OSD Defensive Tactics Initiatives Group

Decelerating Quickly and Safely

Approximate Read time: 5 minutes
This is a live document - it will be updated as we assemble more information.

It's not hard to think of a situation in life and in an active engagement when you'll need to stop on a dime. On the other hand, is deceleration important enough to train? And if so, how should training adapt to maximize our likelihood of success? After reviewing the information below, you'll find that training for deceleration is quite important though not for the reasons I had anticipated, and I think some simple training modifications/additions can go a long way to help.

This document is structured in this order:


To help wrap our heads around the challenge, the following two scenarios cover the two "urgencies" in stopping:

Scenarios

Anticipated Stop: From a full run, stopping at a corner as cover before proceeding to clear the angles.

Emergency Stop: From a full run, rounding a corner, glancing up to see a firearm drawn and soon to be pointing at you.

Disclaimer: Even though we're investigating what the best tactical approach is in a very specific scenario, we should do our best to avoid this particular scenario because (1) it doesn't seem to have a high-probability solution for success, so (2) you'll likely get shot. If one of these solutions does have a significantly higher probability than the others, I'll opt for that (if I am ever caught in the appropriate situation).


And in both of these scenarios, various ground conditions add complication when stopping from a run.

Complications

Considering gravel, sand, grass, ice, etc., in the Anticipated Stop scenario it is wise to slow down before stopping at the corner. Conversely, in the Emergency Stop scenario an unexpected slip and fall is highly likely. Similarly uneven ground that is unexpected would likely cause you to fall during an Emergency Stop.

Existing Techniques

The three techniques I've seen for stopping quickly are: (A) a "hard stop" similar to a parkour precision jump or an athlete's "cut", (B) quick "stutter steps" with feet hip-width apart, and (C) quick "stutter steps" with feet widening to around shoulder-width apart (a position to shoot from).

And the physics of the matter suggest:

  1. Decelerating quickly is performed in as few steps as possible and therefor may cause injury if skeletal structure is used. For those familiar with a "front hard fall-break", the concept is similar.

  2. Decelerating safely, on the other hand, takes more steps and more time. Also, the feet remain hip-width unless there is better footing to be found nearby.

So there is a balance that leans toward more steps for prolonged training, and "hard stops" when absolutely necessary.

So if it is absolutely necessary (Emergency Stop scenario), and the ground conditions are unexpected, that's a recipe for slipping.

Is it better to (A) slip, fall, and shoot from the ground, (B) slow down just enough to shoot while decelerating, (C) slow down just enough to "glide walk" for the first shot, (D) drop to the ground intentionally, or (E) something else?

And on the prevention-side of the question:

How do we train for such a scenario without injuring ourselves in the process?

It seems the answer is more measured and reasonable than I had expected:

Training athleticism - dynamic strength, quickness, balance, awareness, etc. - will help training longevity and prep the body for the hard-impact situations.

I can't help but notice that the sort of training that is done to prevent ACL tears looks excellent for this purpose.

Training Resources

These resources deal specifically with programs design, tested, and shown to help with ACL tear prevention and rehab. I think these would work very well as a foundation, though I am not a doctor.

Question

So, is it better to (A) slip, fall, and shoot from the ground, (B) slow down just enough to shoot while decelerating, (C) slow down just enough to "glide walk" for the first shot, (D) drop to the ground intentionally, or (E) something else?

Also, what training resources do you recommend?

Post your answers to the comments below.

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