In a previous post, I talked about the book The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle.  In it, Coyle talks about the concept of Deep Practice.  I think that this is what we all really mean when we say “perfect practice.”  Coyle gives “rules” for performing Deep Practice.  These are very telling and do a lot to explain what a “perfect practice” session must contain.

The first rule includes spending time watching or listening to the desired skill as a single entity, breaking that skill into chunks and then slowing the entire skill down.  I hear many a firearms instructor discussing what a shooter did wrong, but I see very few jumping up in front of the class to show how it should be done.  Have you ever considered video taping yourself shooting in order to show your students what it should look like?  What if you did this from different angles?  How about breaking that video into the different components (draw, presentation, trigger press, recoil management) or, playing it in slow motion?  My friend Dr. Bill Lewinski the Force Science Research Center (www.forcescience.org), has told me many times that an important component to learning a skill is spending time watching someone who performs that skill well.

The second rule is fairly simple, Repeat it.  Coyle states “There is, biologically speaking, no substiture for attentive repetition.  Nothing you can do – talking, thinking, reading, imagining – is more effective in building skill than executing the action, firing the impulse down the nerve fiber, fixing errors, honing the circuit.”  Pay particular attention to the phrases “attentive repition” and “fixing errors.”  This isn’t repition for repetition’s sake.  This is thoughtful, focused repetition.  This is paying attention to each motion, discovering how the errors come into being and learning how to prevent them from occuring the next time.

The third rule Coyle calls “Learn to Feel It.”  As an example he discusses the fact that “Deep Practice is not simply about struggling; it’s about seeking out a particular struggle, which involves a cycle of distinct actions.”  The cylce is, according to Coyle:

Pick a target (goal).

Reach for it.

Evaluate the gap between the target and the reach.

Return to step one.

Practice does not make perfect.   Only concentrated, Deep Practice, can make us better.  In a world of short cuts, time savers and easier paths, this may not be what most people want to hear.  We tend to employ any and all measures availible to avoid struggle.  But, we have learned that struggle is the path to better performance.  There is no way around this and no shortcut through this.  As Coyle says, “Stuggle is not optional – it’s neurologically required…”

I first heard about this book when attending a talk given by Tim Larkin at Tony Blauer’s Combined Combatives Camp recently. Mr. Larkin was explaining his methods of training. He explained that they purposely trained very, very slowly in order to practice as precisely as possible. At some point he referenced “The Talent Code.”. Although I dont remember the exact reference I definitely scribbled the note down as quickly as I could because Mr. Larkin had a wealth of information that I didn’t want to miss out on.

Anyway, I bought “The Talent Code” and it was so engrossing I tore right through it. The premise of the book is the greatness is not born, it is grown. I know this because the full title of the book is “The Talent Code: Greatness Is Not Born. It Is Grown. Here’s How.”

Mr. Coyle explains many things in the book. But most interesting to me was that scientists have learned that as we practice a skill a substance called myelin is wrapped around the Neuro circuit that controls that skill, much like insulation around a wire. The more practice, the more myelin that is wrapped around the circuit, and the faster and more efficient that circuit can fire. There is even photographs of myelin wrapping around these circuits in the brain.

He goes on to discuss the idea of “deep practice” and how to achieve a training program that maximizes myelin production. Check out “The Talent Code”. You will be glad you did.

One thing I ask the instructors in almost every class I teach is “How many of your officers articulate their decision to use force in a way that anyone (especially those outside of Law Enforcement) can easily understand?”  The usual response is something like “Well, they articulate things so we can understand them…….”  Is this good enough?  After all,  sooner or later, someone who is not one of your officers will need to understand why your officers are doing what they are doing.  If we haven’t explained it in terms they can understand then should we really be surprised when they question the decision?

I am reminded of a drill that snipers and spotters use to build communication.  I believe the excercise that I am about to describe originated in the Marine Corps, but I may be mistaken.  It is really a simple excercise that uses, believe it or not, Tinker Toys.  Basically the isntructor builds a structure from the tinker toys.  One officer is allowed to view the structure and must describe it to another officer who has to recreate the structure from another set of tinker toys.  The structure can vary from very simple to very elaborate.

