He doesn't toot his own horn on anything, just emphasizes training, I can tell you from taking a training class from him that he hits what he is looking at standing, walking, running, what blew my son and I away was what he was looking at (not down the sites) was a 1 1/2" strip of electrical tape, the tape didn't stand a chance. It was so fast, and natural, nothing needed to be adjusted that you could see, gun came up and was just automatically on target. Then if you put even half of what he was teaching in play semi correctly all of a sudden you are shooting more consistently/accurately then the stationary trying to master aim, squeeze, kill the paper target you have been doing for years. . Hands down the best training I have had, because it 100% showed you what you were doing wrong, and how to use fundamental steps to get where you needed to be.
I went through my LEO academy in 1989. Our firearms instructors had recently completed training at the Mid-South Institute for Self Defense Shooting in Mississippi, where they allegedly received training from Navy SEALs. The technique discussed here, and taught to us, was BRAND NEW at the time.
I’ve watched hundreds of pistol training techniques on shooting and hands down this is by far one of the best instructions on how too..many instructors train accuracy and how to focus on front sights etc..it’s important but in a real stressful/ violent situation one has NO TIME, except to do what you just saw in the video..no silver medals in this type of competition. Really enjoyed this video as it brought back memories on how things where explained about “shooting to survive training”, some call it tactical survival.. You hardly ever hear terms such as “centerline” “natural point of aim” from instructors..Excellent instructions..
Dude!!!! This is the most efficient “self defence” aiming technique I’ve seen. I struggle with aiming with sights and trying to be fast. I’m not looking to shoot the balls off a gnat at 50 yards, I just want to be able to impact a dudes chest at 7 or less yards in a high stress scenario. I cannot wait to hit the range and practice this. Thank you!
The way you describe point shooting is perfect. I've done that all my life, and being a martial artist, I have found that the concept of "from center of body to center of target" works the same from a neutral bow stance (Kenpo) as it does from the horse stance. Good work!!!
Learning to point shoot with one hand is arguably even more important. Many recommend keeping the thumb in a curled position for one-handed shooting, and I think that's fine at extremely close distances, particularly in shooting from retention where the threat of having your gun taken from you is higher. But for those 5-7 yard distances, I've found that keeping the thumb pointed toward the target essentially does the same job for your natural POA as the support hand thumb does when both hands are on the gun. I've also found it helpful to use a laser cartridge or SIRT to work on point shooting, especially for target transitions. Seeing the laser on the target helps you to stay target-focused! My two cents. Great stuff as always, Coch!
As a 12 yr old, I was taught to point and shoot by my big brother who had just left the Army. I think people new to shooting should also be taught point/shoot first. Too many learn sights first and when milliseconds count trying to find your target with sights may get one killed.
@@cuddzilla Bad logic. This technique is accurate at the distances it’s meant for. And mastering sighted fire won’t help you with this technique- and if someone is 7 yards away running at you with a knife or drawing a weapon, the sudden adrenaline dump probably won’t even let you see the sights, even if you had time to use them.
I'm glad you mentioned aiming with your thumb...it makes me sound a little less insane when I'm on the range training with a little bitty pocket pistol bought for the purpose of carrying in my pocket and dealing nothing but head shots at 7 yards and in, both eyes open, instinctive aim. I learned long ago that pointing/aiming the first joint of my trigger finger puts the pistol in the perfectly aimed position every time and you can rack off a double tap or 4 rounds very, very quickly...what we used to call "Wide eyed and terrified" but, nope, you can actually train to do it...in fact it's a lot more realistic training for what's going to happen to the average civilian in a self-defense situation. 7 yards and in, anything further than that it's center of mass....good stuff Mark.
Try shooting a squirrel running through the branches. Then get to where there is enough left for squirrel stew and using a .45 1911. I am a usta bee canon fodder 11B from East Tennessee. My old lady carries a hammerless S&W +P. She could just carry the 1911 in her purse and just clang you with it. Like a cast iron frying pan. Best if you don't get that close. Them clangs hurt. Then you gots a new nickname. Knothead from Knock'tville.
Thank you for sharing that! It enables faster engagement of a fast approaching threat before things get frantic, therefore reducing chance of shots going wild and collateral damage. Truly life a saving tip.
So many people, especially when first starting out, tend to get too wrapped up in "Front Sight Focus". Then by the time they're comfortable with that...in a gunfight, you're dead. Not enough people! are teaching "Point Shooting" using that thumb as your guide. Dry fire practice is essential to getting the proper muscle memory as well as the simplexity of the drill. Great content. Essential for an emergency situation. You'd be surprised how you good your groups get as well.
It's about time! I've been doing this for years, I always called it instinctive aiming or shooting. It's just like throwing a ball, u always point where you want it to go! The instinct part comes from the training. Just like u said, same position every time and it doesn't matter what pistol it's exactly the same... I took that lesson from highschool football
Excellent advice Mr. Cochiolo. I was taught this by an old timer when I was CCT and was confirmed by those guppies that I had to work with. Good to hear you are passing it on
Reminds me of baseball when I was a kid. Point the toes of your lead foot where you want the ball to go when you throw it and generally speaking it will go where your toes are pointed. Makes sense. Very simple, I like it.
