Mindset....Tiger McKee

Skill Set: A Confident Mindset

Your “mindset” determines how you perform under stress.  This is especially true of personal combat, an extremely dangerous situation.  The weapon won’t matter much. Yes, if you carry a weapon it’s necessary to learn how to use it safely and efficiently to defeat the threat.  But, ultimately victory relies on mindset.  Confidence, the foundation for victory, is created way before the fight starts.

Desire to become responsible drives you to training.  Training and research educate you as to the “how, when and why” of self-defense.  “Why” is most important.  Desire motivates you to practice.  Repetition – practice – is when the real learning occurs.
Through practice you improve, but also identify weaknesses.  Understanding what you can do is important; knowing what not to do is equally if not more important.  You discover the braced kneeling position isn’t stable for you.  Now you know not to use it, and what to use in its place.  Eventually you reach the point you can solve the problem efficiently using “your” skills, as opposed to mimicking someone else.  Confidence – a mental attribute – can only be obtained by understanding your limitations.
You attend Force-On-Force training, using “real” weapons against living, breathing and thinking threats.  This tests your skills.  You figure out what skills need additional practice.  FOF also acclimates you to the stress associated with fighting off an attacker.
Now you’re developing true confidence, which isn’t based on things going perfectly.  This is critical, because your self-image and performance are always equal. When doubt is present your performance suffers.  Sometimes people express uncertainty about their abilities because their performance is never “Perfect” – and yes that’s with a capital “P.”
You will never be Perfect – capital or small “P” - on the range nor in a fight.  In fact, the quest for “Perfect” destroys progress.  People get caught up in their mistakes, become frustrated and stop practicing.  They’ll keep training, attending classes because it’s fun, only lasts a few days and doesn’t require dedication.  But progress - which relies on practice - comes to a screeching halt.  Mentally you must be dedicated and disciplined, focused on progress instead of perfect.  Progress produces confidence.  Knowing you can effectively respond to an attack allows you to stop the threat.
Faith is another important component.  Having faith in your skills and abilities is important, but it’s nothing compared to the confidence created through a solid religious foundation.  I have faith that I will win.  I don’t have to fret over the outcome of the battle.  If it is my Lord’s will that I should personally be defeated then I am assured it’s still a victory - towards a greater glory.  I cannot lose.  Faith creates confidence.
I have all my students write this down: I will win the fight.  Then they sign and date it making it official.  The only acceptable outcome is victory.  No matter what happens – the unexpected occurs constantly in a fight – you must win.  Victory is only achieved by cultivating a confident, “winning” mindset.  This is done before danger arrives.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy

Skill Set: Performance – Three Elements....Tiger McKee

Skill Set: Performance – Three Elements

Performance in the “tactical” arena is based on three elements – hardware, physical ability and the mental aspects.  You need the right gear.  Having a certain amount of physical stamina is important.  Of the three elements the mental part is the most important.  The right mental approach ensures you’ll have the hardware and physical covered.  Mental repetition is necessary to learn the skills necessary, and developing the proper mindset prepares you for the fight.
Hardware is gear, all of it.  You must have a reliable weapon that fits your body size and the intended application.  For example a long barrel, heavy .44 magnum revolver is not for concealed carry.  After choosing a weapon you collect the gear you need.  Everything – belt, holster, magazines and pouches, flashlight, ammunition or anything else – is just as important as your choice of weapon.  Consider your options well.  Some holsters work great for carrying the pistol.  But, they may not have the shape and strength necessary to use for hooking the rear sight of the semi-auto on in order to cycle the slide during injury drills.  Choose your gear wisely, then test and evaluate to ensure it does everything you need.
That said, don’t get too caught up in the “hardware” game.  A lot of shooters are constantly trading, buying or swapping weapons while what they already have does the job well.  It’s hard to learn how to shoot accurately and manipulate the weapon properly when bouncing between a single action with a thumb safety, a double/single action with a decocker and then a striker-fired weapon without either.  Get something good, reliable that fits your hands and learn how to operate it really well.
The physical part gives people trouble.  This is about much more than just going to the range and firing off a few rounds at a target.  You’ll need to be physically able to put in time for training and practice.  If you’re not in decent shape it’s going to be difficult to participate in these actions, especially tactics like moving, using cover and shooting.  Moving with stability, especially over long distances, requires muscle control – it’s physically demanding.  Using cover requires body strength – you may need to get into and out of a kneeling position or lean out from behind cover to engage the threat, exposing the least amount of your body necessary.  The better shape you’re in physically the less the stress of being in a life-threatening situation is going to affect you.  The physical also affects the mental; the more tense the body gets the more stressed the mind becomes, which in turn makes you tense up more physically.  It’s a big circular thing going on.  Make sure you’re physically up to the task, plus this is just a good “healthy” choice.
The mental part is the most critical, and heavily influences the hardware and physical components.  As mentioned, having the right mindset keeps you on track with hardware.  The right frame of mind motivates you to exercise, creating a healthy and strong body.  To learn the skills needed to respond to danger you’ll need the right mental approach.   Ultimately, responding to danger is problem solving, usually at high speed.  You’re mind has to be “right” in order to do this.  So, stay tuned, next week we’ll explore the mental side of preparing and responding.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy