Post by chipster on Dec 1, 2008 11:58:46 GMT 8
Airsoft Defensive and Tactical Training
By S. Chip Bridgmon ©
Are you looking for a way to safely introduce defensive and tactical shooting skills that is safe, quiet, inexpensive, and most importantly, legal?
Yes you guessed it, the answer is AIRSOFT. To the average person the thought of handling a real gun is too intimidating, and the simple fact that airsoft is NOT a real gun is enough to entice some people to give it a try. One of the advantages of the airsoft weapon is that it closely resembles the real thing, from the way it feels, looks, and loads; even the blow back feature gives the combatant the feel of the real thing without all the inherent dangers. The great thing about airsoft is you can practice almost any where, in the house, in the yard, on a range you can set up a makeshift shooting range in no time with just some normal household items. Practice good gun safety with your airsoft weapon, however with the .2g plastic BBs even and occasional misfire and you’re almost assured noting will be too badly damaged, not the case with real guns, where accidental misfires can cause several bodily harm not to mention very illegal.
I have been using airsoft and practice weapons in my martial arts trainings since the early 90’s it is my belief that today’s modern weapons should be as much apart of your training as the tai chi sword, broad sword, bo or sai was to the classical martial arts of yesteryear. Today the current buzz words are “Reality Based” and “Mixed Martial Arts” in my opinion most so called reality based martial arts have very little reality to them its seems to be an excuse people use to beat the hell out of each other with padded weapons and call themselves martial artists. These so called reality based martial arts are no doubt popular, mostly with people that have A LOT of pent up aggression and want to live in a fantasy world of their own version of fight club.
From my experience when it comes to learning to defend yourself quickly, in months as apposed to years mixed martial arts is the most dynamic and well rounded way to go. If you combine mixed martial arts training with today’s modern weapons in my opinion that is the evolution of martial arts and the best way to progress and learn to properly defend yourself. I am not saying that mixed martial arts is my favorite martial art, with five advanced blacks belts and 35 plus years of experience in martial arts you can imagine I have more than a few favorites based on the task at hand. Its kinda like having a tool box full of martial art tools, for health and vitality I favor Tai Chi, Pa Qua, Chi Gung and Aikido, for rapid and highly effective self defense techniques I favor Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Samba, and Mixed Martial Arts, for style, control and grace I favor Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Hap Ki Do, Hwa Rang Do, for hard style and traditional martial arts I favor Japanese styles, Shoto Khan, Isshinryu, and for all out completely destroy your opponent and keep with traditional martial arts I prefer hands down Hwa Rang Do and Wing Chun.
Training with modern weapons might seem to be outside the normal aspects of martial art training, I believe a particular style cannot truly be modern without incorporating these into your training. So then it stands to reason that we need a way to practice with modern weapons legally and safely while at the same time developing skills needed for CQC (Close Quarters Combat) skills like drawing, engaging, shooting, and disarming, while at the same time demonstrating in a dynamic way the importance of muzzle control.
You see it all the time, the hero is confronted by a gun wielding thug, the hero grabs the gun, twists and turns and in the mêlée the gun goes off, and the hero wrestles the gun away and he is the victor. The question arises, where is the bullet that fired in the mêlée? In a court of law that is an important question, because if it hit an innocent bystander the courts will want to assess blame, and if you are trained and your assailant is not, it is then your responsibility to make sure, within reason that weapon does not harm an innocent bystander. With airsoft you can effectively train for this contingency, because when your assailant fires that bb will hit a target intended or not. (Side note: in my CQC trainings I use low velocity and “springer” type airsoft weapons to minimize impact. No one wants to be hit at close range by a BB traveling better than 300fps)
This is not a new idea in the way of training, back when I was 11 years old after I received my first black belt I had my very first modern weapons training techniques, although the hand gun was made of wood and fired a thick pain inflicting rubber band, it was a big deal to me at the time. Today, professionals from bodyguards and personal protection specialist to law enforcement and SPECWAR units use a mix of martial arts and modern weapons in their trainings as well. You can pick up a copy of the SEAL H2H Video or DVD and learn how those former SEALs utilize Aiki Jutsu in their trainings. (Gabriel Suarez, a respected tactical shooting instructor who has authored several tactical shooting books believes Airsoft weapons are an invaluable tool in learning close range work. "There must be some consequences for not doing the technique right" according to Suarez, who frequently uses airsoft as trainers for his pistol disarming course.)
People tell me all time about how they think airsoft is not the same as real steal for training, and they are right to a point, a very small point, but on the other hand airsoft is much better than training with wood cut-outs.