In 1970 at Fort Benning as part of the infantry NCO training we spent a day on a similar technique. I don't remember now if it was called quick fire or point and shoot. We used standard BB guns, worked in pairs and started with a 2"-3" aluminum disk. The shooter would hold the cocked BB gun in port or ready position facing down range. their partner would stand to the side with the disk and gently throw (lob) it in the air in front of the shooter about 6'-8' out from the shooter, who would quickly point the gun and pull the trigger. By the end of the day most of the company could regularly hit a tossed dime, some of us, including myself, could regularly hit a tossed BB. Good technique.
Asa police firearms instructor for many years I began teaching point shooting to patrol officers. The reason is that most armed encounters are at close range and stress makes effective aiming unlikely. This is not how they had been trained and they were doubtful. To ease that doubt I took an issue weapon (Sig P220) and knocked off both front and rear sights. I then engaged three targets at seven yards and put three rounds center mass on each in about 5 sec. My method was to have them keep both eyes open and focus on the target. Their weapon would be somewhat blurred to them and they were instructed that if the target was close enough that they could put their weapon inside the outline of the threat, pull the trigger
I feel like I was taught this many years ago playing softball, when you make a throw with a softball it goes where your thumb is pointed. Probably works the same for a baseball or football too. Its a natural down the centerline of your shoulder movement
A great way to practice this at home is with a laser boresighter. Gives you a good idea of where your general aim is when drawing. These videos are very informative and much appreciated.
I do some dry fire with a SIRT pistol and always just point shoot with it. I use a red dot for live fire but working on your natural POA improves everything
Most ranges will not let you go from the draw... Right, thats why the narrator/ coach is in an area of beautiful surroundings... I like that place much more..!
I've always used my trigger finger but grip gun same with thumb pointed straight forward. I practice by "point shooting" with bare hand at light switches, and anything else at any distance. I raise hand(s) to shooting position with trigger finger pointed straight forward as if it were resting on trigger guard. Distance from center of finger to center of bore is approx 1.5". After many years of practice, I can accurately hit 3" target up to 25 yds using 1 or 2 hands. I have got to the point I can accurately shoot 3" target when hip shooting, over shoulder, when quartering along with pretty much any position I can think of (under cars, around corners included). I rarely use any sights unless shooting beyond 25 yds.
I have been point shooting like forever and I never have to depend on my sights, except for a precision shot. this video was spot on and glad it did not have any BULL involved. My respects to you Sir and I salute you as a Brother Veteran! US Army 1966/1969
Point and shoot works. I have crappy eye sight and during training exercises I have learned to rely on it. Interestingly, as you say, your mind can follow where you point your finger and it can also recognize the thumb as a pointing indicator. Thanks for the tip. Making sure the grip is always the same should help. Bottom line is don't waste time getting the first shot on target. No matter where you hit them, it will disrupt their ability to respond. There is always room for an extra salvo after that.
Coch; Thank you for the excellent instruction. You are precise, concise but relate in a way the average Joe can track. I recently retired from USDOJ, where I was a firearms instructor for 33 years. I know enough, to know, you are dead on with your evolution of teaching. Thank you Very respectfully John Carp USDOJ (ret)
I need to find a good outdoor range with steel targets. Not that you couldn't train this on paper targets. But hearing that audible ring makes it a lot easier to get immediate feedback. And a lot of ranges have strict rules on drawing and rate of fire, or pricey fees for hitting their target hangers.
Gonna sound crazy but when I first started shooting I always enjoy rattling off rounds. (of course when ammo was WAY cheaper) During those days I just developed something like this over time. I found that eventually, even when I took time to line up my sights, my rapid point and shoot fun was nearly as accurate. I questioned myself and that logic but after testing it over and over again I determined that in close quarters I was nearly as effective without focusing on my sights. I found a lot of comfort in that and it made my personal training a little less stressful knowing I could almost wing it and still hit my target. :)
Awesome video, thanks! I haven’t seen one like this before! I’m relatively new to defensive shooting and began training this discipline in Sep 2020. My trainer is a G-19 and I’ve recently passed the 5,000 round mark with it; I used to think this was a lot. The sights on the Glock have been covered with black tape since the beginning. The large, white front sight draws my attention away from my point of focus on the target. My standard distance to target is 5 yards. My standard ready position is high compressed, with the muzzle angled upward at 45*. Not counting followup, my intention for every shot is to leave the barrel while the gun is in motion; the most accurate moment. When I first got started, no one on earth shot worse than I did. Today the normal “box” that I shoot in, without sights, is roughly 3.5” wide by 5” long at 15 feet, with a moving gun. When I’m in the “zone” I can shoot numerous back to back rounds, each from HCR, through 3” holes spaced vertically, 2’ on center in white easel paper, without hitting the paper. When I first got started the holes were 6” in diameter and the only way for me to get a round through the hole was to walk up and toss it through. When in the zone, I don’t know what else to call it; the “Force” describes it perfectly but is too corny, it feels like I’m a spectator inside myself, watching myself perform. As time goes on I’m able to step into the zone more often, but I can’t control when or for how long. After a few thousand more rounds I’m hoping to be able to step into the zone at will; time will tell. One thing I’ve learned about placing rounds on target in this manner is that it’s all about “feel”. When my eyes are closed I can feel so much more than when they are open. As my awareness expands, so will my feel and ability to place rounds on target in this manner. I’m embarrassed to tell you how much better I shoot with my eyes closed; it’s no joke and remember, this is shooting without the use of sights. My most memorable blind shot was from 30 feet, at a 3/8” bullseye, with a piece of cardboard covering my face. This drill was at the end of a 2 hour, 200 round session. I pressed the gun out and held, looking through the semi transparent gun, with covered sights, at the orange bullseye, 30’ down range. I was instructed to not move my eyes when the cardboard was placed in front of my face. The coach placed his hand on my right forearm and slowly pushed the gun down. When he released my arm he said, “Fire when ready.” I brought the gun up slowly and when it “felt right” I pressed the trigger. The center of the hole in the target was 5/8” from the center of the bullseye; the experience was surreal. This video scratches the surface and it would be great to see more content like this. FWIW, I consider myself a decent recreational target shooter, but since 9-2020 I’ll bet I haven’t fired more than 100 rounds using open sights. I’m told that will come later after I get my sea legs.
