Article By: Leo H.
Get off the “X!” How many times have you heard that phrase yelled on the range? Where did it come from? Why should it be important? How do you prepare yourself to prevail if you find a giant “X” painted beneath your feet or recognize that you ARE the “X?”
At one point in time, standing on the “X” was a good thing. With the invention of motion pictures in 1891, it was found camera angles and lighting had great impact on the end result when creating a motion picture. Rigger’s tape was used to center the focus of the shot on the star of the film. It was important to remain in position throughout the filming sequence as motion picture production was very costly.
However, being the focus point, when attacked, was found to be a poor strategy all the way back to the time the first stick or rock was used as a weapon against an unprepared victim. Military strategy began to include counter-ambush tactics as armies found ambush to be a useful force multiplier. The “run-away” response plugged into our genetic code from the earliest of times proved to be ineffective in a combat setting as the assailant would either shoot you in the back or regroup and conduct another ambush at some point in the future. While my research (not extensive) found no actual use of the phrase “get off the x,” military counter-ambush strategies seemed to exemplify the fact that remaining stationary within the target zone was not a sound tactic.
In the 50’s, an Air Force Colonel (John Boyd) assigned to the Fighters Weapons School developed a form of aerial combat that proved to be superior to what had been previously taught. His concept became known as the OODA Loop and is widely taught by both military and law enforcement trainers to this day. Strangely, in the 80’s, the United State Marine Corps became the branch of the service whose fighting philosophy was most greatly influenced by the OODA concept. Getting “Off the X” became the in-thing for reaction-based conflicts.
While I could find no specific direct reference to the influx of the phrase into law enforcement training, I believe it worked its way into our training jargon as former members of the military moved from military service into the law enforcement community. An extremely high percentage of firearms trainers have previous military experience, and it would only be logical for them to have moved into that role at the various departments where they eventually were employed. And too, the Secret Service and other executive protection professionals have long recognized the importance and need of moving their protectee away from a vulnerable position (the X) into a physical position of greater safety with the lowest possible percentage of injury possible.
I guess you could recognize any assault as an ambush unless physical aggression is a mutually and previously agreed upon component of the confrontation. However, for the purpose of this article, let us define the “X” as our location at the beginning of an encounter and the most logical or predictable point of aim if that encounter includes gunplay. Therefore, movement away from the “X” will thereby make you a more difficult target, possibly disrupt your attacker’s aim, and hopefully buy additional time to allow you to assess the threat, possibly find cover, and react to the threat in a prevailing fashion. While standing still is an option, it also makes you an easier target to hit which should not be your desired outcome. If there is no option beyond holding your ground, begin shooting as soon as possible. It is also important for you to recognize the fact that YOU are the “X” in many instances… moving a single step in any direction will probably not resolve the issue.
Most ranges will not allow you to move-and-shoot nor shoot-then-move, generally for reasons of liability and safety. Since folks tend to play however they practice, statistics indicate most shots are exchanged from a stationary position unless in a drive-by shooting or other group related incident. In those cases, luck becomes your survival tactic if you do not begin moving as quickly as possible… especially if you left your gun at home. You must think outside the box.
If live-fire is impossible, dryfire, video-based scenarios, force-on-force, and imagery training are key to building your survival skills. There is a myriad of opportunities to build your skill set available if you look hard enough.
Dryfire can be accomplished at home once you have developed a safe training atmosphere and alerted anyone who might inadvertently wander into your training session. You can always make to train at the house… even if it is only for a few minutes. Having a well-rehearsed defensive plan for possible violent encounters while at home can save valuable seconds which could be the difference between surviving… or not.
Video-based training simulators can be found at many ranges. The Ace Virtual Training Simulator, PlayStation, Wii, Xbox, and other electronic devices provide an opportunity to “move” in the comfort of your living room. Remember, “neurons that fire together… wire together.” Your brain does not know the difference between real and imagined training. Even playing a “game” can prove beneficial when faced with a sudden confrontation which you have experienced previously in a video environment. Just sitting in your favorite recliner and imagining how you would respond to specific circumstances if assaulted in or around your home can build a subconscious plan reminding you to move off the “X.”
Most law enforcement agencies nowadays provide some degree of force-on-force training. Scenario based training is an excellent neurologically based training model. It most closely replicates the environment officers will be functioning within and, with properly monitored roleplaying, provides opportunity to measure decision making skills along with the pertinent physical skills associated with use of force encounters. If this type of training is not available as an ongoing program, local paintball and airsoft communities can provide a feasible alternative.
No matter what other training you may have experienced, the only way you can build the actual physical capabilities you will need to dominate any physical altercation is time spent with competent instructors who teach a structured program of relevant empty-hand, edged weapon (if you are so inclined), and firearms-based skills. To that end, you will have to locate a training facility which will allow you to shoot with speed while practicing shooting while moving and angled shots. Your training regime should include shooting drills that require decision making and which incorporate shooting which stresses “Getting off the X.” Spend time shooting:
Stationary (sometimes there is no time to move – be fast/accurate); moving rearward (not the best direction – but, if you do not fall and trip on your butt, it can buy you time or move you toward a cover point you previously passed); diagonally (forward and rearward – there are reasons for each); laterally and vertically (forward); and drills which encourage varying shooting positions and use of cover.
Two of my favorite “Get off the Box” drills are “Put’s Post” and the “Box Drill.”
Designed by my good friend Bill Putnam; a retired police Captain, long time firearms instructor, prior SWAT Team Leader, and accomplished marksman (Governor’s Twenty Competitor).
The drill utilizes a picture target which depicts your adversary of choice. The target is folded so it creates a 3-D adversary when glued onto a six-foot 4×4 (which is positioned so it is perpendicular to the ground). The image is molded onto the 4×4 to present four-inch areas reflecting critical anatomical considerations. On command, the shooter moves from side to side, in a 180-degree arc, until they have expended all allotted rounds. The shooter is encouraged to move and shoot as quickly as they can make hits. The above link will take you to Bill’s Facebook page where the drill is shown.
There are basically three predominate thoughts when it comes to shooting and moving… they are shoot then move… shoot while moving… and move then shoot. Sometimes an exercise should be considered just a drill when it is used as a teaching moment rather than a tactical option (I generally tell my students – this is not a tactic)… drills teach you to control the firearm from the waist up while moving your feet in whichever direction you intend to practice (most times you are moving much slower than you would need to be if you were in the midst of a gunfight on the street). Other times, you are learning a tactic which can be taken from the range onto the street (speed appropriate with usage of a cover point). I have seen the Box Drill run both ways. If you choose to click the link above, you will be taken to a YouTube video where Dave Spaulding (Handgun Combatives – Retired – kind of) will explain the differences better than I can write them. The video also explains how to set up the drill.
I guess the best tactic is any which does not make you a bullet sponge and leads to you winning the gunfight. Train hard and with purpose!
“Best defense, is no be there.” – Mr. Miyagi
Semper Optimum!
Thinking Man's Corner 
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