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Movement in a Fight

Movement in a Fight

In a fight, your first act should be to move.

By Jim Wilson

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6/6/2012

There is no doubt that movement is critical to surviving a gunfight. Standing still and facing a violent criminal attack is just not a good idea. Movement creates distance from the threat, allows the shooter to move to cover and forces the attacker to alter his or her point of aim.

No matter how much we try to stay alert, violent attacks often occur at very close range, often within a few feet. Checking the true stories in the NRA's Armed Citizen column bear this out over and over again. The sad fact is that within a few feet everyone has a chance of making successful, fight-stopping hits. The defensive shooter is advised to create distance from his or her attacker so that superior marksmanship can overcome the threat. For this reason, movement should be part of every defensive shooter's practice.

However, the defensive shooter should first have a well-grounded foundation in safety and marksmanship. To do otherwise creates unsafe situations and leads to negligent discharges. One should learn the basics before adding movement as part of the regular practice sessions, both at the range and in dry practice at home.

Once the basics are well learned, the defensive shooter begins movement practice by stepping to one side or the other, while making a pistol presentation. Once the step has been completed, you may make the shot. This shows that you don’t have to be standing squared away to a target in order to get good center hits. In addition to stepping to one side or the other, you should also practice moving on the diagonal, angling slightly away from the target.

Moving to the side or the diagonal are both better tactics than moving straight back. Of course, in the real world you don't have the smooth footing that is found on most shooting ranges. Instead, the real world creates all sorts of little obstacles that can get in the way. If you move straight back, you will probably find yourself lying flat on your back.

However, the greatest problem with moving straight back is that the attacker does not have to alter his sight picture to make a hit. If his sights are on you and you back up six paces, his sights are still on you. Moving straight back is not a good idea unless that is the only direction that you can move.

One of the biggest concerns is the ability to move and still maintain a fighting stance. The tendency is to cross the legs during a move, or to end up with the feet together, causing an unbalanced body position. This can easily result in you tripping or falling.

The proper technique for moving is what we call “the big stepī€­little step” move. The lead foot (the foot in the direction one is wanting to move) takes a normal step. The other foot then moves about a half step. In this way, the feet are always separated and the body remains generally balanced. When moving on the diagonal, it is a good idea to drag the toe of the lead foot just a bit to make sure of what is behind you. The middle of a gunfight is not a good time to step backward off of a curb that you didn't know was there.

Moving to the side, or to the diagonal, also forces the attacker to have to move his gun to keep up with you. He may even have to realign his sights. All of these things take time and give you a chance to stop the fight before the attacker can get off a well-aimed shot.

In addition, the attacker will have to move his weapon on a horizontal line in order to stay up with his target. This almost always causes one to swing past the intended target and results in a miss. In short, movement can create an unexpected surprise for an attacker and buy the defensive shooter the time needed to overcome the criminal threat.

Finally, movement allows the defensive shooter to take advantage of nearby cover. One has only to look around to see that there is nearly always something close by that will stop bullets. The smart defensive shooter always wants to take advantage of such opportunities. Standing out in the open and shooting it out is not a good idea.

Imagine that you answer the front door to find an armed criminal standing on your doorstep. A simple step to the side puts the exterior wall of the house between you and the threat. You now have the option of drawing and firing, if that is appropriate. You can also slam the door, take better cover elsewhere in the house and await the results of your 911 call.

Similarly, a person walking down the sidewalk may be accosted by some bad people. A diagonal movement may put the corner of a brick building in between the two parties and allow time to make the appropriate response.

In a gunfight, distance and cover are your friends. Movement is what helps you take advantage of them. Practicing movement helps you stay in a balanced, fighting stance and more able to deal with the threat of a violent criminal attack.

