Keep it simple, stupid (K.I.S.S. principal)

A very important aspect to combat training is to not lose focus on why you are training in the first place.

We train in order to hone our combat skills to a point where we feel intimately familiar and comfortable with not only our chosen weapon system(s), but more importantly to gain an extreme level of confidence and awareness of what we are capable of in times of extreme stress and crisis.

By keeping your training simple, logical and efficient (and training hard and often), you are giving yourself the ability to recall the training when the shit hits the proverbial fan and to utilize all tools in your toolbox when you need them the most. This includes the ability to maintain calm and cool under extreme stress and physical and mental pressure.

If you follow a training routine on a weekly basis (at the range or at home) and you train often and hard, you will ingrain this simple, logical and efficient set of deadly skills into your core muscle memory.

There is no need to practice ninja rolls and flips. You don't need to practice rappelling off of buildings (unless that is your direct job in law enforcement, of course). Driving a motorcycle in the desert while someone shooting paint balls at you from a helicopter is, well.....do I REALLY have to say what it is?? (and yes, this IS done in a training school).

What you need to practice, after you master the core "basics" (finding your grip, sight picture, trigger control and understanding the fundamentals of what a firearm is and how it works) is (in random order of importance):

1. Awareness and Combat Mindset techniques (aggressive attitude, never quit, fight for your life!!)
2. Fighting from "point zero"/contact distance (where most fights take place, both unarmed and armed, using both hands and all other weapons your body naturally possesses.)
3. Responding to an active shooter scenario (Think Ft. Hood and Virginia Tech), including no shoot targets
4. Clearing rooms by yourself
5. Fighting multiple targets
6. Fighting in the dark and in low light conditions
7. Learning your firearm inside and out, including clearing malfunctions
8. Fighting your way out of a vehicle
9. Proper stance, draw and movement
10. Emergency medical techniques (the basic, lifesaving techniques mixed with a little combat trauma)
11. Basic body guarding techniques (in case you are with someone, like a child or spouse,while attacked)
12. How to react and respond after an attack (how to speak to the police, what to do until they arrive etc...)

If you can follow this type of training goal, to master the above mentioned training suggestions, then you will be a very well rounded combat operator. You will be ready to respond to various types of attacks while maintaining cool under pressure.

Your training should be intense, serious and repetitive.

Of course, others might have things to add to the 12 I mentioned, but, for Israeli Combat Training, this is a great goal to reach.

What is absolutely required for you to do is to practice at home and at the range in between training sessions and to practice mentally during the day, every day, to develop a strong sense of awareness and a brutally aggressive Combat Mindset.

When you must fight for your life, you fight with brutal force using every bit of strength and determination you can muster.

Use your training. Use your mental strength. NOTHING can stop you.

Keep it simple.