Defensive Shooting Club: Scenario Day Fun.

Getting the run down of what to expect

Safety overview

Today was a great day training with the Defensive Shooting Club. Jeff Patane picked up a dueling tree and two hostage target heads swingers types.

There was a nice showing of 28 dedicated citizens practicing their 2nd Amendment Rights and pitching in to make it a great day of shooting.

He incorporated these targets plus a home built IPSC type swinging target into a scenario.

The scenario was a little tricky to catch on to as we are not as smart as we should be.

Basically, Jeff employed the  swinging IPSC target to indicate to the shooter what color target will be the threat in the scenario. The problem was a lot was open to peoples vast imagination. Needless to say, hilarity ensued.

The main point of the scenario, Situational Awareness, was kind of thrown under the bus.

During the scenario we were taken as a hostage during a bank heist or whatever. We were supposed to overtake the "bag guy guard" and use his weapon to neutralize the situation.

Oh, we were also all handcuffed for this one! So we had to manipulate the handgun while being bound up.

The problem was most people missed the bad guy que and kind of fired at what they considered bad guys based on other que's that made sense from an internally logical perspective.

Here are some over taking the bad guy pictures during the scenario:

After the scenario was completed we all gathered for a debriefing where Jeff pointed out the good, the bad and the ugly.

After which we went into some great drill that incorporated the new targets, barrels and barricades.

He really built up the stress level by creating a competition between the group and it was a lot of fun shooting till the wheels rolled off into the distance.

All in all it was a great day and as usual learned a heck of a lot. Everybody was awesome chipping in and providing great background noise. LOL!


Some video of the new club targets and putting them to good use:

Thinking outside the box

We did a great drill whereby each participant had to solve the problem of shooting a target with his handgun but not having a functioning magazine to feed it.

No one got to see what was coming ahead of time.

A lot of people put their spin on solving the problem in creative ways.

Over all it was a great drill to get the participants to think outside of their realm of normal experience.


Here's a video of the antics:

Defensive Shooting Club: Scenario Day

Last Sunday was scenario day and it was a good one. The scenarios are all blind shoot scenarios meaning no one has a chance to see what is coming down the pipe. This gives everyone a chance to react to the situation based on their current training level.


The basic problem was you were picking up a loved one from a government building and, because it's a government building, you had to surrender your legally carried weapon at the door.

Somehow, some criminals got through the security with there illegal weapons and started to cause problems.

You enter into the scene as it unfolds...

Watch and see how the various participants react to the situation.



Basically, it's probably a good idea to be familiar with multiple weapons systems so you can operate in case of emergency, also, situational awareness it critical yet elusive if not trained for it.

Training Vignette: Drawing from a holster

I belong to a defensive shooting club that meets twice a month where we train drills on one of those days and do scenarios based on real life happenings dug up from the news of the other training day. We train about 5 hours per session.

I like to carry my video camera and capture some of the instruction that Jeff imparts to our brains so I can review it later.

These training vignettes are a result.

I find it really useful to review what was captured on video because I seem to miss some of the finer details of instruction during the action.

Anyway, I hope someone else can find some use in these videos too.

The following video is Jeff explaining the how's and why's of drawing from a holster.

Train for the worst...

Hope for the best.

Vignettes in Training: N Plus One Sight Picture

"It doesn't matter how fast you shoot, you always have to be ready for one more shot"



A great discussion on how to execute proper follow through.

Pistol Training Using Support Side Techniques

Just did some training with the Defensive Shooting Club with focus on support side only manipulation of a pistol. That means you can't use the primary side.

Topics covered include immediate action drills from the support side, reloading from the support side and drawing from the support side. Also covered were optimal shooting position when shooting from the support side only.

It was raining quite a bit so these guys and gal are dedicated to the art of the pistol!

Other topics were covered and the day was wrapped up with some fun barricade, barrel, multiple position shooting as you will see if you watch the video.






It was a lot of fun and is over way to fast.

Defensive Shooting Club Anual Fun Shoot and Raffle!

