The TTPOA Podcast: Episode with Sean Griffith "Speed, Accuracy, and Consistency"
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The TTPOA Podcast, hosts Brandon and Matt engage in an insightful discussion with Sean Griffith, an esteemed firearms instructor and competitive shooter. Sean brings a wealth of experience from his military and law enforcement background, offering valuable perspectives on enhancing shooting performance through speed, accuracy, and consistency.
1. Sean Griffith's Professional Background
Sean Griffith begins by outlining his extensive career trajectory. He served four years in the Marine Corps before transitioning to police work in Maryland, where he dedicated eight years. Subsequently, Sean was detailed to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Georgia. Since 2020, he has been with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) full-time, focusing on firearms training for federal law enforcement. Additionally, Sean competes and teaches performance shooting classes independently.
Notable Quote:
"Spent four years in the Marine Corps, then got out, went straight into the police in Maryland... I've been with DHS full time since 2020."
— Sean Griffith [01:20]
2. Competitive Shooting and Teaching Performance
Sean discusses his involvement in competitive shooting and how it informs his teaching methodology. He recounts a recent competition against Eric Shaw, highlighting the high-performance standards within law enforcement shooting circles.
Notable Quote:
"He won fair and square, man. He shot a great match."
— Sean Griffith [02:07]
3. Training Philosophy: Speed, Accuracy, and Consistency
A central theme of the discussion revolves around Sean's training philosophy, which is built upon two foundational models:
- Performance Objectives: Emphasizing the triad of speed, accuracy, and consistency.
- Shooting Fundamentals: Focusing on physical structure, trigger management, and visual confirmation.
Sean emphasizes that achieving high performance in these areas requires a delicate balance, ensuring that improvements in one aspect do not compromise the others.
Notable Quote:
"I need it over and over again."
— Sean Griffith [09:14]
4. The Role of Split Times in Shooting Performance
Sean addresses the concept of split times—the intervals between consecutive shots—and their importance in evaluating shooting consistency. He critiques the prevalent focus on achieving rapid split times without maintaining accuracy, a common issue in law enforcement training.
Notable Quote:
"Split times, I think a better use of split times... is a better use of them as a metric to make sure that you're not over confirming or under confirming."
— Sean Griffith [14:57]
5. Iron Sights vs. Red Dots: Training Implications
The transition from iron sights to red dot optics is another critical topic. Sean and the hosts discuss how long-term use of iron sights cultivates subconscious alignment skills, which red dots can disrupt if shooters are not adequately retrained. This shift often leads to decreased performance among officers accustomed to iron sights.
Notable Quote:
"If I have you draw the gun, close your eyes, present the gun, and open them, your iron should be in alignment."
— Sean Griffith [33:43]
6. Challenges in Law Enforcement Training
The conversation highlights significant gaps in current law enforcement training programs. Sean points out that many officers do not receive rigorous, ongoing training that ties shooting pace to visual confirmation, resulting in poor accuracy under stress despite possessing firearms.
Notable Quote:
"Until that becomes the norm, you'll continue to have officers, they're going to shoot at whatever pace they can physically shoot, regardless of what they see."
— Sean Griffith [19:24]
7. The Influence of Training Culture and Incentives
Sean emphasizes the necessity of a training culture that encourages exploration and accepts failure as part of the learning process. He contrasts this with institutional mandates that prioritize minimal qualification measures, which often hinder skill development.
Notable Quote:
"Exploration isn't a luxury. It's a requirement for you to develop as a shooter."
— Sean Griffith [21:30]
8. Practical Applications and Drills
Sean outlines practical drills designed to enhance shooting proficiency. These drills focus on varying split times based on target requirements and promoting trigger preparation to maximize efficiency and accuracy. He advocates for tailored training that addresses individual shooter needs.
Notable Quote:
"I'm going to prep the trigger as deep as I can until I meet confirmation."
— Sean Griffith [52:10]
9. Sean Griffith's Training Offerings
Towards the episode's conclusion, Sean shares details about his training programs. Interested individuals can access his classes through his website or social media channels. He also mentions his upcoming participation in the World Shoot in South Africa, indicating a busy training schedule ahead.
Notable Quote:
"All our classes are on there to sign up for and then the regular channel... set up classes or you know, I post a lot of information online on Instagram."
— Sean Griffith [87:58]
Conclusion
Brandon and Matt express their gratitude for Sean's valuable insights into shooting performance and training methodologies. They encourage listeners to engage with Sean's training programs to enhance their own skills, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and improvement in law enforcement.
Notable Quote:
"Appreciate what you do... Thank you for all your service out there."
— Matt [86:25]
Key Takeaways
- Balanced Training: Achieving speed, accuracy, and consistency requires a harmonious training approach.
- Visual Confirmation: Linking shooting pace to what the shooter sees is crucial for maintaining accuracy under stress.
- Adaptability: Transitioning to new equipment like red dots necessitates updated training to prevent performance declines.
- Cultural Shift: Embracing a training culture that values exploration and accepts failure can significantly enhance shooting proficiency.
- Continuous Improvement: Ongoing, tailored training is essential for first responders to maintain and improve their shooting skills.
Stay Connected with Sean Griffith
For those interested in enhancing their shooting skills or seeking advanced training, Sean Griffith offers a range of classes accessible through his website griffithshootingsolutions.com or via his Instagram handle @griffith_shooting. Sean is committed to providing practical, effective training to first responders and shooters of all levels.
Train Hard. Stay Safe.