Listen to the article
Let’s get something straight: The Old Rules of marksmanship are dead. They had their time, but they were built for a world that doesn’t exist anymore—a world of static ranges, barked commands, and mindless repetition. If you want to shoot like a modern warrior, you need to update your operating system.
I call it the New Rules of Marksmanship—a system designed for how we actually learn, perform, and dominate under pressure. This isn’t theory. It’s built from experience, tested in combat, and refined in the minds of those who don’t get second chances.
Let’s dig into it.
1. Mindset Over Mechanics
You’ve probably been told shooting is 90% mental. But then they hand you a rifle and start correcting your elbow angle. Makes sense, right?
Wrong.
True mastery starts in the mind. If you can’t control your thoughts, your breath, or your nerves—you’ll never control a weapon. That’s why my system starts with meditation, visualization, and neuro-training. You need to become the calm in the chaos.
Train your brain like you train your trigger finger.
2. Dry Fire is the Way
Range time is important, but dry fire is the dojo. It’s where you build neural pathways. It’s where you lock in muscle memory. It’s where the real progress happens.
If you’re not training at home, you’re wasting time and ammo. Period.
With the right tools and the right routine, you can turn your garage, office, or living room into a performance lab. That’s not hypothetical. That’s what elite shooters actually do.
3. Consistency is King
The best shooters in the world don’t have magic genes. They have disciplined routines.
The New Rules are built around daily habits—not occasional bursts of motivation. One minute of mindful training every day beats one hour once a month. That’s neuroscience. That’s how habits are formed. That’s how warriors are built.
Don’t aim for motivation. Build a lifestyle.
4. Front Sight Focus—In Training and in Life
Focus is a weapon. In shooting, we train our eyes to lock onto the front sight. In life, the same rule applies: focus only on what matters in that moment.
Eliminate distractions. Sharpen attention. Slow down.
Whether you’re lining up a shot or facing down a tough conversation, your ability to focus determines your outcome. Train that skill like your life depends on it—because it does.
5. Metrics Matter, but Feel First
Don’t get me wrong—I love tech. But if you’re relying on your gear to tell you how you’re doing, you’re missing the point.
You are the weapon.
Feel the trigger. Feel the tension in your shoulders. Feel the difference between a clean break and a flinch. Awareness comes before analytics.
Track progress, sure. But trust your senses. That’s what separates a sniper from a guy who just owns cool gear.
6. Stress is Part of the Training
You don’t rise to the occasion. You fall to your level of training.
Real-world scenarios come with adrenaline, uncertainty, and fear. That’s why I build stress into the system. Breathing drills, cold exposure, time constraints—it’s all designed to make you better when it counts.
If you only train calm, you’ll break under pressure.
7. Train for Life, Not for the Gram
Look—I’m all for celebrating wins, but if your training exists only for likes, you’re doing it wrong. Your training should serve your mission.
And if your mission is protecting your family, leading with strength, or simply becoming harder to kill—then train like it.
No filters. No fads. No excuses.
Final Shots: The New Rules Are the Way
The Old Rules were built for qualifying. The New Rules are built for thriving.
They don’t just teach you how to shoot—they teach you how to think, how to breathe, how to perform under pressure, and how to win. Not just at the range, but in every area of life.
So yeah, you can keep doing what everyone else does—chasing group size, burning ammo, and wondering why you’re stuck. Or you can take a smarter path.
Sharpen your mind. Train your body. Build your focus.
Welcome to the New Rules of Marksmanship.
Let’s get to work.
Read the full article here
20 Comments
The New Rules of Marksmanship seem to prioritize mental toughness and resilience, which are undeniably important, but what role does physical conditioning play in this system, especially for those who may not have a background in high-intensity sports or activities?
The New Rules of Marksmanship seem to offer a holistic approach to shooting, incorporating both the physical and mental aspects, which is refreshing, but how does one tailor this system to individual learning styles or preferences, especially for those who may not respond well to meditation or certain types of training?
The statement that you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training, highlights the importance of rigorous and consistent practice, and I’ve found that the moments where I felt most prepared and performed best were those where my training had become second nature.
I’m intrigued by the emphasis on dry fire as the primary means of building neural pathways and muscle memory, but what about the potential for developing bad habits without proper supervision or feedback?
The comparison between dry fire training at home and range time is useful, but doesn’t the lack of feedback from actual recoil and muzzle rise in dry fire limit its effectiveness in fully preparing one for the realities of live fire?
The New Rules of Marksmanship focusing on consistency and daily habits resonates with me, as I’ve seen improvements in my own shooting by dedicating just a few minutes each day to practice, rather than trying to cram all my training into one or two long sessions per month.
I appreciate the focus on feeling the shoot and trusting one’s senses, as this intuitive approach can help in adapting to unexpected situations, but are there specific drills or exercises recommended for developing this sense of awareness and connection to the weapon?
I’m interested in the role of neuro-training in the New Rules of Marksmanship, as the potential for cognitive improvement and enhanced focus is significant, but are there any studies or evidence supporting the effectiveness of these methods in shooting sports?
The statement that awareness comes before analytics in shooting resonates with me, as understanding one’s own physical and mental state during shooting is crucial, but how does one balance the need for self-awareness with the use of technology and data to improve performance?
I think it’s about finding a balance where technology enhances your natural ability without overriding your instincts, and perhaps starting with a more intuitive approach before layering on technology and analysis.
The emphasis on discipline and daily habits in the New Rules of Marksmanship aligns with what I’ve learned from other areas of personal development, where consistency and patience are key, and I’m excited to apply these principles to my shooting practice.
The idea that shooting is 90% mental and starting with meditation, visualization, and neuro-training to control thoughts and nerves makes sense, but how does one balance this mental preparation with the physical mechanics of shooting?
The idea that one minute of mindful training every day surpasses one hour of training once a month in terms of effectiveness aligns with principles of habit formation and spaced repetition, and I’ve seen similar benefits in other areas of skill development.
The importance of consistency and making training a lifestyle habit rather than sporadic motivation is well-taken, and I’ve found that incorporating shooting practice into my daily routine has not only improved my skills but also my overall discipline and focus.
The incorporation of stress and uncertainty into training to better simulate real-world scenarios makes sense, but are there any guidelines for safely and effectively introducing these elements, especially for less experienced shooters who may not know how to manage stress or fear during training?
I’m curious about how the New Rules of Marksmanship address the issue of plateaus in training, where progress seems to stall despite consistent effort and practice, and whether there are specific strategies or adjustments recommended for overcoming these plateaus.
I appreciate the mention of metrics mattering but feeling the shoot first, as trusting one’s senses and understanding the physical sensation of a clean break versus a flinch is crucial for improvement, and I’ve found that focusing too much on tech and analytics can sometimes detract from the instinctual aspects of shooting.
The emphasis on becoming the calm in the chaos through meditation and neuro-training is interesting, but are there any recommendations for how to integrate these practices into an already busy schedule, especially for those with demanding jobs or family commitments?
The incorporation of stress into training through breathing drills, cold exposure, and time constraints to simulate real-world scenarios is intense, but doesn’t this method risk overwhelming or discouraging less experienced shooters?
The concept of front sight focus as a metaphor for life, where one should eliminate distractions and sharpen attention, is compelling, but how does one apply this in high-pressure situations where multiple factors are competing for attention?