When using airsoft you can practice defensive shooting tactics in your own home, using cardboard boxes and targets set up in various tactical locations in your home. Place your airsoft weapon in a safe place, a gun safe or in closet the trigger lock engaged, start the clock, jump out of bed, go to the place where your airsoft weapon is, unlock it, and engage the various targets throughout your home and practice over and over to get your best time. You cannot run through your home shooting targets with a real firearm; however should the need arise you will be better prepared for the event if you have practiced this with an airsoft gun than you would be if you never practiced it at all, with or without an airsoft gun.
Your only limitation to your training is your imagination. To mix things up a bit, get some friends together and have some fun, practice at each others homes, since airsoft is safe you can practice without causing damage and you will be familiar with different layouts. Have one person go through the house shooting targets with another as time keeper and observer. You can practice cover and shoot, back and shoot, roll, lay down, falling, running, even hanging upside down from the attic. I once had a buddy of mine climb from the third floor using an emergency escape ladder to the second floor, shoot through an open window, crawl in through the window and continue clearing his house from there. If you can think it you can begin training and practicing for it.
A great way to set up targets for your home is to get some cardboard boxes, at least 24” tall, and then draw, or paint, or print out a target on paper and tape it to the front of the box. For best results and maximize the longevity of your boxes I suggest you cut a rectangle whole in the front of the box, a whole that can be covered by your paper target so the BB can easily pass through without shredding your box. Then inside the box get some old rags or old sheets and cut into one inch wide strips then hang from top to about ½ inch from the bottom inside the boxes, for best results have four to five rows. These strips hang loosely from the top on the inside of the box and aid in catching the BB preventing it from exiting the back of the box, and will allow the BB to fall to the bottom of the box. At one corner of the bottom of the box cut a small hole that will allow the BBs to roll out when the box is tipped. Next, using a small piece of cloth as a plug for the hole and you are done. This way it is easy to reuse your BBs if you like, and the BBs are easy to retrieve from the box, and your box will remain in good condition for month instead of an hour or so.
For the target itself you might be able to order some online, or go to your local shooting range and purchase some, however I have found the best way to get some exciting action targets is to photograph a few of your friends is various postures, with hostage, without, with knife, with gun, with long gun, again your imagination is your only limitation. Then go to your local print shop and print them out on the appropriate sized paper and you have some non copyrighted free to use action packed targets.
The Four Basic Elements:
The Weaver Stance
Flash Sight Picture
Surprise Break
Draw and Engage
A List of Basic Drills:
Draw, Load Magazine, Chamber (for hand gun), and Shoot
Shoot, Change Magazines, Chamber, and Shoot
Draw, Turn 180 and shoot
Repeat With Multiple Targets
Mozambique Drill: (Jeff Cooper) This drill consists of shooting two rounds to the center of the torso, followed by a pause and assessment of the situation and then a more carefully aimed shot to the head.
El Presidente Drill: (Jeff Cooper) On the signal to start, the shooter turns and shoots each target twice, before reloading and shooting each target twice again.
Dozier Drill: (Jeff Copper) On the signal, the shooter must draw his pistol and engage the five targets representing the five terrorists, before the participant representing the terrorist retrieves his pistol and readies it for use.
Shoot Box Targets
Hanging Targets
Popper Targets of Varied Sizes
Color Coded Targets: Shoot the color target your training partner calls out
as quickly as possible.
Shoot Armed Targets Avoiding Unarmed Targets
Mobility Drills:
Fall Forward and Shoot
Fall Backward and Shoot
Roll and Shoot
Kneel and Shoot
Stand Up and Shoot
Lean to Side and Shoot
Lay on Back and Shoot
Lay on Side and Shoot
Methods must be time-tested, reality based and combat ready. Perform these drills with strong hand and then weak hand, become proficient with both hands. Practice reflexive shooting drills with both your primary and secondary weapons.
These drills described are for the single shooter. I strongly suggest you practice your tactical drills with your team mates. At Black Briar Tactical Shooting Club we will train single man, two man and three man teams consistently, our competitions will also include these categories as well as the 6 and 7 man teams. The core of our tactics and training revolves around teamwork, there isn’t a lone wolf in real life that makes it out of a gun fight against 10 bad guys alive and unscathed, it’s a fantasy, and the sooner the shooter learns that lesson the better.
S. Chip Bridgmon is the author of the hugely popular FM ZK Zombie Killer E-Book and his newest E-Book, (AT3) Airsoft Tactical Team Training E-Book, SPECOPS Airsoft Tactical Team Training Taking Your MILSIM to the Next Level, and founder of the newest airsoft e-magazine AT3 International. Chip conducts tactical airsoft trainings for competitive teams, and corporate events at Black Briar Tactical Training Club in Pampanga. www.specopst3.proboards89.com
© Copyright 2008 S. Chip Bridgmon All rights reserved. You may reprint and post this article in its entirety including the copyright and the author’s information.
