How to Avoid "Deer in Headlights" Stance?

[Cosmoline]

I was out shopping yesterday at a major local grocery store, around dusk, and had gone back outside after getting some things. I was at entrance B, and about 50 yards away at entrance A I heard a bunch of yelling and commands to "drop" something. Three people were in a fracas, though nobody was doing more than grabbing and pushing. A woman about 30 years old broke out of the entanglement and started running across the parking lot in front of me. One man behind her kept telling her to drop it, and that he knew she had it. Turns out "it" was some item of property that said woman did not pay for. So that's fine, obviously I'm not going to do anything about that. Security chased half-heartedly then gave up.

The problem is I once again pulled my stupid face and stood there frozen during the initial scuffle. I was in plain sight, and completely failed to utilize any cover. Even though a pillar not ten feet from me would have been ideal. On the plus, I was ready to draw and aim if "drop it" had referred to a criminal's firearm. But other than my right arm I was frozen.

This isn't the first time that's happened when the alert level increases. How do I avoid this? Is it just a question of practicing and drilling? The problem is my range does not have the facilities to allow that kind of dynamic practice. But I think by training from fixed stances at a set line I'm training myself to do exactly what I did--stand still and fixed without moving.

 

[Fred Fuller]

But I think by training from fixed stances at a set line I'm training myself to do exactly what I did--stand still and fixed without moving.

Likely that's an accurate observation. To paraphrase historian and author Barrett Tillman- In an emergency, you won't rise to the occasion- you will default to your level of training.

I'd say finding a range that allows you more flexibility would be an optimal solution, preferably one that allows you (with the help of a friend) to use improvised charging targets. An old push mower chassis or the like with a target stand bolted on and a piece of rope to pull it towards you will work just fine, and is reasonably cheap and portable. You'll need an adequate safe backstop/berm downrange to cover your arc of movement and then some, of course. And you'll want to make sure your friend who's pulling the target stays well uprange from you.

fwiw,

lpl

 

[Al Thompson]

Cosmo, a lot of that is "paralysis by analysis". One thing that helps one react to a given set of circumstances is by "wargaming" or imagining "what if" situations. This mental coaching can condition you to your mental triggers to move, shoot or communicate as the situation warrants.

One good set of books is David Grossmans's "On Killing" and Jeff Cooper's "Principals of Personal Defense".

 

[Cosmoline]

Maybe it's the difference between mental training and muscle training. My mind may know what to do, but my muscles are locked into the same firing line training they actually get.

I'm thinking about doing blue gun or airsoft training, which is something I've never done, to help teach my legs to move in coordination with the draw. Even if I can't incorporate actual gunfire into the exercise, I can do that piece of it and hope it connects up with the rest if the need ever arises.

 

[9mmepiphany]

This may work for you or it may not, it does require active practice.

Two things you need to do
1. move
2. know where to move

#2 comes before #1. When walking about, you should always be aware of what is around you. A lot of folks say they are aware of potential danger, but are they aware of where to move to to avoid that danger. It is just like driving and seeing potential hazards, but most of us have hopefully planned out an escape route too.

When walking around, get in the habit of looking where you can move to avoid/escape danger.

#1 can make you feel silly, but it does work. Whenever you hear a load noise or commotion, move to that safe spot you've already identified in #2....just get in the habit. You'll be moving a lot for no reason at all, but that is how you build the habit of moving rather than standing

 

[Wolfeye]

I recently read a book on survival situations. It took the form of interviews with people who'd survived horrendous situations, and they had some interesting conclusions. One recurring one was this: in an emergency, about 10% of people will do the right thing, taking actions that help. About 10% will do the wrong thing, usually panicking. And about 80% of people turn into statues: instead of taking action, any action, they will freeze in place, either not knowing what they're supposed to do or not believing what's happening.

Time and again, survivors described the statue phenomenon, and it didn't matter what the emergency was: a subway fire in London, a ship sinking in the Atlantic, anything that involved multiple people. They said it was quiet and surreal, nothing like the movies where multitudes of people run around screaming.

Most of the interviewees all had something in common: they were the lucky 10% who naturally did the right thing. They would constantly read the situation they were in and take an action that would help. And they maintained this mindset until the emergency was over, which could be days in some cases. A few interviewees instead claimed that either luck or faith saved them.

The author's theory was that training could help a person change from one of the naturally unlucky 90% into one of the 10% who do the right thing. Training can't be over emphasized, but another important part is learning to recognize when the training is appropriate, which is where situational awareness fits in. What street am I on? Is this guy really collapsing in front of me? Is someone breaking into the house, or is my son trying to sneak in late? Potentially life-threatening situations don't happen often, so people have to first learn to recognize them, then they can get out of the "deer in headlights stance" and do something.

