Post by snakedoc on Oct 7, 2008 11:30:37 GMT 8
Disclaimer:
This guide is written for airsoft players interested in scenarios such as Hostage Rescue, Fugitive Apprehension, Barricaded Suspects etc. This is not a training manual of any Law Enforcement agency or its policies/ procedures. Though this guide uses tactics that are similar to those used by SWAT Teams and Special Tactical units, it does not qualify the reader as an expert in CQB or qualify the reader to use the information posted here in a manner where the tactics will be used in real life situations. The author of this thread is not responsible for any action that the reader may take to use these tactics other than airsoft gaming.
The concepts herein is a guideline for the purpose of invading a location such as a house or building for certain airsoft scenarios. These concepts are from a "Law Enforcement" perspective and might contradict those with a Military background. Remember, the objectives of Law Enforcement are far different from the Military. As a LEO, one must always keep in mind that the preservation of life holds the utmost regard and the use of force is limited to "stopping the immediate threat". So before you reject the procedures here, please have an open mind. You might find some of these concepts as a valuable addition to your own practices.
STANCE
One important issue in close quarters engagements is your stance. In theory, the more compact you make yourself, the smaller of a target you become. Not only must you have balance and comfort, but you must also have the flexibility to move in any direction quickly. One way of achieving this is to lower your height by slightly bending your knees. Do not bend too far to where you are squatting, you will lose alot of mobility. Keep your back as straight as possible without bending too far forward at the waist.
When using an SMG or Rifle, keep both elbows as close to your body as possible without restricting movement. There's always a natural tendency to raise the elbow on your shooting hand when shouldering your weapon. Try to avoid this, not only does this make you less compact, but this can also hinder your movement when clearing small rooms or entering through a doorway.
Example of proper Stance during engagement.
To keep yourself compact and to prevent your elbows from bumping into doorways, walls, objects in a room or even your own teammates, have them (elbows) as low as possible.
Optional Muscle Memory Exercise
A:
This is an optional exercise. With either your sidearm or SMG/Rifle, stand up straight using the Weaver Stance.
Raise your weapon to the "ready" position. Bend your knees slightly, keeping your back as straight as possible. Remember to keep both elbows as close to your body as possible (when using your SMG/Rifle). Hold this position for 2-5 minutes. Relax then repeat. Repeat this exercise on your own volition.
B:
Same as above but this time you will be moving forward or sideways instead of standing in one place. Keep your knees slightly bent and your back straight while moving. DO NOT bounce up and down while moving, keep your head at the same level at all times. Practice this moving at different speeds. Repeat this exercise on your own volition.
CQS (Close Quarters Shooting) TIPS
The previous training components dealt with shooting tactics and techniques. Here, I'll point out some tricks regarding CQS that others might not agree with, but I've found through experience in the field that these are very effective if you can bring your shooting skills to a higher level.
First of all, I'll make this statement again, a quick engagement and a fast first shot is useless if you do not hit your intended target. It is very important to hit your target at the very least, with the second shot, first shot is even better but sometimes not always possible. That is why I've stressed in the previous training components to engage each target with only two shots.
It's not always necessary to concentrate on the sights to shoot accurately and hit the target, especially at close ranges. Aim shooting is good if your goal is to get the best and tightest grouping on a target, but your goal here is to score a hit anywhere in the "kill zone". To achieve this, you must learn instinctive shooting (also called point shooting), which can be mastered through repetitive training until muscle memory reflex develops. If done enough times, muscle memory eventually takes over and automatically brings your weapon to the aiming position, even while your total focus is on the target.
INSTINCTIVE SHOOTING
For CQS ranges, stand 20-25 feet in front of a target. Use your sights and aim at center mass and take a shot. Now, focus only on the target (your sights should be blurry now) and take a shot then lower your weapon. Slowly bring it back up to the aiming position and concentrate only on the target, NOT ON YOUR SIGHTS. Take a shot again. Do this as many times as necessary, occasionally checking the target for shot placement in the "kill zone". Once you've mastered this, increase your speed accordingly. Eventually, your muscles will "remember" this action and the use of your sights will no longer be necessary at close ranges.
Use both your sidearm and SMG/Rifle for this exercise.
CQS FAST MULTIPLE TARGET ENGAGEMENT
In order to be effective with this, you first need to master the previous training exercise, Instinctive Shooting. Once you engage the first target with two shots, move to the next one without waiting to see if you scored a hit. The moment you have "eyes on" with the next target, take your two shots then move to the next one, again don't wait to see if you scored a hit. Continue this until all targets in your Area of Responsibility* have been neutralized.
