A GOOD MIND-SET MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Defensive shooting situations are complicated. They involve quick decision-making, time-limits, and a bad guy that refuses to stand still!

If you’ve developed the proper mind-set, you’ll be ready to deal with any and all of these variables.

Your brain has everything you need to master defensive shooting situations and how it processes info is key to being effective.

That said, there are multiple factors that go into making accurate, split-second evaluations, especially in circumstances where using your concealed carry handgun comes into play.

For example…

ADRENALINE

When adrenaline is in the mix (which it most definitely WILL BE), everything changes. Nutty stuff happens when the adrenal glands pump hormonal neurotransmitters into your system! Adrenaline tells your brain to stop thinking and start reacting.

Instinct trumps intelligence. The lizard brain takes over.

If standing downrange and putting bullet holes in paper targets is your idea of a good shooting drill, then you will absolutely NOT be prepared to defend yourself or others in a real-life situation.

Learning how to integrate real responses into the lizard part of your brain is where the rubber meets the road. So how do you train your brain to properly handle your handgun in said situations?

PRACTICE TIPS

TIP 1 — rehearse each skill over and over until they’re like riding a bike or tying your shoes. Do you think about either of those tasks? Hell, no. They’re second nature.

TIP 2 — concentration while on the range is A MUST or someone (i.e. you) might get hurt. A gun is no joke. It’s a life-or-death skill-set and should never be taken lightly.

Even so, training your brain to multi-task while shooting, like driving and thinking about what you want for lunch at the same time, is the kind of unconscious competency you should perfect for effective concealed carry.

TIP 3 — decisional shooting drills that force you to make judgments in the blink of an eye are a MUST.

DECISIONAL SHOOTING DRILLS

You’ll need just a couple things for these drills:

— a shooting partner and a paper target with numbered colored circles.

These kind of targets are usually available at your local range.

Have your shooting partner call out an even number. Draw and shoot the circle with that number.

Next, have your shooting partner call out an odd number. Draw and shoot any circle EXCEPT the circle with that number.

Have your partner call a color. Shoot the circle with that color.

Have your partner call another color. Draw and shoot any OTHER circle except the color called.

These drills will help make your shooting brain muscle stronger and prepare you for a defensive shooting situation.

The sooner you get started, the better.