Pro tip - your ready position

Posted by Wesley Lagomarsino on May 19th 2020

The "ready position", "ready area", "work space", "work station", or whatever your favorite instructor calls it, is the spot in space you choose to default your hands to when holding or manipulating your gun. While this topic may seem elementary, the application of a consistent, well thought out ready position is an indisputable key difference between amateur shooters and professional shooters. When you manipulate your pistol, you should keep it just below chin level (about the top of the sternum) and about a foot in front of your chest. This will maximize strength, dexterity, and the mobility of your arm joints, while practically eliminating unnecessary movement and minimizing changes in body posture. Simply put, a good ready position results in better efficiency.

Pay particular attention to how you hold guns when you handle them at gun stores, check the condition of guns, load and unload guns, put guns away and bring guns out of your safe(s), etc. Your brain will memorize the position you do all of these rudimentary functions from and use that same position to reload and clear malfunctions. I'm sure we can all agree that it is very important to be efficient at reloads and malfunction clearances because you are extremely vulnerable when your gun is unusable.

How many reps have you done up to this point, training yourself to reload down near your belt line or some other illogical/undesirable position? Next time you're at the range, watch people as they load, unload, reload, or perform any other manipulations of their gun. Most people have a consistent habit built and it's inefficient as hell. Don't go up and correct them, as most people don't want to learn anything unsolicited from a stranger but, certainly make a mental note of what you see and let that be a lesson for your own performance and growth.

It's not too late to put conscious effort into a new process. If this is something you're deficient in, start doing dry reps daily until you memorize a new habit. Don't be in a hurry when handling guns. Not only does it create bad habits through wide deviation but, it creates safety issues. Dedicate some time and mental effort from here on to forming a default ready position and watch your gun handling and manipulations become easier and much more efficient.

I hope you're doing well and staying busy.

Take care,

Wes
(209) 401-0907
wes@lfiguns.com