TARGET IDENTIFICATION AND ENGAGEMENT
This part is target identification and engagement. Once you enter a location, you must quickly scan the immediate area for HOSTILE targets and unarmed people or hostages in your Area of Responsibility (AR).
You must then determine each individual's threat level , for example:
Threat Level 1a: Armed hostile, facing you or your team closest to you.
Threat Level 1b: Armed hostile, facing you or your team further away from you.
Threat Level 1c: Armed hostile, facing you or your team furthest away from you.
Threat Level 2: Armed hostile, facing away from you or your team .
Threat Level 3: Armed hostile, showing signs of surrendering but is still a possible threat because he's still armed.
Threat Level 4: Unarmed hostile
Threat Level 5/ Non-Threats: Hostages and bystanders (are they really hostages or innocent bystanders?)
Engage each target starting from level 1 and work your way down the list. This must be done as quickly as possible. The faster you can accomplish this, the less likely you or a team member will get killed.
Phase 1
Using several soda cans as targets, tape each one using different colored tape. Red will be the hostiles, blue could be hostages or bystanders. With the help of another person, have him/her set up the targets in different locations of a room that you will enter. Stay out of that room until your training partner says, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the RED targets (use no more than two shots per target), avoid hitting any of the blue (or whatever color you used) targets using the fire-and-movement technique. If you've done it successfully, go back to the other room, have your partner set up the targets (this time at different locations) and try it again but at a faster pace. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Phase 2
This time you'll need several people to help you. Instead of soda cans, you'll be using real people as targets. I don't have to tell you this, but make sure everyone is wearing protective gear to avoid injury due to close quarters shooting. Some people will be armed, others will not be. Like phase 1, leave the room and have everyone stand at different locations. When they're ready, they will say, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the ARMED hostiles (use no more than two shots per target), avoid shooting any unarmed people. During this phase, hostiles will not shoot back at you. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Phase 3
Things are now going to get a little more complicated. Have your training partners position themselves in the room, each being a different THREAT LEVEL (as stated above). When they're ready, they will say, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the ARMED hostiles (use no more than two shots per target), avoid shooting any unarmed people. You need to engage each threat accordingly, starting with threat level 1 and working your way down the list. During this phase, hostiles will not shoot back at you. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Phase 4
This time the hostiles WILL shoot back! Due to the fact that this is only a single man entry, we will limit the amount of people in the next room. Let's use three people, two hostiles and one hostage. Have them position themselves on one side of the room, each being a different threat level. When they're ready, they will say, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the ARMED hostiles (use no more than two shots per target), avoid shooting any unarmed people. You need to engage each threat accordingly, starting with threat level 1 and working your way down the list. Remember, hostiles WILL shoot back at you. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Complete all training phases with both your sidearm and your SMG/Rifle.
Like the Basic CQB Shooting component, time yourself (using some sort of stopwatch) during each phase of training.
Optional: Post your completion times and compare with others who have completed these phases.
ENGAGING MOVING TARGETS
Unfortunately, some targets are never stationary so you must learn to engage a moving target while standing still and during fire-and-movement. Depending on the size of the room, this could happen at any given time. The two important factors here are speed and accuracy.
Speed: Reduce exposure time to hostile fire, engage your target before he shoots at you. While moving, in addition to the previous statement, avoid enemy gunfire. If no immediate cover is available, moving away from gunfire will give you a higher chance of survival.
Accuracy: Hit your intended target with the first two shots. Don't miss.
Phase 1
Have your training partner stand appoximately 20-25 feet away from you. When you are ready, have him/her move in any direction (sideways is preferable) at a moderate pace. Engage the target. Hostile will not shoot back during this phase. You'll notice that aiming directly at him/her will cause you to miss. You must adjust to where he/she will run into, not away from your shots (I can't seem to think of any other way to explain this ). Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots. Continue to next phase.
Phase 2
Similar to phase 1, but this time both of you will be moving sideways at a moderate pace. Hostile will not shoot back during this phase. Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots. Continue to next phase.
Phase 3
Similar to phase 1, but this time you will start by entering the room. Once you enter, your training partner will start moving and begin shooting at you. Engage the target while stationary. Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots (and of course not get hit by your target). Continue to next phase.
Phase 4
Similar to phase 2, but this time you will start by entering the room. Once you enter, your training partner will start moving and begin shooting at you. Engage the target while performing fire-and-movement. Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots (and of course not get hit by your target).
Complete these phases with both your sidearm and SMG/Rifle.
