Skill Set: Defensive Tactics

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Skill Set: Defensive Tactics
By Tiger McKee

When it comes to preparing for a violent conflict most people only focus on one area. For example some individuals only study traditional martial arts, others train with edged weapons, and then we have the study of firearms. You'll hear each discipline declaring that their 'way' is the ultimate fighting style, which is true if you look at a specific type of application. The truth is that to be prepared to fight you need all of these skills.

From documentation we know that most violent attacks start at very close distances. This is where you need hand-to-hand fighting skills. Initially you may not have time to get to a knife or firearm, so you respond to the attacker with unarmed skills. But we don't want to be in a physical struggle any longer than necessary, so use unarmed skills to get the attacker off you, create distance, and then go to a more effective weapon as soon as possible.

Edged weapons are great for close work, they are easy to conceal, fairly easy to use, and they never run out of ammo or malfunction. The problem is that a blade is unlikely to stop the attacker immediately. Normally someone is cut several times before they even realize they are being sliced. I may have to use a knife, but again this is to buy me time to introduce a more effective weapon into the fight.

As soon as possible I deploy my firearm. The beauty of firearms is that I don't have to be close to the threat to use them, and when used properly firearms will stop an attacker more efficiently than any other weapon. Just don't expect the bad guy to quit fighting as soon as you fire off a couple of rounds. The body can take a lot of punishment, even hits that should be fatal, and keep functioning for several minutes.

To prepare for combat we must be skilled in a variety of disciplines. You don't have to master them all, but some fundamental and basic skills are necessary. You need to know what to do if someone puts you in a bearhug, headlock, or tries to tackle you. Learn how to use a knife, and the areas of the body to attack with the blade. Firearms are a little more complicated. You have to know how to operate the weapon properly, plus you need close-quarters skills, the ability to hit moving targets, techniques for firing after you've been slammed onto the pavement and a variety of other skills. And remember that sometimes the lines between disciplines will be blurred. I may start fighting with my pistol, but if it stops functioning I know how to use it as an impact weapon.

Keep in mind that your ultimate weapon is your brain, which means you should never be completely unarmed. Train and practice, but don't paint yourself into a corner. Be creative, think outside the box, and use whatever weapon it takes to win the fight.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org