Thank You! This helped understand point shooting. I am legally blind and am able to see with one eye at a time. Now I understand how to use the center line of my body.
I've been shooting recurve bow for almost 50 years. This works the same way. Hard to explaining it to people. But if they practice it you will get to where its hard to miss.
i do point shooting all the time in 2Gun . most of those targets I'm point shooting are 3 to 5 yards and in . I remember hearing podcast that the best 3Gun Shooter in the world( Daniel Horner ) only looked at his front sight 2 times in 1 3Gun season . On those 2 Shots was 2 - 3" Steel plate at 25 yards . Using your thumb as REFERENCE is absolutely clutch.
One thing I’ve learned over the years as a Cop and in handgun combat competition, for point shooting very fast is, aim a little low because the recoil of your pistol with make your follow up shots hit high. But that only really applies to the higher recoiling rounds. Not 9mm or smaller.
GRIP! IS EVERYTHING! One handed or two. I was a Combat Handgun Champ. Your three bottom fingers grip like you're gonna beat 'em with it. Grasp those fingers with your other hand, thumbs forward. Then, and it takes practice, leave your strong hand thumb grip very light, and trigger finger light. Recoil is managed by the SOFT pad of that loose thumb. The pistol will return to the exact point of discharge every time. My time, on 6 pie plates at 25yds, from surrender position to draw and end of firing, is 2.02 to 2.12 seconds. This tutorial is VERY well done.
This technique is also known as intuitive aim shooting. I have a few students that I have worked this technique with. Most shooters don't grasp the natural point of aim aspect of it in the beginning. Your foot position can and will dramatically shift your natural point of aim. Training this technique will also shave off the timer when working on draw from retention, 1st shot on target drills.
I used an opaque sight such as a reflex optic with cover on. You see two shadows of the sight with both eyes open. Put the target in the center of the shadow that corresponds with the side you are shooting with. This works for non-dominant eye as well.
Love this. Fantastic and clear content. Using this for my airsoft warm ups. Went to my first game yesterday and was having to point shoot almost explicitly due to the mask impeding the rear iron sight on the M4 body. Really considering a G17 sidearm for closer quarters now.
Back in the 70s, and the early days of IPSC, gun mags used to have articles on point or instinctive shooting. Luckily I had a lot of woods around so I could test a lot of these articles out.
Great info. I am a rank amateur but I often wonder almost all of the instruction I see is with the standard tactical stance and two handed grip. It seems like in a sudden social encounter the probability is high that two hands with gun stuck way out in the line of sight may not be feasible. In fact this seems a likely situation where point or instinctive shooting would be indicated. I would love to see that addressed. Also a thumb forward grip can be more than entertaining with a revolver (esp. small ones). It would be interesting to consider an adaptation of this approach to such situations as well.
Excellent video. First and foremost, THANKYOU for your service to our country. I find the point and shoot drill and training to help me in one additional regard. I wear corrective lenses and with them on I can pick which nostril the projectile will enter. However, I train with my glasses off and use the point and shoot method to hit center mass. Just a additional point for us older shooters.
Hand / Eye coordination is remarkable ! One just needs to “workout” all the spastic motions the automatic nervous system THROWS UP in that millisecond just before “IT” anticipates the handgun is to detonate. And one small thing further; “consciousness” (vision) blinks out ! in the process of manipulating the trigger !!! Don’t think so - do U recall SEEING the flash ? It was there; BUT U weren’t ( i.e. definitely, were not !)
Old codger here. I always thought point shooting was one hand from the hip. Two from the hip followed by an aimed head shot. That's the way I learned when I was a kid with a High Standard .22. Pretty easy with the .22, but not so easy with a 1911. Never quite mastered that one. But on a silhouette at ten yards I can hit a Mozambique drill pretty consistently. My Vietnam vet dad taught me that.
