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Monthly Lecture:  04-2004

                                                                                                         

 

READY TECHNIQUES

By:  Skip Gochenour

 

Ready techniques are designed to provide a system of graduated response to interpretations of apparent aggression and hostile intent.  Each of the techniques is designed to modify the behavior of the aggressor and lower his communicated level of threat.

 

While the techniques do form a graduated system, it is not necessary to transition through each technique.  Circumstances may dictate that various technique system components be set aside in favor of others more suitable to the existing conditions.

 

Ready techniques are designed to allow the Practitioner to gather additional information about the evolving incident from which he can interpret the behavior of the aggressor and assess the escalating or de-escalating level of threat.  As the information is gathered by the Practitioner, he can use it to confirm of refute his interpretations of the aggressor’s intent.  The information gathered can be cataloged and the interpretations maintained for the required post incident analysis by authorities.

There are (6) components to the Ready System.

 

 

 

 

 

1)    Carry Ready

a)     Transporting a weapon about on your person is a ready technique. 

b)     The methods of carry are various and dependant on the circumstances in which the weapon is carried and the physical make-up of the Practitioner who carries it.

c)     Unless otherwise mentioned, this discussion will assume the weapons system is a handgun, carried concealed, strong side carry at the belt level.

d)     A weapon that is carried in a fashion that is apparent, would serve as a level of communication, warning aggressors to adjust their conduct accordingly.  An aggressor who persists in his hostility and particularly those that increase their level of aggression in the presence of a weapon provide insight into their level of intended hostility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)    Approach Ready

a)     Approach Ready is used when you are approached by a party or parties exhibiting behavior that raises your concerns about their intent sufficiently that you are compelled to define boundaries.

b)     Purpose

i)        To communicate on a verbal, physical presence and psychological level that the approach by specific parties is unwelcome.

ii)      To communicate they are to desist in their approach.

iii)     To communicate that a continued approach will be interpreted as an aggressive act.

iv)    To convey that such an interpretation will be reflected in your response which will show an increased level of concern.

v)     This interactive interpretation, stimulus/ response system will allow the Practitioner to evaluate the level of threat as it appreciates and/or depreciates.

vi)    To allow the Practitioner to determine the need to transition to another level of readiness.

c)     Process

Adopt a bladed stance to the aggressor.

i)        Advance the off-side leg so that the plane of the shoulders is at about a 45 degree angle to the aggressor.

ii)      Bring the off-side hand to shoulder level, palm out.

iii)     Conceal the actions of the strong side hand as you prepare to, or actually acquire a firing grip on the weapon.

iv)    Verbally challenge the aggressor in a fashion that:

(1)  Asserts composed, controlled presence.

(2)  Defines a physical limit on further actions of those making the approach.

(3)  Requires a verbal explanation for the purpose of the approach.

(a)  Verbal response forces an acknowledgement that the approaching aggressor knows you attention is directed at him.

(b)  Communication is vital to the interpretation process. 

(4)  Sets a time limit on the response, but limits permission to move further.

(a)  Movement of the aggressor must be limited so that intent is not mis-interpreted.

(b)  Movement must be limited so the aggressor can not use that permission to move as a response delay mechanism engendered in the Practitioner to gain an advantage for the aggressor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)    Contact Ready

a)     Contact ready is used when the level of threat exhibited by a particular individual is immediate and apparently as well as reasonably conveys intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to the practitioner or someone for whom the practitioner is morally and/or legally responsible.

b)     The threat level must be so reasonably apparent and immediate that the Practitioner believes that open and obvious deployment of a weapon is required to modify the behavior of the aggressor and reduce the level of threat.

c)     Contact ready is used when the source of an immediate threat is searched for under conditions that require the use of auxiliary light systems that are employed with the beam of light traveling parallel to the muzzle of the weapon.

d)     Collapsed contact ready can be used as a transition to 360 ready following employment of contact ready or engage ready.

e)     Purpose

i)        To effectively communicate to the aggressor that his actions and conduct have been interpreted as displaying an immediate threat of violence which could cause death or serious bodily injury to the Practitioner or someone for whom he is morally and/or legally responsible.

ii)      To permit the aggressor an opportunity to modify his behavior in a fashion that will reduce the apparent threat level.

iii)     To permit the Practitioner to observe the Gunsite 4 Rules while compressing the time required to effectively respond should the aggressor transition from an immediate threat to an immanent threat of death or serious bodily injury.

iv)    To allow the Practitioner additional time and expanded view opportunity to gather information on the behavior of the aggressor that will aid in interpreting the intent of the aggressor to increase or decrease the level of threat.

v)     If operating with an auxiliary light system, to allow the practitioner to identify others in the environment and assess their behavior without violating the Gunsite 4 Rules.

f)       Process

i)        Using the circumstances dictated index position; the Practitioner lowers the weapon so that the lowest possible reach of the aggressor and his immediate surroundings can be seen.

ii)      The muzzle of the weapon is pointed to the side and just off the body of the aggressor.

iii)     Should the aggressor modify his behavior and/or his location so as to clearly reduce the level of below immediate, recover to the appropriate state of readiness.