This guide is written for airsoft players interested in scenarios such as Hostage Rescue, Fugitive Apprehension, Barricaded Suspects etc. This is not a training manual of any Law Enforcement agency or its policies/ procedures. Though this guide uses tactics that are similar to those used by SWAT Teams and Special Tactical units, it does not qualify the reader as an expert in CQB or qualify the reader to use the information posted here in a manner where the tactics will be used in real life situations. The author of this thread is not responsible for any action that the reader may take to use these tactics other than airsoft gaming.
The concepts herein is a guideline for the purpose of invading a location such as a house or building for certain airsoft scenarios. These concepts are from a "Law Enforcement" perspective and might contradict those with a Military background. Remember, the objectives of Law Enforcement are far different from the Military. As a LEO, one must always keep in mind that the preservation of life holds the utmost regard and the use of force is limited to "stopping the immediate threat". So before you reject the procedures here, please have an open mind. You might find some of these concepts as a valuable addition to your own practices.
STANCE
One important issue in close quarters engagements is your stance. In theory, the more compact you make yourself, the smaller of a target you become. Not only must you have balance and comfort, but you must also have the flexibility to move in any direction quickly. One way of achieving this is to lower your height by slightly bending your knees. Do not bend too far to where you are squatting, you will lose alot of mobility. Keep your back as straight as possible without bending too far forward at the waist.
When using an SMG or Rifle, keep both elbows as close to your body as possible without restricting movement. There's always a natural tendency to raise the elbow on your shooting hand when shouldering your weapon. Try to avoid this, not only does this make you less compact, but this can also hinder your movement when clearing small rooms or entering through a doorway.
Example of proper Stance during engagement.
To keep yourself compact and to prevent your elbows from bumping into doorways, walls, objects in a room or even your own teammates, have them (elbows) as low as possible.
Optional Muscle Memory Exercise
A:
This is an optional exercise. With either your sidearm or SMG/Rifle, stand up straight using the Weaver Stance.
Raise your weapon to the "ready" position. Bend your knees slightly, keeping your back as straight as possible. Remember to keep both elbows as close to your body as possible (when using your SMG/Rifle). Hold this position for 2-5 minutes. Relax then repeat. Repeat this exercise on your own volition.
B:
Same as above but this time you will be moving forward or sideways instead of standing in one place. Keep your knees slightly bent and your back straight while moving. DO NOT bounce up and down while moving, keep your head at the same level at all times. Practice this moving at different speeds. Repeat this exercise on your own volition.
CQS (Close Quarters Shooting) TIPS
The previous training components dealt with shooting tactics and techniques. Here, I'll point out some tricks regarding CQS that others might not agree with, but I've found through experience in the field that these are very effective if you can bring your shooting skills to a higher level.
First of all, I'll make this statement again, a quick engagement and a fast first shot is useless if you do not hit your intended target. It is very important to hit your target at the very least, with the second shot, first shot is even better but sometimes not always possible. That is why I've stressed in the previous training components to engage each target with only two shots.
It's not always necessary to concentrate on the sights to shoot accurately and hit the target, especially at close ranges. Aim shooting is good if your goal is to get the best and tightest grouping on a target, but your goal here is to score a hit anywhere in the "kill zone". To achieve this, you must learn instinctive shooting (also called point shooting), which can be mastered through repetitive training until muscle memory reflex develops. If done enough times, muscle memory eventually takes over and automatically brings your weapon to the aiming position, even while your total focus is on the target.
INSTINCTIVE SHOOTING
For CQS ranges, stand 20-25 feet in front of a target. Use your sights and aim at center mass and take a shot. Now, focus only on the target (your sights should be blurry now) and take a shot then lower your weapon. Slowly bring it back up to the aiming position and concentrate only on the target, NOT ON YOUR SIGHTS. Take a shot again. Do this as many times as necessary, occasionally checking the target for shot placement in the "kill zone". Once you've mastered this, increase your speed accordingly. Eventually, your muscles will "remember" this action and the use of your sights will no longer be necessary at close ranges.
Use both your sidearm and SMG/Rifle for this exercise.
CQS FAST MULTIPLE TARGET ENGAGEMENT
In order to be effective with this, you first need to master the previous training exercise, Instinctive Shooting. Once you engage the first target with two shots, move to the next one without waiting to see if you scored a hit. The moment you have "eyes on" with the next target, take your two shots then move to the next one, again don't wait to see if you scored a hit. Continue this until all targets in your Area of Responsibility* have been neutralized.
