What to do with the non-shooting hand?

Army puts their hand in the pocket. Just make sure it is not full of keys, wallet, knife etc.

mine goes on my belt buckle, thumb tucked under. It makes for easier clearing of guns in the event you jam during an alibi

Hello,

Thumb hooked on my pant's front pocket.

Jim

I have seen hand tucked in belt behind you.  Palm out.

LtC Miller (Army) had me use pocket and always he said "relax the left shoulder".

Pocket. The arm feels like it’s hugging me when it’s in the belt buckle. Pocket keeps the arm hanging down naturally and doesn’t pull any muscles tight by reaching for a place to put it.

But What is Zins holding onto?

Tim:H11 wrote:Pocket. The arm feels like it’s hugging me when it’s in the belt buckle. Pocket keeps the arm hanging down naturally and doesn’t pull any muscles tight by reaching for a place to put it.

Same for me, but with thumb out.  Using the thumb outside just seems to let me relax that whole side better and gives me more repeatability because different pants have different depth pockets, but the entry seems more consistent.

Tim:H11 wrote:Pocket. The arm feels like it’s hugging me when it’s in the belt buckle. Pocket keeps the arm hanging down naturally and doesn’t pull any muscles tight by reaching for a place to put it.

i keep everything tense in the body, except the trigger finger.

Chris Miceli wrote:

Tim:H11 wrote:Pocket. The arm feels like it’s hugging me when it’s in the belt buckle. Pocket keeps the arm hanging down naturally and doesn’t pull any muscles tight by reaching for a place to put it.

i keep everything tense in the body, except the trigger finger.

..... this goes against a lot.... good luck.

Aprilian wrote:

Tim:H11 wrote:Pocket. The arm feels like it’s hugging me when it’s in the belt buckle. Pocket keeps the arm hanging down naturally and doesn’t pull any muscles tight by reaching for a place to put it.

Same for me, but with thumb out.  Using the thumb outside just seems to let me relax that whole side better and gives me more repeatability because different pants have different depth pockets, but the entry seems more consistent.

Yes hand in pocket thumb out. Some put the whole hand in the pocket including thumb. I also keep the thumb out. Just natural for my habits and mannerisms.

Tim:H11 wrote:

Chris Miceli wrote:

Tim:H11 wrote:Pocket. The arm feels like it’s hugging me when it’s in the belt buckle. Pocket keeps the arm hanging down naturally and doesn’t pull any muscles tight by reaching for a place to put it.

i keep everything tense in the body, except the trigger finger.

..... this goes against a lot.... good luck.

or does it ?

I've worked both ways.   

When I was getting to Master - Hand in pocket, then hold on to something like a magazine and grip with the off hand like the firing hand.  The body likes consistency.

Now a days - My grip is more consistent so hand on belt buckle = better chance to clear a double alibi and reduced the tension in the body. Now nothing is ever tense, body is resting "bone on bone" from ankles to neck.  No extra effort, just finding the balance.

Try different things and see what the results are for you.

CR

The thumb in the belt technique has been around for decades. The reasoning I heard was that it puts the off arm closer to the centerline of the body (center of gravity) and thereby reduces sway to a small degree. The other benefit is that it puts the off hand in the same relative position as opposed to pockets which can vary with different pants and be non-existent in others. I believe the technique crossed over from international pistol shooting to bullseye IIRC.

I have seen somewhere that they mention to make a light fist and hold if in the middle of your chest, elbow resting at your side.  Keeps that weight more center and the ability to clear any issues.

Thumb under my belt buckle works best for me.

Thumb in belt. It seems to work for Zins, Sanderson, Shue, and a large number of International shooters going back decades. I didn't use it until I did a clinic with Zins. Pockets are different in depth, cut and width. The center of my belt is always in the same spot. 

As CR10x pointed out it also provides the opportunity to attempt to clear a double alibi. Sometimes, opportunity is the best that you can get.

The first time I noted someone using the off-hand, thumb in the pants, was 1984 National Pistol Champion SFC James Laguana.

I also use the belt buckle hold.  Helps me hold up my pants.

BE Mike wrote:The first time I noted someone using the off-hand, thumb in the pants, was 1984 National Pistol Champion SFC James Laguana.

James was a hybrid. He started shooting as a Marine then came to his senses and joined the Army.    That probably explains the half in and half out of his style. Or, he just liked shooting with his thumb in the pocket. He was just an E-5 the season we shot together.

Len