TRAINING THROUGH VIDEO GAMES
David Donchess David Donchess

TRAINING THROUGH VIDEO GAMES

Video games offer significant benefits for developing strategic thinking and a tactical mindset by providing immersive environments that require players to analyze complex situations, make quick decisions, and adapt to changing conditions. Many games demand resource management, long-term planning, and the anticipation of opponents' moves, which cultivates foresight and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the challenge of balancing offensive and defensive tactics encourages players to think critically and adjust their strategies dynamically. This interactive and engaging format allows for repeated practice and immediate feedback, fostering continuous improvement in cognitive agility and decision-making abilities relevant to real-world scenarios.

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BEGINNER DRY FIRE TRAINING
David Donchess David Donchess

BEGINNER DRY FIRE TRAINING

This is a simple guide to dry fire practice. It covers safety, unloading your firearm, and the gear you need to begin. It explains why dry fire works and why it's worth doing. Finally, it offers 5 drills to improve your skills, along with videos to help you learn the techniques.

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THE ART OF THE PRESENTATION
David Donchess David Donchess

THE ART OF THE PRESENTATION

The art of presenting a weapon is a fundamental skill in adaptive combatives that emphasizes smooth, controlled movements to transition from concealment or carry to an effective defensive or offensive posture. It requires precision, minimal exposition, and situational awareness to ensure readiness without compromising safety or tactical advantage. Mastery involves understanding the mechanics of the specific weapon, body positioning, and maintaining a calm, deliberate approach to avoid unnecessary escalation while remaining prepared to respond decisively. Proper training also focuses on integrating presentation with drawing techniques to optimize reaction time and maintain control under stress.

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LOW LIGHT TACTICS
David Donchess David Donchess

LOW LIGHT TACTICS

Low light training is essential for developing effective self-defense skills in environments where visibility is limited. This type of training focuses on enhancing situational awareness, target identification, and weapon handling under reduced lighting conditions. Participants learn to adapt to glare, shadows, and the sudden loss of sight, which are common challenges in real-world confrontations. Incorporating low light scenarios helps build confidence, improve reaction times, and ensure that techniques can be executed safely and effectively when illumination is minimal. Mastery of these skills is critical for maintaining readiness in unpredictable and potentially hostile situations.

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TRAINING TO BE ADAPTABLE
David Donchess David Donchess

TRAINING TO BE ADAPTABLE

Adaptability is crucial in self-defense and combatives because threats are rarely predictable or consistent. Being able to adjust your tactics, techniques, and mindset in real time increases your chances of effectively managing unforeseen situations. Relying solely on a fixed set of skills limits your response options, whereas adaptability allows you to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses, respond to environmental changes, and maintain control under pressure. Developing adaptability enhances situational awareness and decision-making, which are essential for survival and successful outcomes in dynamic, high-stress encounters.

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EDC PISTOL SELECTION TESTS
David Donchess David Donchess

EDC PISTOL SELECTION TESTS

If you are wanting to test carry pistol options, you need to have a set of standards that can be measured.

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CSAT PISTOL STANDARDS
David Donchess David Donchess

CSAT PISTOL STANDARDS

The CSAT pistols standards is a ten stage qualification used to check your proficiency with a pistol. The test only takes 25 rounds, which makes it incredibly efficient, but very telling on how proficient you are at basic pistol skills.

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PRACTICE THE PROPER COMBAT RELOAD
David Donchess David Donchess

PRACTICE THE PROPER COMBAT RELOAD

The combat reload is important to practice correctly in order to make security and functional behaviors under fire a habit, even under adrenaline.

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SHOOTING STEEL VS SHOOTING PAPER
David Donchess David Donchess

SHOOTING STEEL VS SHOOTING PAPER

Shooting steel targets gives instant, loud feedback with a "clang," helping shooters quickly know where they hit. Paper targets focus more on precise shot placement and detailed scoring. Both types have their benefits depending on what you want to train.

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THE BURDEN OF TRAINING YOURSELF
David Donchess David Donchess

THE BURDEN OF TRAINING YOURSELF

Training yourself is going to be a significant burden that you cannot take on lightly or without careful consideration. It requires a clear understanding of what you are doing, along with a high level of discipline and personal responsibility to ensure consistent progress and effectiveness.