Well it's that time of year again for the Defensive Shooting Club Fun shoot. Last year we had a three gun competition but this year it was reduced to two guns.

There were four stages the competitors had to complete in to see who would win this year.

After the event we all filled up on pizza and beer and got some raffle prizes if we were lucky.

Here is some video of the event!



Someone bought 400 raffle tickets so they got all the prizes donated by the Bay Area Gun Vault. Luckily, Jeff Patane, the DSC instructor started off by quizzing us on our defensive handgun history knowledge, I managed to get an answer right and won some 9mm snap caps.

The question was: Who is considered the father of modern pistol craft?

It was a super fun day and everybody had a lot of fun I'm sure. Especially at the end. View the video if you want to know why.

Defensive Shooting Club: Attack Inoculation

Today we did a lot of interesting stuff.

The most interesting was: Attack Inoculation.

We started off the morning with a "blind shoot" scenario where no one knew what the situation was when we were walking into it.

Next up for the day was Attack Inoculation. That is when the instructor beats us with a training bag to disorient and condition us to fight to get to our weapons. Once we were bashed to the right amount we were to deploy our handguns to neutralize any threats. It was actually pretty fun.

Here's a video of the crazy training antics.

Oh, inevitably our eyes and ears would fall off due to the sparing. The 'uke' could have put them back on but most opted to keep the training real and shoot without them. What was interesting was the phenomena of "aural exclusion" actually took place and I for one didn't hear the pistol at all!

Defensive Shooting Club: Scenario Day, "Target Discrimination"

Today we had a large group of people! Everyone was great too. We even had a couple of families including their sons ages ranging from 12 - 16.

Today was a "blind" shoot. Everybody was corralled at the far end of the range while Jeff set up the scenario. No one sees what is going on ahead of time. This allows everyone to experience the situation fresh without rehearsal or even knowing what to expect. It's the ultimate simulation of what could really happen. Believe me your adrenaline starts up and emotions come into play even though it's a contrived, controlled environment!

Jeff Patane focused on "Target Discrimination"

The four steps of Target Discrimination are:

1. Take in the big picture looking for out-of-the-ordinary behavior or actions.
2. Scan for suspicious aggressive or otherwise deliberate motion.
3. Check waist band and hands for signs of a weapon
4. Determine optimum area to engage a determined threat.

Of course these steps happen quite fast and it's easy to skip a step and start experience tunnel vision by focusing on only one threat or group of threats that are clustered together.

Also, when we determined a threat we tried to conceal the fact that we are armed till the last possible moment to engage the threat. This will optimize the advantage of surprise and if there are multiple threats this will allow for some kind of strategy to maximize survival.

We we shown various ways to distract possible threats by raising our support side hand blading our body in such a way to conceal our weapon while simultaneously reaching for our weapon to draw.

There is also a verbal component that plays into confrontations as you would ultimately like to talk down or slow down the threat to allow for time to get into position or distract or provide witnesses with verbal clues that you tried to stop whatever events are unfolding.

Once the threat has been eliminated, one way or another, it's still very important to maintain situational awareness and continue to take in the big picture.

In general it's a very fluid situation and practice doing scenarios like this gives us the chance to participate, critique, learn how we would react and improve in a controlled environment.

One thing that is clear to me it is easy to "intellectualize" the situation, and believe that you could do this and that, well once you participate in a scenario like this you'll see it's an eye opening experience , everything you "thought" you would do goes out the window. Also, when thrown into such a situation the first reaction is to stand there and think "Is this really happening?" but converting that to action where you immediately recognize the situation for what is is and react accordingly in a defensive way that could save your life, that's where training comes in. The constant inculcation that you need to do something now because the bad guy is not going to wait for you is one of the move valuable lessons to learn!

That's where this training clearly separates the "martial arts" use of firearms vs the gaming use of firearms in it's various forms.


Here is some video of the great day:

Upcoming Northern California Training Opportunities

Here is a list of some upcoming training opportunities offered in Northern California.