 

[Claymore1500]

Cosmoline;

My first instinct in the senario you described would be to keep moving towards the parking area, plenty of cover amongst the parked cars, and barricades if the need to return fire arose. Take the long way around to your car, even if you are parked close to the action, keep as many cars as you can between you and the action.

The problem I would have in that senario, (and I know this for a fact), if I were with my GF (which I usually am when shopping) she will almost always want to get closer, to see what's going on, so I have to get between her an the action and steer her away, keeping one eye on her and one on the trouble spot so I know what to expect from there.

 

[shockwave]

I'm thinking about doing blue gun or airsoft training, which is something I've never done, to help teach my legs to move in coordination with the draw.

Good idea. When it comes to FoF training, I've seen some people, regardless of age, pick it up right away. Others, it takes longer. The important thing is that you start.

Yes, there are physical skills to learn, but what you talk about here, the "deer in the headlights" thing, the statue thing, that's something you learn how to conquer, also.

Any situation you are in that requires a tactical response will pretty much always present you with a window of opportunity. Depending on the circumstances, it can be a big window or a small one. Training helps you learn how to spot those windows and get through them, instinctively without having to think the matter through.

 

[mljdeckard]

I agree with Lee and the OP, it is a matter of training and conditioning. Shooting and fighting are two different things. You have to train to shoot, but when you are fighting, you don't stay static.

One thing that is actually quite helpful, is this process you are using right now. You have REALIZED that you would have done the wrong thing in a given situation, and you are looking to change your plan. This alone is actually a significant process, to change your way of thinking.

How did Clint smith put it; "If you're not shooting, you should be reloading. If you're not reloading, you should be moving. If you're not moving, someone is going to cut your head off and put it on a stick."

 

[Skyshot]

Everyone will monday morning quarterback you reaction. I don't think there is one person who at some point in time would not do the same. If you train every day at some point in time you get distracted or become complacent by other events going on in the grey matter between your ears. You did make an analysis of your reaction. Situational awarness can only become reflex when exposed repeatedly. You may have done correctly other than taking cover. Its easy to become a loose cannon in a situation such as this.

 

[smince]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcPYGfMAujo

There are some drills about the 4:00 mark that show why moving and shooting is a good idea vs stationary fire.

 

[Doghandler]

My rule of thumb is too walk as if every step is

jaywalking through a busy street

as if there is a big cat in the trees

the high road is sometimes occupied

 

[BADUNAME37]

It is something you have to somehow practice.
How can you practice without going berserk?

I guess it matters a lot the kind of area you live in.

 

[Doghandler]

"It is something you have to somehow practice.
How can you practice without going berserk?

I guess it matters a lot the kind of area you live in."

It matters little where or when you live or lived. Insanity is on the other side of every coin we flip. Gilgamesh would surely have understood your conundrum, Mr. Don't Fire.

 

[BullfrogKen]

The problem is my range does not have the facilities to allow that kind of dynamic practice. But I think by training from fixed stances at a set line I'm training myself to do exactly what I did--stand still and fixed without moving.

The problem you described wasn't a shooting problem at all. Why bring the limitations of your shooting range into it? This isn't a nail, so put your hammer away.


You're stuck in the same phenomenon that causes traffic coming from the other side of a divided highway to slow down to look at the accident.

Just don't hang around. The easiest way to learn this sort of behavior is in Force on Force training, because the penalties are immediate and it carries pain. Short of FoF exercises just go to a populated place, like a mall, and practice walking away. When you see something interesting, just walk away. Train your mind to do something besides stand there and watch the events unfold.

Train your mind to take action. Any reasonable action. When you hear a couple argue or a baby cry, look for a place to go and walk there, right now. Train your mind to think about performing act, then act on it.


This isn't a shooting problem. There are a whole host of drills to solve your "freeze in place" problem, and they're pretty much all social drills.

 

[Legionnaire]

You might like reading "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin DeBecker. Interesting read on trusting your hunches.

Another interesting book is "Unthinkable" by Amanda Ripley. Another good read on surviving disasters.

These books do not contain drills, but they will both get you thinking.

 

[Cosmoline]

Just don't hang around.

Isn't that just saying I should be oblivious? In order to figure out whether something bad is happening, as far as I know, you need to have eyes on the situation and pay attention to it. Obviously once it's clear nothing that concerns me is happening, I move on. But what I'm trying to avoid is the fixed-in-place position as I prepare for the potential that I might need to fight or flee. It's a matter of a few seconds, that's all. Though I do appreciate those are critical seconds.

To take my situation, let's say the individual fleeing was not just a shop lifter but had just robbed the bank in the store. And shots ring out. Unless I've already been looking at the actors and paying attention, I'll be completely unaware of what's happening and be unable to defend myself or anyone else. So it seems pretty clear to me that I need to have eyes up and on the potential trouble. I think the trick is to train to keep moving as I do this, and to move into a position where I'll have concealment and cover should there be more of a problem.

