Close Quarter Battle (CQB) is a term mostly used in the tactical world. But it should pertain to everyone who carries a firearm for self-defense. The term means nothing more than a fight that takes place within close proximity to your opponent. Statistics show us that most self-defense shootings not only occur quickly, but they also occur at a close distance from the threat.
With this said, your self-defense training should consist of learning and frequently practicing CQB techniques. The most familiar method of CQB training is known as “room clearing”. This consists of techniques and practices which allow you to clear inside structures safely and effectively. Can you picture yourself ever needing this type of skill?
The truth is, we responsible gun owners who carry to protect ourselves and our loved ones really need CQB training. If you could ever find yourself checking your home at night because you heard an unfamiliar sound, or if you could picture yourself having to draw your firearm while seated in your vehicle, maybe even using your firearm in a crowded place like a bus or train. These are just a few scenarios where CQB training would definitely increase your chances of survival.
What makes CQB training so valuable? Most gun owners don’t practice enough on the range let alone practice what will actually help them in a self-defense gun fight. If a criminal pulled a knife on me and he was positioned approximately 20 yards from me, and another did the same in a separate incident, but this subject was positioned 5 yards from me, which scenario would most likely be a self-defense shooting scenario. Distance is my advantage in any self-defense scenario. It allows me to take other actions rather than going right for my gun.
The second scenario with the subject is standing 5 yards from me takes a quick decisive response in order for me to survive the attack. What if these scenarios occurred in a house, bus, train, subway or even inside of any structure? Most likely because of the layout of the structure, you will be close to your attacker.
CQB training teaches you how to move with a firearm, handgun, or rifle, that will allow you to get the shot before your attacker injures or kills you. There are many things done differently during close quarter battles that you do not learn on a static range with no barriers, angles, or close distance encounters.
I conduct the majority of my training with self-defense in mind. What can I do to better prepare myself for that self-defense gun fight? Train for a close quarter fight.
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If I conduct myself in public with a situational awareness mentality, then I should be able to observe the formation of a bad scenario before I get to a point where I have to react in self-defense. Remember, being aware is my first line of defense.
The techniques used in CQB are more difficult if you are conducting these drills with a long gun, or rifle. The weapon is larger and longer and easier for bad guy to deflect your aim or prevent the use of the firearm all together. While all of this is considered during CQB training, the other thing that should be implemented into these drills is creating space.
If the close quarter or distance to my bad guy is creating more of a threat, if possible, I need to create more space between us. This might mean taking one step away from my target or several depending on the location where the incident occurs. There are many aspects to CQB training and if you carry a weapon for self defense you should be implementing them all.
CQB training is an important part of self-defense training. If you are not making this a major part of your training regiment, then you are setting yourself up for failure during a self-defense incident.
As Official Partners with Unites States Concealed Carry Assoc., please contact us for a FREE Guide from USCCA “5 Most Effective Self-Defense Moves”.
Please email me at
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JohnsonGroupTAC.com
Oz Johnson/Lead Instructor, NRA Certified
Karin Johnson/Operations Manager
JohnsonGroupTAC.com
602-410-7355
