STYLE
As instructors, we pursue the style of the Real Teacher, in stark contrast to the Pseudo-Teacher.
We understand that the bygone instruction model where the instructor is the centre, talking and gesturing a lot, with the “students” surrounding in silence, creates prepotent dictators and submissive slaves, not good men and women of arms.
This is why we don’t like to say we impart courses, but rather prefer to direct shooting sessions. We’re not gurus, nor do we aspire to this status, we simply lead events in which clients work to be better shooters.
We likewise don’t call our clients “students”, but shooters. No pedestals please.
We don’t believe in the inoculation of a false stress. We believe in training for maximum concentration and awareness, applicable, after many repetitions, to high stress environments. We believe in shooting sessions which leave us psychologically drained and in correcting bad habits with maximum respect towards the ego of the armed professional/enthusiast.
We think modern shooters prefer instructors that make them work a lot and execute a lot of repetitions with a lot of ammunition. The centre shifts towards the shooter, not the instructor or any personality cult around him/her. The instructor must observe the shooter, correct when necessary and allow the shooters to work.
The instructor is expected to demonstrate exercises with live fire before giving way to the shooters.
We’re open minded. We’re only inflexible in the application of the Four Universal Rules Of Firearm Safety.
We’d like to share the 10 differences between the Pseudo-Teacher and the Real teacher, that should guide any person seeking to learn and/or teach.
1.
PT developes long, amusing, spectacular speeches where he is the centre.
RT designs short and intense sessions where the “student” is the centre.
2.
PT is eloquent and expansive –values image.
RT is concise and focused, “nails it” –values performance.
3.
PT addresses large groups.
RT connects with the individual.
4.
PT does not value details, thick brush painter.
RT values details, splits hairs.
5.
PT prefers to talk instead of working, observing and listening.
RT prefers to work, observe and listen instead of talking.
6.
PT noisily charismatic, feeds his ego.
RT silently efficient, feeds the “student”.
7.
PT is the archetype (sometimes truthful and sometimes not) of the military instructor.
RT is sergeant Eliah in “Platoon” (1986), showin his soldiers not to carry superfluous weight in their bergens.
8.
PT rejects questions and simplifies truths in dogmas that cannot be questioned.
RT longs for questions and knows that in most cases the answer is “depends”
9.
PT treats everyone equally.
RT adapts his message and behaviour to each “student”.
10.
PT gives the same speech once and again.
RT tailors his lessons to each audience.