Principle-Based Training

What is a principle? What is a technique? Why does it matter that you know the difference? Let’s start by using the dictionary definition of a principle. It is a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived. Another way of saying that is a fundamental doctrine or tenet. It is a basic truth. That truth cannot change no matter what. Now let's go to the definition of a technique. A technique is the ability to apply procedures or methods so as to affect a desired result. So, what might work for one person, may be detrimental to you.

Do you see the difference? I strive to master principles and teach them to you. There is no 'secret Special Forces weapon craft' revealed to the world for the first time. I take that principle, that truth, and teach it in its simplest form. It is the honing of these basic principles which sets apart the expert from one who is just good. There is always room for improvement and growth in mastering these basic truths.

 I'm reminded of a conversation I overheard when I was young. I was hanging out at a gun shop and some old-timer came in. To my young eyes he looked ancient. He told the guy behind the counter that he had been shooting his whole life. He had just seen some new movie in which the star held and shot his handgun sideways. It seemed to work for the movie star, so he walked out back with one of his handguns and tried it. He said the brass flew straight up over his head, into his shirt and down his back. It burned him on the way down. We all laughed. He vowed to never shoot that way again. So, in my mind that was a dumb way to shoot. I still think in most circumstances it is. I learned later that holding the gun sideways, usually shown incorrectly in movies, came from holding guns with the ejection port down when firing in helicopters. So, that technique is useful in a limited capacity. People took that, and it has been copied so many times, just reinforcing bad habits.

What about techniques? You could say that techniques are ways to employ principles. Let me give you an example. Trigger Control, the principle is a smooth pull to the rear.  Apply increased pressure on the trigger until the break of the shot, without manipulating the gun to the left, right, up or down.  Doing it without any anticipation.  What about finger placement?  That’s all technique. 

Traditionally a lot of people use the first half of the pad of their finger. I witnessed the transition from the M9 to the Glock 19 in 20th group while working at SFAUC.   A lot of guys who have been shooting for 10, 15, 20 years very well with the M9, now found themselves shooting to the left. (right-handed shooters) What they were doing was using the same finger placement technique on the Glock 19 that they had used on the M9.  In doing so they were now violating the principle of “Trigger Control”.  They were pulling back on the trigger but not activating the trigger safety.  They then subconsciously rolled their finger over to the left to activate the safety thus causing them to shoot left. 

The fix? Go back to understanding what the principle is and adjust the technique to comply with it.  In this case, go deeper with the trigger finger.  Guess what? This resulted in a miracle.  The shots now all adjusted right, to the center of the target. 

There are 8 basic principles of marksmanship. Since these are principles, they are unchanging (as opposed to techniques, which change). The 8 principles are stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, breathing control, trigger manipulation, follow-through, and recovery. If you keep going back to these 8, and refining them, your ability to grow as a combat shooter will never stop. There is always something you can do better. These principles are the sure foundation on which you can build your shooting skills.

The technique is how you go about employing the principle in whatever circumstances you may find yourself.  Granted, there are many good techniques. I don't pretend to know them all, but I have found that what makes good marksmen is mastering the very basics. Some of the shooting schools that I have been to act as if their technique is a great secret and they are almost hesitant to share. They think that they are the end-all and be-all. I don't understand that philosophy. We have a wonderful national heritage of firearms. I think that it is important for us to learn and share as much as we can. Take those techniques that work for you. Disregard what doesn't.  Always keep an open mind and be willing to try something new, as long as it doesn’t violate truths.

It is too easy to get caught up in trends and fads. If you stay focused on basic truths and master these, you won't go wrong. As the parable says, a wise man built his house upon a rock and a foolish man built his house upon the sand. When the rains came the foolish man's house washed away. Be the wise man and build that foundation on stone. So, when the floods come and you and your family are threatened, you will be ready.

Thanks for reading,

Jared