I was first told about “fine motor skills” while in the military; the explanation I was given was that anything to do with using my fingers under stress was a bad idea. That doing so would not work, that I just wouldn’t have the dexterity. I was told to use the bigger parts of my hand, or my fingers bunched together, to do any sort of weapon manipulation. This, they said, was a “gross” motor skill that would be better under stress, which apparently makes your fingers turn to jello.
However, I was also taught by other people to do things like punch buttons on military radios and put tiny needles in small veins, both of which require dexterity. In addition, both are skills which might be critical to saving lives under stress (or taking them, in the case of calling for fires). I also found, on my own time, that I could manipulate safeties and slide releases just fine with my thumbs.
To me, manipulating a firearm is not much different than working with any other mechanical object. Two mechanical objects might be of completely different design, but familiarity with that design trumps both the elements of design and the actual technique used to achieve desired results with the object.
Of course, familiarity with the design and operation of something will naturally lead to the development and refinement of optimal techniques. And some designs lend themselves to being used better under stress or in a rapid manner than others. But whether I am dialing in exposure settings on a camera, adjusting power and prop settings and control surfaces while landing in a crosswind, or using my thumb to hit the slide release of a pistol after inserting a loaded magazine, I am performing dexterous manipulations of a device.
These manipulations are only as good as my recent experience with that device – that is, if I am not “current,” I am behind the curve, whether I am using my fingertips or the knife edge of my hand. Some people might define them as fine and some might define them as gross motor skills. I see no point in trying to explain the two when I can simply ask Mike Pannone for an explanation, given that his education and experience make him far more qualified to define the terms.
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Mike Pannone:
Here is a document I wrote 4 years ago in response to the continual fallacious statements prevalent in the shooting world as to what was and what was not a fine or gross motor skill. I often wondered how I was able to reliably use the slide stop on every pistol I have ever owned or been issued (Glock, Sig, Beretta, CZ, S&W M&P, 1911, Makarov, CZ82 etc.) or the bolt catch on those rifles where one is present (M16/M4, Sig 550, FNFAL etc.) under stress reliably and without issue when it was supposedly not possible? The conclusion I came to is those that say use of the slide stop on a pistol or bolt catch on an M4 are fine motor skills do not actually know the definition of either fine or gross motor skills nor do they understand the ergonomic considerations manifest in modern weapons design.
Often instructors will invoke the fine versus gross motor skill argument. The below definitions should illuminate where these have gone awry and when they do actually apply. Because the motor skills used for weapons handling are not specifically on one side or the other of the definition it is often taken as all skills are fine motor functions. Two perfect examples of gross motor skills that are mischaracterized as fine motor skills are releasing the bolt via the bolt catch on an M4 and the slide via the slide stop on a pistol. Neither involves a refined use of the small muscles controlling the hand, fingers, and thumb. Both are in fact either the use of the locked wrist, extended thumb and the entire arm on an M4 bolt release or the complete clenching of the hand on a pistol to release a slide stop given appropriate hand size or the use of the support side thumb.
***How could a shooter effectively operate a trigger or magazine release on a pistol or carbine but not be able to operate the slide stop or bolt release?***
- The term gross motor skills refer to the abilities usually acquired during infancy and
early childhood as part of a child’s motor development. By the time they reach two
years of age, almost all children are able to stand up, walk and run, walk up stairs, etc.
These skills are built upon, improved and better controlled throughout early childhood,
and continue in refinement throughout most of the individual’s years of development
into adulthood. These gross movements come from large muscle groups and whole
body movement.
- Fine motor skills can be defined as coordination of small muscle movements which
occur e.g., in the fingers, usually in coordination with the eyes. In application to
motor skills of hands (and fingers) the term dexterity is commonly used. The abilities
which involve the use of the hands develop over time, starting with primitive gestures
such as grabbing at objects to more precise activities that involve precise hand-eye
coordination. Fine motor skills, are skills that involve a refined use of the small muscles
controlling the hand, fingers, and thumb. The development of these skills allows one
to be able to complete tasks such as writing, drawing, and buttoning.
Quoted, paraphrased or adapted from:
A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development
John W. Santrock, PhD University of Texas at Dallas
ISBN: 0073382647
Copyright year: 2008
I’m quite sure I follow what you have intended to say here, but can you sum your perspective up for us in a sentence or two? Perhaps a principle to apply as we think through weapon manipulation and forming of habits/muscle memory.
The definition of fine and gross motor skills are it. Aside from that there are no crib notes. Apply the definitions as well as a general understanding of body mechanics as it applies to weapons manipulation.
I beleive what he is trying to point out is the paradox between the knowledge which is pushed by ill-informed people as accepted truth vs. what is ACTUALLY true. That or to show that people who whip out this bit of knowledge to justify teaching a technique a certain way are wrong.
Excuse me. Not “trying” That is a poor choice of words.
How about “if you just pressed that little magazine release button to drop your empty mag, why are you so worried that using the slide release isn’t “gross” enough”? 🙂
I think the reason they teach gross motor skills is to help you remain effective in combat if you are injured. I do a lot of wood work in the garage which requires fine motor skills, but as soon as I what a finger with a hammer, that show is over and we are on to gross motor skills and nursing a throbbing hand.
Much in the same way that shooting strong hand is a fine motor skill but shooting weak hand “feels” like a gross motor skill because your movements are chunky and stiff.
By that rationale, training a soldier to be less dependent on an opposable grip (for example) will help him when that thumb is injured.
Just my humble opinion though – I could be totally off base here.
Perhaps the idea is that we use gross motor skills for things that only need to be quickly and for sure actuated whereas a trigger and mag release are for sure parts you want to have to focus at least a little bit to use.
