"Keep it Simple Stupid"

Sweatnbullets

New member
“Keep it Simple Stupid”

We have all heard this over and over again, but what does it actually mean? Many believe that it means “keep it simple or you are stupid.” The true meaning is “keep it as simple as it needs to be, but no simpler.”

In the world of the gun its true meaning has been contorted by those that teach a certain system or methodology. These instructors taught a “one size fits all” methodology that is geared to a “lowest common denominator” mindset, inside of a “square range” mentality. They taught one stance, one grip, one means of sighting the gun, one draw stroke, and one form of retention shooting.

Back in 2000, instructors were beginning to step outside of this tight little box. There began an age of enlightenment. Terms such as “integration” “continuum” “matrix” and “progression” would send all of the “old guard” guru worshipers into a frenzied state, throwing KISS rule haymakers at every new concept that they did not understand. It is this lack of understanding that is the crux of the problem…..not the newer concepts.

This new breed of instructors were taking what they knew and testing it in force on force (FOF.) To many of these instructors, the limitations of their past training became very apparent. It became very obvious that the past training had kept things much too simple. It was so simple, that it did not work against a thinking, breathing, resisting, and aggressive adversary. Remember, “keep it as simple as it needs to be, but no simpler.” If the past KISS training failed miserably inside of properly run FOF, it is very apparent that this contorted KISS ideology was the main factor in this failure.

“The More You Sweat in Training, the Less You Bleed in Combat”

Simply said, “put in the work!”

So, what is the work that we need to put in? Go out and learn the fundamentals. As soon as you have safety down, the draw stroke down, and you can keep the gun running and hitting……you need to take these basics into professionally run FOF. Here is where you find out that the fundamentals are nowhere near good enough. Here is where you find out that you need to sweat a hell of a lot more, so that you do not bleed so much. Here is where you find out that you need to be more “well rounded” and versatile. Here is where you find out that you need to be able to work at the subconscious level…..because that conscious level KISS training fell flat on it face.

The epiphany is complete. You now understand that keeping it simple in training does not equate to doing well in a confrontation. “Gun fighting is a thinking mans game.” The only way for you to keep it simple in a confrontation is by putting in the work while training. You need to work with solid natural/instinctive concepts…..ones that can be accessed by the caveman brain at the subconscious level. This breaks us away from that “one size fits all” technique based training and leads use into much more natural and fluid concepts. These fluid concepts begin to cover a much larger portion inside of the fight continuum. Even though they cover much more ground, these well rounded and versatile concepts are actually simpler to access and perform while under pressure. They are simpler due to the fact that they are more natural and instinctive. You have also put in the work in training, so that you have a certain understanding and comfort level that leads to a “just do it” state of mind.

It is this “just do it” state of mind, inside of the fight, that is the true meaning of "Keep it Simple Stupid!"
 
lemme fist admit i am just self trained with the help of some well meaning friends way back who had military/police training. i was taught not to count on my preferred stance as it may be vulnerable. I was also taught to be ept with either hand. they than drilled me on point shooting (they called it different names but meant look from gun to target and hit target in COM or head). I was also schooled to practice practice practice in any possible scenario and type of cover and from any angle to be fast on engagement and try to put a bullet in each visible target before putting more in each. I know it is lame but it was all I had at the time!
Brent
 
Back in 2000, instructors were beginning to step outside of this tight little box.

Just curious, what is it that happened around 2000 that you can point to that shows these changes started happening then?

The epiphany is complete. You now understand that keeping it simple in training does not equate to doing well in a confrontation.

Um, no, I don't understand this from the claims you are making. You say it is so, but haven't provided any documentation to support this premise.

“Gun fighting is a thinking mans game.”

This comment seems to be in conflict with

The only way for you to keep it simple in a confrontation is by putting in the work while training. You need to work with solid natural/instinctive concepts…..ones that can be accessed by the caveman brain at the subconscious level.

If you are talking about doing things at the 'caveman brain' level, at the subconcious level, then you are not talking about fighting being a "thinking man's game." FYI, you aren't talking about a caveman brain, but the primitive reptilian brain.