TARGET IDENTIFICATION AND ENGAGEMENT
This part is target identification and engagement. Once you enter a location, you must quickly scan the immediate area for HOSTILE targets and unarmed people or hostages in your Area of Responsibility (AR).
You must then determine each individual's threat level , for example:
Threat Level 1a: Armed hostile, facing you or your team closest to you.
Threat Level 1b: Armed hostile, facing you or your team further away from you.
Threat Level 1c: Armed hostile, facing you or your team furthest away from you.
Threat Level 2: Armed hostile, facing away from you or your team .
Threat Level 3: Armed hostile, showing signs of surrendering but is still a possible threat because he's still armed.
Threat Level 4: Unarmed hostile
Threat Level 5/ Non-Threats: Hostages and bystanders (are they really hostages or innocent bystanders?)
Engage each target starting from level 1 and work your way down the list. This must be done as quickly as possible. The faster you can accomplish this, the less likely you or a team member will get killed.
Phase 1
Using several soda cans as targets, tape each one using different colored tape. Red will be the hostiles, blue could be hostages or bystanders. With the help of another person, have him/her set up the targets in different locations of a room that you will enter. Stay out of that room until your training partner says, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the RED targets (use no more than two shots per target), avoid hitting any of the blue (or whatever color you used) targets using the fire-and-movement technique. If you've done it successfully, go back to the other room, have your partner set up the targets (this time at different locations) and try it again but at a faster pace. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Phase 2
This time you'll need several people to help you. Instead of soda cans, you'll be using real people as targets. I don't have to tell you this, but make sure everyone is wearing protective gear to avoid injury due to close quarters shooting. Some people will be armed, others will not be. Like phase 1, leave the room and have everyone stand at different locations. When they're ready, they will say, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the ARMED hostiles (use no more than two shots per target), avoid shooting any unarmed people. During this phase, hostiles will not shoot back at you. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Phase 3
Things are now going to get a little more complicated. Have your training partners position themselves in the room, each being a different THREAT LEVEL (as stated above). When they're ready, they will say, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the ARMED hostiles (use no more than two shots per target), avoid shooting any unarmed people. You need to engage each threat accordingly, starting with threat level 1 and working your way down the list. During this phase, hostiles will not shoot back at you. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Phase 4
This time the hostiles WILL shoot back! Due to the fact that this is only a single man entry, we will limit the amount of people in the next room. Let's use three people, two hostiles and one hostage. Have them position themselves on one side of the room, each being a different threat level. When they're ready, they will say, "Ready, GO!"
Enter the room and engage all the ARMED hostiles (use no more than two shots per target), avoid shooting any unarmed people. You need to engage each threat accordingly, starting with threat level 1 and working your way down the list. Remember, hostiles WILL shoot back at you. Each time you successfully complete it, do it again but increase your pace.
Complete all training phases with both your sidearm and your SMG/Rifle.
Like the Basic CQB Shooting component, time yourself (using some sort of stopwatch) during each phase of training.
Optional: Post your completion times and compare with others who have completed these phases.
ENGAGING MOVING TARGETS
Unfortunately, some targets are never stationary so you must learn to engage a moving target while standing still and during fire-and-movement. Depending on the size of the room, this could happen at any given time. The two important factors here are speed and accuracy.
Speed: Reduce exposure time to hostile fire, engage your target before he shoots at you. While moving, in addition to the previous statement, avoid enemy gunfire. If no immediate cover is available, moving away from gunfire will give you a higher chance of survival.
Accuracy: Hit your intended target with the first two shots. Don't miss.
Phase 1
Have your training partner stand appoximately 20-25 feet away from you. When you are ready, have him/her move in any direction (sideways is preferable) at a moderate pace. Engage the target. Hostile will not shoot back during this phase. You'll notice that aiming directly at him/her will cause you to miss. You must adjust to where he/she will run into, not away from your shots (I can't seem to think of any other way to explain this ). Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots. Continue to next phase.
Phase 2
Similar to phase 1, but this time both of you will be moving sideways at a moderate pace. Hostile will not shoot back during this phase. Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots. Continue to next phase.
Phase 3
Similar to phase 1, but this time you will start by entering the room. Once you enter, your training partner will start moving and begin shooting at you. Engage the target while stationary. Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots (and of course not get hit by your target). Continue to next phase.
Phase 4
Similar to phase 2, but this time you will start by entering the room. Once you enter, your training partner will start moving and begin shooting at you. Engage the target while performing fire-and-movement. Practice this until you're able to hit him/her with the first two shots (and of course not get hit by your target).
Complete these phases with both your sidearm and SMG/Rifle.
