Personal Defense Tip: If You Aren’t Behind Cover, Your Feet Should Be Moving

 

If playing gun games is your bag, go for it. Have a great time. Just don’t lie to yourself that you are engaging in some type of tactical or martial training activity. Be honest and admit that games are not reality.

As I have been training humans for over thirty years now, I can tell you that when the harsh reality of a lethal force encounter hits you in the face someday, you will default to whatever you have mastered. If you have mastered leaning over the top of your cover and exposing yourself to stabilize your gun, that is what you will do during the adrenaline fueled encounter.

Another tactical absolute that I was taught decades ago was this, if the fight begins and you are not behind cover your feet should be moving. Standing still, without cover, is a great way to get shot in a gunfight. Remember, you LOSE all ties.

Have you seen people playing “practical” or “tactical” games where they are restricted to standing inside of a “box”? The timer goes off and they stand flatfooted, no cover, engaging multiple human-sized silhouette targets. “So what?” you say. “Who cares, they are playing a game.” Yes, indeed it is a game. there is nothing tactical or practical about it. Don’t lie to yourself and say that there is.

— Paul Markel in Competition Kills: Are We Fooling Ourselves with Tactical Games?