(1)  360 Ready

(2)  Carry Ready

iv)    Should the aggressor increase the level of threat to immanent,

(1)  Step to the 45 degree.

(2)  Bring the weapon to engage ready.

(3)  Step the shot on the aggressor.

(4)  Repeat 1) and 3) and repeat until the threat behavior is modified to an acceptable level.

 

 

 

1)    Engage Ready

a)     Used when the aggressor is engaged in conduct that communicates an immanent threat to cause death or serious bodily injury.

b)     Engage ready is appropriate when the necessary response to the present behavior involves recoil management.

c)     Purpose

i)        to immediately modify the behavior of the aggressor who is then engaged in behavior that presents an immanent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the practitioner and/or those for whom he is morally and legally responsible.

d)     Process

i)        Bring the muzzle of the weapon to bear on the aggressor. 

ii)      Acquire the level of sight employment required to accomplish the shot required.

iii)     Manage the trigger in a fashion needed to accomplish the shot required.

iv)    Repeat b. and c. until the aggressor modifies his behavior to the point that his conduct is no longer an immanent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the Practitioner or those for whom he is morally or legally responsible.

v)     The Practitioner should, if practicable, change his location,

(1)  To decrease the likelihood the aggressor can effectively execute his actions designed to cause death or serious bodily injury.

(2)  To force the aggressor to further communicate his intentions to cause death or serious bodily injury by re-orienting to the Practitioner in an effort to continue his aggressive acts.

(3)  To consume the time required for the Practitioner’s projectiles to effectively modify the behavior of the aggressor in a downward departure to a level acceptable under the existing circumstances.

vi)    When the immanent threat is reduced,

(1)  Acquire, as appropriate to the then existing circumstance

(a)  Contact Ready

a.      Collapsed Contact Ready

(b)  360 Ready

 

 

 

 

 

1)    360 Ready

a)     360 Ready is employed when the total environment must be explored for additional threats.

b)     Purpose

i)        To allow the Practitioner to explore his total environment when there exists circumstances that leads to a reasonable and credible belief that aggressors of a nature that could present a threat to life or serious bodily injury likely exist in that environment.

ii)      360 Ready allows the Practitioner to operate with a deployed weapon in an environment that is littered with innocents or others whose intent has yet to be determined, but could reasonably be expected to include an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to the Practitioner or those for whom he is legally or morally responsible.

iii)     To permit the Practitioner to move about with a deployed weapon, while maintaining a two handed firing grip and observing the Gunsite 4 Rules.

iv)    To allow immediate transition to

(1)  Contact Ready

(2)  Engage Ready

(3)  Immediate Distance Ready

(4)  Carry Ready

c)     Process

i)        Collapse the arms, bringing the elbows to the sides of the body.

ii)      Depress the muzzle

(1)  To a 45 degree angle to the deck.

(2)  To a 10 degree angle to the deck, causing the muzzle to be pointed to the outside of the off-side leg.  The butt of the pistol rests against the abdominal wall of the off-side of the Practitioner’s body.

(3)  If a long gun is employed, the weapon crosses the body of the Practitioner with the butt at the strong side shoulder and the barrel across the outside of the off-side leg.

iii)     Rotate the head to its full extension over the off-side shoulder, noting any persons or items that require further inquiry to insure safety.

iv)    Step forward and to the side at about a 45 degree angle from your original position with the off-side leg. 

v)     Bring the strong side leg to a traditional position of balance.

vi)    Rotate the head to its full extension over the strong side shoulder, noting any persons or items that require further inquiry to insure safety.

vii)  This series of actions permits

(1)  360 degree view of the environment then occupied by the Practitioner.

(2)  The weapon remains oriented towards the last verified threat source.

(3)  The Practitioner is moved off the line of force.

viii) Should a threat be encountered as the technique is accomplished, the weapon can be brought to the appropriate ready position.