Even though they cover much more ground, these well rounded and versatile concepts are actually simpler to access and perform while under pressure. They are simpler due to the fact that they are more natural and instinctive.

Um, no, I think you have confused "simpler" with "easier." We often perceive simpler tasks as being easier to perform, but "simpler" and "easier" are not synonymous terms.

The fact that more things are being taught means that the training is actually more complex, not simpler. Said training may be easier to perform because of the quality of instruction, yet remain being more complex.
 
I believe that while our hardware is getting better, and cartridges are becoming more lethal and more reliable, the principles for fighting have not changed, and probably won't.

A Civil War general said that the winner was the guy who could deliver "the fastest with the mostest."

I took heat in a defense forum one time for stating that my intention when facing a superior MA was to crack him over the head with a barstool at the nearest convenience. I wanted to win, and I didn't see the rationale for taking a beating in achieving that.

One of the best things I ever learned in fencing is that you do not have to shatter your opponent's sword, hack off his arm and stab him a dozen times.

You only need to deflect his blade enough for it to pass harmlessly over your shoulder.

Having done that, aim for center mass, and lunge.

It seems to always be true. Most of the really good fights I've seen last a matter of seconds, if that. A superior fighter knows what he is doing and how to achieve it. The other guy is the loser. Done correctly, you don't even spill the beer of the man next to you.
 
Holy ^#%_ !

"The epiphany is complete.."
Shoot & pray?

“Gun fighting is a thinking mans game.”
Front site-Target- Frontsite-SHOOT?

.."natural/instinctive concepts…..ones that can be accessed by the caveman brain at the subconscious level."
SHOOT, Turn & Run?

"They are simpler due to the fact that they are more natural and instinctive."
JUST Run?


All the practiced basics, but be ready to be flexible?
HONESTLY, No offense meant, but that was a mouthful.
 
Just curious, what is it that happened around 2000 that you can point to that shows these changes started happening then?

I see that the direction that the training industry is headed is directly related to concepts brought forward by 7677 in 2000-2001. When he first started talking about these concepts no one was doing it or teaching it. Now numerous instructors are doing and teaching it.....and more are joining every day.

Um, no, I don't understand this from the claims you are making. You say it is so, but haven't provided any documentation to support this premise.

You need to take some professionally run FOF. There is plenty of documentation but that is nothing compared to actually experiencing it yourself in FOF.

This comment seems to be in conflict with

That would be your opinion due to lack of knowledge of what I speak.

The fact that more things are being taught means that the training is actually more complex, not simpler. Said training may be easier to perform because of the quality of instruction, yet remain being more complex.

Once again an opinion based on lack of knowledge of what I teach. Fluid concepts will always be simpler than a mish-mash of disjointed techniques. If you do not own fluid concepts then you would be speaking from a position of not knowing what you do not know. You would actually need to have an understanding of both types of training to make an informed decision.....and obviously you do not.
 
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1SOW, that may be the most incomprehensible post that I have ever had the misfortune of reading.

No offense meant but WTF was that suppose to mean?
 
The fact that more things are being taught means that the training is actually more complex, not simpler. Said training may be easier to perform because of the quality of instruction, yet remain being more complex.
I totally agree.

In teaching use of a firearm in fighting, and not neglecting the boot, the butt, the punch. The more things you add to the mix, the more choice you give, the more you confuse the person in an actual fight.

Repetition of simplicity, from walking, sitting, turning from left, right, and back to target(s) good light, and poor, addresses access to weapon.

First research the threat to your student, in their daily activity's, work or play. Build a program to address that. A generic same for all program is not the way to go, and spending the first hour with each person standing up and giving a bio, is dumb like S***.
 
My observation is that the vast majority of gun owners are never going to have the time, the money and in most cases, even the desire, to get the kind of training that is being discussed in this thread.

The good news is: odds are that more than 95% of them will never need it!

I totally agree that training is good, and that every gun owner and every concealed carry permit holder should get as much training as they can.