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Comments

  • texan99

    6/24/2012 11:17:06 AM

    Other tactical positions are also used in a confrontation. The weapon is held close to the body while firing. The most effective practice is to use muscle memory natural point of aim and a well balanced firearm that fits you. In a shtf situation you won't have time to aim. Adrenelin takes over. Fight or flight kicks in. Unless you have trained extensively in these tactics your survival chances are less than the bg's because he doesn't care if he kills you. Shoot first as soon as you see a weapon. Don't wait, be proactive and watch your surroundings so you don't have to shoot. If you do shoot don't stop shooting til the threat is neutralized. Be the first to call 911 so you are the victim when the cops get there. Don't give a statement til your lawyer is present. All of the advice is good on self defense but the aftermath can be worse than the shooting itself.

  • Errett L Allen

    6/22/2012 8:31:12 PM

    What would you advise for a cripple who cannot move quickly, and is encumbered with a cane?

  • jon himalaya

    6/18/2012 4:35:19 PM

    No different from a martial art perspective. One has to move off the line of attack.Do not make yourself a target. Moving diagonally,circular, never backwards drawing the attack to you. When dealing with several, your movement are " small " try to place attackers between yourself and other's around you . Our bodies moves faster then our minds, that is the true movement.

  • Carlos E. Pacheco

    6/16/2012 1:09:30 AM

    Thank you, your advice has great points, I at it to my training.

  • Hugh Wilson

    6/15/2012 5:56:05 PM

    When I lived in the country I used to practice this, very effective. I now live in the burbs and practice with a empty gun because I know I can hit what I aim at, I just need to practice moving while shooting. I was a rifle range / pistol range instrucmtor for the Marine Corps. I shoot once a month at my daughters boy friends house just to keep my skills Sharp.

  • Les Hodges

    6/15/2012 4:54:56 PM

    The best and safest training tool I have found for tactical shooting is the system available [(]not selling anything, folks[)] from Lazerlyte. The system provides you with a lazer cartridge, and is you would like, a sensor that shows you the impact of rounds. Very effective, and you can practice just about anywhere, at any time, safely.

  • Frontpost

    6/15/2012 3:54:41 PM

    This along with awkward shooting positions are to of the most important things to train. Behind trigger mechanics, grip and sight picture. I love to use my SIRT training pistol from Next Level Training. With its self diagnostic high volume training, I can get allot done from my own living room. I am kind of bias though. www.nextleveltraining.com

  • KR

    6/13/2012 3:15:23 PM

    The best way to learn about movement, as it relates to gunfighting, is not with live ammo, but with an Airsoft gun, proper safety gear, some props (walls, barricades, barrels) and a training partner. With those tools you can learn a lot about what gets you shot the least.

  • Melvin Haber

    6/13/2012 1:12:35 AM

    One Sunday morning (7AM)in downtown Chicago I went out for the paper. I was walking on the sidewalk when an approaching man opened his jacket and put his index finger in the "watch" pocket of his vest and far as I could tell, going for a knife . I immediately turned left and walked into traffic and across the street. I continued down the street. He crossed the street and began following me. I turned right and walked into traffic again and stopped in the middle of the street on the double yellow line with cars driving on either side of me. I stopped and faced him. He saw that he was going to have to take me on in the middle of the street with traffic on both sides of us. He turned around and walked away. I reported the incident and the police new who I was talking about...

  • JR Morrissette

    6/12/2012 9:32:20 PM

    Re Mr. Smith & no place to practice. Plastic reusable "bullets" propelled by a primer. And a basement. 2nd: Aim, move, check sight alignment on your target. Move again, recheck your aim picture. No firing. No noise to worry the neighbors. All you need is an 8 1/2 x 11 page and some elbow room. Use for a target the court Order directing you pay alimony. Most of us have one of those.

  • Mike Smith

    6/10/2012 10:57:04 PM

    Short of trespassing, I don't have a place to practice like this with live ammo. All the ranges in my area require you to shoot prone and slow fire. It must be nice to have access to property where you could practice tactical shooting.

  • Fred

    6/7/2012 1:56:03 PM

    I hate to admit it, but many of us could afford to shed a few pounds and do more to take care of ourselves so that when we have to move we can do it more quickly and without getting injured.