Are you training the transition?  If not, the expression "change or die" may have a more real and immediate meaning to you. What I mean by transition, is the transition from one technique or tactic to another. Though a curriculum may contain many great techniques, it may not include a training approach that specifically prepares the student to switch to another technique when one fails or is inaccessible because of position, injury or environmental conditions. When I started teaching law enforcement personnel in the mid 90's with Erwin Ballarta, I saw a huge disconnect between empty hands and firearms training.  This was actually true in law enforcement as well as in the firearms community of private citizens.  Though there has been some improvement over the years, it is sti...

If you aren't tailoring your warmups to match the mechanics of application and technique you may be wasting an opportunity to make more progress in less time.   Whether you are teaching a class or just preparing for your own training there is a lot more you can do with a warmup than just touching your toes and doing a few lame jumping jacks.   A good warmup will increase the heart rate, speed blood flow, increase the respiration rate, raise muscle temperature, and stimulate fluids to lubricate the joints.  It should start with simple, multi-joint movements that do not require much coordination.  The intensity should start low and gradually increase.  You will know that your warmup is working when your students start sweating.  I usually start my classes with f...

"Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast." This quote, with a background in the US Army, is often cited in the training world as well as in the execution of tactical operations.  The gist of the quote is, if you rush a movement, task or operation, then you will likely take a longer route to the desired outcome.  Rushing results in fumbling and imprecise actions which will delay the success of your mission.   Taking the time to be precise, make more economical movements, and make wise evaluations about how to proceed will result in a more effective and quick outcome.  Simply put - Don't rush! I think the application for of this concept as a training method can be more profound.  It can really be the difference between mastery and amateur efforts.  I have applied...