Closed Skills vs Open Skills. Why Your Training May not be as Complete as You Think it is.
by James Banks, Owner / Instructor
One of the topics that I want to discuss on a basic level in this article and bring to light is a topic that many, in the firearms community, do not even think about when it comes to their training regimen. Many concealed carriers, as well as Instructors, believe that their training is complete when they go to the range and practice their shooting fundamentals. They enjoy showing how they shoot tight groups and they feel very good about their performance. They will oftentimes believe that this skill will effectively translate into an actual fight scenario and thus they may exude a high level of confidence while they are carrying. While I can always appreciate an individual carrying with confidence, they must be grounded in the fact that their ability to shoot well is not an effective indicator of their ability to win the fight.
This brings us to the topic of closed vs open skills. First, let’s understand, from the most basic level, what these are. A closed skill is something the performer does which is not affected by the environment. Examples would include shooting hoops, throwing darts, or shooting a firearms qualification, etc. These skills are not affected by the environment. In contrast, an open skill is performed in a dynamic and changing environment with many external factors, and internal factors, with a few examples of playing a team sport, force-on-force, or scenario-based shooting drills that require decision-making processes. Years ago, I formulated the quote, “A fight is a rapidly changing, dynamic situation, with ever-evolving problems which require you to incrementally solve and make decisions based on external and internal factors.” As I always say, “The root word of gunfight is not gun, but FIGHT.” It would be irresponsible of me to believe that practicing basic shooting fundamentals, a closed skill, would adequately and effectively prepare me for a fight when clearly the preparation for a fight would absolutely require the effective employment of open skills. An argument to the contrary is simply not based on basic science.
I wrote a previous article (found HERE) in regard to understanding neuroplasticity. That article basically states that information cannot travel down a path that has not yet been created. With this knowledge, we must create these neural pathways. It could possibly save your life. When we look at and evaluate our training, we need to be cognizant of what we are training for. It may very well be that you are just a hobbyist, who shoots a box of ammunition on occasion and you carry a firearm for protection. If you are fine with that scenario, then I send you the best of luck. If you are of the mindset that threats are very real and that you need to, at the very least, have a basic level of training to encounter those potential threats, then please don’t spend all of your training time not effectively getting prepared. Please practice the fundamentals, but also incorporate higher levels of training into your workload. Understanding the various components of training will help you get from A to B faster. It will also increase the efficiency in your desired area. How do I get the most return on my time investment? Mix it up. Be ever-evolving. Keep changing. Be prepared.
The last thing for me to convey to you and bring this all together is for me to tell you to seek a trainer. You should seek a trainer that possesses at least a basic understanding of the mechanics of the mind. An Instructor who has developed this knowledge base will be able to better assist you with tapping into your personal potential. I hope that I explained a bit of the science of neuroplasticity in such a way as to codify what it is and why it is important if you are going to train to be the defender of yourself and your family. As always, “A Leader thirsts for knowledge”.
This brings us to the topic of closed vs open skills. First, let’s understand, from the most basic level, what these are. A closed skill is something the performer does which is not affected by the environment. Examples would include shooting hoops, throwing darts, or shooting a firearms qualification, etc. These skills are not affected by the environment. In contrast, an open skill is performed in a dynamic and changing environment with many external factors, and internal factors, with a few examples of playing a team sport, force-on-force, or scenario-based shooting drills that require decision-making processes. Years ago, I formulated the quote, “A fight is a rapidly changing, dynamic situation, with ever-evolving problems which require you to incrementally solve and make decisions based on external and internal factors.” As I always say, “The root word of gunfight is not gun, but FIGHT.” It would be irresponsible of me to believe that practicing basic shooting fundamentals, a closed skill, would adequately and effectively prepare me for a fight when clearly the preparation for a fight would absolutely require the effective employment of open skills. An argument to the contrary is simply not based on basic science.
I wrote a previous article (found HERE) in regard to understanding neuroplasticity. That article basically states that information cannot travel down a path that has not yet been created. With this knowledge, we must create these neural pathways. It could possibly save your life. When we look at and evaluate our training, we need to be cognizant of what we are training for. It may very well be that you are just a hobbyist, who shoots a box of ammunition on occasion and you carry a firearm for protection. If you are fine with that scenario, then I send you the best of luck. If you are of the mindset that threats are very real and that you need to, at the very least, have a basic level of training to encounter those potential threats, then please don’t spend all of your training time not effectively getting prepared. Please practice the fundamentals, but also incorporate higher levels of training into your workload. Understanding the various components of training will help you get from A to B faster. It will also increase the efficiency in your desired area. How do I get the most return on my time investment? Mix it up. Be ever-evolving. Keep changing. Be prepared.
The last thing for me to convey to you and bring this all together is for me to tell you to seek a trainer. You should seek a trainer that possesses at least a basic understanding of the mechanics of the mind. An Instructor who has developed this knowledge base will be able to better assist you with tapping into your personal potential. I hope that I explained a bit of the science of neuroplasticity in such a way as to codify what it is and why it is important if you are going to train to be the defender of yourself and your family. As always, “A Leader thirsts for knowledge”.
"Avoiding battle is advantageous. Avoiding knowledge of battle is dangerous" -James Banks