I have a concealed carry permit, and based on my observations and experience, I spend more time and money training than the vast majority of my fellow gun owners and concealed carry permit holders. That said, I have only averaged about 3,500 rounds per year over the past three years.

I own and use a shot timer, I practice fundamentals, I do scenario training, I occasionally compete in local IDPA matches, I read and participate in the forums, I read self-defense firearms books and watch self-defense firearms videos and I've taken three self-defense pistol training classes (5 days total) over that same three-year period. I will be going to the range later today to do more practice and training.

There are very few people outside of law enforcement, military and other specialized occupations who need, want or can afford to immerse themselves to the extent necessary to really utilize and benefit from the level of training that is often discussed in this type of thread.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be discussed, I'm just saying that in my opinion, the audience is very limited, and if the intent is to get Joe (CCW) Doe to sign up for and take said training, I don't think it is necessarily doing Joe any favors...

Most of us need to continue to concentrate on the fundamentals and learn as much as we have the time, money and motivation to learn, and not worry about the latest:

'Tactical Force Continuum, High Stress, Fast Thinking, Keep It Simple While Adapting to Every Fluid Detail, Move While Shooting, Rapid Fire, Accuracy Based, Intelligent Rapid Response, Point Shooting, Move To Cover, Intense Combat in the Home or Street Ultimate Training System'.

Or "TFCHSFTKISWAEFDMWSRFABIRRPSMTCICHSUTS", as it's known FOR SIMPLICITY.

PS. Yes, I am Joe (CCW) Doe, I am NOT one of the "Experts".
 
Brit, what you are talking about is Hicks law. Hicks law simply does not apply to what we do. A mish mash of disjointed techniques has you picking and chosing but the choices are still very limited due to "the context of the fight." It is the question "what is the context of the fight?" that blows Hicks law right out of the water. More on that later.

Fluid concepts require no picking and choosing. The responses just flow out of the logic of "the context of the fight." Notice that I said "logic" this is where the phrase "fighting is a thinking mans game" comes into play. The mental aspect of the fight is much more important then the physical aspect of the fight. It is the mind that is the ultimate weapon......not the body or the newest/latest whizz bang blaster. The mental aspect of the fight is something that needs to be address well before the fight. This is where professionally run FOF comes in. If you do not understand the dynamics of a violent attack.....how do you know what to train on. Without the knowledge that FOF or real world experience gives you, you have no clue what works and what does not work. That is the point of my article.

I had over forty Modern Technique course before I went into FOF. The eight guys that I trained with, on a regular basis, also had anywhere from twenty to fifty courses. Some of these guys were instructors at one of the big "gun schools." When we took all of this substantial training into FOF and we found that it was virtually useless. This is the point that I am trying to get across to people. Just because you have the latest blaster, just because you know how to punch holes in paper, does not mean that you know jack about fighting. I know that this is a blow to many peoples ego, I know that I will not be popular for saying it, I am well aware that I will be attacked because I am pointiong out the lack of many people real preparedness. But I do not really care.

What I care about is the truth. And the truth is that you need to take some quality run FOF so that you really know where you stand inside of the mental and physical aspect of the fight.

Now, if all you want to do is be able to shoot tight groups....that is fine.....nothing wrong with that at all. But please do not make the mistake of thinking that you have all that you will ever need. You have a very small portion of the fight continum covered.....you have a very small portion of "the context of the fight" covered. Finding out that you are no where near where you should be, in the middle of the fight, is a fools mistake.
 
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There are very few people outside of law enforcement, military and other specialized occupations who need, want or can afford to immerse themselves to the extent necessary to really utilize and benefit from the level of training that is often discussed in this type of thread.

Jay, 70% of my students are LEO, military, or firearms instructor. The other 30% are civilians that just want to be the best that they can be. You are really mistaken on the amount of expense or immersion it takes to reach the levels that I am talking about.

