Ground Combatives 2

In the last issue of PMCI Andy took a look at the standard Prone position that is commonly taught in most tactical firearms schools, military and law enforcement programs. Although the prone position is a valid part of all tactical situational training, there may come a time that you find yourself on the deck and on your back!

If you do find yourself on your back, training in the standard prone position will be of little, if no help at all. You may not have the time or even the ability to orientate yourself into the prone position if you have been knocked down or even injured. So what’s the solution? Train to fight whilst on your back.

This is by no means a new method of training. Fighting whilst on your back is known as the Supine position. It’s taught in many establishments around the world but mainly only as an advance method of training. One of the main reasons to find oneself flat on your back is in the event of being knocked down. This could be that you have been struck by incoming rounds, stumbled or fallen, maybe even beaten to the ground by your adversaries. In any event finding yourself in the Supine position is no bad thing. Not if you have trained for it that is…

Like all shooting positions, we need to think safety. Not just for our own survival but for the safety of others around us. In almost all other shooting positions the safest direction for your muzzle is either directly at the intended target or directly at “Mother Earth”. Whilst in the standard prone position you can safely point the muzzle at the ground, however in the Supine position your important body parts tend to get in the way. So where is the safest direction when in the Supine position? Well in all honesty either your holster or pointing at the ground directly by your side. There is no safe position when in the Supine position. We can use safety positions such as position SUL whilst standing or kneeling, but being on your back makes this impossible. The safest answer is to rest the gun by your side or adopt an upright seated position and have the muzzle of your weapon point at the ground out past and between the legs. Caution must be maintained here as it is all too easy to sweep the legs and groin area. Not a good thing to do.