USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • DAILY GUNS & AMMO DEALS – CLICK HERE!
Home Articles Training

Realistic Shooting Positions Based on Reality

Salvatore by Salvatore
February 9, 2022
in Articles, Concealed Carry, Training
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Realistic Shooting Positions Based on Reality
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Many, if not most, multi-day shooting classes will broach the subject of shooting from different “non-standard” positions. Like much else, I believe this has simply become a sort of dogma that is well ingrained in firearms training. Some of this may be useful, much is simply range theatrics.

When we reference non-standard shooting positions we refer to, essentially, any body position other than a traditional standing position. Such non-standard positions that are taught will be sitting, kneeling, supine, prone, urban prone, and other variations. The thought is that one may find themselves in a variety of positions other than a standard standing position when in a fight. This is, obviously, true, but when comparing the positions many people end up in during real violence, the standard range theatrics of multiple shooting positions does not line up well with this reality.

Positions Actually Used on the Street

To state the obvious, it is possible to find oneself in any position imaginable, and the point of this article is not to suggest that practicing non-standard positions is not warranted, but a survey of real-world violence suggests that there are certain positions that are used over and over during real conflict, and others that are all but absent, even though they are often taught in shooting classes. Here are positions that I have seen many times on video footage of real shootouts, most of which involve citizen self-defense in businesses, parking lots, or other public locations.

Most Defensive Shooting Takes Place While Standing

The majority of defensive gun uses that I have watched over many years involve the self-defender shooting while in a standing position, and often while moving. As a general observation, I would suggest that defensive shooting classes should spend more time teaching realistic shooting-on-the-move techniques and less doing non-standard positional shooting. This won’t happen because teaching useful movement techniques requires doing so one student at a time. While a simple side-step and shoot technique has a place in the real world, and this technique can be taught in a class setting, other relevant movement techniques, such as the ever-effective lateral movement while shooting, can’t be done as a full-class range drill, thus it is often ignored. A survey of video footage of violent encounters and defensive shooting clearly shows that self-defenders are most often standing, and very often moving, when shooting. I would suggest a heavier focus on this skill than on non-standard positions.

Lateral Movement: The Most Useful Tactic

Shooting While Seated

A lot of defensive shootings transpire while the self-defender is in the seated position. In fact, I propose that the most commonly used “non-standard” shooting position in the real world is the seated position, yet it is not taught in most classes. Teaching shooting from seated can be hazardous and has to be closely supervised as those unfamiliar with the technique often flag their own lower extremities when drawing or re-holstering. Also, chairs are needed on the range to do this training. Therefore, it is typically ignored. The single most likely non-standard shooting position to be employed in self-defense is not convenient to teach, so most instructors don’t. I would suggest that, second to shooting on the move, shooting from the seated position should take the next priority for non-standard shooting in training classes.

The fact that self-defense shootings occurs often when the self-defender is seated should come as no surprise. How often are people in seated positions? Often. When places of business are robbed the employees present are often seated behind desks. The self-defender is often seated in the vehicle during carjackings or road rage incidents. This might be the single most likely non-standard position to be used in the real world and I encourage the reader to practice drawing and shooting from seated, which can be done safely in dry practice.

Shooting from Supine

The supine position is actually utilized rather commonly in real-world violence. Supine refers to the individual being flat on their back and shooting from that position. This is not difficult to understand as people often fall during violent encounters. A human tends to back-pedal away from a threat and this unnatural movement often results in the individual ending up falling onto their back. Many self-defense shootings take place from this position, or from a seated position as the defender sits up from the ground, but does not have time to get back on their feet before shooting. Therefore, shooting from the supine position is a skill worth teaching, but must be done so cautiously, as it is possible for people to lose awareness and endanger their legs or feet in the process.

Shooting from the Ground: An Overlooked Skill

Positions Seldom Used

What are the positions that we are not seeing in real violence? Again, there are no rules and nothing is universal, but a survey of violent confrontations suggests the following:

Shooting Handgun Kneeling PositionBased on the observation of many shootouts captured on surveillance cameras, shooting from kneeling is relatively uncommon. I have seen it, so I don’t suggest never practicing it, but it happens very infrequently. It is rare to see someone take a kneeling position. It makes sense in theory that one might kneel to maximize cover, but people tend to be reluctant to give up mobility in a fight. Crouching below a low piece of cover seems more common, and perhaps that would be a more productive technique to train than kneeling.

Similarly, shooting from prone, which involves laying on one’s stomach to get low to the ground, or shooting from urban prone, which involves laying on one’s side, are both less commonly used in civilian self-defense. Again, it can happen, and practicing it just for familiarization makes sense, but spending much time on these techniques is not warranted for the concealed carrier.

I speculate that the emphasis on kneeling, prone, and urban prone positions may come from the military. It is obvious how these positions play a larger role among soldiers in the field who take up many positions around points of cover, but in the world of civilian self-defense, we simply do not see these positions used often.

Final Thoughts

Based on the re-occurring themes actually seen in civilian defensive shooting, I encourage concealed carriers to work on shooting on the move, shooting from seated, and shooting from a grounded supine position. Prioritize these over the positions that are simply not used often in real violence on the street.

Salvatore

Salvatore

Salvatore is a firearms instructor, competitive shooter, and life-long practitioner of the concealed carry lifestyle. He strives to serve as a conduit of reliable information for the ever-growing community of armed citizens and concealed carriers. You can contact him at his website Reflex Handgun.

Next Post
Concealed Carrier Shoots Neighbor's Knife-Wielding Son Who Was Having a "Mental Episode"

Concealed Carrier Shoots Neighbor's Knife-Wielding Son Who Was Having a "Mental Episode"

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Previous Post

New Video Emerges From 2018 Nashville Waffle House Mass Shooting, Shows Bystander Tackle Gunman And Stop Attack

Next Post

Concealed Carrier Shoots Neighbor’s Knife-Wielding Son Who Was Having a “Mental Episode”

Related Posts

Louisiana Man Shoots Co-Worker in Self-Defense After Co-Worker Repeatedly Strikes Him in the Head
Defensive Gun Uses

Louisiana Man Shoots Co-Worker in Self-Defense After Co-Worker Repeatedly Strikes Him in the Head

July 2, 2025
Homeowner Shoots Armed Intruder After Suspect's Gun Misfires During Alleged Attack
Defensive Gun Uses

Homeowner Shoots Armed Intruder After Suspect’s Gun Misfires During Alleged Attack

July 2, 2025
NFA Tax Removed but Fight Continues as ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Heads Back to House
Firearm Laws & Litigation

NFA Tax Removed but Fight Continues as ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Heads Back to House

July 2, 2025
Does North Dakota Accept Non-Resident Carry Permits? Here’s What We Found Out
Firearm Laws & Litigation

Does North Dakota Accept Non-Resident Carry Permits? Here’s What We Found Out

July 1, 2025

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

Navigate Site

  • State Guides
  • Maps
  • Articles
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Giveaway
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

wpDiscuz
0
0
Join the conversation, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply
You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Gun Deals
Gun.Deals