The class that challenged every assumption I had about distance and threat response

[King Payne]

For years, most of my training happened at 7 and 15 yards, that's where I was comfortable and that's what I pictured when I thought about defensive shooting, then I took a class that focused heavily on scenarios at around 3 yards and that got my attention!

At that distance, a lot of the things I'd spent time working on weren't the whole picture anymore, everything happens fast enough that you stop thinking about perfect sight pictures and start thinking about managing a problem that's basically right on top of you.

The instructors introduced concepts and techniques I hadn't spent much time on before. It wasn't that my previous training was wrong but that I'd been looking at a much smaller piece of the puzzle than I realized. One thing that stuck with me was how different 3 yards feels compared to 7. On paper it's only a few steps but in practice it feels like a completely different world.

I remember walking into the class thinking I had a pretty good handle on defensive distances. I walked out realizing I'd made a lot of assumptions based on what was familiar instead of what was likely. Nobody likes having their assumptions challenged, it's uncomfortable but those classes are usually the ones that teach you the most. So sometimes the biggest lesson isn't learning something new, it's finding out how much you still don't know.

 

[Eric300]

Never too old to learn regardless of how experienced you may be. Once you think you know it all you're in trouble.

 

[Alan]

That’s a great reality check. Distance compresses fast when things go dynamic and 3 yards forces you to think less about precision and more about immediate problem management. Those perspective shifts usually stick the longest.

 

[Topgun]

Three yards changes everything. Most people don’t realize how little time they actually have once you get to close contact.

 

[pacman59]

Sounds like a good class. Who taught it and where did you take it?