Point shooting was a thing way before that tacticool thumb grip rest with week hand. Plus that's not a grip everyone can pull off due to size of hand gun size of shooter's hands so really anyone of small stature has a problem with it. You can still use the thumb to point just not in a hyper extended manner to grab the frame forward of the trigger housing. It will be more like a revolver 2 handed grip with your week hand thumb tucked in on the side of strong hand thumb or gaped over a little touching week hand trigger finger. Personally I use the week hand trigger finger joint to point because how it naturally points that way when it's wrapped around trigger housing. Or the one handed way that I was taught imagineing your trigger finger is out and pointing like in ready mode. We were taught that because you may have to hip shoot your hand gun at short point blank distances. And that works as well when fully extended with 2 hand shooting or single hand especially if you side shoot to cut down on silouette because chances are you want have body armor on. That's my experience with it.
I envision about 4 sets of sights for fast target acquisition from an upright position. Target is between my legs. Target is between my shoulders. Target is between my hands. Target is in my sights.
Their was a Huge thing while ago about thumbs .. Mine were always pointed straight not crossed not up or down. U get the point no pun intended.. It's just felt right so did my rounds hitting the target including chocking up on the pistol like a batter grip. Some ppl just never put their web of their hand right below the beaver tail of the pistol grip, as it's supposed be barried their not showen any gap between the two..imo. And it works fir me.. Good vid
And here I am finally able to hit the paper target with both eyes open. For a longest time I had to shut my right eye in order for me to focus with my left eye since I'm cross eye dominant. That's how I'm able to focus on the front sight. Now, You're saying to just point the thumb and shoot without looking at the front sight? Hmm. I'm going to train this way as well at 7 yards. Thank you! 💯 😁😁👍👍
Thanks Coch. Nobody's teaching this on the net anymore. Everybody s telling u to buy red dots and pay for ur gun to be outfitted for red dots, but most of us can't afford that in reality.
The problem I have is that less experienced and new shooters that haven't mastered their grip or trigger control will not get good results with this technique in an emergency. I know a lot of military and ex-military people Advocate Point shooting. But I have to point out that well those that it works for report glowingly, those it doesn't work for don't report at all! But I will have to say you pulled a nice trick by replacing the front sight with your thumb!
I used to also point shoot practice drawing my revolver and shoot fast from the hip. Probably not known as being correct, but it was fast. I've carried for 40 years now.
I ran a force on force high stress pistol course yesterday and what I notice is I had to point shoot at least 50% of the time if not more. When people are shooting at you game plan and aight acquisition goes out the window pretty quick.
I got into an argument with an ex-marine who said that this technique doesn't work. Use it with pistols and obviously when you're shooting skeet and I would say even with a carbine it's a good technique and they've were teaching it since the fifties. The more you build up that muscle memory the better you'll get at it and it just becomes instinctive.
“Pointing the thumb”…it has finally clicked in my brain and I get it now. Thank you!!
@Multi Verse I’m the one that fixes holes in bodies; I’m playing catch-up on how to effectively make them. 👨🏾⚕️
@Multi Verse booty juice
@@Sawbones_Actual are you a gynecologist or proctologist?
@@LIONTAMER3D 🤣
It can also mean, back in line
Finally! Concise and useful information. Not a bunch of fluff and crap and conversations. Thank you so much.
Coch has that efficiency of motion built from thousands of reps. It's Truly awesome to watch.
He doesn't toot his own horn on anything, just emphasizes training, I can tell you from taking a training class from him that he hits what he is looking at standing, walking, running, what blew my son and I away was what he was looking at (not down the sites) was a 1 1/2" strip of electrical tape, the tape didn't stand a chance.
It was so fast, and natural, nothing needed to be adjusted that you could see, gun came up and was just automatically on target. Then if you put even half of what he was teaching in play semi correctly all of a sudden you are shooting more consistently/accurately then the stationary trying to master aim, squeeze, kill the paper target you have been doing for years. .
Hands down the best training I have had, because it 100% showed you what you were doing wrong, and how to use fundamental steps to get where you needed to be.
Great tactical demonstration, and thank you for your service. Desert Storm Veteran 1990-94.
And thank YOU for your service!
I went through my LEO academy in 1989. Our firearms instructors had recently completed training at the Mid-South Institute for Self Defense Shooting in Mississippi, where they allegedly received training from Navy SEALs. The technique discussed here, and taught to us, was BRAND NEW at the time.
I’ve watched hundreds of pistol training techniques on shooting and hands down this is by far one of the best instructions on how too..many instructors train accuracy and how to focus on front sights etc..it’s important but in a real stressful/ violent situation one has NO TIME, except to do what you just saw in the video..no silver medals in this type of competition. Really enjoyed this video as it brought back memories on how things where explained about “shooting to survive training”, some call it tactical survival.. You hardly ever hear terms such as “centerline” “natural point of aim” from instructors..Excellent instructions..
The point the thumb technique, the way explained 👌 clicked after many years of shooting. Always learn something new. Great content, subscribed.
I agree 100%. I’ve struggled forever with using sites and being quick. This makes perfect sense!
Dude!!!! This is the most efficient “self defence” aiming technique I’ve seen. I struggle with aiming with sights and trying to be fast. I’m not looking to shoot the balls off a gnat at 50 yards, I just want to be able to impact a dudes chest at 7 or less yards in a high stress scenario. I cannot wait to hit the range and practice this. Thank you!
The way you describe point shooting is perfect. I've done that all my life, and being a martial artist, I have found that the concept of "from center of body to center of target" works the same from a neutral bow stance (Kenpo) as it does from the horse stance. Good work!!!
