Nothing will improve your fighting skills like quality professional training. If you're serious about self-protection, seek out quality instruction. (Photo: James Yeager)

The motivation for this article came from watching students go through the same evolution I did and wishing they didn't have to climb the same costly, time-consuming, frustrating ladder.

I remember my very first training class. It was both exciting and a little scary. Who were the other pistoleros? Would they laugh at me? Would they be safe?

I wondered how complete the school-equipment list would be and whether I should have brought other things. I asked myself several times, "Am I good enough to even take this course?"

There were many things going through my mind as the class began.

I know now that many first-time students think the same things prior to signing up. In fact, many have confided they had to work up the courage to even ask about taking the class.

I've also found the opposite to be true in some cases, where people think professional training has nothing to offer them.

My first class actually put forth the highest volume of information I'd ever take from a single lesson. Why? Because shooting isn't too complex, and after you get the fundamentals and technique, there isn't a lot left. No matter how "high speed" a class is advertised to be, it still applies all those basic things you learned at the first class.

I've been instructing for a while now (since 1996) and I still take multiple classes each year to keep up with the current "high-speed" techniques, which as I said, aren't that new or that high-speed. I like shooting and training or I wouldn't be in this business.

Being an instructor has made me a better student. I've learned from the other side of the firing line what makes a class flow more smoothly. I'm therefore going to give you my opinions on what will help you learn more in a training environment so you get the most for your money.

Keep An Open Mind

The golden rule is to have an open mind. Go to every class with the opinion you know nothing. Push all your previous training to the side and do the class exactly like the instructor tells you - even if the instructor tells you to do something that's alien or has never worked for you in the past.

To get the most out of a class, be sure to bring an open mind. (Photo: James Yeager)

If you can't honestly receive instruction with an open mind, save your money and stay home.

Embrace Change

Another problem for shooters with self-confidence issues is when they must change techniques mid-class. The fact is, your groups might open up as you work to perfect the new method. This is a natural thing, but 99.9% of us won't do it because we don't want to look bad in front of the other ninjas. So we keep on pluggin' away with our inferior methods because they "feel better."

If you change the way you shoot you'll most likely have a short period of feeling awkward about the new technique. Classes aren't competitions. Stay with the new method a while before you give up on it. It just might pay off.

Stay Basic

Nobody wants to take a "basic-level" class. Everyone wants an "advanced" class because they're above anything else. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but they're all pretty much the same. Sure, advanced classes are different, but not too much.

Take basic classes. They contain a lot of very good information. I've taken many basic classes and I learned a lot from every single one of them. I've found that less than 10% of shooters have a firm grasp on shooting fundamentals, yet 90% think they shouldn't be demoted to anything less than an advanced class. That means there's a 9 in 10 chance you're that guy or girl. So don't turn your nose up at lower-level classes.

And if you think you know more than the instructor, I advise you to keep quiet. It's his or her class, and if you want to teach, you should start your own school. I did.

What you shouldn't do is interrupt the instructor - it's disruptive to the entire class. If you have a valid point to make, wait for a break in the lecture because the instructor will want to hear it.

And please don't tutor other students. They didn't pay to hear your opinions.

Continuing Education

After you take a class, you must practice the things you learned. Developing new skills at a class and practicing is kind of like buying a new car and making payments. After you make enough payments, the car's yours.

The author says that to be well-rounded, go to schools run by ex-military, police and champion shooters to learn from different outlooks. (Photo: James Yeager)

I've taken many classes with folks who take training all the time. At the beginning of every class they have to be shown the basics of how to shoot and they slow the class down. Take time between classes and ingrain those new techniques. IDPA and IPSC are great places to build skill and confidence.

No matter how good your favorite school may be, you have to train at different places. If your school tells you to never do that, go find a school that says to always do it.

Go to as many different types of learning environments as possible. To become well-rounded, go to schools run by ex-military, police and champion shooters to learn something from all the different outlooks.

Most schools sell more pistol classes than all others combined, but learn to use those long guns, hands, knives and other tools too.

Some Other Tips

Show up for class on time and be prepared to stay. I've been to schools where I "trained" for 5 hours out of the 8, and others where I was begging for a break.

Things you're likely to need are an open mind, good firearms, lunch, quality ammo (this isn't the time to skimp), a quality holster and magazine pouch, plenty of preloaded magazines, wrap-around eye protection, hearing protection (electronic if possible), weather-appropriate clothing, hat with brim, sun block, bug spray, knee and elbow pads (maybe), plenty of drinking water (Camelbak is my bottle recommendation), and finally pen and paper for notes. Pack any needed medications in your bag.

It's perfectly acceptable to call the school ahead of time and get advice on the needed gear for the class if it's not listed or is vague. Many times this can save you from buying too much gear, or worse, the wrong gear.

Get plenty of sleep, don't get drunk the night before class, and come to learn with an open mind and you'll get the most for your training dollar.

The opinions contained in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of TacticalGunFan nor its staff.

James Yeager's a former full-time police officer with years of undercover and SWAT experience, and was a high-risk security contractor in Iraq. He operates a training business (TacticalResponse.com) based in Tennessee that travels internationally, and a tactical-supply company (TacticalResponseGear.com). He can be reached via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tactical Response's website is www.getoffthex.com.