This post does give some great definition to the terms, however, and encourages a little more thinking outside the box.
Overly Tactical Andrew would be Amazingly Tactical Andrew if he was wearing Oakley gloves with the trigger finger cut off.
1. Duh, proper practice prevents piss poor performance. Big muscles/little muscles, get it straight trainer dudes.
2. Why the nomex fighter pilot gloves? I agree they’re pretty badass, but being a “regular guy” i either wear moto gloves or mechanics wear if I’m gonna wear gloves.
3. I don’t seem to have issue with the slide release on my pistols, or the paddle/BAD lever on my AR, however I’ve read from several well-known instructors to power-stroke the slide. Why? Especially if you can do it without screwing up your grip.
Kthanks
2. Have always used them since I was issued them, they are comfortable and provide several seconds of protection against fire.
3. It allows them to show off their muscles more. It appears more manly. I dunno. It’s just less efficient. My hand is already there, I will use it.
I slingshot the slide just because I’m a lefty and it’s hard/impossible for me to hit the slide catch without seriously adjusting my grip on some pistols. Sigs are probably the worst because of how far back on the frame the catch is.
Like the guy below me, have small hands and cannot manipulate the slide release on my M&P 9 without breaking grip, and thus power stroking is the only efficient means for me. I also like the fact that that it is utilizing the same motion for loading and unloading, and clearing malfunction. One action for multiple solutions. That all being said, my M&P goes into battery reliably when I simply insert a magazine with moderate force, so, I guess that trumps both.
Iâm not a professional, and have never fired a shot in anger. I am just someone who enjoys shooting sports, so your mileage may vary. I donât disagree that the Gross vs. Fine Motor Skill justification falls short based on the medical definitions you provided and my experiences. However, I practice and advocate the power stroke method based on what has worked best for me, and for others I have observed. I like many others have small hands and cannot manipulate the controls of most pistols with my strong hand, without changing my grip, I have adapted my technique based on this. In addition, I have seen a significant number of shooters who take forever to recover when they canât find the slide lock under stress, or their magic slam the magazine home trick fails to release the slide. They seem to have difficulty reorienting to the unexpected outcome. Those who use the power stroke method have issues at times, but they seem to be fewer and recovered faster. I think the best argument for the power stroke method is that it works the same way every time, on almost every modern semiautomatic pistol. It also resolves equipment issues like the slide not locking back on empty. The same procedure they have practiced, remediates the issue without the need for additional steps. Clearly manipulating the slide stop has advantages for people with large enough hands and sufficient skill, but I donât think some trainers use of incorrect rational negates the value of the power stroke method.
Thanks,
JB
Having small hands isnt really a valid argument against using the slide stop since you can also use your support side thumb to depress the slide stop once the magazine is inserted. Its a more natural, and faster, movement.
I… Can’t… Type… On.. My.. iPhone lol thank you for this article. I disagree with a few techniques I have seen at classes. This one really bugged me. Fear is crippling but if you can acclimate yourself to it you can do alright. Oh and on the subject of bs. How do you like the stand completely square to the threat as to give him your full body armor to hit? Um no thanks I’m hitting the ground or running for cover.
I like overly tactical Andrew. He has a Jedi crest patch! I need to find one of those.
And I thought I was the only one who noticed that. He definitely gets points in my book for that patch.
andrew, you mentioned in an old video i watched over the weekend you normally prefer fixed front sight posts on your ar rifles and would explain why at a later date in more detail. it may be just one of the things on your to do list or something i missed. so could you briefly explain you preference for the fixed fsp. thank you
Pat Rogers once made the point, talking to the helicopter pilot in the class, that flying helicopters and running the weapons are not gross motor skills. Yet somehow people manage to do this while getting shot at. Even when their helicopter gets severely damaged by enemy fire, which would to most people be a kind of stressful situation, the pilots are still flying the bird as much as it will fly.
The point he was making is that people who highly practice fine motor skills can perform them effectively under immense stress.
Any time somebody gives me that “fine motor skill” nonsense about using the slide stop, I ask them how they got the empty mag out of the gun in the first place. Head-butting the mag release, maybe?
One of the old-school instructors thumping the gross v. fine motor skill tub says you are too clumsy to hit a slide stop, but not clumsy enough to feel the trigger/disconnector reset so you can “ride the link.”
Seems like this isn’t a black and white thing, it is not at one point everything is super easy because it is defined as a gross motor skill and anything defined as a fine motor skill is impossible. I think the important thing to keep in mind is that whatever you train should be repeatable, consistent, and as simple as possible. Training can bridge the gaps in a lot of cases, especially if you practice under stress and while physically exhausted…..something most people don’t want to do, but it is amazing what is difficult when you are out of breath and beat.
There certainly is something like fine/gross, but it mostly shows when one is very cold, or after having done heavy physical work. Try writing your name with freezing fingers! And under sudden serious stress, when you’re not trained enough, or when you only train in bright daylight and suddenly its dark, then operating a device that requires some finer skills becomes difficult.
Part of the reason of teaching the overhand grasp for pistols in the military is due to the fact you’re cranking out a large volume of shooters, who have wildly different experience, and leaning ability. Not to mention hand size, and even hand dominance.
So while the “why” might be wrong sometimes, the “How” might still be very practical.
Not really – from my brief time as a range safety corpsman, many of the guys who used their hand on the slide of the M9 ended up reengaging the safety part of the time. No bueno
Huh. 4 years in the Infantry, no one had issues, know lots of people that shot M9/ 92fs’s in competition, no problems. Sounds like a training deficiency.