We all know what it is like trying to complete a project and constantly being interrupted by the phone, co-workers or even our kids. All of us at one time or another have said, “It’s so loud in here, I can’t even hear myself think!” If you have ever said or thought this, your concentration is at Level Zero.
Concentration’s number one enemy is distraction. Distractions can lead to mistakes. Mistakes can lead to accidents. Accidents can range from minor inconveniences to life threatening situations. For example, accidents can be small inconveniences like forgetting to add a crucial ingredient while cooking or making a financial mistake in our accounting. Accidents can also result in life-threatening injuries when using certain pieces of equipment.
As a firearms instructor, it is essential to understand what concentration is. You must also understand what your responsibility is to enhance your students’ concentration and the many ways you can do this.
What is Concentration?
Concentration is crucial for your students to understand your instructions. When your student comprehends how to perform a specific task, it is easier for them to demonstrate the safe and proper use of firearms. Your students are all unique, and some will be able to concentrate on your instruction easier than others. This often means that the students who can easily concentrate will be easier to teach than those who cannot.
According to the NRA Training Department, “Concentration is the ability to focus all of one’s attention and energy to accomplish a specific task.” This means the ability for students to focus on what the instructor is saying and doing. If a student can concentrate, they are absorbing how the instructor demonstrates the operations of different firearm action types, as an example. If they comprehend the classroom portion, they will be safer and more proficient while on the range.
Sometimes instructors forget how intimidating firearms can be to a new gun owner. In other words, intimidation can be a large barrier when it comes to concentration. NRA Firearms Instructors must remember that all the NRA’s firearms courses are “objective based.” This means an instructor must take it slow and be thorough in their teachings, explanations and demonstrations. The instructor can only proceed with the lesson when all his or her student understand the topic that was just discussed.
What is the Instructor’s Responsibility?
The NRA Firearms Instructor should always remember the importance of concentration to their students. This means that distractions should be kept to a minimum. Depending on the distractions, some are easily eliminated while others may not be under your control.
As an instructor, it is your responsibility to eliminate as many distractions as possible so that your students can concentrate. This includes distractions while in the classroom as well as on the range. As an instructor, it is critical to be flexible. For example, The NRA requires giving your students breaks throughout the day. It is recommended that a 10-minute break be given at the top of every hour. It may be necessary to postpone a break if you are in the middle of topic-specific questions from your students and you can tell they are really absorbing what you are saying.
Another distraction that may affect your students’ concentration under your control could be a disruptive student. There are several types of students that you might encounter in your classes. Some of these personality types might include the “stump the instructor” or “know it all” student. This type of student can rob other students of their concentration. As an instructor, you need to deal with this type of student immediately. This is done by calling for a break and taking this student aside and asking him politely to refrain from the disruptions. This should be done in the presence of others, but out of their earshot.
Some distractions that affect concentration might be out of your control. For example, your classroom may be in the same building as the indoor range. In this environment, your students might hear a constant barrage of gun shots that interfere with your teaching. This can be a challenge for you as an instructor, not only due to the added sound but also if you have a new gun owner in class who is already anxious around the noise.
How Can the Instructor Enhance Concentration?
Regarding firearms and firearms training, concentration allows your student to be properly trained and can help in preventing accidents.
According to the NRA Training Department, “Everything the instructor does must be directed towards the shooter’s ability to concentrate.” The NRA recommends several ways to enhance the concentration of your students. The best way to learn these proven methods is to take an NRA Firearms Instructor Course. The number one recommendation is to use a .22 caliber firearm.
I have been an NRA Training Counselor for 20 years and I can tell you without a doubt that training the fundamentals with a .22 LR is one of the best pieces of advice that I have ever adhered to. The .22 LR allows you to isolate the problems your student might be having while eliminating the recoil and the report of larger calibers.
The NRA Instructor Course curriculum describes other ways of enhancing a student’s concentration including:
- Proper grip size
- Manageable gun weight (but not too light)
- Medium barrel length
- Gun functional and mechanism clean
- Good quality ammunition
- Target close to shooter
- Target relatively large
- Target blank
- Good lighting
- Fair weather
- Little wind
- Comfortable clothing
- Instructor does not over-instruct
- Adequate hearing and eye protection
- Avoid or control background noise
- Keep spectators to a minimum
- Stress fun as opposed to competition
It is important to remember that NRA Training Counselors play a unique role in the preservation of the Second Amendment. If we are successful with our training, our students will be active proponents to this most important right we share as Americans. If we are not successful, we could be turning our students off to gun ownership and this could result in one or more fewer supporters of the 2nd Amendment.
All firearms instructors should be trained as NRA Certified Instructors. This does not just apply to those looking to start a firearms training business, but it also applies to those who only instruct friends and family. Just as if you are a “shade tree mechanic” and only work on vehicles for family and friends, you still need to know how to properly repair engines. Everyone who conducts firearms instruction needs to know the safe and correct way of doing so.
Knowing how to properly conduct firearms instruction not only ensures that your student learns the safe and correct way to shoot, but it can also reduce liability to the instructor for any claims of negligence due to incorrect training methods. The NRA Training Department recognizes the importance of training and the importance of concentration in the method of instruction. With effective concentration, your student will become properly trained and that will be a reflection and a compliment on you as their instructor.
