Shooter's Log- "training date"

There is a lot of great training aid's out there for the Armed Citizen's. Some of them are designed for specific item's or task's, others offer general assistance for the shooter to practice. But of all the item's out there and have been around there is one that is used the least and add's the greatest value for a person to practice, and become more efficient. Rifle shooter's have used this method for long time but again for some reason I do not see a great many shooters utilizing this tool, which is odd because it is rather inexpensive but valuable for what you recieve from it.

I am talking about a shooter's log. This tool as I have already said, is invaluable once you use them. I was interduced to them when I went into the Marine Corps, and at first didn't see the real benefit, untill few months later I started going through it on a deployment, and seen pattern of my shooting and ways to improve it. Once I left the Marine Corps I stopped using it for a while, untill I took up traditional archery and brought this concept into my learning to master it, and it made a big differance. I started "coaching" shooter's off and on, and would suggest to them to use them and explain how (as I will here). After few years, I noticed a trend, those shooter's that took my advise and used the "log", performed far better than those that did not. This just cemented how valuable this tool was to both new shooters and experianced.

A "log" can be as eligant or simple as you want it to be. From a simple small spiral notebook from a "dollar" store, to a designed precise folder. What is important is the material that you have in the book. You have to look at it as a computer. The only information you will get out of it, is going to depend on the material that you put into it. Take the time and record the information, you will be suprised how a little note will jog your memory years later, but I will discuss more of this later. Let's look at what or how a "log" should be set up.

Training data- You want plenty of room for record information, as well as, keep it "clean" which will assit in remembering, I recommend a whole page (if using a small note book) or a select section for you designed.

Date- Ensure that you have the Date on the form, this will help give your brain a referance and keep you organized.

Range- you want the distance to the target you are shooting here. What most people start to see is at a certain distance they start to have more issues.

Target- log what target you was shooting at. Some see a trend to they shoot better on some than others.

Pistol- If you have more than one, record which one you are using.

Caliber- place the caliber you are using, I go even further and place what ammunition I am using for referance, as some ammunition shooter better out of certain pistol's.

Drill/Skill- This area I put what "detail" I am working on. This does few things for the shooter. One, it make you think of what you want to work on special for that segment. Two, it gives you structure during the training time you have (instead of just shooting 50 bullets). Three, it will give you feedback later of what you worked on.

Notes- I then have a huge section (box) for notes also there is a simple target with bulls eye. This is where the majority of information will be recorded. The things that felt good or bad, what I changed that seem to work, and/or possbile what to work on next time. On the target, is where I "plot" the shots as my training progress's (more on that in minute).

Okay, we now have our heading set up on the logbook let's look at how to do it. Once all headers are filled in and we settled on a drill/skill to work on (for this let's use "Todd's Trigger" drill). We have everything set up we are shooting at a regular paper with a 2" dot in the middle. We load our pistol with three rounds, we then come up on target, we purposely extend our trigger finger through the trigger more than normal, and press off 3 accurate shots then empty and make clear. Now, if all is done corretly we should have three tight holes low and left. I pick up my ink pen, I jot down a 1=through, then on the "target" in log, put a little "1" where the impacts are. I then paste the target. I come back, load up 3 rounds, then I pull my finger out to the right and press off three accurate rounds, empty and show clear. We should have three tight rounds to the right or low/right. I will then pick up my ink pen and record 2=out, then on "target" in log, put a little "2" where those impacts are. I am also noting any issues, like maybe grip slipping, or sights seem blured today, or note perhaps a cut I have on my finger which is changing how I press the trigger.

Once, I am done with the drill I am working on, I will move to the next and it will have it's own section/page. As you can see it is not hard, but will give you feedback. Once I am all done shooting for the day, I will make time to ponder the information. What felt good and what did not. The key is to find out the "why", then note it. Sometimes, this is done later that night or a few day's later, but the point is you want to make time to study your information, then this will help give and idea of what to work on for the next time. Let's face it ammunition is expensive, our time to train is never enough, and a good instructor/coach is ususally hard to find. This is something that can help you become better. Also, the next time you see a good instructor/coach, ask him/her to look over the "log". If it is done correctly, this will show them the information they need to help you, it is just as if they was right there. I hope this tip helps you and gives you another tool in the box to making you a better shooter.

Stay Alert, Articulate well and train smart,

Todd

Note: I tried uploading a copy of my log, but the brower didn't let me, leave a comment and I will send you a copy.

A Paper that Changed the World

Think about what this day July 4th, means to us Citizens of the United States of America? Think of the courage of our ancestors during this trying time? We often do not stop and ponder this, the very lives they put on the line, for a dream, something better, a commitment to a document that would change the world and become a beacon for freedom for all. We at time's take the rights our founding fathers have engrained into a parchment for granted it seems to me. We have an obligation not just to ourselves but to our children. We must take time to not just read the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, but also understand the era and people who have had enough of being dominated.

We are a country of people who came from different walks of life, religion's, class's and creed's. We have always had different opinions and belief's. However, we also realize that we need to come together and bond over item's that are bigger and more important than what we as individuals want. We are a country of unity, compassion and compromise. At the same time we are a nation of people who are not afraid to stand and speak our mind on what is just and right. A nation who wants to resolve through diplomacy, and yet are willing to shed our blood for the sanctity of the preservation of liberty. We hold the pursuit of happiness as value more important than the security of need's.

Our founding fathers came together in time of tyranny. They did not just represent their own values but those of all of this nation. They came together, discussed intently the issues of the times and the actions of which to take. After many failed attempts to appeal and communicate with the injustice's of the time, they appointed a Sub-Committee to draft a document of declaration. The sub-committee came up with several draft's, then they submitted a final one, all of which was drawn up by Thomas Jefferson. This final draft was signed by the congress of the time and was sent off. This document would change the very world as we know it today.

This document with ink and parchment would declare that people have a right to be free, and was sealed in blood with that of patriots and free men. This is what gave us the fortitude to stand and unite. Think about it a small group of people standing up to the World Power of the time. Not only demonstrating the desire to be free, but to beat the power and gain means of a new nation, cemented with the common man's use of the firearm of the time (we are a nation of riflemen). As any great thing that last, this did not happen overnight and took trial and error. The adoption of the Articles of the Confederation would give us guidance through the Revalution. Though it did not provide all that would be needed for a nation to not only survive but thrive.

A new document would need to be born. A document that would become the most important document drafted by man for freedom. This would be the Constitution of the United States of America! With this the unalienable rights of free people would be cemented forever for this nation, and become the living/breathing bible of liberty. This paper gives us our rights, and show's the responsiblity that we as free men and women have to uphold it for those that will be here long after we have gone.

The 4th of July for all American's is a day that should consist of more than cook out's and gatherings. Take a few minutes of this day and refamiliarise yourself with it. Cherish the fabric of liberty that we have and pass the history and legacy on to those who shall come behind us. If we forget what it took to get here and do not take the time to ensure that are offspring share the same value as we have for it, it shall fade away into history. Along with that the very freedom's we have had shall not be enjoyed by our grandchildren.