AIMPOINT TRAINING - RANGE PREP, PART 5: HOW TO DESIGN YOUR RANGE DAY

Here is the final tip in our “Range Prep” series. We first talked about being safe on the range, followed by what we recommend that you bring, along with proper eye pro and ear pro, and now we end with how to get the most out of your allotted time.

It’s said that time is our most valuable asset.

Well, we think that time well spent is our most valuable asset. Most of us are not fortunate enough to have unlimited range time so we should make the most of it when we do. One of the easiest ways to do this is to have a plan before heading out.

Set Measurable Goals

The first, and likely least accomplished task of creating a range day plan is to establish a goal for the session.

Goals are usually multi-tiered, servicing layers of a desired outcome. In terms of training, it’s easy to take in the big picture as a whole and not reduce it to its component parts. What this does, is gloss over a great deal of the skill building that we need to really achieve any level of mastery.

Depending on the time that you have available to you, choose a small number of these related “micro skills” that you find in the “scaffolding” of the greater skill and string them together. Here is a good example:

Your draw stroke is a complex of micro skills. Of those, you might concentrate on establishing a master grip and then defeating your holster.

So, your range day goal might be to perfect that part of the process. This doesn’t mean that you won’t shoot the gun (that part of the draw doesn’t necessarily involve shooting) it just means that your concentration will be on improving that particular series of supporting movements.

If you don’t allow yourself this focus, it’s easy to accomplish nothing… or worse, reenforce bad habits.

Plan Meaningful Drills

The next step is to plan your drills or exercises. You don’t have to go far in any direction on the internet to find drills that you can use. The trick is to make sure that the ones you choose support the goals you’ve established.

Keeping with our example of the draw stroke, you probably wouldn’t want a complicated drill set for that range day.

Any drill that would have you heavily focused on a complex target, would rob your concentration from improving the first part of your draw. You need to have the capacity to capture small efficiencies and apply them as you train. For us, simple dots at 7 yards would probably suffice for that if we were just working on a part of the draw.

Keep Adequate Notes

While notes aren’t necessary for every range day, there are always things we can capture to make our efforts more effective. We know shooters that keep detailed logs of their progress both in speed and accuracy. These impressive spreadsheets track the effectiveness of their training and help them identify areas where they might improve.

This level of record keeping isn’t necessary for everyone but that doesn’t mean a simple spiral bound notebook that accepts penned thoughts isn’t a good idea. A range notebook helps to capture progress and solidify an overall training plan. After a day of shooting, take a moment and write down your thoughts on the progress that you made, the drills that you liked or didn’t, a round count and anything else that comes to mind. You’ll be surprised at how this simple step will improve the entire experience and effectiveness of your trips to the range.

Remember to Have Fun

Our last tip but a very important step: Have fun. Even if shooting is your profession, it’s a fun thing to do for most people. Don’t get so caught up in the process of improvement that you forget to enjoy yourself. Dopamine is a learning agent, if you are enjoying what you are doing… you’ll get better at it with far less effort.

Plan on it.

Until next time, train smart.

Author Bio

Duane “Buck” Buckner

After spending 25 years in the USCG, Duane “Buck” Buckner is now the U.S. Director of Training for Aimpoint. The Aimpoint Training Division conducts training courses for military and law enforcement agencies up to the Federal level as well as for the prepared civilian. Buck is widely known for his emphasis on brain psychology as it relates to combat and survival.

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