Problems in technique and tempo


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By Brian C. Hartman


Principle 1

One of the greatest benefits of teaching tactics is, how many students from varied backgrounds we come in contact with. Like all of us, students bring to class, a willingness to learn, and a host of both good and bad habits.

A problem I often observe is a lack of situational discretion as it applies to tempo. Another is an operational misunderstanding of the occupation of space versus the clearing of space.

While clearing a structure or space, a shooter will encounter walls, doors, steps and all the other defining attributes of a building. Obviously negotiating these will necessitate the use of movement. By proxy, this means that as our shooter ‘moves’, their body will physically occupy “new / conquered” space, while surrendering “old / relinquished” territory. Meanwhile as the shooters eyes and muzzle pass through areas, they are indeed “searching” for the common indicators of human presence: form, shape, shift, noise, weapons, light, flash, color/contrast, etc. And it is here where the problems begin...

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