Learning to point shoot with one hand is arguably even more important. Many recommend keeping the thumb in a curled position for one-handed shooting, and I think that's fine at extremely close distances, particularly in shooting from retention where the threat of having your gun taken from you is higher. But for those 5-7 yard distances, I've found that keeping the thumb pointed toward the target essentially does the same job for your natural POA as the support hand thumb does when both hands are on the gun. I've also found it helpful to use a laser cartridge or SIRT to work on point shooting, especially for target transitions. Seeing the laser on the target helps you to stay target-focused! My two cents. Great stuff as always, Coch!
As a 12 yr old, I was taught to point and shoot by my big brother who had just left the Army. I think people new to shooting should also be taught point/shoot first. Too many learn sights first and when milliseconds count trying to find your target with sights may get one killed.
So, you don't think a new shooter should learn fundamentals, including shooting accurately, before they try to shoot fast?
@@cuddzilla Dude, this is a defensive shooting drill. Not target practice. Get real
@@cuddzilla He never said that!
@@cuddzilla Bad logic. This technique is accurate at the distances it’s meant for. And mastering sighted fire won’t help you with this technique- and if someone is 7 yards away running at you with a knife or drawing a weapon, the sudden adrenaline dump probably won’t even let you see the sights, even if you had time to use them.
Your big bro taught ya well lil man ! Salute 🫡 from one Army veteran to another..
Awesome Tip! Amazing how this is the first time in many years that anyone has covered this technique wether online or gun courses. Thank you!
I'm glad you mentioned aiming with your thumb...it makes me sound a little less insane when I'm on the range training with a little bitty pocket pistol bought for the purpose of carrying in my pocket and dealing nothing but head shots at 7 yards and in, both eyes open, instinctive aim. I learned long ago that pointing/aiming the first joint of my trigger finger puts the pistol in the perfectly aimed position every time and you can rack off a double tap or 4 rounds very, very quickly...what we used to call "Wide eyed and terrified" but, nope, you can actually train to do it...in fact it's a lot more realistic training for what's going to happen to the average civilian in a self-defense situation. 7 yards and in, anything further than that it's center of mass....good stuff Mark.
Try shooting a squirrel running through the branches. Then get to where there is enough left for squirrel stew and using a .45 1911. I am a usta bee canon fodder 11B from East Tennessee.
My old lady carries a hammerless S&W +P.
She could just carry the 1911 in her purse and just clang you with it. Like a cast iron frying pan.
Best if you don't get that close. Them clangs hurt. Then you gots a new nickname. Knothead from Knock'tville.
Thank you for sharing that! It enables faster engagement of a fast approaching threat before things get frantic, therefore reducing chance of shots going wild and collateral damage. Truly life a saving tip.
So many people, especially when first starting out, tend to get too wrapped up in "Front Sight Focus". Then by the time they're comfortable with that...in a gunfight, you're dead. Not enough people! are teaching "Point Shooting" using that thumb as your guide. Dry fire practice is essential to getting the proper muscle memory as well as the simplexity of the drill. Great content. Essential for an emergency situation. You'd be surprised how you good your groups get as well.
It's about time! I've been doing this for years, I always called it instinctive aiming or shooting. It's just like throwing a ball, u always point where you want it to go!
The instinct part comes from the training. Just like u said, same position every time and it doesn't matter what pistol it's exactly the same... I took that lesson from highschool football
Excellent advice Mr. Cochiolo. I was taught this by an old timer when I was CCT and was confirmed by those guppies that I had to work with. Good to hear you are passing it on
Reminds me of baseball when I was a kid. Point the toes of your lead foot where you want the ball to go when you throw it and generally speaking it will go where your toes are pointed. Makes sense. Very simple, I like it.
I tried this today, and it actually works!!! That is amazing. Thank you.
In 1970 at Fort Benning as part of the infantry NCO training we spent a day on a similar technique. I don't remember now if it was called quick fire or point and shoot. We used standard BB guns, worked in pairs and started with a 2"-3" aluminum disk. The shooter would hold the cocked BB gun in port or ready position facing down range. their partner would stand to the side with the disk and gently throw (lob) it in the air in front of the shooter about 6'-8' out from the shooter, who would quickly point the gun and pull the trigger. By the end of the day most of the company could regularly hit a tossed dime, some of us, including myself, could regularly hit a tossed BB. Good technique.
I’ve read about that training method. It’s really interesting to hear from someone who used it!
Asa police firearms instructor for many years I began teaching point shooting to patrol officers. The reason is that most armed encounters are at close range and stress makes effective aiming unlikely. This is not how they had been trained and they were doubtful. To ease that doubt I took an issue weapon (Sig P220) and knocked off both front and rear sights. I then engaged three targets at seven yards and put three rounds center mass on each in about 5 sec. My method was to have them keep both eyes open and focus on the target. Their weapon would be somewhat blurred to them and they were instructed that if the target was close enough that they could put their weapon inside the outline of the threat, pull the trigger
I feel like I was taught this many years ago playing softball, when you make a throw with a softball it goes where your thumb is pointed. Probably works the same for a baseball or football too. Its a natural down the centerline of your shoulder movement
Thank you for your service. Navy SEALs are my favorite kind of people.👍🏼
Simple solid advise , that saves lives.
