Shooting from a down position

When it comes to practicing “Man Down Drills” or “Injured Man Drills”, we need to remember that we will not always be healthy and in the best position to engage.

I recommend that you practice this with something other than your firearm to begin with, I would start off using, blue guns or perhaps air soft or air guns before attempting to draw and fire at a live range from the ground. It is best to practice shooting from this position with both your primary and secondary weapon systems (Rifle and Handgun). Just as those positions prove to be accurate after getting used to them, gun handling from a weakened position is an acquired skill. These drills need to be performed in your tactical gear and kit, there is no need to have your pack on, but have all your other gear on, remember you have to train the way you fight, because you will fight the way you train.

The next level would be to practice drawing while headed to the ground instead of after the fact. Again, be extremely mindful of muzzle direction and safety at all times.

To learn how to fall properly, I would recommend at minimum a brief enrollment in a martial arts school specializing in Judo, jujitsu, Aikido, Hwa Rang Do or some of the more traditional martial arts which teach nothing but how to roll, fall and recover from the same for the first few weeks.

Drawing from the ground, shooting from the ground and even practicing how to fall and recover can reveal shortcomings about gear and training. For example, an open bottom holster may get caked in mud or snow; this could cause a malfunction or barrel obstruction, so if you only have an open bottom holster, think about placing some duct tape over the barrel, or do not worry about it.

The most advanced stage would be moving to an advantageous position or perhaps engaging targets not just in front but to the back and sides. This would require a very specific and purpose built range to accomplish that safely, but could be replicated with air soft or pellet guns as mentioned previous for safety’s sake.

The best thing to do to gain a higher level of proficiency is to get off your butt, go to a place you can do drills like this, and actually do them. Practice going to the ground, drawing, and shooting acuratly, perform mag changes, and engage targets from different directions. I know this is hard if not impossible to do at a range, but if your range will not let you do this, find a place in the woods you can, or just practice in your backyard, or living room with an unloaded gun. Remember, even if you cannot go full bore and actually shoot, do what you can, you will still be better off than if you did nothing.

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