The "Square Stance": Why?

[cookie62]

Same stance for pistol, rifle and shotgun.

What he said, it's easier to make the transitions.

[WIshooter]

Link to Erik Lund in "Bring a rifle to a fight" video series.  He talks about stance in #1 about 45 seconds in. 
http://www.downrange.tv/videos/bring-a-rifle-to-a-fight.htm

I think I will have to watch them all now......

[Rob Pincus]

All Good Answers... but one of the biggest to me and the primary reason that we advocate it in Counter Ambush Defensive Shooting is that it is THE position that your body naturally goes to (in the absence of training to do otherwise). The human animal lowers its center of gravity and orients towards a threat naturally. If it happens naturally, we should learn to work with it as much as we possibly can... hence out emphasis on being "natural and neutral" in our stance in the CFS program.



-RJP

[rojawe]

Something to remember on some of us it doesn't make a difference if we stand either way the target is the same size.

[MikeBjerum]

Something to remember on some of us it doesn't make a difference if we stand either way the target is the same size.

As I said about a pastor one day - He's five foot six in all directions.  We need to watch him in the cemetery if the wind comes up, because he can roll away if we aren't careful 

[Sponsor]

[pioneer]

If you are squared up and offering your broad center mass as a target, you are doing it wrong.  That may work ok on a range, against paper targets or tactical jell-o, but in a gun fight, I'd prefer cover & concealment. 

[tombogan03884]

If you are squared up and offering your broad center mass as a target, you are doing it wrong.  That may work ok on a range, against paper targets or tactical jell-o, but in a gun fight, I'd prefer cover & concealment. a tank

FIFY   

[Steve in PA]

If you are squared up and offering your broad center mass as a target, you are doing it wrong.  That may work ok on a range, against paper targets or tactical jell-o, but in a gun fight, I'd prefer cover & concealment. 

And if you are caught out in the open with no cover then what? And concealment doesn't protect you, it only hides you.

As already stated, squaring up puts the biggest part of your body armor towards the threat for thoe of us that are LEO's, it is a natural reactive body position. Squaring up also gives you the greatest position to move in any direction. You don't see basketball or baseball players blading themselves. Squared up you can easily move forward, backward and side to side.

[fightingquaker13]

And if you are caught out in the open with no cover then what? And concealment doesn't protect you, it only hides you.

As already stated, squaring up puts the biggest part of your body armor towards the threat for thoe of us that are LEO's, it is a natural reactive body position. Squaring up also gives you the greatest position to move in any direction. You don't see basketball or baseball players blading themselves. Squared up you can easily move forward, backward and side to side.

First of all Steve welcome. You will doubtless find this board somewhat odd.We aren't just a Q@A kind of deal like others out there. Its more of a family type deal (think Corleones more than Brady's ), but it still works. As a LEO, your insights are appreciated. Just understand that the rules are basically a bit rough, but you are welcome as long as you understand its all in good fun and nothing personal, and we all help each other out with any sort of technical problem. Because at the end of the day, we are all gun enthusiasts who want to help each other out, whether it is for sport, SD or hunting. There is a wealth of knowledge with these folks and we hope to hear your take soon.
Welcome.
FQ13 

[tombogan03884]

"A bit rough" he says ? Think Rugby with out the ball.      But not till we get to know you, we save that for the older members we know better.

And if you are caught out in the open with no cover then what? And concealment doesn't protect you, it only hides you.

As already stated, squaring up puts the biggest part of your body armor towards the threat for thoe of us that are LEO's, it is a natural reactive body position. Squaring up also gives you the greatest position to move in any direction. You don't see basketball or baseball players blading themselves. Squared up you can easily move forward, backward and side to side.

"If you are caught out in the open with no cover then what? And concealment doesn't protect you, it only hides you."

Shooting from concealment is better than nothing.
Not to be a jerk, because I don't disagree with what you are saying, but most on here are not Cops, and do not use body armor .
While I agree with what you posted, I just wanted to point out that you have "professional" considerations, like body armor, the weight and bulk of your duty belt etc. that don't apply to the rest of us.
We just haul azz to where there is cover.