By Kyle Lamb

Since I have become a full time trainer, there has always been the question, “What is your training methodology?” In reality that is a stupid question to ask a guy that more than likely can’t define methodology.  A better term when it comes to Viking Tactics training, specifically when you venture onto the range with me would be “Training Mindset.”

Training mindset is a more relative term to firearms training because it is more dynamic and input based. Outcome is also clear because we can score targets, time drills, and watch video of ourselves conducting this type of training. 

Methodology is a boring catch phrase I feel like a psychoanalyst would use when justifying their Master’s thesis. Based on theory and not reality. My training is based concretely in reality. If I thought I had a theory, I would test that theory, then decide if that was a reality or not.

So where does this put us when it comes to tactical training? I want you to take something away from this article that you can apply immediately to your training regimen to help you improve. 

Recently I spoke on an NRA video discussing a shooters log or journal. I don’t keep track of how much ammunition I shoot. It is a lot compared to the average gun owner, plenty when compared to soldiers, and pretty close to what lower level special operations forces might fire. I definitely don’t shoot as much as I did when serving in elite levels of Army Special Operations. I will say this though, my training is head and shoulders better now than it was then. 

So why keep a journal? I use a notebook every day, I also take notes on my phone, but writing is a great memory tool and stays with me. I simply put the date and the list or the thought or the To Do items. 

When I visit the range and shoot, I do write times down when working on new drills. I do write spilts and times when working with new gear, holsters, or trigger set ups. But more importantly I write down what I need to improve on.

In the Army, and by Army I mean big green machine army. They use a system for After Action Reviews that focuses on Sustain and Improve. I skip the sustain, who cares about what I am doing right. I want to fix what I am doing wrong. So make that list and keep figuring out how to improve. 

Here is an example, for many years I wanted to attain a sub one second draw with my competition holster and competition 1911. Little by little I moved closer to that number, then one day it just happened. What was I doing wrong to slow my draw? Simple, I wasn’t listening to the beginning of the beep from my shot timer, secondly I wasn’t moving my hand as fast as humanly possible to the pistol. I was however gripping quickly, too quickly, and having several bad draws. Mindset, here it is. Think about hearing the first part of B in beep, then move your hand as fast as you possibly can to the pistol attaining a firing grip, then stop and do it again. Getting the gun out of the holster wasn’t the hard part, it was everything leading up to that. Later in one of these articles I will cover consistent grip and presentation. Another day.

Back to Mindset. When I train I push to be as aggressive as possible without inducing undue stress into my stance and position. This system has caused me to struggle with Precision Long Range shooting because I am strung tightly and that doesn’t help with precision rifle shooting. With carbine and pistol, aggression without tension is key. A relaxed muscle moves faster than a tense muscle, fact. So relax and move quickly when drawing, presenting the firearm onto target, and when driving the gun to follow on targets.

Another Mindset twist is not shooting Double Taps or Controlled Pairs. If I had my way I would never shoot them ever again in training or in a real world environment. Why, you pistol slinging stud muffins ask? Because it doesn’t work in a real scenario. In reality, and reality isn’t a USPSA or IDPA match, that is a game. In reality, two rounds might not get the job done and this instills bad habits into most shooters. If you can’t fire the same splits for six rounds in a row you need to change your training mindset and only shoot drills involving 1 or 3 or more rounds per string. The goal is to see your sights on every round you fire, if during a double tap you only get one sight picture, you are wrong. Mindset is everything.

Lastly, do what is hard. Change your Mindset from I can’t do that to I can do that no matter the difficulty. For my training I always, and by always I mean ever single time I go to the range with a carbine or pistol, I shoot strong hand only with the pistol, support hand only with the pistol, and support side with the carbine. Every, single, time. Why? Mindset, I can do it, but I struggle with those movements. So once again, go back to that notebook. It simply says, “Dude you suck at support side shooting.” Need I say more, even though I am better than most on the non-dominated side, I know in my brain I can be better.

So, there you have it. Methodology, look it up in the dictionary and let me know what it means. Mindset, I know what that means to me and it will keep me in the fight, get me to the next fight, and help me to Stay in the Fight!!