TTPOA Podcast: "Train-Up's" with Ben Stoeger Discusses Dry Fire Training
Release Date: December 9, 2024
Host: TTPOA Host (Ben Stoeger)
Guests: Brandon and Ben Stoeger
Introduction to Dry Fire Training
In this episode of The TTPOA Podcast, hosts Ben Stoeger and Brandon delve into the critical topic of dry fire training—a fundamental practice for first responders aiming to enhance their shooting proficiency without live ammunition. The discussion begins with an acknowledgment of the often-overlooked importance of dry fire training and its misconceptions among practitioners.
Ben Stoeger initiates the conversation by addressing the prevalence of dry fire training:
"I hear a lot of guys, dry fire, they do it all the time. And then when you start asking them, they're like, no, I don't. No, I really don't. So I think this word gets thrown around a lot."
(01:09)
Understanding Dry Fire vs. Live Fire Training
Brandon emphasizes the distinction between dry fire and live fire training, clarifying that dry fire is essentially a form of practice:
"If you're going to ask him a question, do you dry fire? What you're really asking is, do you practice?"
(01:44)
He underscores that dry fire should be viewed as a daily or near-daily habit, integral to maintaining and improving shooting skills:
"It is a thing that you want to engage in. Like, that's how you practice with your gun for all that."
(02:25)
Ben Stoeger shares a personal anecdote highlighting the benefits of consistent dry fire practice:
"I was studying for our lieutenant's test... I didn't go to the range. I rarely dry fired... I got to start doing this... it wasn't super intense, but it helped."
(02:58)
Setting Up an Effective Dry Fire Environment
Brandon outlines the essentials of creating a conducive dry fire training space, often referred to as a "dry fire dojo." He recommends dedicating a specific area, such as a basement, to safely conduct training:
"I have a dry fire area in my basement... if a gun goes off down there, it's less of a big deal."
(04:10)
Key components of an effective dry fire setup include:
- Loaded Dummy Magazines: Using magazines loaded with dummy rounds or weighted dummy rounds to simulate the weight and feel of live ammunition.
- Scaled Targets: Incorporating targets that mimic real-life scenarios and distances to provide realistic training conditions.
- Timers and Beepers: Utilizing timers to create timed drills, enhancing speed and efficiency in drawing, aiming, and transitioning between targets.
Brandon stresses the importance of low-friction setup to make dry fire training a seamless part of the daily routine:
"Making it low friction is important to me."
(07:22)
Benefits of Dry Fire Training
The hosts discuss numerous advantages of dry fire training, including:
- Muscle Memory Development: Consistently practicing movements and techniques helps engrain muscle memory, making responses more instinctive during high-pressure situations.
- Technique Refinement: Dry fire allows for focused practice on specific elements such as grip, stance, draw speed, and transitioning between targets.
- Error Identification: By simulating live fire scenarios, practitioners can identify and correct technical flaws without the costs and safety concerns associated with live ammunition.
Brandon provides a practical example of how dry fire training addressed his own technique deficiencies:
"In the class today, a lot of guys...their support hand was not doing a very good job on the grip... Dry fire is your practice to solve that problem."
(10:06)
Implementing Dry Fire Training into Routine
Brandon and Ben outline strategies for integrating dry fire training into a regular schedule:
- Dedicated Time Slots: Allocating specific times daily or near-daily for dry fire practice, such as 10 minutes before starting the day's duties.
- Structured Drills: Incorporating various drills that simulate real-life scenarios, ensuring comprehensive skill development.
- Continuous Assessment: Regularly evaluating progress by measuring improvements in draw time, transition speed, and overall efficiency.
Brandon shares his regimented training approach:
"Each day fits into the training cycle... six weeks or a couple of months... then change the focus of the training."
(16:36)
Ben complements this by highlighting the importance of combined live and dry fire sessions:
"The most effective practice I can do is a combined session of both... live and dry type of session."
(15:42)
Avoiding Bad Habits in Dry Fire Training
A critical aspect discussed is the potential for developing bad habits during dry fire training. Brandon advises:
- Reflective Practice: Using dry fire sessions to address and correct issues identified during live fire training.
- Consistent Technique: Ensuring that movements and grips during dry fire mimic those used in live fire to prevent ingraining incorrect habits.
Brandon provides insight into his method of correcting support hand grip issues:
"Come back to dry fire and actually train to correct the problem... do rep, rep, rep... until it becomes a practice thing."
(10:06)
Ben Stoeger adds that physical indicators, such as sore support hands, can signal effective practice:
"When you're dry firing, your support hands should probably be sore... that's an indicator."
(12:16)
Advanced Dry Fire Techniques and Competition Preparation
Brandon shares advanced techniques used in competitive shooting environments, including:
- Scenario-Based Drills: Simulating stages of competition without live fire to enhance tactical decision-making and movement.
- Timed Drills: Using timers to create pressure and improve reaction times during transitions and target engagements.
He describes his approach to competition preparation:
"I have a competition stage set up... go through the entire stage dry... get your sights on each target really aggressively, run to the next spot."
(12:34)
Ben highlights the value of integrating classifier training into dry fire routines for competitive shooters:
"I think you can learn a lot from classifier training because it's going to be measurable performance."
(21:21)
Personal Training Routines and Insights
The hosts exchange personal training routines, offering listeners practical examples to emulate:
-
Brandon's Routine: Typically spends 60 to 90 minutes at the range, firing between 300 to 900 rounds daily. His training is part of a larger cycle aimed at specific goals, such as distance shooting or movement drills.
"I'm going through a cycle of like, doing this training for a couple of months, then I'll flip it and change it to something else."
(17:28) -
Ben's Insights: Emphasizes the synergy between live fire and dry fire, advocating for a balanced training regimen that incorporates both methods to maximize skill retention and improvement.
"The most effective practice I can do is a combined session of both live and dry type of session."
(15:42)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with Ben and Brandon reaffirming the importance of disciplined training routines and the integration of dry fire practices into daily habits. They encourage listeners to adopt these methods to enhance their readiness and effectiveness on the front lines.
Brandon humorously attempts to lighten the discussion with banter, highlighting the camaraderie between the hosts:
"I'm trying to monetize Grindr... that's not bad."
(23:26)
Ben wraps up by motivating listeners to take actionable steps based on the podcast’s insights:
"Don't just listen to it and don't do anything about it... we're giving you the information. It's up to you to go out there and continue to train."
(24:50)
"Train hard, guys, and take care of business when you need to."
(25:05)
Key Takeaways
- Consistency is Crucial: Regular dry fire practice is essential for maintaining and enhancing shooting skills.
- Structured Environment: Creating a dedicated and safe training space facilitates effective dry fire sessions.
- Balanced Training: Combining dry fire with live fire sessions yields the best results in skill development.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly assessing and adjusting training routines ensures ongoing proficiency and readiness.
- Avoiding and Correcting Bad Habits: Use dry fire to identify and rectify technical flaws observed during live fire training.
By incorporating these strategies into their routines, first responders and competitive shooters alike can significantly improve their tactical proficiency and operational effectiveness.