YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!

If you have ever seen a post online of people shooting - either at a gun school, or on their own, or whatever - and if you took a moment and gave the following reply, this post is for you. 

The reply - YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!

If you have done this, then please read on.  This post is for you.  The reality of the situation is that you are doing something wrong and you need gentle correction.  It's OK, we have all messed up.  You just took the fun out of someone else's post when you did.  And this article is to help you. Because you need as much or more help than the person who was "doing something wrong."

Here are the most common possible scenarios -


They aren't doing it wrong. 
Ok, so you have military or police training.  That's good! It certainly does not mean you are an expert.  It means you met a minimum acceptable criteria.  Oh, you got 100% on it? Good - I got 100% on a 4th grade math test. 

Those two statements are identical. 

Double down on how I know you aren't an expert - you actually said the phrase, "YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!"  I've never seen an expert comment that on someone else's picture on social media. 

I've seen "professional military" folks comment on high power videos that the shooter was "dOiNg It WrOnG" when that competitor was doing everything by the book and hitting the 10-ring with every shot at 600 yards with iron sights.

Fact is, that person might be doing it exactly right, and YOU simply do not know that technique!


Pictures lie
We have all seen the picture of the (usually female) land whale that was taken from a specific angle to highlight certain features and hide other features.  These misleading photos are common.  Fact is, every camera angle highlights some things and hides others. 

You just cannot get a complete idea of what all is going on from a single picture. 

Anyone who is an actual expert in these things would have known that.  And an actual expert would, therefore, not have said "YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!"


Your DI probably did yell that at you.
I get it, you were in the military and that's how your DI corrected you.  That does not mean, however, that this is good instruction or good coaching.  If you need to see a therapist to get back to reality, then I'd highly suggest you do that.  Yelling crap like that is not how things are done in polite society.  Just because it was the military way does not mean it is the most effective way. 


It is poor teaching and terrible coaching.
Good teachers tell you what to do, why you are doing it, and how to do it. A good teacher knows that saying "YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!" is counter-productive and does not help the student.  They don't waste their time or their breath to even let those words come out of their mouths.

A good coach gives positive cues to perform the desired action.
- "Go easy on that trigger" instead of "don't jerk the trigger."
- "Tuck that elbow" instead of "don't chicken wing."
- "Keep your head up" instead of "don't look down."
And so-on. 

"YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!" is not in the vocabulary of an expert, is not said by a good teacher, and doesn't cross the mind of a good coach. 


They might actually be doing it wrong.
Congratulations, you just yelled "YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!" to someone who has never done this before.  Can you imagine if an elementary school teacher hovered over you as you were doing your math and yelled that at you when you made a mistake?  Insanity.  Part of proper teaching is to allow the students to do something.  Right or wrong, they learn.

What they do not need is some yahoo yelling at them every time they make a minor error.  That's poor teaching and poor coaching. 

Congratulations. Maybe you also yell "YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!" to 5-year-old kids who misspell words? I hope you don't treat your family or coworkers on the job like that.