TRAINING TIP TUESDAY: how fast is too fast
If you are a regular reader here, you might become convinced that I think speed is a bad thing. I don’t think that. I do, however, think there is a time when speed works for us and when it works against us.
Let’s dive into what distinguishes the two:
The argument for speed is pretty simple. The faster I can complete the required task (with accuracy), the greater my chances of success. This applies in almost every setting. In competitive shooting, it’s usually one of the directly measured dimensions. In a professional setting, it serves as the reduction of risk, and is a key component to survival.
The argument against speed has everything to do with our ability to “outpace” our skill and more importantly our ability to process information. Competitively, it’s the immediate and dramatic reduction of accuracy and dexterity. Professionally, it’s the same but the ramifications can be far more severe.
What is “good” speed?
Very simply, good speed is performing at a pace that is constant with our ability to think. Consider running on flat, consistent, completely visible terrain. In essence, your mind is perfectly on pace with the rest of your body. In fact, your mind is allowed to wander to other tasks because it isn’t required at your feet.
What is “bad” speed?
Equally simple, bad speed is performing at a pace faster than our ability to think. Using the same running analogy, have you ever run down a steep hill and at some point, realized that you are no longer in control? Your legs are frantically cycling and you are not processing the terrain at all. In fact, you are likely not processing much… except for some form of panic.
I see this far more often than I would like to in shooters. Particularly when a little stress is added. It’s evident in the terribly dramatic and shaky movements when the slightest thing goes wrong with whatever they are doing (or trying to do). Moving faster than they can process results in some pretty spectacular “cascades of failure.” No problem is too simple to stump us when our brain is behind us, trying to catch up.
How do we get “good speed”?
The good news is that we get good speed the same way we get bad speed: we train to it. Many of us train to “panic” through immediate action or emergency reload drills and so, when they occur, we panic through them. It’s much better to practice a composed, positive, and controlled version of these things, considering the severity of the (likely) scenario in a professional setting.
The even better news is that if we are consistent in our training that way, our skill system will make us faster… organically. Essentially what we’ll be doing in flattening out that “uncontrolled hill” we talked about earlier and smoothing out the terrain, without removing the speed. This, is getting faster the right way.
If you are ever in one of my classes you’ll likely hear me say the words: “Be careful what you enshrine in training.” This applies to speed as much as it does anything else that we do. Make certain you are training toward the good version. It will pay dividends.
Until next time: Train smart… and slow.
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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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