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ALPHA DOG TACTICAL : TRAINING COURSE : Pistol CQB

www.AlphaDogTactical.com

Location: Field Sports Park, 9580 Malech Rd, San Jose, CA
Date: Mar 26, 2011
Time: 0800-1600
Cost: $125.00
Contact: jeff@alphadogtactical.com

This one day course is designed to introduce the student to the skills necessary to fight in close proximity to a threat. In addition to skills for the lone operator, you will be introduced to concepts relating to team movement & entry into rooms/buildings.

Skills/tactics covered will include, but are not limited to:
-Basic functions and safety
-Loading/unloading/malfunction clearing
-Shooting/fighting from retention
-Multiple target engagement
-Shooting on the move
-Tactical movement & communication
-Threat identification/management (shoot/no shoot)
-Stealth and dynamic entry
-Weapon retention & take-away

Required equipment:
-Pistol and 3 magazines (min)
-500 rounds ammunition
-Holster and magazine pouches
-Eye and ear protection

Recommended additional equipment:
-Hat or head covering
-Note taking materials (pen and paper)
-Personal water supply
-Bag lunch/snack (we do not break from the range for lunch)
-Knee and elbow pads

Prerequisite:
-Completion of a tactical pistol course
-OR-
-Prior approval based on demonstrated competency

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ALPHA DOG TACTICAL : TRAINING COURSE : Carbine CQB

www.AlphaDogTactical.com

Location: Field Sports Park, 9580 Malech Rd, San Jose, CA
Date: March 27, 2011
Time: 0800-1600
Cost: $125.00
Contact: jeff@alphadogtactical.com

This one day course is designed to introduce the student to the skills necessary to fight in close proximity to a threat. In addition to skills for the lone operator, you will be introduced to concepts relating to team movement & entry into rooms/buildings.

Skills/tactics covered will include, but are not limited to:
-Basic functions and safety
-Loading/unloading/malfunction clearing
-Shooting/fighting from retention
-Multiple target engagement
-Shooting on the move
-Tactical movement & communication
-Threat identification/management (shoot/no shoot)
-Stealth and dynamic entry
-Weapon retention & take-away

Required equipment:
-Carbine and 3 magazines (min)
-500 rounds ammunition
-Tactical sling for carbine
-Eye and ear protection

Recommended additional equipment:
-Secondary/backup weapon and 2 magazines (min)
-Holster and magazine pouches secondary/backup weapon
-100 rounds ammunition for secondary/backup weapon
-Magazine pouches or tac vest for carbine magazines
-Optical sight (EOtech, Aimpoint, ACOG, etc)
-Hat or head covering
-Note taking materials (pen and paper)
-Personal water supply/snacks
-Knee and elbow pads

Prerequisite:
-Completion of a tactical carbine course
-OR-
-Prior approval based on demonstrated competency.

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Alpha Dog Tactical Training Highlights

Alpha Dog Tactical Firearms Training.

If you live in the Bay area and are looking for a great place to take some firearms training look no farther than Alpha Dog Tactical

Jeff Patane is the chief fire arms trainer and owner of the school.

I have taken many courses offered by Jeff and every time I learn something new.

Jeff also keeps up on the latest training techniques by traveling around the country taking courses from other instructors specializing in certain weapons systems.

He takes what he learns, melds it with his persona and passes it down to his students to enjoy.

From his web site:

Jeff Patane - Tactical Firearms Trainer

Jeff is a tactical firearms trainer with over 30 years of shooting experience. His background includes over 15 years in law enforcement, where he works in the Patrol division as a Reserve Officer.

Jeff currently holds Firearms Instructor certifications from POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) and the NRA.

Jeff has also successfully completed numerous tactical training programs including:

* First Responder/Active Shooter
* Extraordinary Deployment
* Active Shooter Response and Deployment
* Other various tactical pistol, rifle, and shotgun courses

Jeff is active in the Law Enforcement shooting competition arena. He is a Tactical Firearms Advisor for Falchion Enterprise, a private security company. Additionally, Jeff's training includes courses in EVOC, Anti-Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Jeff currently teaches tactical firearms in the San Jose, California area. We look forward to training with you.

