It is often debated among shooters which shooting stance is best. Here at C.A.T.S. we teach the modified Weaver stance, it’s true that other stances, such as the Isosceles, have their benefits.
The one reason for perfecting your shooting skills around a particular stance is that through repetition, the benefits of the stance makes shooting that much better.
when you are learning the basics and still developing your skills, it’s nice to do it the easiest way. Right or wrong you will develop muscle memory according to your training. Better to build your skills on good solid techniques and tactics early in the game.
In the real world of defensive combat gun fighting, you may not always have the luxury of shooting from your favorite stance.
In an urban gunfight, to stop a potentially lethal assault, you must rely upon a number of skills besides being able to deliver half dollar size groups on an ipsit target.
Survival means being able to use cover, concealment, and tactics that allow you to overcome the threat, or to evade, escape or de-escalate the violence.
Most deadly confrontations begin at a less than lethal level of force, perhaps some shoving or pushing coupled with verbal attacks, Many fights simply get started because somebody threw a punch and the other guy raised the stakes by pulling a knife, a club or a makeshift weapon.
Today, Americans are facing new and ever changing lethal threats, as the dark world of terrorism is proliferating and taking aim at western citizens.
Whatever the situation may be, you are now certain that you are in jeopardy and decide you must use lethal force to protect your life.
You may already be injured, you may have been knocked down, you may not have two hands available, and you may have caught the peripheral blast of a suicide bomber and still are under attack by his suicidal bent companions. Trouble generally travels in two or more. In such a situation, you can forget about choosing an Isosceles or Weaver stance.
Practicing basic marksmanship is not enough to guarantee your survival. You have got to be able to fire your weapon accurately from any position.
It’s not where you place your feet that count; it’s where you place your shots. You could be attacked while sitting in your car. You may have to fire your weapon through the passenger side door while you are bailing out the driver’s door.
Single-handed or isometric shooting from a horizontal position is not part of the typical training given to either law enforcement or most security personnel.
Shooting from the ground
In a violent struggle with an assailant, you may be thrown to the ground. If this happens you may have to draw and fire your weapon while on the ground.
Here are a few ways we teach you to shoot accurately while on the ground.
- Lying flat on your back with your legs stretched out, keep your feet spread apart and toward the target or threat area. From this position you can shoot both one and two handed, including your weak hand.
- Sitting up, feet are still spread apart. Again, fire accelerated pairs, one and two handed, including the weak hand.
- If you’re right handed shooter, tucking knees into the chest (fetal position). Fire one handed. You may even fire using a two handed grip. This technique also works well in a none fetal position with stretched down legs.
- Shooting from your left side, right side and flat back in varying positions are just a few techniques that will give you the skills you will need in a unsuspecting hostile situation. Reduction in visible body mass always helps your concealment factor when cover is not available.
We practice firing while moving, right, left hand transition techniques.
Another shooting position we teach is firing your gun while seated at a table. You must become familiar with accessing your weapon and being able to clear both leather as well as the table.
Advanced firearms training is available to the student that has completed levels I, II, and shotgun, The certificate of completion issued to the student upon successfully satisfying all requirements from level II is not required to qualify for the A.F.T. training.