Over the years, I’ve enjoyed teaching our intermediate-level classes. They are hands down the most attended classes we offer. But are they the best class to help you reach your potential or is training with more skilled shooters for faster skill development better?
The Challenge of Advancing in Skill
The harsh reality is that getting someone new to carrying or a first-time gun owner to commit to a multi-day training class is a big ask. There are many reasons why, but in the end, they don’t really matter. What matters is understanding how to build skill. Whether learning to drive or attempting Olympic lifts, some fundamentals of learning transcend activities. One of the best things you can do is challenge yourself by training with people who are better than you. This mindset fosters growth, cultivates humility, and creates new opportunities for personal and professional development. It also exposes you to higher standards of performance, helping you recognize what is truly possible with consistent effort. Over time, this approach not only accelerates your progress but also builds confidence in your own abilities.
Why Training with More Skilled People Matters
One of the biggest advantages of working with more skilled individuals is that it pushes me to improve and sharpen my abilities. It keeps me humble yet hungry, which makes me more receptive to learning. This experience fast-tracks growth by allowing you to learn from other people’s mistakes. Real-time mentors share their knowledge and experience, creating an environment of continuous learning through both instruction and mentorship. This type of open learning environment is something I see in our advanced classes, and it’s incredible to observe. While students still turn to me or the instructional staff for the “heavy lifts,” the group dynamics take care of the “smaller lifts,” making for an elevated experience for all. The camaraderie and shared pursuit of excellence create a strong support system, fostering both individual and collective progress. This dynamic not only accelerates skill development but also builds a culture of accountability, where everyone is motivated to push their limits.
Understanding Practical Shooting Standards
In this setting, newer or younger shooters are exposed to more realistic shooting performance standards. But what exactly are realistic shooting standards? The truth is that no two gunfights are the same, making precise definitions of shooting standards impossible. However, practical shooting standards offer observable and measurable outcomes. They prepare us for unknown and unknowable events by focusing on both speed and accuracy. Some argue that speed is the only true metric, but speed without accuracy is a fool’s errand. On the flip side, prioritizing accuracy at the cost of speed can be just as dangerous. A well-placed shot can often end a gunfight, but if it takes too long, the bad guy may get off multiple shots in return. More experienced shooters tend to focus on practical shooting standards—achievable outcomes that do not require excessive time, talent, or resources. They are also less likely to train solely for specific tests. While practicing various shooting standards is beneficial, becoming fixated on just one or two can create unrealistic expectations about real-world preparedness. Training alongside experienced mentors helps reinforce practical standards, ensuring a well-rounded skill set without overcommitting resources to any single area.
Observing Intermediate Students in Advanced Classes
Much of this insight comes from observing intermediate students in advanced classes. I can’t speak to other training programs, but in my experience, watching an intermediate student complete the entrance test for an advanced class gives me a solid sense of their skill level. The progress they make in the advanced class is significant. Observing intermediate students in intermediate classes shows good growth, but it is different—it is more relative to the rest of the students in the class. For example:
- A B student in an intermediate class will typically complete the course in the 57%-74% range.
- A B student in an advanced class will complete the course in the 51%-67% range.
The overlap is an interesting takeaway.
The Balance Between Knowledge and Application
Of course, there are differences in curriculum. Intermediate-level training focuses more on knowledge acquisition, while advanced training emphasizes practical application. This raises an interesting question: Would it be better to skip the intermediate class and jump straight into the advanced level? I’ve seen that approach fail—sometimes spectacularly. The real question is whether the failure is due to the student’s skill level or the training environment. Generally, those who fail are well below the acceptable level, barely meeting intermediate standards. The gap is simply too large to ensure a positive outcome. However, if the gap is manageable and the advanced student group acts as mentors, then intermediate students can make huge gains. When structured correctly, this type of challenge pushes students beyond their comfort zones without overwhelming them. The key is ensuring a balance between difficulty and support, allowing students to grow while maintaining confidence in their abilities.
The Key to Success: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude
Make no mistake—there is no substitute for knowledge, skills, and the right attitude, but training with more skilled shooters for faster skill development will help develop these foundational pillars.