Why bring the limitations of your shooting range into it? This isn't a nail, so put your hammer away.

Because it *might* be a nail. That's the point. I can't tell what it's going to be, only that it could be trouble.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Just don't hang around.

Isn't that just saying I should be oblivious?

No, I'm saying find someplace else to be.

In order to figure out whether something bad is happening, as far as I know, you need to have eyes on the situation and pay attention to it. Obviously once it's clear nothing that concerns me is happening, I move on. But what I'm trying to avoid is the fixed-in-place position as I prepare for the potential that I might need to fight or flee. It's a matter of a few seconds, that's all. Though I do appreciate those are critical seconds.

Figure it out, huh? So you can do what exactly? I've exploited those "few seconds" of hesitation to suck someone in time and time again in Force on Force scenarios.

What's happening there? I can't quite figure it out . . . .​

By then I or my buddy comes up from "out of nowhere" with a knife while the Practitioner is focused, distracted, and pre-occupied with trying to figure it out. It does take only a few seconds.

Because it *might* be a nail. That's the point. I can't tell what it's going to be, only that it could be trouble.

When it's a nail, you'll know it. Why are you hanging around looking to see if it's trouble or not? Stop looking for nails. Just go about your business and move along.


You asked why you keep getting caught flat-footed. And I'm telling you why it happens. You need to figure crap out. Others don't. Those who don't feel the need to know what's happening are very hard for me to suck into a trap. Those who feel compelled to figure it out are very easy to suck in. They, and you, trap yourselves. All I need to do is get the Practitioner curious.

You're not good enough to get out in front once you're in the trap. Few people are. Those who can are truly dangerous and have my respect. Walk away. Find someplace else to be.

 

[Fred Fuller]

AKA "the paralysis of analysis" in some circles.

Think of the seagull approach to life. Seagull flowcharts generally have only two big blocks: "Is that food?" and "Can I eat it?"

A simplified flowchart speeds up the process of acting promptly to deal with the situation appropriately. And it needs to be combined with sufficient situational awareness to have potential threats, mental what-ifs, the nearest cover, best escape routes etc. casually sorted out in advance of need. It need not be obsessive, it's a mental program that can run 'in background' when you get used to doing it. There's usually only two big blocks in my personal flowchart- "Could that be trouble?" and "Is it MY trouble?"

It may not work for everyone but there it is fwiw...

lpl

 

[THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR]

I have to agree with BullfrogKen. I know these aren't combat situations but I can't help thinking the mental process should be the same.

You hear a boom. Move to cover, then asses. Could be something innocuous, like a hunter or some idiot's unannounced controlled det.

You see fireworks on the mountain. Move to cover, wait for the impact, return fire. Like the man said, when it's a nail you'll know it.

 

[Cosmoline]

AKA "the paralysis of analysis" in some circles.

That's it I think. The mind is working, conducting a flow chart analysis. The eyes and ears are working, too. And the hands are ready to move as they have a thousand times before at the range. The legs aren't moving though. If I could even get myself to drop to a knee it would be beneficial, and reduce myself as a target.

Like the man said, when it's a nail you'll know it.

The one time I came upon the immediate aftermath of a drive-by, there was just a guy sitting there holding his gut and a car racing off. I didn't even realize he'd been shot until the news that night. So I've endeavored to pay closer attention when I can.

 

[JShirley]

Training.

Training.

Training.

Training.

Training.

Training,

and

Training.

It's almost impossible for me not to "take a knee" now while reloading, or if I have a malfunction, because I did it so many times during "stressfire" courses of fire while in the infantry. Even that may not always be the ideal thing to do, but getting behind cover almost always is.

John

 

[Al Thompson]

IMHO, key point:

Those who don't feel the need to know what's happening are very hard for me to suck into a trap. Those who feel compelled to figure it out are very easy to suck in.

As Lee mentions, it may be trouble, but is it my trouble?

Avoid, Deescalate, Evade and Escape is a good tool once you've identified that bad things are happening..

 

[Cosmoline]

Of course, but this is in those moments when I'm trying to answer the key question--is it my trouble? If the answer is, as usual, no, then all is moot and I move along. If the answer is YES, and all H breaks loose, I don't want to be standing there in statue stance.

To put it another way, it's in the seconds where the alert is going from yellow to orange on the Cooper scale. Something has happened that isn't usual and could be real trouble, or could be nothing to concern myself with. So the question is, how do I get my legs moving while in Orange. I think the answer is training to get them moving.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Just move. Figure it out along the way.


If it's not trouble, you've neither lost nor gained anything by moving along with your day.
If it's not your trouble, you avoided buying into someone else's.

If it is your trouble, you're in a much better position to figure out who's involved, their intentions, in increased your success in dealing with it than if you just stood there going through that flow chart in your head.


Life moves too quickly for mental flow charts. Get moving and figure it out along the way.