So it's no secret that @vcdgrips and I differ greatly in our opinions on training.
My hypothesis:
Using online resources from experts, self-video analysis and thoughtful and longitudinal practice, someone can get quite competent at handgun and long gun shooting.
Without in-person training.
I think I've proven that it's possible. To take that a step further, online coaching from someone competent at a high level who designs and critiques your specific performance a la SWYNTS is a VERY effective platform for improvement. In a way that people doing traditional classes and in person work don't get in a group setting.
The latest disagreement comes from:
Originally Posted by vcdgrips
As a reply to my
Originally Posted by JCN
So I'll explain my position. I don't expect @vcdgrips to actually read what I'm writing, but maybe someone else can benefit from it.
1. Most of the gains in shooting comes from practice with good feedback.
2. Most people benefit greatly from external feedback.
3. Introspective students can supplement the external feedback with slow motion video analysis, especially if they have a good basic physics background.
4. Having a gold standard to compare it to is very helpful. That's where online programs and videos come into play.
5. I used videos of gold standard shooters as my model when designing my shooting stance and mechanics.
6. I would be better if I had a world class coach.
7. Spending one hour with a world class coach might have improved my skill by 0.0001% compared to what I'm doing because most of the improvement is in the work.
8. I've had world class coaches for music lessons and without the work, it doesn't go very far. Even on an ongoing coaching basis with hundreds of hours of in person work.
So basically it comes down to putting the work in and having specific coaching available when you hit a plateau is important. With a critical self analysis eye and video, you can sometimes be your own coach. That's a Charlie Perez quote from his book. That being a GM is about being a GM student of yourself.
There it is. Video learning can replace didactic in person learning. And hands on skill training in a class is meaningless without the longitudinal work outside of class.
So would I be better for training with Rob or JJ?
Yes.
Would I be meaningfully better? I don't think by much. YMMV.
As an interesting hypothesis test, I am now at the point where I'm starting to take classes and it'll be interesting to see what additional things I can learn.
But what does "meaningfully" better mean. Will one hour of time with Rob or JJ improve my shooting by 10%? Doubtful at this level. 5%? probably not.
1% maybe? If I could spend an hour and be 1% better I would totally do it.
But realistically at this level I would expect maybe 0.05% improvement or less from 1 hour of coaching.
We shall see! I'm going to test the hypothesis.