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SPEED OR PRECISION?
David Donchess David Donchess

SPEED OR PRECISION?

Deciding whether speed or precision is more important in combat shooting is a contradictory subject because both elements serve critical but often opposing roles under pressure. Speed can be the difference between neutralizing a threat before it escalates or facing harm, emphasizing rapid target acquisition and multiple shots. However, precision ensures each shot counts, minimizing wasted rounds and increasing the likelihood of incapacitating the threat effectively. Skilled combat shooting balances these factors, training to achieve a level of precision that doesn't sacrifice speed, acknowledging that the optimal approach varies depending on the scenario and the shooter's proficiency.

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ONE-HANDED PRACTICE
David Donchess David Donchess

ONE-HANDED PRACTICE

Shooting one-handed is one of the most challenging skills you can develop. However, just like practicing reloading under pressure, it is crucial to prepare for this type of contingency to ensure you can respond effectively in any situation.

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UNARMED FIGHTING: UNIVERSAL BASELINE SELF-DEFENSE
David Donchess David Donchess

UNARMED FIGHTING: UNIVERSAL BASELINE SELF-DEFENSE

Unarmed combat is a fundamental part of a self-defense system because it provides the essential skills needed when no weapons are available. In real-life confrontations, relying solely on tools or weapons is impractical and sometimes impossible. Effective unarmed techniques teach practitioners how to control, neutralize, or escape threats using their body, allowing for immediate and versatile responses.

Training in unarmed combat improves situational awareness, timing, distance management, and the ability to apply force effectively and responsibly. It also builds confidence and mental resilience, which are crucial during high-stress encounters. Integrating unarmed combat skills with other elements of a self-defense system ensures a comprehensive approach that prepares practitioners for a wide range of scenarios, enhancing overall safety and readiness.

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STOP THE BLEED: A PRACTICAL APPROACH
David Donchess David Donchess

STOP THE BLEED: A PRACTICAL APPROACH

Stopping the bleed is about taking a practical and objective approach. Being level-headed and objective will be far more effective than giving in to overwhelming panic when faced with the sight of blood. Keeping calm and applying proper techniques can make a critical difference in an emergency situation.

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RIFLE TO PISTOL TRANSITION DRILLS
David Donchess David Donchess

RIFLE TO PISTOL TRANSITION DRILLS

The rifle to pistol transition drill is an excellent method to maintain continuous fire toward the enemy. Mastering this skill requires more than just physical ability; it involves a level of finesse and strategic thinking that resembles an art form. Proper execution ensures fluidity and effectiveness in dynamic combat situations.

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LASERS FOR TRAINING & DRY FIRE PRACTICE
David Donchess David Donchess

LASERS FOR TRAINING & DRY FIRE PRACTICE

Laser trainers are an excellent tool to help develop and refine your skills, providing immediate feedback and enhancing muscle memory. However, it is still essential to have a fundamental understanding of why dry firing is important and how to properly incorporate it into your routine.

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TARGET-FOCUSED SHOOTING
David Donchess David Donchess

TARGET-FOCUSED SHOOTING

We’ve all been taught to focus on the front sight when aiming for an accurate shot. However, this concept has often been misunderstood and oversimplified over the years. It’s similar to trying to stare intently at the front of a car moving at 100 mph while the surroundings become a blur. This method is not very effective, particularly in dynamic combat shooting situations where both you and your target are constantly in motion. Maintaining flexibility in your focus is crucial to adapting to fast-changing environments.

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DEVELOPING SHOOTING SKILLS
David Donchess David Donchess

DEVELOPING SHOOTING SKILLS

Shooting skills are not easy to develop quickly, but they remain one of the few physical skills that can be introduced and practiced effectively within the span of an 8-hour class. However, this is not even close to enough time to develop true shooting skills.

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TRAINING FOR PERFORMANCE
David Donchess David Donchess

TRAINING FOR PERFORMANCE

Have you ever wanted to improve skills like seeing quickly, reacting faster, aiming faster, spotting danger sooner, and staying calm under stress? There are ways to train your brain to stay sharp and work better.

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