All I am is a guide. A guide that unlocks the doors to abilities that you already have and own. Since this is already stuff that you are capable of, the time it takes to reach a very high level is very short. The training of the recent past has tried to train your abilities out of you. This is the type of training that takes time and expense. People that train with me basically never have to train with me again. They own it inside of two days.

So once again, we have people not knowing what they do not know, making statements that are not even close to the reality of the situation.

If this was about money, I would be teaching the fundamentals.....because the fundamentals require "immersion." What I teach is about fighting with the tools God gave you. No reprogamming, just an acceptance of what you are really capable of and guiding you through the discovery of the amazing human machine.
 
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Brit, On Hicks law.

This is from my article "Benefits of Conceptual Training"

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269601

What is the context of the fight?

This is a question that blows the Hicks law right out of the water. One of the most common things that you will ever read on a gun forum is “It is situational.” The exact context of the fight opens up a very limited choice of responses. This is a simple concept that can be seen in any basic boxing match. No one in there right mind throws a hook or uppercut from way outside and nobody in their right mind throws a looping overhand power shot from a clinch. The situation dictates the logical punching combination. This is no different from any real fight. No one in their right mind point shoots at thirty yards and no one in their right mind uses the sights at three feet. The specific context of the fight opens up the logical concepts that you have trained in. The illogical responses are never even considered. They are never a part of the decision making process. This conceptual approach allows for a vast integration of a variety of skill sets. This well rounded integration allows for the best response for each and every situation. But each skill set has its logical place inside of the context of the fight. Once again, illogical skill sets are never even on the table.
 
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Quote origin

The quote "keep it as simple as it needs to be, but no simpler" is from Albert Einstein.
His meaning was that the process/equation should be as simple as possible but not so simple as to leave out any pertinent information.
While my military training is older, I understand that any confrontation is going to be fluid. The ability to adapt to any scenario is key. If you only train to certain aspects, you will become locked into wanting to use what you are comfortable with.
I believe that by continuing to keep your eye on the ball so to speak the outcome of any particular incedent be in your favor.
In this case the ball would be survival.
Survival does not always mean killing the BG. Survival means going home in one piece.
I do think that ongoing training of any sort will be beneficial.
Being observent is one of the best tools a person can have. Know what is going on around you will always benefit you, wether you are at the mall or on the range, at work or even sitting on your porch you should be aware.
 
Sweatybullets,
What's so hard to understand? It means uncomplicated is better! Maybe youv'e heard ( It's the economy, STUPID). Same idea.
 
To me KISS means to have a handful of combat proven techniques that can easily be adapted to many situations rather than have many "attack specific" methods.
I must stress the term combat proven, since FOF--while a wonderful tool--is not ( at least IMHO) the final word on what does and does not work.
 
What's so hard to understand? It means uncomplicated is better! Maybe youv'e heard ( It's the economy, STUPID). Same idea.

Wrong Avenger, it means "keep it as simple as it needs to be, but no simpler."

Big difference!

Too simple fails in FOF!

This is something that completely escapes people that have not taken their skill sets into FOF.

Test it.....until then it is just target practice.
 
I suppose the question is this--How do you define "too simple"?
As someone else pointed out, simple is not the same as easy.
(As in the case of--It's very simple to quit smoking. Just throw away the pack and don't buy anymore.")
But I am very interested in learning what techniques you are referring to as "too simple."
As well as what methods you have found lacking in FOF drills.
 
Read the original post Matt.

This article is not aimed at you and the original post will make that clear.

They taught one stance, one grip, one means of sighting the gun, one draw stroke, and one form of retention shooting.

What has failed so badly in FOF is the Modern Techniques.
 
I never thought that you were referring to me, but I was curious as to exactly what method you had in mind.
The problem with the MT is that it was born and bred via competition, which--IMHO--proves not a whole lot when the target shoots back.
 
Don't really know what FOF means, much less the " just do it" mindset! Don't really care. I'm just an average guy intent on protecting my own. I have a CCP, shoot regularly, and am aware of my enviroment. That's what I call simple! Don't need much more except to hear from people with real life experiences that we can all learn from.Why complicate it with alot of obsessive training nonsense.
 
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