Do you incorporate "searching & scanning" into your shooting exercises?

[DinkyDau]

Psycho motor skills are your best friend..If you neutralize one. Don't step forward until you asses the surroundings, scan 180 degrees in front, if no other threat you can holster..Where the skill comes in, is to holster without looking down..It takes 3,500 to 5,000 reps, to train the brain to hand to master this..

 

[FAM0321]

It's always a good idea to incorporate 360 degree scans into your routine before you holster. A quick left-right scan with your eyes is all it takes, and then a final glance over your shoulder before holstering. Once you've built the habit into your re-holstering routine, it'll force you to slow down, look around, and think before you put your gun away. Remember it's always faster to shoot from the high ready than from the holster, so there's no rush to get your pistol away.

 

[protective measures]

It's always a good idea to incorporate 360 degree scans into your routine before you holster. A quick left-right scan with your eyes is all it takes, and then a final glance over your shoulder before holstering. Once you've built the habit into your re-holstering routine, it'll force you to slow down, look around, and think before you put your gun away. Remember it's always faster to shoot from the high ready than from the holster, so there's no rush to get your pistol away.

Agreed. Pretty much every class (including today's) I had to remind the shooters that there is no prize for being the first one back in the holster.

 

[TattooedGunner]

Thanks for the input. We've spoken at length about several different topics but not this one.
I'll have to ask him for more clarification as to their thought process on that.

Aggressively moving off the X I get & teach.

Stepping toward a threat that I've just shot & turning my back to them I don't get.

Their content is most always tactical sound so I would like to hear the logic to that movement.

Another couple of thoughts.

You assess the threat in front of you first to make sure he is out of the fight and look to each side before turning.

Also. The step forward doesn't have to be much forward movement at all. Basically, if I am standing in a squared off stance I would move my right foot forward about 12" and turn on that foot. I just did it a few times and it really isn't much forward movement, just enough to clear anything immediately behind you that you could trip on.

Sometimes it makes more sense seeing it than trying to explain it in writing.

 

[protective measures]

Another couple of thoughts.

You assess the threat in front of you first to make sure he is out of the fight and look to each side before turning.

Also. The step forward doesn't have to be much forward movement at all. Basically, if I am standing in a squared off stance I would move my right foot forward about 12" and turn on that foot. I just did it a few times and it really isn't much forward movement, just enough to clear anything immediately behind you that you could trip on.

Sometimes it makes more sense seeing it than trying to explain it in writing.

Sometimes it makes more sense seeing it than trying to explain it in writing.[/QUOTE]

I agree with that.

When I invited Randy down to do a class for some of my "serial trainers" he used that technique but we discussed so many different topics I didn't ask about this one.

As no surprise and as some people have told me, our curriculums had a lot of similarities. Fundamentals are fundamentals.
One of which we discussed is the possibilty of a person who is unconscious due to blood loss "waking" back up after they are down due to blood pressure equalizing or increasing. Which is why I don't like turning my back at all to a threat I have just put down... the old "zombie effect" along w/ Murphy's Law.
That is only one small philosophical diffence & not worth getting hung up on.

From what I understand of their content I am 95%-98% in agreement w/ it... especially his.
I had heard good things but after having a few opportunities to spend time & compete w/ him I concluded that what I had been told was correct.

 

[TattooedGunner]

That does make sense, and is something to think about.

I do want to make it over there and take a few of your classes as well

 

[Indirect Fire]

Agreed. Pretty much every class (including today's) I had to remind the shooters that there is no prize for being the first one back in the holster.

X2
One of the important things that I think so many people forget is forcing themselves to sssslllooowww down on re-holstering. People tend to think getting the weapon on target and a round off is so much more important (and "gratifying") that they slap the pistol back in the holster so they can do it again quickly. It's a hard habit to break. Another one I have seen a great deal of is experienced shooters that have this automated response "to scan", but in their minds it's just a movement with no intention and becomes a waste of time. Concentrating on the effort and paying attention to what you are really doing is important. Complacency kills.

Having objects or signs (or a target or two) at an oblique angle to the shooter or 180 degrees or more off the line of engagement and then asking what they saw is a good drill. Last time I had several very experienced shooters doing a pre-deploy we had a detail inventory at the end of an exercise and gave the winner a free dinner. This was after one instruction to scan and see what is around you and no other....it was surprising what the topshots DID NOT notice.

Of course it all goes back to "situational awareness".

 

[protective measures]

That does make sense, and is something to think about.

I do want to make it over there and take a few of your classes as well

Would be a pleasure to meet you & shoot together..

 

[protective measures]

X2
One of the important things that I think so many people forget is forcing themselves to sssslllooowww down on re-holstering. People tend to think getting the weapon on target and a round off is so much more important (and "gratifying") that they slap the pistol back in the holster so they can do it again quickly. It's a hard habit to break. Another one I have seen a great deal of is experienced shooters that have this automated response "to scan", but in their minds it's just a movement with no intention and becomes a waste of time. Concentrating on the effort and paying attention to what you are really doing is important. Complacency kills.

Having objects or signs (or a target or two) at an oblique angle to the shooter or 180 degrees or more off the line of engagement and then asking what they saw is a good drill. Last time I had several very experienced shooters doing a pre-deploy we had a detail inventory at the end of an exercise and gave the winner a free dinner. This was after one instruction to scan and see what is around you and no other....it was surprising what the topshots DID NOT notice.

Of course it all goes back to "situational awareness".

Agreed.
Myself or another Instructor will stand behind or at an angle to the shooters holding a knife, cellphone, flashlight, etc. & as you stated its amazing the people who look right at you but don't see your hands or the weapon/ object.

We put an emphasis on focusing on the hands where most threats of violence originate from.
Countless times they just go through the motions & never see a lethal threat 5"-12' away.

 

[DaveTheMinion]

I use to play a game with my wife during dryfire. She'd call out a random object I. The room (she got cynical) and she'd give the order to shoot/don't shoot or call out a different target.