Every time I teach it is amazing how much I learn from the events. It does not matter if it is a Boy Scout event where 400 boys are run through my line at a black powder shoot, or teaching CCW classes to families that have had death threats and are learning to defend themselves.
Jimmy, one of our Law Enforcement officers and trainers is one of the best in the business. He has several pointers that have helped our classes through very small and easy suggestions.
1: Use the B27 Targets. These are the silhouettes and can come in different colors. We have used the Blue, Orange and Green. The B27 target is the shape of a man and can help build confidence. As the shooting tests are at very close ranges, it still helps the students with confidence, as they are able to tell what a "Center Mass" shot would be as they are getting into the basic shooting principals. It was amazing to see the difference in the students when everyone was hitting the center mass.
2: Shoot for the head. This is a drill that allows the students to see that they need to aim for center mass in the event that they have to return fire for self-defense. The head is a very small target that moves faster than does the torso and for the average shooter makes a much more difficult target.
3: Customize the range for your class. If you are doing close quarter shots for the CCW test, put a table in front of the shooters so they can minimize the movement with the firearms in-between shootings. The tables can be the fold up tables that are at Sam’s for $40 and come with the travel bag.
4: Practice dry firing techniques in the classroom using dummy ammunition. Following the rule that there will be no ammunition in the classroom except specifically marked "Snap Caps" or dummy rounds will help in keeping the students safe. When practicing these drills, everyone should be pointing the hand gun in a safe direction. We have the students point to an outside wall and work or we designate one wall as "down range and have students on the line. It depends on the number of instructors assisting with the class.
5: Never pick up a hand gun in a training class unless the hand gun is presented correctly to a student for inspection to ensure that the gun is correctly unloaded. This will help everyone from possibly making a mistake and thinking that just because the magazine is out of the gun, does not mean that it is unloaded. Revolvers should never be passed in a classroom unless the cylinder is opened and the hand gun is handed by the open rail. Semi-Automatics should never be passed in the class with a magazine in the handle or with the action shut. The action should be locked open and magazine out of the gun. This is where most people get into trouble with leaving a shell in the chamber and then handing a loaded gun in a classroom.
6: Have time for your students to talk about real world scenarios. This is one of highest ranked parts of our courses. Teaching and reading the law is mandatory, but it helps making the law come alive with real world role-playing or scenarios.
7: Use training aids. Training aids can range from PowerPoint slides, or NRA Posters, or old handguns that should not be shot. People learn from all of their senses, not just hearing. If they read it, hear it, practice it, and try to teach it to their neighbor they will retain it. (RHPT)
8: Try to have the highest Teacher/Student ratio that you can have. Our last class we had three instructors on the line. We ran three students on the left with one instructor, and three on the right with another instructor. The Range Safety Officer ran the range communicating and watching both groups. This kept the students with a pair of hands and eyes on them very closely. Some of the students did not need much help and others had not shot their hand guns in years.
These are some of the most basic teaching tips. If you have any that are working in your classrooms, please send them in. We would like to post them in the training sections and help the entire training community.
Happy Trails and Keep the Lead Downrange – Clark, Carryconcealed.net.