Here's a look at the current training course schedule from the Alpha Dog Tactical web site:

Defensive Shooting Club Adventures Continue

Last Sunday we had our usual scenario day where we were put through the ringer trying to react to thugs mugging us in a door way to our apt. or some such place.

One thing for sure there is a lot to thing about and no time to react to it!

The scenario really puts this into perspective. If you hear a threat or you are in immediate danger try to stall by talking and accessing the situation just to buy a little time.

One of the other interesting things we did was to see what would happen if you put your hand on the slide of a gun while it was being shot. We did this as a follow up to a previous training class where we learned how to take-away a gun from a bad guy. We know this is last ditch self defense but it's good to have gone through it to know what it feels like.

Here is some video of the recent fun we had:

DSC Training Day

Another day of training with the Defensive Shooting Club. Today was a scenarios day where the boss set up a blind shoot and we had to do some problem solving. After that we ran through a couple of courses of fire practicing transitions from dominant side to support side while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.

This was followed by a good old fashion shooting contest where two shooters had to go up against each other shooting six bowling pins down.

That was fun!

After that we did a single shot quick draw and the fastest person to knock down a pin won.

As always constant vigilance to strengthen good mindful tactical habits were always enforced!

Everyone was pretty spend after that considering it got pretty hot today.

Here is a short video for your entertainmetnt:


I was using the Smith & Wesson M&P9c today as my full size M&P was sent to the factory to get a bit of service.

Vehicle Tactics - Pistol

Spent the weekend learning how to fight out of a vehicle, around a vehicle, defense against vehicle attack, ballistic penetration, height rounds skip off of hood and why it's a good idea to maintain some distance from the cover, no crowding courtesy of Alpha Dog Tactical.

We covered some advanced techniques learning two man team tactics and four man team tactics.

A bunch of other stuff that filled two days of training.

All the students were great as was the instructor Jeff Patane.

Can't wait till the next course.


























Here's a short video for your entertainment:

DSC Training Day = Fun and Learning!

Today we did a lot of great training. We practiced shooting from retention and shooting from retention after a defensive strike. That was particularly eye opening in that the firearm is up close and personal. This was an advanced technique and everyone had to feel pretty comfortable with their skills.

We shot support side and strong side while practicing defending a spouse/significant other by sweeping them aside, stepping in front and engaging off hand.
The students all had a great time and learned a lot!

Whole bunch more was covered.

Here's a short video of some of the action.

Very Boring Video

I haven't been blogging or much of anything lately except trying to finish up so renovations on my house.

I thought I'd throw up a video of some practice sessions I do at the range. I use the time at the range to practice the basics and try to drill them into my head and muscle memory.

I was using my M&P9 and shooting from 15yds. The fastest I could shoot was about 0.5 - 1.0 sec splits since I was at a range with rules. Luckily, it wasn't too busy so I was "allowed" to shoot "that fast".

DSC: Scenario with stress and disorientation training.

Today 24 people showed up for DSC scenario day. That's the most I have seen.

Our first scenario was a blind shoot where everyone was moved off to the side and could not see the stage or its requirements for success. Each person was run through it individually.

We started by being told to sit on the ground then we were blind folded and given some instructions.

Then, we were pounded a bit with a body shield like this one.


This was to disorient and confuse use. We then removed the blind fold and engaged the threats that were before us.

This was a very intense scenario and it taught a lot. Most people put up a pretty good fight when they where being pushed around by the trainers. Some people turtled up and the Jeff Patane, the instructor, mentioned that was not a good choice to go purely defensive.

We had the availability of hard cover to retreat too once the imminent threat was dealt with and from there manage other potential threats via verbal commands.

I'm glad I get to to this kind of self defense training to at least get a taste of the possible chaos and confusion that one could encounter.

After the class ran through this scenario we all did it again except with out the disorientation aspect. We had to strike a target which would reveal two other potential threats and then carry out "threat discrimination" techniques.

It was a great day for learning and I learned a hell of a lot. Like I need more practice...

