Michael Brown
12-03-2005, 06:09 PM
I will deal with what I call panicked movement in this post.
I define panicked movement as the response to suprise regardless of distance when you are confronted by a threat.
Most shooting and moving as taught in most schools and shot in IDPA/IPSC is done in a heel-toe, groucho fashion or a step and drag that is simply too slow for close range combat. It is movement meant to maximize points on target, not getting out of the way of incoming threats (i.e. bullets, blades).
When dealing with and practicing panicked movement, use the following guidelines. Note that these are guidelines, not rules as there are always exceptions based on positioning and environment.
I will use a right-handed shooter as an example. If you are a lefty, simply reverse the directions in the guidelines.
1) Try to get your feet pointed in the direction you want to go rather than backing up heels first.
2) Shoot one-handed when possible as this will increase your torso's ability to rotate to get your feet pointed in the direction your want to go.
3) Get moving first, then draw and shoot. The most important thing is to get off the line quickly.
4) If you move to the right, turn your right shoulder toward the target to get moving or simply move directly laterally. To move to the left, always shoot one handed and get your feet pointed that way and shoot looking down your right shoulder. Remember, move as if someone were trying to kill you.
To drill this on the range, use a shooting timer with a random start. Don't even worry about the actual time to make the shots. The timer is only there to give you a suprise start signal. A partner giving you the cue will work as well and is probably better but if you don't have a partner, a timer will work.
Practice this from 3 to 10 yards with an emphasis on the 3-7 distances. Don't use this concept when you are within 3 yards. Think of shooting through the line of presentation if you are within 3 yards.
On the cue move backwards 45 degrees in either direction and fire 3-5 shots. Once you have gotten a little distance, square up into a two handed stance and conduct a post-shooting assessment.
Enjoy.
Questions are welcome.
Michael Brown
I define panicked movement as the response to suprise regardless of distance when you are confronted by a threat.
Most shooting and moving as taught in most schools and shot in IDPA/IPSC is done in a heel-toe, groucho fashion or a step and drag that is simply too slow for close range combat. It is movement meant to maximize points on target, not getting out of the way of incoming threats (i.e. bullets, blades).
When dealing with and practicing panicked movement, use the following guidelines. Note that these are guidelines, not rules as there are always exceptions based on positioning and environment.
I will use a right-handed shooter as an example. If you are a lefty, simply reverse the directions in the guidelines.
1) Try to get your feet pointed in the direction you want to go rather than backing up heels first.
2) Shoot one-handed when possible as this will increase your torso's ability to rotate to get your feet pointed in the direction your want to go.
3) Get moving first, then draw and shoot. The most important thing is to get off the line quickly.
4) If you move to the right, turn your right shoulder toward the target to get moving or simply move directly laterally. To move to the left, always shoot one handed and get your feet pointed that way and shoot looking down your right shoulder. Remember, move as if someone were trying to kill you.
To drill this on the range, use a shooting timer with a random start. Don't even worry about the actual time to make the shots. The timer is only there to give you a suprise start signal. A partner giving you the cue will work as well and is probably better but if you don't have a partner, a timer will work.
Practice this from 3 to 10 yards with an emphasis on the 3-7 distances. Don't use this concept when you are within 3 yards. Think of shooting through the line of presentation if you are within 3 yards.
On the cue move backwards 45 degrees in either direction and fire 3-5 shots. Once you have gotten a little distance, square up into a two handed stance and conduct a post-shooting assessment.
Enjoy.
Questions are welcome.
Michael Brown