An amazing thing happens when people participate in the excercise.  The first officer is forced to consider what someone else HEARS when he or she says something.  The second officer is forced to really LISTEN to the meaning and intent of the first officer.  When they do this, both of them usually conclude that what we say and how we say it is critical to communication and that we must really listen, with an open mind to what the other party is saying.  Why is all of this important?  Because, when an officer attempts to articulate a use of force, he or she must consider who might be reading or listening to them.  Often, fellow officers understand meaning on a level that no one outside would understand.  After all, they do the same job.  However, if they were able to articulate that use of force so that anyone, especially those outside law enforcement can understand, it may just change perceptions of Law Enforcement in general.

It isnt easy.  If it was, we would not have nearly the number of people questioning every decision an officer makes.  It takes practice and patience.  The ability to articulate your decision making to another develops as you begin to learn what they hear when you say something in a particular manner.  For that reason, I would argue that it is more of an art than a science.  It is constantly developing and evolving depending on your audience and your ability.

However, If an officer develops this art, it can make it much easier for everyone, the public, administration, etc, to understand why they did what they did (or didnt do what they didnt do) and why that was “objectively reasonable.”  Development of this art could lead to reduced liability for the officer and the agency as well as better relations with the public.

At its core, the concept is really pretty simple.  That is, we tend to learn more by doing something wrong than by doing right.  Therefore, if we make the mistake in training, it is far less likely to do it in the real world.  What is tricky about this is that it seeems in direct opposition to the way most of our training is set up.  Most set up training under the premise that “Practice Makes Perfect”, or more correctly “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.”  While in and of itself there is nothing fundamentally wrong with this premise, it can have some undesirable effects.

Usually when practicing/training, if we didn’t do it perfectly, we try again. And again.  And again.  Eventually, it becomes a mindless exercise where we can only achieve a certain level of “perfection.”  At that point we believe that is good as we are going to get.  If we continue down this path, we become right; that is as good as we will ever get.  In contrast, if we “invest” a little in each mistake, we are much better prepared to improve.  Let me expalin:

Most of us never take an objective look at ourselves and our skill sets.  Either because we are reluctant to, or because we are incapable of doing so.  If we do, we can very often see our mistakes for what they are, an opportunity to get better.  We need to be able to look at each mistake and discect it.  We need to break it down and discover where the mistake was made, why it was made, how it was made.  Even if we get that far, often we stop the analysis instead of brainstorming alternatives that could avoid the mistake.  This skill set is one of the best gifts we can give our officers.  As Sam Sheridan states in his book “This is an essential skill that we must develop (in our officers), for even during the fight the fighter needs to be able to understand – and accept- that he is losing.  In order to win.” 

If we haven’t taught them to recognize that they are losing, and given them the skills to adjust, then they are likely to repeat the behaviors that were causing them to lose in the first place.  This can be a downward spiral from which recovery becomes impossible. 

Check out The Art of Learning and The Fighter’s Mind. You, and your officers, will be glad that you did.

The first book was suggested to me by my good friend Dr. Bill Lewinksi of the Force Science Research Center (www.forcescience.org). The book is titled “Perception, Cognition and Decision Training: The Quiet Eye in Action” by Dr. Joan Vickers. On the back cover of the book, a very good synopsis is written. It says “Athletes must be able to make split second decisions under the pressures of competiiton, but often this vital learning is left to chance.” This sounds familiar and the word “Athletes” could easitly be subsituted with the word “Officers.” The synopsis continues with “This text features three innovations solidly based in research: the vision-in-action method of recording what athletes actually see when they perform, the quiet-eye phenomenon that has attracted considerable media attention, and decision training to identify and facilitate visual perception and action to enhance performance.” Originally it was the last part, about “decision training” that caught my eye. It turns out this book is a treasure trove of useful knowledge that can be directly applied to training our officers. Check this one out, it is published by Human Kinetics.

The second book is titled “The Fighter’s Mind: Inside the Mental Game” by Sam Sheridan, published by Atlantic Monthly Press. MMA enthusiats may be familiar with Mr. Sheridan and his first book, “The Fighter’s Heart,” a truly fun and interesting read. In “The Fighter’s Mind”, Mr. Sheridan sits down with MMA fighters, chess players, marathon runners, boxers, trainers and others and asks what I think are the really important, meaningful questions about what exactly is between the ears of dominant champions. How he got this diverse group of people to each articulate their answers to his questions in such an easy to understand, digestable way is beyond me. In fact, Mr. Sheridan was kind enough to answer my email when I asked him how he was able to do just that. I am not sure I fully understand his anwer but he was kind enough to attempt to explain his methods and he gave me some resources to help me understand. But this book is about so much more than what I didn’t understand. It brought real answers to many complex questions regarding how a champion’s brain works and how we can tune our brains, and the brains of our Officers to think like that. Just be warned, if you read it once, you will read it repeatedly. Oh, and make sure your highlighter is full of ink, you will need it.