DSC: Urban Unrest Scenario

This is the most complex scenario that Jeff has set up. He must have spent quite awhile thinking about this and designing the elements that were to be trained.

Today's scenario was geared toward a situation where there was an urban unrest situation sparked by unknown events.

The events played out such as thus: We are happily asleep in our beds when we are awoken by a disturbance outside out "bedroom" window. A drop target "threat" presents itself at which point you must use target discrimination to ascertain if the target is, in fact, a threat or a benign interloper.

Once that target was neutralized, you scan the room for other threats and clear them as necessary.

Next, we worked our way down the hallway making clearing the way to our safe where our rifle was kept. Clearing the room and shooing away any unarmed trespassers.

Once we have the rifle secured we continue our way down the hallway out the back clearing away any trespassers and neutralizing any threats that present themselves while we make our way to our family members that were caught, somehow, in this urban unrest.

It was pretty intense situation. A lot was going on. Also, this was a "blind" scenario. So all the participants were off by the club house waiting to be called to the scene.

There were about 15 people to cycle through which to approximately 2.5 hours. That was a lot of waiting around for the people not actually going through the scenario but the waiting was definitely worth it!




Next up Jeff set up a steel shoot that allowed us to practice quite a few elements of gun handling. Transitions, positions, shooting on the move. I would have liked to run this steel shoot a couple of times because it was so much fun!



Well, another intense day with the DSC. My mistake was not to bring enough food and I was getting a little tired because of it.

As usual, everyone involved was very helpful in the set up and breaking down of he different scenarios.

Now, I have to wait another two weeks to do it again!

DSC ScenarioDay: Active Shooter

Today the instructor, Jeff Patane., set up an active shooter scenario with a couple of variations. In one case we arrived at the scene of an active shooter while picking up our child. We did not have a defensive firearm on our person but when we arrived at the "school" we saw something like the following photo which represents a custodian.

We then heard some shots being fired from within the "school" once we got to the gate. Through the gate we could see a downed "security guard".


Upon examining the security guard we can see he has a revolver on his person. Checking the guard he didn't survive the encounter with the active shooter so now we know this is a dicey situation. Along with the revolver were two speed loaders of ammo.


Ideally, you would pick up the revolver and the two speed loaders, empty the revolver of the spent ammo, because you could see that there were primer strikes on the casings, and load the revolver. Once you were ready to you would close in on the sound of gunfire because you want to rescue you child.

The above photo depicts the entrance to the "school" where the active shooter is terrorizing the students and staff. We had to make sure we retained the element of surprise and not get caught in the "fatal funnel" which is the doorway, in this case.

Since this is a "blind" shoot, meaning all the students were corralled off to the side so no one could see ahead of time what was going on, it was very interesting to see how everyone reacted to the scenario.

I went second out of about ten people so I got to see all of the people go through except one.

Out of ten people, only three people actually got rounds off at the "active shooters" (I was one of the three). Most people just grabbed the gun and ran up to the door but found the gun was empty. One person just ran up to the door ignoring everything at the scene.

Going through one of these scenarios is not as easy as it looks, when Jeff is yelling at you and your trying to get through the various components of the scenario, always trying to be tactically aware etc. Also, we have to still get out hits and be accountable for every shot.

In this active shooter scenario we went through concepts such as the four rules of target discrimination which are:

1. Look at the big picture.
2. Look at a potential threats actions.
3. Look at the hands and waistband for weapons.
4. Focus in on the center of mass.
   

If you have a defensive weapon always clear and secure other weapons found at a scene.

Try to question the wounded or unarmed witnesses at the scene for any information about the active shooter.

When approaching a doorway get out of the "fatal funnel" and move dynamically when entering a room so as not to present yourself as a target.

Use weapons available if you are unarmed.

There was a twist on the above scenario where the gate was locked and we had to figure out how to get through and defeat the bad guys.


After the scenario's we ran through some shooting stages and wrapped up with a double elimination bowling pin shoot where the winner got the following book:


I didn't win the book but I sure had fun!

It was a great day of training and packed full of training. Great fun!