Don't think to much , train untill it's automatic.
Thanks , pal.
Good to see someone finally showing combat shooting for self-defense instead of the Bull-crap you normally see on TV or UA-cam!!! Good Job!!
been doing this technique for years and teach my students the same approach. It just works and muscle memory does the rest.
A great way to practice this at home is with a laser boresighter. Gives you a good idea of where your general aim is when drawing.
These videos are very informative and much appreciated.
I do some dry fire with a SIRT pistol and always just point shoot with it. I use a red dot for live fire but working on your natural POA improves everything
I have one for sighting in a laser on my old gun, but it's off by about 6 inches. I was going to return it but this is a good idea. Thanks.
Bore sight for 15ft with a pistol? Have fun..
Wow, you read my mind. Towards the end do this video, I started looking for a spot on the wall to practice with my boresighter.
Most ranges will not let you go from the draw...
Right, thats why the narrator/ coach is in an area of beautiful surroundings...
I like that place much more..!
I've always used my trigger finger but grip gun same with thumb pointed straight forward. I practice by "point shooting" with bare hand at light switches, and anything else at any distance. I raise hand(s) to shooting position with trigger finger pointed straight forward as if it were resting on trigger guard. Distance from center of finger to center of bore is approx 1.5". After many years of practice, I can accurately hit 3" target up to 25 yds using 1 or 2 hands. I have got to the point I can accurately shoot 3" target when hip shooting, over shoulder, when quartering along with pretty much any position I can think of (under cars, around corners included). I rarely use any sights unless shooting beyond 25 yds.
Great video. Now it’s time to practice. 🎯
Pointing the thumb is such a great reference, it also improved my overall grip. Bravo Zulu.
As always…really enjoy Coch. Great teacher and seems so down to earth.
I have been point shooting like forever and I never have to depend on my sights, except for a precision shot. this video was spot on and glad it did not have any BULL involved. My respects to you Sir and I salute you as a Brother Veteran! US Army 1966/1969
Thank you for your service 🙏 ❤
Point and shoot works. I have crappy eye sight and during training exercises I have learned to rely on it. Interestingly, as you say, your mind can follow where you point your finger and it can also recognize the thumb as a pointing indicator. Thanks for the tip. Making sure the grip is always the same should help. Bottom line is don't waste time getting the first shot on target. No matter where you hit them, it will disrupt their ability to respond. There is always room for an extra salvo after that.
Coch;
Thank you for the excellent instruction. You are precise, concise but relate in a way the average Joe can track. I recently retired from USDOJ, where I was a firearms instructor for 33 years. I know enough, to know, you are dead on with your evolution of teaching. Thank you
Very respectfully
John Carp USDOJ (ret)
Was taught this method in 1969 by instructor with the 9th Inf. Div. at Dong Tam. Has always worked for me great video.
Also taught me brass F with rifle thank you for your service
This is what I've always rehearsed at the range. I call it acquire & fire.
Thanks for the refresher brother , it's always a good idea to go back to the basics every once in a while , just to stay on point ( parden the pun) .
I need to find a good outdoor range with steel targets. Not that you couldn't train this on paper targets. But hearing that audible ring makes it a lot easier to get immediate feedback.
And a lot of ranges have strict rules on drawing and rate of fire, or pricey fees for hitting their target hangers.
Gonna sound crazy but when I first started shooting I always enjoy rattling off rounds. (of course when ammo was WAY cheaper) During those days I just developed something like this over time. I found that eventually, even when I took time to line up my sights, my rapid point and shoot fun was nearly as accurate. I questioned myself and that logic but after testing it over and over again I determined that in close quarters I was nearly as effective without focusing on my sights. I found a lot of comfort in that and it made my personal training a little less stressful knowing I could almost wing it and still hit my target. :)
Awesome video, thanks! I haven’t seen one like this before!
I’m relatively new to defensive shooting and began training this discipline in Sep 2020. My trainer is a G-19 and I’ve recently passed the 5,000 round mark with it; I used to think this was a lot.
The sights on the Glock have been covered with black tape since the beginning. The large, white front sight draws my attention away from my point of focus on the target.
My standard distance to target is 5 yards. My standard ready position is high compressed, with the muzzle angled upward at 45*. Not counting followup, my intention for every shot is to leave the barrel while the gun is in motion; the most accurate moment.
When I first got started, no one on earth shot worse than I did. Today the normal “box” that I shoot in, without sights, is roughly 3.5” wide by 5” long at 15 feet, with a moving gun. When I’m in the “zone” I can shoot numerous back to back rounds, each from HCR, through 3” holes spaced vertically, 2’ on center in white easel paper, without hitting the paper.
When I first got started the holes were 6” in diameter and the only way for me to get a round through the hole was to walk up and toss it through.
When in the zone, I don’t know what else to call it; the “Force” describes it perfectly but is too corny, it feels like I’m a spectator inside myself, watching myself perform. As time goes on I’m able to step into the zone more often, but I can’t control when or for how long. After a few thousand more rounds I’m hoping to be able to step into the zone at will; time will tell.
