The TTPOA Podcast: Detailed Summary of "Train-Up's" Episode Featuring Ben Stoeger on Indexing the Handgun
Release Date: November 6, 2024
Hosts: Derek and Brandon
Guest: Ben Stoeger
Title: TTPOA "Train-Up's" - Ben Stoeger Discusses Indexing the Handgun
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The TTPOA Podcast, hosts Derek and Brandon, both active duty police officers and SWAT team leaders in Texas, delve deep into the foundational aspects of handgun shooting. The episode features insights from renowned competitive shooter and firearms instructor, Ben Stoeger, focusing on the concept of indexing the handgun—a critical skill for first responders aiming to enhance their shooting efficiency and accuracy.
Understanding Indexing
The discussion begins with Brandon introducing the concept of indexing:
Brandon (00:54): "Yeah. I think the best way to explain it is like go on Instagram and watch high level competitive pistol shooters shoot."
Derek prompts for a clearer definition:
Derek (00:33): "Call it the Index Secret Sauce."
Brandon elaborates:
Brandon (01:02): "And if you haven't done that or haven't shot a lot, you look at that and you'll watch guys shooting at targets and probably the first time you see that, you'd be like, it does not look like they're aiming. Right."
Indexing is described as a developed skill that allows shooters to bring their handgun to the target quickly and consistently. Unlike traditional aiming methods that might seem counterintuitive to new shooters, indexing becomes a natural and seamless process through extensive training.
Brandon (02:11): "That is, that is a developed index is what I call that."
Types of Shooting Speeds
The hosts and Ben categorize shooting speeds into three primary types:
-
Predictive Shooting:
- Based on training and experience.
- Shooters anticipate target movement and pull the trigger as sights align.
Brandon (03:20): "I can feel that my grip is on. Goes back to your index is on. Right. And I just know the gun's going to return. So I can shoot at a predictive pace."
-
Reactive Shooting:
- Slows down based on target complexity or accountability.
- Involves responding to dynamic target changes.
Brandon (04:19): "As things slow down, like as the, or let's say there's high accountability shooting or things get more difficult now, it becomes reactive or I slow down and I react to the site, to the sites every time."
-
Corrective Shooting:
- Common among most shooters.
- Involves aligning sights during the shooting process, leading to slower and less efficient shooting.
Brandon (04:53): "This is corrective shooting while you're doing it. Yes. This is how most people experience shooting."
The emphasis is on moving away from corrective shooting towards predictive shooting by mastering indexing.
Indexing vs. Corrective Shooting
Derek reflects on personal experiences:
Derek (02:46): "Yeah, I wish I'd have known that when I first started shooting of being target focused. Yes, I wish I'd known that."
Brandon contrasts the two methods:
Brandon (05:34): "Right. Index is the reason that you're not doing corrective shooting for that. You're not like pointing the gun at something and then how to adjust and stuff around with the side alignment and then pulling the trigger. No. The gun just shows up with the sights more or less in alignment. You quickly confirm. That's why we use the word confirmation."
This distinction highlights the efficiency and reliability that indexing brings to handgun shooting, especially under high-pressure scenarios.
Role of Optics and Red Dots
The conversation shifts to the impact of red dot sights versus traditional iron sights:
Brandon (02:58): "Right. Was what we were doing with pistols. And in that time, I think without the optic housing on top of the gun, like a lot of guys would just shoot looking over the top of the gun and never really develop, like never be that developed with an index..."
Derek shares his experimentation with red dots:
Derek (06:01): "Yeah, I think too, like, I've played around with like turning my red dot off, not using irons, and just kind of using the window or the base plate or something."
Brandon underscores the importance of a well-developed index when using red dots:
Brandon (07:00): "It's like pointing your finger it's that natural and that smooth and effortless. That's an index that's well developed."
They discuss how red dots can both aid and challenge the development of indexing, emphasizing the necessity of training to ensure the red dot aligns consistently with the shooter's intent.
Training Techniques for Indexing
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to practical training methods to develop and refine indexing:
-
Occluding the Red Dot:
- Brandon shares a technique where he occludes the red dot to prevent shooters from fixating on it, encouraging them to develop a natural index.
Brandon (10:32): "So I occluded his dot to make sure that there'd be an even more negative consequence for staring at it because you... which would mean he couldn't see the target."
Brandon (11:08): "Just occlude your gun."
-
Using Tape and Paster Aids:
- Applying tape to the optic or using predefined targets (pasters) helps shooters focus on the target rather than the sights.
Derek (12:03): "I did it for a long time. I just took my tape off because it got bad and haven't put back on."
Brandon (12:50): "Giving yourself a defined target area is going to help you understand indexing."
-
Mental Projection:
- Shooters are encouraged to project the desired sight alignment onto blank targets, fostering a more intuitive aim.
Brandon (14:02): "So in my mind, I'm projecting that black spot onto the target."
These methods are designed to internalize the indexing process, making it an automatic response rather than a conscious adjustment.
Practical Examples and Experiences
Brandon shares real-world applications and experiences to illustrate the effectiveness of indexing:
Brandon (08:29): "Like actually training with a pistol shooting, it doesn't happen a lot now from the, you know, still, I'm a competitive shooter at heart..."
He recounts an incident where occluding the red dot significantly improved a shooter's performance by forcing reliance on indexing over sight fixation.
Brandon (10:53): "...he just needs to get over this hump and just look at, like, trust and believe. Like, once he indexes on the target he draws on, he will be okay if he just trusts and believes that if, if he looks around where he wants the gun to go, it will go there without him losing the sight awareness."
Derek adds personal insights:
Derek (11:48): "This, this optic on this. Oh yeah, this has been occluded for two years."
This segment highlights the long-term benefits and consistency that proper indexing training can provide.
Conclusion and Takeaways
As the episode wraps up, Brandon and Derek reinforce the importance of gradual and consistent training:
Brandon (14:43): "I don't think so."
Derek (14:44): "All right, cool. All right, boys and girls, go train. And man, what I would suggest with this is don't. If you're new to all this or you're still experimenting with this, don't just try it all in one day. Like, work on some stuff. It's a journey going your own shooting journey."
Key takeaways include:
- Indexing is a foundational skill that transforms shooting efficiency and accuracy.
- Transitioning from corrective to predictive shooting requires dedicated training and the right techniques.
- Utilizing tools like red dots, tape occlusion, and predefined target aids can facilitate the development of a natural index.
- Consistent, incremental training is essential for mastering indexing without feeling overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
This episode of The TTPOA Podcast offers invaluable insights into the mechanics of handgun shooting, emphasizing the critical role of indexing. Through expert discussion and practical advice, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how to develop and refine this essential skill, ultimately enhancing their performance on the field.
Train hard, stay proficient, and continue honing your skills with each session.