Objective: To develop the skills necessary to prevail in a close quarters reduced light confrontation
Distance: Arm’s length
Target: Practice Dummy (dry fire), Cardboard humanoid (live fire)
Phase One: DRY PRACTICE- The student will take a position directly in front of the dummy. An inert training gun will be held close to the body in a retention position. The support hand holds a flashlight in a neck/jaw index. On command strike with light, protect the head with the support side elbow forward (hand touching the back of the neck) and simulate firing a multiple shot burst with muzzle angled slightly down. Disengage after firing and SCAN. Initial practice is slow by the numbers than work up to game speed.
Phase Two: LIVE FIRE- As above, but with a loaded handgun and a cardboard target. Strike, cover and shoot a 2-4 round burst. Disengage after firing and SCAN. At no time should the muzzle of the gun cover any of your body parts! Repeat as necessary.
Options: If live fire isn’t possible, consider Airsoft or Simunition CQT rounds.
Mike Boyle is a retired law enforcement officer and has been active in use of force instruction for over 40 years. He has been a police academy assistant director, instructor, Rangemaster and is the author of 2 books, 3 training videos and hundreds of magazine articles on firearms, training and tactics. Mike served 21 years on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. Mr. Boyle can provide instruction on various firearms disciplines including handgun, shotgun and low light threat management. He can be reached at mboyle308@gmail.com.