One thing I’ve learned about placing rounds on target in this manner is that it’s all about “feel”. When my eyes are closed I can feel so much more than when they are open. As my awareness expands, so will my feel and ability to place rounds on target in this manner.
I’m embarrassed to tell you how much better I shoot with my eyes closed; it’s no joke and remember, this is shooting without the use of sights.
My most memorable blind shot was from 30 feet, at a 3/8” bullseye, with a piece of cardboard covering my face.
This drill was at the end of a 2 hour, 200 round session. I pressed the gun out and held, looking through the semi transparent gun, with covered sights, at the orange bullseye, 30’ down range. I was instructed to not move my eyes when the cardboard was placed in front of my face. The coach placed his hand on my right forearm and slowly pushed the gun down. When he released my arm he said, “Fire when ready.” I brought the gun up slowly and when it “felt right” I pressed the trigger. The center of the hole in the target was 5/8” from the center of the bullseye; the experience was surreal.
This video scratches the surface and it would be great to see more content like this. FWIW, I consider myself a decent recreational target shooter, but since 9-2020 I’ll bet I haven’t fired more than 100 rounds using open sights. I’m told that will come later after I get my sea legs.
The only CQB pistol video I've ever seen on BlowTube of value. Well done!
Thank You! This helped understand point shooting. I am legally blind and am able to see with one eye at a time. Now I understand how to use the center line of my body.
GBRS teaches the same technique...I think it's great and helps people shoot instinctively, I give it thumbs up 👍
I give it a big thumb forward 😂👍🏻
I've been shooting recurve bow for almost 50 years. This works the same way. Hard to explaining it to people. But if they practice it you will get to where its hard to miss.
i do point shooting all the time in 2Gun . most of those targets I'm point shooting are 3 to 5 yards and in .
I remember hearing podcast that the best 3Gun Shooter in the world( Daniel Horner ) only looked at his front sight 2 times in 1 3Gun season . On those 2 Shots was 2 - 3" Steel plate at 25 yards .
Using your thumb as REFERENCE is absolutely clutch.
Thank you very much for the tips on the process for getting shots on a target quick and accurately at the typical self defense situation distance.
Very practical information to apply in my practice - Thank you!
Awesome technique. Between that and pointing the index with my strong hand this should really help. Help find your red dot easier too I would think.
One thing I’ve learned over the years as a Cop and in handgun combat competition, for point shooting very fast is, aim a little low because the recoil of your pistol with make your follow up shots hit high. But that only really applies to the higher recoiling rounds. Not 9mm or smaller.
Thank you, good tip!
Zipper technique
GRIP! IS EVERYTHING! One handed or two.
I was a Combat Handgun Champ. Your three bottom fingers grip like you're gonna beat 'em with it. Grasp those fingers with your other hand, thumbs forward. Then, and it takes practice, leave your strong hand thumb grip very light, and trigger finger light. Recoil is managed by the SOFT pad of that loose thumb. The pistol will return to the exact point of discharge every time.
My time, on 6 pie plates at 25yds, from surrender position to draw and end of firing, is 2.02 to 2.12 seconds.
This tutorial is VERY well done.
This technique is also known as intuitive aim shooting. I have a few students that I have worked this technique with. Most shooters don't grasp the natural point of aim aspect of it in the beginning. Your foot position can and will dramatically shift your natural point of aim. Training this technique will also shave off the timer when working on draw from retention, 1st shot on target drills.
Finally someone explained why the thumbs are held that way, makes sense tks.
I used an opaque sight such as a reflex optic with cover on. You see two shadows of the sight with both eyes open. Put the target in the center of the shadow that corresponds with the side you are shooting with. This works for non-dominant eye as well.
Love this. Fantastic and clear content. Using this for my airsoft warm ups. Went to my first game yesterday and was having to point shoot almost explicitly due to the mask impeding the rear iron sight on the M4 body. Really considering a G17 sidearm for closer quarters now.
Simple easy to understand explanation of how to point shoot. Good job 👍
Back in the 70s, and the early days of IPSC, gun mags used to have articles on point or instinctive shooting. Luckily I had a lot of woods around so I could test a lot of these articles out.
Great info. I am a rank amateur but I often wonder almost all of the instruction I see is with the standard tactical stance and two handed grip. It seems like in a sudden social encounter the probability is high that two hands with gun stuck way out in the line of sight may not be feasible. In fact this seems a likely situation where point or instinctive shooting would be indicated. I would love to see that addressed.
Also a thumb forward grip can be more than entertaining with a revolver (esp. small ones). It would be interesting to consider an adaptation of this approach to such situations as well.
Excellent video. First and foremost, THANKYOU for your service to our country. I find the point and shoot drill and training to help me in one additional regard. I wear corrective lenses and with them on I can pick which nostril the projectile will enter. However, I train with my glasses off and use the point and shoot method to hit center mass. Just a additional point for us older shooters.
Hand / Eye coordination is remarkable !
One just needs to “workout” all the spastic motions the automatic nervous system THROWS UP
in that millisecond just before “IT” anticipates the handgun is to detonate.
And one small thing further; “consciousness” (vision) blinks out ! in the process of manipulating the trigger !!!
Don’t think so - do U recall SEEING the flash ?
It was there; BUT U weren’t ( i.e. definitely, were not !)
Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the clear and succinct explanation and demonstration.
Coch, thanks for the Point n Click refresher training.
I like the point and shoot a lot I have been practicing a whole bunch thank you for this video and your service
Old codger here. I always thought point shooting was one hand from the hip. Two from the hip followed by an aimed head shot. That's the way I learned when I was a kid with a High Standard .22. Pretty easy with the .22, but not so easy with a 1911. Never quite mastered that one. But on a silhouette at ten yards I can hit a Mozambique drill pretty consistently. My Vietnam vet dad taught me that.
Wow! Champion Rob Leatham teaches almost the same thing. That confirms a good technique. Awesome!
🙂👍
Jeff Cooper was a proponent of this as well, different technique. Same result. Good stuff 👍
I really appreciate this video.
Point shooting was a thing way before that tacticool thumb grip rest with week hand. Plus that's not a grip everyone can pull off due to size of hand gun size of shooter's hands so really anyone of small stature has a problem with it.
You can still use the thumb to point just not in a hyper extended manner to grab the frame forward of the trigger housing.
It will be more like a revolver 2 handed grip with your week hand thumb tucked in on the side of strong hand thumb or gaped over a little touching week hand trigger finger. Personally I use the week hand trigger finger joint to point because how it naturally points that way when it's wrapped around trigger housing. Or the one handed way that I was taught imagineing your trigger finger is out and pointing like in ready mode. We were taught that because you may have to hip shoot your hand gun at short point blank distances. And that works as well when fully extended with 2 hand shooting or single hand especially if you side shoot to cut down on silouette because chances are you want have body armor on.
That's my experience with it.
I envision about 4 sets of sights for fast target acquisition from an upright position.
Target is between my legs.
Target is between my shoulders.
Target is between my hands.
Target is in my sights.
Interesting, I see what you're doing there, creating an arc, dead on by the end 💪😁👍
Their was a Huge thing while ago about thumbs .. Mine were always pointed straight not crossed not up or down. U get the point no pun intended.. It's just felt right so did my rounds hitting the target including chocking up on the pistol like a batter grip. Some ppl just never put their web of their hand right below the beaver tail of the pistol grip, as it's supposed be barried their not showen any gap between the two..imo. And it works fir me.. Good vid
And here I am finally able to hit the paper target with both eyes open. For a longest time I had to shut my right eye in order for me to focus with my left eye since I'm cross eye dominant. That's how I'm able to focus on the front sight. Now, You're saying to just point the thumb and shoot without looking at the front sight? Hmm. I'm going to train this way as well at 7 yards. Thank you! 💯 😁😁👍👍
Thanks for the tip, right handed, left eye dominant. Looking forward to more videos like this.
Great video and breaking it down for us.
Definitely something I will try/practice next day at the range.
Thank you!
Thanks Coch. Nobody's teaching this on the net anymore. Everybody s telling u to buy red dots and pay for ur gun to be outfitted for red dots, but most of us can't afford that in reality.
The problem I have is that less experienced and new shooters that haven't mastered their grip or trigger control will not get good results with this technique in an emergency.
I know a lot of military and ex-military people Advocate Point shooting. But I have to point out that well those that it works for report glowingly, those it doesn't work for don't report at all!
But I will have to say you pulled a nice trick by replacing the front sight with your thumb!
Great video seems simple but something you dont think about..thumb as a guide...awesome pointer
I used to also point shoot practice drawing my revolver and shoot fast from the hip. Probably not known as being correct, but it was fast. I've carried for 40 years now.
Great technical advice , makes sence and obviously very affective , thank you .
That's the best aiming advice I've had to date! Thanks
Exactly. You shoot where you look
Excellent and Outstanding!!!
This is how I shoot. I didn't know it had a name...Cool
I think I'll be trying that technique. Thanks for sharing.
The fact this had to be explained but i think it will help collateral and new-newbies
Thanks. ✌🏻👊
I ran a force on force high stress pistol course yesterday and what I notice is I had to point shoot at least 50% of the time if not more. When people are shooting at you game plan and aight acquisition goes out the window pretty quick.
I used to be ‘thumbs up’ but I trained myself out of it to be ‘thumbs forward’ and I’m amazed at how much better I shoot now.
Good info. I will be practicing this.
this is stupid good & should be watched by every handgun owner
Loved this, great way to do it simply!
Wow, what a great find! I'm liking all your videos!
As always, pro tips, no nonsense. Love ya brother, no homo
I was taught to point with the barrel, it is an extension of your index finger. SF (ret.)
Yes I get it now thanks Coch
Love it! Gonna work on this tonight! Thanks Coch! Always ready for Seal Dad Wisdom!
Thank you so much for this tip!
I got into an argument with an ex-marine who said that this technique doesn't work. Use it with pistols and obviously when you're shooting skeet and I would say even with a carbine it's a good technique and they've were teaching it since the fifties. The more you build up that muscle memory the better you'll get at it and it just becomes instinctive.
Great yeah I get it, thanks for that. I gotta try this method with my Smith n Wesson 500 Mag 10.5” barrel tho coz thats my CCW 👍
Awesome advice. Thx for your service.
I liked. I subscribed. I'm leaving a comment. Excellent video, very instructive. Thanks.