By S. Chip Bridgmon ©
Are you looking for a way to safely introduce defensive and tactical shooting skills that is safe, quiet, inexpensive, and most importantly, legal?
Yes you guessed it, the answer is AIRSOFT. To the average person the thought of handling a real gun is too intimidating, and the simple fact that airsoft is NOT a real gun is enough to entice some people to give it a try. One of the advantages of the airsoft weapon is that it closely resembles the real thing, from the way it feels, looks, and loads; even the blow back feature gives the combatant the feel of the real thing without all the inherent dangers. The great thing about airsoft is you can practice almost any where, in the house, in the yard, on a range you can set up a makeshift shooting range in no time with just some normal household items. Practice good gun safety with your airsoft weapon, however with the .2g plastic BBs even and occasional misfire and you’re almost assured noting will be too badly damaged, not the case with real guns, where accidental misfires can cause several bodily harm not to mention very illegal.
I have been using airsoft and practice weapons in my martial arts trainings since the early 90’s it is my belief that today’s modern weapons should be as much apart of your training as the tai chi sword, broad sword, bo or sai was to the classical martial arts of yesteryear. Today the current buzz words are “Reality Based” and “Mixed Martial Arts” in my opinion most so called reality based martial arts have very little reality to them its seems to be an excuse people use to beat the hell out of each other with padded weapons and call themselves martial artists. These so called reality based martial arts are no doubt popular, mostly with people that have A LOT of pent up aggression and want to live in a fantasy world of their own version of fight club.
From my experience when it comes to learning to defend yourself quickly, in months as apposed to years mixed martial arts is the most dynamic and well rounded way to go. If you combine mixed martial arts training with today’s modern weapons in my opinion that is the evolution of martial arts and the best way to progress and learn to properly defend yourself. I am not saying that mixed martial arts is my favorite martial art, with five advanced blacks belts and 35 plus years of experience in martial arts you can imagine I have more than a few favorites based on the task at hand. Its kinda like having a tool box full of martial art tools, for health and vitality I favor Tai Chi, Pa Qua, Chi Gung and Aikido, for rapid and highly effective self defense techniques I favor Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Samba, and Mixed Martial Arts, for style, control and grace I favor Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Hap Ki Do, Hwa Rang Do, for hard style and traditional martial arts I favor Japanese styles, Shoto Khan, Isshinryu, and for all out completely destroy your opponent and keep with traditional martial arts I prefer hands down Hwa Rang Do and Wing Chun.
Training with modern weapons might seem to be outside the normal aspects of martial art training, I believe a particular style cannot truly be modern without incorporating these into your training. So then it stands to reason that we need a way to practice with modern weapons legally and safely while at the same time developing skills needed for CQC (Close Quarters Combat) skills like drawing, engaging, shooting, and disarming, while at the same time demonstrating in a dynamic way the importance of muzzle control.
You see it all the time, the hero is confronted by a gun wielding thug, the hero grabs the gun, twists and turns and in the mêlée the gun goes off, and the hero wrestles the gun away and he is the victor. The question arises, where is the bullet that fired in the mêlée? In a court of law that is an important question, because if it hit an innocent bystander the courts will want to assess blame, and if you are trained and your assailant is not, it is then your responsibility to make sure, within reason that weapon does not harm an innocent bystander. With airsoft you can effectively train for this contingency, because when your assailant fires that bb will hit a target intended or not. (Side note: in my CQC trainings I use low velocity and “springer” type airsoft weapons to minimize impact. No one wants to be hit at close range by a BB traveling better than 300fps)
This is not a new idea in the way of training, back when I was 11 years old after I received my first black belt I had my very first modern weapons training techniques, although the hand gun was made of wood and fired a thick pain inflicting rubber band, it was a big deal to me at the time. Today, professionals from bodyguards and personal protection specialist to law enforcement and SPECWAR units use a mix of martial arts and modern weapons in their trainings as well. You can pick up a copy of the SEAL H2H Video or DVD and learn how those former SEALs utilize Aiki Jutsu in their trainings. (Gabriel Suarez, a respected tactical shooting instructor who has authored several tactical shooting books believes Airsoft weapons are an invaluable tool in learning close range work. "There must be some consequences for not doing the technique right" according to Suarez, who frequently uses airsoft as trainers for his pistol disarming course.)
People tell me all time about how they think airsoft is not the same as real steal for training, and they are right to a point, a very small point, but on the other hand airsoft is much better than training with wood cut-outs.
