Step Left / Right before shot?

[Stealth]

It may just be selective memory, but in watching Best Defense, it appears that Rob steps to the right most often before engaging a right-handed assailant. I recall reading some years ago that the muscles of the anterior shoulder and the chest are more capable of quick and fine motor response than those of the posterior shoulder and back. Hence, all things being equal, you should step toward the back of the shooter's hand, i.e., step left for a right-handed assailant.

I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of the moderator and others.

Stealth

[ryanmac45]

I have always practiced a side step while drawing, but I can draw and shoot much faster when I go to my right, (right handed).   I think any movement in an altercation is to the defenders advantage.  Makes the bad guy re-asses, buys you a half second.  I am sure there is a reason to go left or right based on the attackers direction, but my instinct to go right would probably take over.  I think your recall about the muscles in the chest and shoulder are accurate.  Moving to the attackers strong side,  might make his control of a firearm more difficult, and tracking your movement a bit slower, as he would have to move his arm in a weaker direction, but so would you.  But I don't think I can process info that fast if I am drawing a gun, I can barely process it now!

[alfsauve]

If I were to purposely make a step (assuming there's no cover involved) as i drew against an assailant, I'd step the MY left.  Reason is that most people pull their shots to THEIR left.  So by moving to my left (the assailant's right) it might help insure the bad guy misses me with his shot.

(Or do I have that backwards?)

[Michael Janich]

If cover was to my left, I'd go that way. If cover was to my right, that would be my choice. If there was a wall to my right that restricted my movement, I'd go left.

Although the analysis of which way people dump their shots when they miss is interesting, if those minute details govern your actions rather than real awareness of your surroundings, your priorities may be out of line. Such an approach also reinforces the "gun-fu" focus of standing tall and slinging lead--a habit we often get into on square ranges with no barricades or contrived scenarios.

In my opinion, the only exception to this rule is when facing an attacker armed with a contact-distance weapon. Moving away from the weapon arm (i.e. to your right if he's right handed) is a good idea so he has to hit around the corner. The great thing about that tactic is that it's instinctive--we learned it playing tag when we were kids.

Having the ability to move in either direction and, as Rob always says, MOVING WITH PURPOSE is really what you want.

Stay safe,

Mike

[ericire12]

If you are going to take the time to think about if the gunman is right or left handed and which way you should move accordingly, then you are already dead.

[Sponsor]

[2HOW]

Good advice, get off the line "fast" fast as you can, never go back always side ways or forward on an angle to engage. Practice point shooting it will save your life in a dynamic situation, when all you can catch is a flash site picture you need to have point shooting skills.

[fightingquaker13]

Good advice, get off the line "fast" fast as you can, never go back always side ways or forward on an angle to engage. Practice point shooting it will save your life in a dynamic situation, when all you can catch is a flash site picture you need to have point shooting skills.

+10!
I really think (speaking totally out of my hat) that this point shooting is key. My grandad was a pretty fanatical wingshooter and raised me with his disease As I type I have drool from from an elhew pointer ruining my key board. One of the thngs he had me do was look at an upper corner of the wall. Then, without looking, snap the shotgun up.Holding it in place, I'd then "sight" along the barrel to see whether it was right. It worked well. I do the same with my Glock. Like wise, shooting skeet with your eyes down and in a relaxed posture helps with this (although not your score). I've never been in the stress of a gunfight obviously, but it worked on my first deer. I was sitting by a tank and a spike walked up along a game trail. At about 40 yds, we saw each other. I was excited and nervous. He saw me we both froze, and he ran, exactly the way he came. I followed and tracked with the scope, when I came through to what should have been the sweet spot, he ran behind a prckly pear, totally obscuring him. I fired and followed through. He never came out the other side. It was just instinct, no thought, no sight picture at the moment of firing; just point, click and follow through. I practice the same way with my pistol. Eyes closed when I run the target out. Gun down, eyes open and fire. It seems to work. Sights? what are those?   
fightingquaker13
offering what may or may not be worth .02

[Rob10ring]

A LE officer once told me that most shooters shoot high and right, so in a doorway, he would go low/right, which would be the shooter's left.

Some friends and I practiced hitting lateral moving targets with Airsoft guns. On the timer buzzer, we'd have to draw and hit a zig-zag left to right opponent, before they hit us. The side-moving target almost always won. Even against the LE officer. This was even more dramatic when the moving opponent would watch for the shooter to look like he was about to fire, then change direction quickly.

[Rob Pincus]

Yeah, what Janich said....


On the range, we go both ways. We always say that in the "real world" the environment ditacts direction of lateral movement... google "Pincus lateral movement" and there should be an article or two... also, the Shooting in Motion drill podcast discusses LM pretty thoroughly.

-RJP

[Frisco]

I can tell you from personal experience....you often wind up shooting at the gun in your opponent's hand.  Hence, that is why there are SO many arm wounds in police shootings.  I can't quote the study from memory, but it bears out that in a high percentage of shootings, the arm that holds the weapon is often where the first rounds will end up.  If you use "assailant" targets in practice where there is a photo of a weapon, you will find a lot of rounds going into that area, since you are shooting at what you brain tells you is THE threat.  Hence the reason why I avoid that type of target, and use IDPA targets, and concentrate on center mass.

Like Rob and Mike J have said...moving with a purpose.  I am old and still paranoid enough to always scan my surroundings and make mental notes of cover, concealment, and most importantly...avenues of escape.  Speaking for myself...if I know there is going to be a gun fight...I don't show up.