Jerking The Trigger?

I’m very interested in your thoughts on this video.

The premise is that “jerking the trigger” is a myth. First, we must define “jerking the trigger” and then agree to analyze this claim within the context of the established definition.

For those of you hoping to tune in to a “battle” of sorts between the authors or supporters of this video, and another supposed “expert”, move on. For those of you interested in honest discourse in pursuit of truth, stay. I am 100% certain I am wrong about something right now, whether it be a teaching method, technique, or assumed “fact” I take for granted. I know this to be true because I’ve been wrong in the past, and can only assume I’ll be enlightened in the future, as I gain more experience. After all, time warps perception and techniques adapt over time.

Jerking the trigger: moving the gun in a direction that forces the muzzle in a generally downward direction, through a combination of forces applied on the trigger, and or by improper hand tension. This can be caused in part by mental anticipation of the recoil, causing a premature physical response. Additionally, moving the trigger with too much force, without applying enough grip compensation can result in unnecessary movement.

It warrants saying that I sincerely respect the military experience and personal accomplishments of the instructor in this video. I believe him to be a former 1SFODD Sergeant Major and he likely possesses more experience in his trigger finger…you know the rest.

But to his point, that “jerking the trigger” is a myth, I disagree, at least in part. I also question the testing methods used to illustrate his point.

From watching the video, it would appear the testing method used doesn’t account for mental anticipation or improper hand tension (mostly because the distance to target was very minimal). It does appear to replicate an overly powerful trigger press, the effects again minimized due to a short distance to target.

I propose a retest.

Test #2 will be at 25YDS.
My hypothesis is that the same test using the same method for trigger press will result in extremely poor accuracy, regardless of grip compensation, perhaps even producing errant rounds, falling far outside of what would be an acceptable margin of error (6-12in?).

I also predict that the only way to correct this issue is to press the trigger with much more control and precision, (assuming proper hand tension and control exist, some may define this as grip).

Consider the results of test #1.
Consider the (hypothetical) results of test #2.
Now consider the remedy for test #2.
Is “jerking the trigger” still a myth? It may be if defined in the very method of testing chosen. But I don’t think this is an accurate representation of the common understanding of the definition.