We teach the basic stances or positions and the pros and cons of each, and our preferred position is Isosceles when our situation will allow a full shooting stance. The philosophy is to not become a slave to any one stance, over another. Our situation will ultimately drive our tactics, so the ability to be fluid and versitile with our movements and positions is our goal.

I urge them to experiment and I let them use what's comfortable for them, and I only correct poor form, ie: weight on their heels, leaning back away from the gun, etc..

Good approach.

I try to have students start from whatever "stance" they naturally take when they are surprised or frightened. That's what they will be doing anyway...
Then you get them to solidify (e.g., weight distribution, arm extension, etc). Seems to have worked pretty well over the years. Sounds like y'all have about the same philosophy.

There is one friend of mine who has a goofy stance but can drill out the bullseye all day long. He is a drywall guy, and his stance comes from how he uses the pneumatic screw driver gun. Solid as a rock.