ruertar

I played paintball for the first time today and it really got me thinking.

I realize that it is unfair to try to compare a paint ball match with real-life defensive shooting. Through paint ball, I think I learned something about myself that I need to work on to become a better shooter.

Before each round, I was relatively well composed, I had a pretty clear mind and I could think about strategy and technique.

As soon as the match started and paint balls were whizzing by, I lost my composure. A few times, I completely abandoned a plan I decided on. When waiting behind a barrier for an enemy I knew was coming, I noticed I was hyperventilating. A few times I experienced the myopia that I've often read about.

As the matches went on, I would eventually feel more comfortable (breathing would slow down, I'd could think more strategically, &c). I talked with some of the experienced players and was told that these responses are common and they eventually go away.

I still did okay. I shot a few people and was shot a few times. it was fun! I wonder though, how close these responses are -- the panic, hyperventilation, and myopia -- to how one feels when in a real combat situation and how does one learn to over come them?

My question is:

How do I learn to stay calm and collected in a self defense/combat situation?

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exactlymypoint

I would think the more you practice and the more comfortable you are with being in those situations, the better you become. The person who is in it for the first time is at a huge disadvantage. That is why the BG have such a tremendous advantage in a robbery scenario. They have probably done it a 1000 times and are comfortable with the process, if you will.

Keep practicing. You might also want to consider airsoft.

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ccw9mm

It's completely fair to compare/contrast the two. Paintball, Airsoft games, Simunitions and other live-fire, force-on-force training situations can be about as close to being shot at as you'll ever get. They have value, in that sense.

Specifically, they can help you understand where some weaknesses and strengths lay, either in terms of composure, movement, use/misuse of cover, and so on. Though, without guidance by decent instructors, you might well not pick up on what's missing.

The one crucial element is, IMO, ongoing, effective training with those who know far more than you. Training, not merely practice.

Frequent, varied training, excellent instructors with strong guidance, realistic scenarios ... all of it can help.

I'm sure some of the instructors in force-on-force / simulations training will be chiming in.

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matiki

IMO paintball and airsoft are good. Martial arts tournaments or something similar are better because you could break something if you screw the pooch (whereas paintball and airsoft you only risk minor irritation - welts/etc). YMMV.

Supertac45

They aren't even close.

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ccw9mm

As previously suggested, simulated training is about as close as one gets to the reality of actually being shot at. Though, in reality, it isn't close, as you say. Still, short of going out to be shot at with live rounds by people trying to kill us, it's as close as we get.

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SIXTO

It gives a slight indication on how you will react, but like Supertac45 says, it isnt even close.

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semperfi.45

It is true that experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson. A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.

Winston Churchill said it best and many vets would agree- "Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result". That's not paintball.

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SixBravo

I won't attest to being in combat or ever being shot at. But I don't think I would compare the two. However, getting back to the OP... The answers seem good. But overall I just think that knowing how you deal with stress and how to handle adrenaline dumps are good ideas. Beyond that - I'll leave the advise to the pros.

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Brian@ITC

I think that knowing your life is on the line is probably a lot more stressful than just getting hit with paintballs or aisoft bb's. Yes, you can become more "comfortable" through training even with Force on Force traing. And when I say comfortable, I am referring to confidence. However, being over confident can be a bad thing! Being too complacent can be a bad thing.

But you probaly won't find a lot of people who are comfortable when bullets are being fired their direction intended for them.

There are many benefits to playing paintball or airsoft. It can teach you a lot.

CONFIDENCE is the only way to remain calm. And confidence only comes through training. TRAINING A LOT IN REALITY BASED TRAINING. IMHO, no other training is going to prepare you for a real life situation such as reality based training including Force on Force training which is really part of reality based training.

With confidence in your abilities you can remain calmer than those who are not confident. It is possible to prevent adrenaline from taking over by remaining calm. BUT, this takes A LOT of practice!!!

Fear is a natural thing for ALL of us. Anyone who isn't scared is lying or mentally ill. We must control our fear and not let our fear control us!!!

Train hard, train often, and train REALISTICALLY!!!
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