When using airsoft you can practice defensive shooting tactics in your own home, using cardboard boxes and targets set up in various tactical locations in your home. Place your airsoft weapon in a safe place, a gun safe or in closet the trigger lock engaged, start the clock, jump out of bed, go to the place where your airsoft weapon is, unlock it, and engage the various targets throughout your home and practice over and over to get your best time. You cannot run through your home shooting targets with a real firearm; however should the need arise you will be better prepared for the event if you have practiced this with an airsoft gun than you would be if you never practiced it at all, with or without an airsoft gun.
Your only limitation to your training is your imagination. To mix things up a bit, get some friends together and have some fun, practice at each others homes, since airsoft is safe you can practice without causing damage and you will be familiar with different layouts. Have one person go through the house shooting targets with another as time keeper and observer. You can practice cover and shoot, back and shoot, roll, lay down, falling, running, even hanging upside down from the attic. I once had a buddy of mine climb from the third floor using an emergency escape ladder to the second floor, shoot through an open window, crawl in through the window and continue clearing his house from there. If you can think it you can begin training and practicing for it.
A great way to set up targets for your home is to get some cardboard boxes, at least 24” tall, and then draw, or paint, or print out a target on paper and tape it to the front of the box. For best results and maximize the longevity of your boxes I suggest you cut a rectangle whole in the front of the box, a whole that can be covered by your paper target so the BB can easily pass through without shredding your box. Then inside the box get some old rags or old sheets and cut into one inch wide strips then hang from top to about ½ inch from the bottom inside the boxes, for best results have four to five rows. These strips hang loosely from the top on the inside of the box and aid in catching the BB preventing it from exiting the back of the box, and will allow the BB to fall to the bottom of the box. At one corner of the bottom of the box cut a small hole that will allow the BBs to roll out when the box is tipped. Next, using a small piece of cloth as a plug for the hole and you are done. This way it is easy to reuse your BBs if you like, and the BBs are easy to retrieve from the box, and your box will remain in good condition for month instead of an hour or so.
For the target itself you might be able to order some online, or go to your local shooting range and purchase some, however I have found the best way to get some exciting action targets is to photograph a few of your friends is various postures, with hostage, without, with knife, with gun, with long gun, again your imagination is your only limitation. Then go to your local print shop and print them out on the appropriate sized paper and you have some non copyrighted free to use action packed targets.
The Four Basic Elements:
The Weaver Stance
Flash Sight Picture
Surprise Break
Draw and Engage
A List of Basic Drills:
Draw, Load Magazine, Chamber (for hand gun), and Shoot
Shoot, Change Magazines, Chamber, and Shoot
Draw, Turn 180 and shoot
Repeat With Multiple Targets
Mozambique Drill: (Jeff Cooper) This drill consists of shooting two rounds to the center of the torso, followed by a pause and assessment of the situation and then a more carefully aimed shot to the head.
El Presidente Drill: (Jeff Cooper) On the signal to start, the shooter turns and shoots each target twice, before reloading and shooting each target twice again.
Dozier Drill: (Jeff Copper) On the signal, the shooter must draw his pistol and engage the five targets representing the five terrorists, before the participant representing the terrorist retrieves his pistol and readies it for use.
Shoot Box Targets
Hanging Targets
Popper Targets of Varied Sizes
Color Coded Targets: Shoot the color target your training partner calls out
as quickly as possible.
Shoot Armed Targets Avoiding Unarmed Targets
Mobility Drills:
Fall Forward and Shoot
Fall Backward and Shoot
Roll and Shoot
Kneel and Shoot
Stand Up and Shoot
Lean to Side and Shoot
Lay on Back and Shoot
Lay on Side and Shoot
Methods must be time-tested, reality based and combat ready. Perform these drills with strong hand and then weak hand, become proficient with both hands. Practice reflexive shooting drills with both your primary and secondary weapons.
These drills described are for the single shooter. I strongly suggest you practice your tactical drills with your team mates. At Black Briar Tactical Shooting Club we will train single man, two man and three man teams consistently, our competitions will also include these categories as well as the 6 and 7 man teams. The core of our tactics and training revolves around teamwork, there isn’t a lone wolf in real life that makes it out of a gun fight against 10 bad guys alive and unscathed, it’s a fantasy, and the sooner the shooter learns that lesson the better.
S. Chip Bridgmon is the author of the hugely popular FM ZK Zombie Killer E-Book and his newest E-Book, (AT3) Airsoft Tactical Team Training E-Book, SPECOPS Airsoft Tactical Team Training Taking Your MILSIM to the Next Level, and founder of the newest airsoft e-magazine AT3 International. Chip conducts tactical airsoft trainings for competitive teams, and corporate events at Black Briar Tactical Training Club in Pampanga. www.specopst3.proboards89.com
© Copyright 2008 S. Chip Bridgmon All rights reserved. You may reprint and post this article in its entirety including the copyright and the author’s information.
