I feel dumb, explain the difference.
I always just put the gun out with my elbows slightly bent and shot just like everyone else. Seemed to work well, but I've never had a trainer tell me "now we're going to learn stance X."
I always just put the gun out with my elbows slightly bent and shot just like everyone else. Seemed to work well, but I've never had a trainer tell me "now we're going to learn stance X."
This is the best explanation I have seen online, with pictures:
http://corneredcat.com/basics/stance.aspx
That website, while designed to introduce women to the world of shooting and self-defense, it a great resource for ANYONE looking for information.
Here are a couple of basic layout photos I yoinked from Google Images:
Weaver:
http://www.azccw.com/weaverstance.gif
Weaver is the stance that was primarily taught for years to LEOs (I'm going with off the cuff knowledge, input/correction welcome). Weaver is typically identified by the fact that you blade your body to the target.
Iso:
http://www.azccw.com/isostance6.gif
Isosceles is named for the fact that you form an isosceles triangle between your shoulders and your weapon. That whole triangle (your upper body) rotates at the hips to move from target to target. Iso is generally considered a faster and stronger platform, since you're using your whole body to control recoil, not just your arms.
Modern Iso is a twist off of the basic Iso in that you stagger your strong side foot back a bit, and some folks put a slight cant on their shoulders. This gives a more natural, aggressive, and reactive stance to fire from.
Again, any trainers or pros that want to weigh in, please do! This is just my understanding as an average dude who tends to pay too much attention.
And personally, I usually use a Mod Iso stance.
Weaver:
http://www.azccw.com/weaverstance.gif
Weaver is the stance that was primarily taught for years to LEOs (I'm going with off the cuff knowledge, input/correction welcome). Weaver is typically identified by the fact that you blade your body to the target.
Iso:
http://www.azccw.com/isostance6.gif
Isosceles is named for the fact that you form an isosceles triangle between your shoulders and your weapon. That whole triangle (your upper body) rotates at the hips to move from target to target. Iso is generally considered a faster and stronger platform, since you're using your whole body to control recoil, not just your arms.
Modern Iso is a twist off of the basic Iso in that you stagger your strong side foot back a bit, and some folks put a slight cant on their shoulders. This gives a more natural, aggressive, and reactive stance to fire from.
Again, any trainers or pros that want to weigh in, please do! This is just my understanding as an average dude who tends to pay too much attention.
And personally, I usually use a Mod Iso stance.
Apparently I use a modified iso stance, who knew.
Works well for recoil managament.
Works well for recoil managament.
Interesting. The model at this link has her elbows locked when shooting in the isosceles stance. Yet, I was told in a TDSA shooting course not to lock my elbows while in this stance, but to keep them slightly bent. Or maybe I misunderstood? Wouldn't be the first time
Interesting. The model at this link has her elbows locked when shooting in the isosceles stance. Yet, I was told in a TDSA shooting course not to lock my elbows while in this stance, but to keep them slightly bent. Or maybe I misunderstood? Wouldn't be the first time
Locking the elbows is bad for recoil control and can cause injury with high volume of heavy calibers.
That's why I posted the Todd Jarrett video. His explanation goes too fast, but his form is superb. Extension firm, but not locked.
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