Understanding Different Speeds of Practice: How to Improve Your Skills

Introduction to Practice Speeds

Hey, what's up, guys? Today, let's talk about the varying speeds of practice. There are four distinct speeds that I consider crucial for improving your skills. You can perceive them in your unique way, but this is how I view the fundamental approaches. Varying your speed based on your goals is essential.

For instance, sometimes I slow way down to analyze specific techniques or identify issues. If I notice I’m gripping something incorrectly, slowing down helps me pinpoint the problem.

The Slowest Speed: Slow Motion

The first speed I use is literally going at slow motion. When practicing, especially with a target, I deliberately slow down my movements. This method helps me learn new techniques or adapt to new equipment.

If I’m trying to master a new gun or reload differently, this speed is incredibly beneficial. Going at a slow pace allows me to gain insight into my actions. It helps identify what works and what doesn’t, ensuring I develop better techniques.

The Comfy Hand Speed

The second speed is what I call "comfy hand speed." I learned this from Frank Proctor years ago. This speed is all about comfort. At this pace, I can perform movements reliably.

For instance, when I draw my weapon, I aim for a comfortable speed where I can execute the action without error. When aiming, a comfy hand speed looks like this: my draw should land exactly where I am looking—almost effortlessly. I can achieve this about 10 times out of 10, consistently.

However, many people stop improving at this comfortable level. They often don’t think to increase their speeds over time. It’s crucial to push beyond this comfort zone to truly grow.

The Match Pace

Next is the "match pace." I adopt this speed during competitive scenarios. When I’m in a competition, I push myself to perform at this efficient tempo. This speed is crucial when competing or facing opponents in real situations.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/64684e_7b7026dcb1b048ed9e713a022f49c7fb/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Jon Shooting at a 20 degree angle at 3 different targets

During a match, I accept a trade-off in accuracy. As I speed up, I know that some degree of success will slightly decrease. For example, I might aim to execute ten draws, but I anticipate a couple of those may not be perfect. The goal remains to perform competitively and effectively.

The Training Pace

Finally, we have what I call the "training pace," often known as "Ricky Bobby" style. At this pace, I push myself beyond my comfort level. Here, I strive to go as fast as I can, which means I may sacrifice some accuracy.

This high-intensity practice helps me develop my match pace. To get better at sprinting, for example, one must push their limits beyond jogging or walking. The same principle applies here. By practicing at maximum effort, I'm setting myself up for success in my match pace.

Train at this speed to ensure you enhance your skills effectively. The objective is to stretch your capabilities, navigating the balance between control and speed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exploring these four speeds—slow motion, comfy hand speed, match pace, and training pace—provides a comprehensive approach to improving your skills. While each has its purpose, the ultimate goal is to increase efficiency and effectiveness in performance.

Whether you are a beginner or experienced, remember to vary your practice speeds. Doing so can significantly enhance your abilities. If you have questions or want to share your methods, drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s improve together!