Training: Tactical vs. Competition

Whether it's firearms, self-defense, or fitness training. The question or discussion of what is better always arises. Practice-oriented training for self-defense or performance-oriented training for competition. It is in human nature to defend one's point of view and therefore also one's own routine. In this article, we would like to encourage rethinking opinions and simply weighing the pros and cons of both ways of preparation.

When we look at seminars and training sessions, we usually encounter two different types.

The Competitor:

The competitor trains almost daily in at least one or more disciplines. For example, he is an IPSC shooter or a wrestler. He has a high level of routine that he builds up in a "sterile" non-tactical environment but can also implement it in changing conditions despite all accusations from the "tacticians."

Nevertheless, his spectrum is limited, he is, figuratively speaking, not the Swiss Army knife but rather the dagger. Despite or precisely because of his good performance, he often does not see the point of training under changing conditions since he "will never experience them." He often scoffs at self-defense systems and tactical shooting as "money-making" and ineffective. He usually refers to his victories over individuals who practice such practice-oriented systems.

The Tactician:

The tactician trains realistically and for self-defense. In terms of performance, he is inferior to the competitor, but his range of abilities is greater. He trains under all possible and impossible conditions and with many tools.

Actually, this type of training pays off and has its justification. But it also invites one to overshoot the actual goal and neglect the "basics."

Anyone who has witnessed a spar between, for example, an MMA fighter and a practitioner of any form of unarmed self-defense knows the result that usually ends one-sidedly in favor of the competitor.

So is it better to be a competitor and give up tactical training? No! The aim should be a healthy mix.

The basics should be trained and tested in a competitive manner to avoid a glorified self-image and hiding behind training "for the street." Additionally, tactical training should be conducted, involving poor visibility conditions and techniques prohibited in competition.

What are your experiences and opinions on this topic? We hope for a factual and constructive discussion.