(1)  Contact Ready

(2)  Engage Ready

(3)  Immediate Distance Ready

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)    Immediate Distance Ready

a)     For use when contact with the aggressor occurs or can occur at distances within approximately 6 feet.

b)     IDR can be used as a form of Engage Ready.

c)     Purpose

i)        To allow the Practitioner to operate with a deployed weapon during time of immediate danger when the aggressor is or could suddenly appear with in approximately 6 feet.

ii)      To allow the Practitioner the use of his off-side hand for tasks associated with circumstances when the aggressor is or could appear within approximately 6 feet.

iii)     Is an alternate form of engage ready when a hostile within approximately 6 feet displays behavior that threatens to cause death or serious bodily injury to the Practitioner or those for whom he is morally or legally responsible.

d)     Process

i)        From Carry Ready,

(1)  The weapon is drawn from Carry Ready to a point where the muzzle just clears the top of the holster.

(2)  The muzzle is rotated forward along the belt line.  The weapon is canted slightly outward away from the body.\

(3)  The muzzle is depressed so that should a shot be fired, the projectile would strike the deck about 6 feet in front of the Practitioner.

(4)  The off-side leg is advanced in a fashion that causes the body to be bladed so that the plane of the shoulder blades is pointed towards the threat.

(5)  The off-side hand and arm are maintained at shoulder level.

(6)  The body is set and prepared for impact should the aggressor have the opportunity to suddenly close the distance.

(7)  The Practitioner must be prepared to step off the line of force, should the aggressor close the distance.

ii)      From contact ready, engage ready or 360 ready.

(1)  The four fingers of the off-side hand open, keeping the thumbs in contact.

(2)  As the weapon is collapsed to the belt line, the off-side hand rotates, pivoting on the thumbs as they contact one another behind the first joint on each thumb, along the off-side of the pistol.

(3)  The off-side leg is advanced, causing the body to assume a bladed position in relation to the threat.

(4)  As the hands reach the lower chest level, the hands part.

(5)  The off-side hand and arm assume a position at shoulder level.

(6)  The weapon is placed at the belt level position, muzzle forward and depressed so that should a shot be fired, the projectile would strike the deck approximately 6 feet in front of the Practitioner.

(7)  The process is reversed when it is necessary to transition IDR to Contact Ready, Engage Ready or 360 Ready.

(8)  When a long gun is employed

(a)  The Practitioner dismounts the butt of the long gun from the strong side shoulder.

(b)  The dominate hand is in the firing position on the pistol grip of the weapon.  Finger remains off the trigger until engage ready is executed.

(c)  The top of the butt stock is parallel to the bottom of the strong side forearm.

(d)  The trigger group is just at the strong side belt level.

(e)  The off-side hand is at the end of the firearm of the weapon.

(f)    The entire long arm is retracted so as to allow the least amount of barrel to protrude beyond the Practitioners bladed body.

(g)  The muzzle is depressed so that should any shot be fired, the projectile will strike the deck about 3 feet in front of the practitioner.

(h)  Should engage ready be necessary, the muzzle is brought to bear by either lowering the strong side hand, raising the off-side hand or a combination of each simultaneously.

 

 

 

 

ATSA STUDY GROUP

 

MARCH 20, 2004

 

READY PRACTICE

 

FORCE ON FORCE

 

Force on Force by:  Hersh Gooden

 

 

Pit:  Indoor Range

 

Purpose:  To allow the practitioner to operate in a dynamic environment which will call on him to make real time decisions in the need to deploy weapons, transition, according to circumstance presented, from one form of “ready” position to another.

 

Process:  The Practitioner and someone for whom he is morally and legally responsible are walking a corridor.  Several rowdies approach them.  As the incident unfolds, the Practitioner must try to extricate himself from the situation.  He must use interpretive interaction to determine the nature and level of the various threats presented.  He must navigate the series of presented problems.

 

The Judge will keep notes on the debrief, including explanations for the actions taken by the Practitoner.

 

 

 

 

 

ATSA STUDY GROUP

 

MARCH 20, 2004

 

READY POSITION PRACTICE

 

DYNAMIC LIVE FIRE

 

 

Pit:  360 Range

 

Purpose:  To allow the Practitioner to practice in a dynamic live fire environment, transition through the various components of the “ready position.

 

Props:  (5) targets, each coded for immediate individual identification.

 

Process:  Practitioner and Judge enter the 360 range.  The Practitioner is placed 3 feet from one of the targets.  The Practitioners weapon is at “carry ready”.  On the signal, from the Judge, “GUN”, the Practitioner will come to “immediate distance ready”, while stepping to the 45* of the target and engage the target.  He will step to the 45* again and confront other targets.  The Judge will call out the identifier of the next target to be assessed and call out “THREAT”.  The Practitioner will come to “contact ready” and challenge the identified target.  On the signal “GUN”, the Practitioner will transition to “engage ready” while stepping off the line of force.  The Practitioner will execute “360 ready”.  The Judge will identify another target and call out “THREAT”.