Both books, in my opinion, should be required reading for any Law Enforcment Instructor. Happy reading

Click on this link into read more: Govtech.com news Story

April 12, 2010 – Golden, Colorado
Ti Training Corp, a supplier of interactive training products and services to the law enforcement and public safety markets today announced a 125% increase in sales over the previous years Q1 sales numbers. The substantial jump in first quarter sales is attributed to a large multi-system order received by the Ti Training representative Kodiak, S. A. in Luxembourg. The contract is to provide simulation training systems to the French government. Sales in the US Law Enforcement market remained strong.

“We went into the quarter with a lot in the pipeline” stated company President Greg Otte. “We had a strong backlog in US business so we were confident in what we could book in the first quarter. The European order almost doubled those numbers.”

Completion of the Kodiak contract is expected by the end of the second quarter. The US business remains strong with sales to Federal, State and County agencies mainly in the southern US and in California.

About Ti Training Corp
Ti Training Corp, USA, an employee owned company , is a provider of training products, services and programs with it’s focus on interactive digital video training technology. Reaching law enforcement and public safety agencies throughout North America, Ti’s team of industry veterans provide up to the minute technology, tactics and teaching to Federal, State and Local law enforcement, public safety, security and homeland defense agencies. For more information about Ti Training Corp, please visit the company’s web site at: www.titraining.com

Media Contact
Joe Mason
303-414-3555, x202
joe@titraining.com

 March 30, 2010 – Golden, Colorado

Ti Training Corp, a supplier of interactive training products and services to the law enforcement and public safety markets today announced a major push into the Southern U. S. law enforcement training market. Sales to key departments in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma in the first quarter of 2010 have created an increase in market share for Ti Training in the region.

“We have the right product at the right price.” commented Kila Otte from Ti Training. “Departments are taping into Grant money, forfeiture funds and even citizen and business donations to fund these projects. The department administrators are seeing the benefit of the training products we provide and are using any means possible to get the technology to their officers.”

Purchase orders from these departments cover all items in the Ti Training product line with all use of force options being represented. Orders are currently being shipped with systems training covering well into the 2nd Quarter.

About Ti Training Corp

Ti Training Corp, USA, an employee owned company , is a provider of training products, services and programs with it’s focus on interactive digital video training technology. Reaching law enforcement and public safety agencies throughout North America, Ti’s team of industry veterans provide up to the minute technology, tactics and teaching to Federal, State and Local law enforcement, public safety, security and homeland defense agencies. For more information about Ti Training Corp, please visit the company’s web site at: www.titraining.com

Media Contact
Joe Mason
303-414-3555, x202
joe@titraining.com

January 22, 2010 – Golden, Colorado

Ti Training Corp, a supplier of interactive training products and services to the law enforcement and public safety markets today announced record sales levels at the close of the 2009 calendar year. Sales for the 2009 FY closed at a 36% increase over the 2008 sales mark.

“We realized the largest increase in our growth in the Community College market.” stated Greg Otte president of Ti Training Corp. “We also started to see the benefits or our efforts in the international arena, especially in the Fourth Quarter. Given the financial climate in America today, we feel very appreciative of the customers that supported us and chose Ti Training to supply their interactive training systems.”

The sale of the Training Lab interactive simulation training system represented the core of the sales to date but the sale of the Training Room remained strong as an “add on” sales component. Courseware sales for the year remained stable.

The pipeline for 2010 is substantial and a record Q1 for 2010 is likely.

About Ti Training Corp

Ti Training Corp, USA, an employee owned company , is a provider of training products, services and programs with it’s focus on interactive digital video training technology. Reaching law enforcement and public safety agencies throughout North America, Ti’s team of industry veterans provide up to the minute technology, tactics and teaching to Federal, State and Local law enforcement, public safety, security and homeland defense agencies. For more information about Ti Training Corp, please visit the company’s web site at: www.titraining.com

Media Contact
Joe Mason
303-414-3555, x202
joe@titraining.com