Shooting and Bowling

There is an interesting theory in psychology called the Dunning-Kruger effect. In a nutshell, it discusses the ability of experienced and in-experienced individuals to evaluate their own abilities in a given field. What is interesting about this theory is that it demonstrates that individuals with a lower experience level tend to overestimate their abilities while those with more experience under-estimate them. This is something we see time and time again in the shooting industry, especially if you are a firearms instructor and work with individuals of varying experiences. 

First off, let's discuss the graph as it refers to the shooting sports. In the beginning, you have low confidence/ low wisdom individuals. We all started here, asking friends to take us shooting and show us the ropes, completely aware that this was a new realm that we knew nothing about. Next, you see that steep climb to the peak of mount stupid (not the actual term used but I like it better). This is your YouTube binge paying off, you've gone shooting a few times, read the newest "Guns and Ammo", and have started reading forums on guns and shooting. You are becoming a firearms Jedi-Master.…or so you think. In my opinion, the very pinnacle of Mount Stupid is either right before or right after your first competition or professional level course. What makes this distinction is what happens during that first match or course. Some individuals I have talked to (myself included) performed better than expected during their first competition, with a borrowed gun and gear, they didn't get the last place, even beat some long time competitors or sponsored shooters. When this happens, thoughts of "if only I had my own gun", "if I had been doing this longer", "this is easy" start to invade the conscious. Insert “peak of mount stupid”. OR

The first match goes terribly wrong, somewhere around stage one (or the first course of fire), we realize we are in way over our heads and YouTube did not prepare us for the level of humility we are about to get taught. When this happens we realize the peak of mount stupid has already passed.

Now the real research and study must begin. What category do I shoot in? What do I build? caliber, barrel length, brake, suppressor, stock, optic, hand loads vs factory match ammo, projectile weight, powder, gear, range availability, training ability, shooting courses…the list is endless. We begin to realize there is much more to this than show up and shoot, especially when it's our money, time, and reputation on the line. Thus begins our steep decline to the "valley of despair".

The Valley of despair is an important landmark in our shooting journey. This is the make or break moment where we decide if this is going to continue to be a hobby or are we going to devote the time, effort, and resources needed to understand and master every aspect of this new lifestyle and begin our trek up the “Slope of Enlightenment”. There is no set timeline for any portion of the graph, but the second half takes much longer to work our way through. Most longtime shooters I have talked to, both competitive and professional, would put themselves somewhere on the slope of enlightenment. This is the lifelong dedication to understanding that there is always more to learn and new technology and techniques to be mastered.

If you have made it this far, I am sure you are wondering how this all relates to bowling. While I was instructing as part of the Marine Corps Shooting Team, one of my favorite analogies for teaching new techniques to Marines was to compare it to bowling. Stephen Ferguson was the first person I heard use this analogy, and it greatly helped to sway the minds of individuals to give the new information a chance. Like most groups that have a minimum marksmanship standard (military, LEO, Federal, security companies, contracting etc.), there are a lot of methods and information taught that are outdated, under-explained, or completely incorrect. This information is rarely disputed or corrected due to it being "good enough" to assist the masses attaining the minimal passing standard. Because of this, when new or corrected information is introduced, it is usually met with stark resistance (especially by lifers). This can create a roadblock at the "peak of Mt. Stupid" that prevents these groups from ever progressing forward, as they are never challenged or pushed past their limits. To sway their opinions, I would ask "who has ever gone bowling?", usually ? of the group will raise their hands. Next, I will ask "who curves the ball when they throw it?". This time only a few will raise their hands. "What was your score the first time you tried to curve the ball?", this question is usually met with some laughter and embarrassing answers of getting beaten by the kids playing in the next lane over. My final question is "Do all the professional bowlers bowl straight or curved?". I then go on to explain my own bowling journey. How I had always bowled straight and I thought I was pretty good. I averaged in the mid 100's and could beat most people I played against "insert peak of Mt. Stupid". I decided that I wanted to improve my game and started trying to learn how to curve the ball "Insert instant loss of confidence and entrance to the valley of despair". My first game attempting this I scored an abysmal 14, and it didn't get much better for the next several attempts. I had to completely re-teach myself how to play. After months of practice, I was back up to my old scores, then a few months later I was up into the 200's consistently. What this demonstrates is that a new method, style, or process may not show immediate tangible results, it may even show the opposite. That does not mean it is incorrect, or even worse. It simply means that it is new and uncomfortable. The courses I taught were a week-long, and we would use this discussion to encourage our students to allow themselves the time to properly master and evaluate the new techniques before reverting back to their base level skills and practices.

The end goal is the “Plateau of sustainability”, but this may be a false peak. This unattainable level of knowledge and experience where you have the confidence of the fresh shooter but with the knowledge and experience of a guru. This peak is constantly changing, every time a new product, instruction method, or shooting style is released, the peak shifts a little further away. Without constant learning, improvement, and humility you will continue to fall behind that elusive goal of sustainable knowledge. But, by simply keeping an open mind, constantly seeking self-improvement, and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals you can achieve and maintain that goal of Firearms Jedi Master.