Mozambique or failure to stop drill

[David LaPell]

I was asked the other day by a couple of newer shooters about my take on the Mozambique, or failure to stop drill. When we did it during qualifications and training it was always called the body armor drill. Regardless it's the time tested, two shots to center mass and one to the head. How we were taught, was to fire that third head shot deliberately and taking your time so that the rhythm is like this....bang, bang........bang. With a deliberate pause while you are lining up that third shot. I see many shooters taking that third shot as fast as possible.
If you have ever practiced this drill, how have you done it? All three shots as rapidly as possible or that third shot slow and deliberate, or at least slower. Even with our training all three shots were fired in under two seconds from about five to seven yards.

 

[shottist]

Two, center mass. pause. One carefully aimed to the head, (if necessary). This is how I have always done it and if memory serves this was the Mozambique protocol as defined by Col. Cooper, RIP

 

[DR505]

Same here...pause for #3 to ensure a proper shot.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I was taught the same. The head is hard to hit as it is.

 

[Rastoff]

In my training, these are two different drills. The Mozambique (sometimes called a box drill) is always three shots in succession. Some teach to pause and some don't. The Failure-to-Stop drill is completely different.

The way I was taught, and how I use it in my class, is two completely separate actions. First there is a controlled pair to center mass or thoracic cavity. After these two shots are delivered, the shooter immediately moves into "after action" drills. As part of the after action drill, they are supposed to be checking to see if the assailant was really stopped. At some random point, the instructor will call "Head!" and the shooter takes one well aimed shot to the head (preferably in a box defined by the eyebrows, the upper lip and about 1/2" inside each ear).

The idea is not just to create a pause, but to cause the shooter to actually assess the situation. The instructor might not call for the head shot. Maybe the first two did the job.

I don't like the Mozambique drill because it ingrains three shots into muscle memory. It's not the three shots that are the problem, it's the lack of assessment. If the threat has been stopped, there is no need (and no legal justification) for that third, difficult shot.

 

[BAM-BAM]

As I get older..... I wonder if anyone outside of Hollywood .......could survive a real life Mozambique drill...... 3 shooters and 9 rounds at less than 15 yards....... against

three guys wearing body armor.......all unloading on you at close range......if it takes you more than 5 seconds figure the 3rd guy is starting his reload after putting 15-18 rounds in your direction.... w/ good hits on the other two... they are still getting another 15-20 rounds off..........if your reaction time is even 1 second there are 15 rounds inbound...........

A single assailant........ shoot till the threat is neutralized...... 2 assailants ...... 2 and 2..... if one or both is still a threat......... OH c---!!! ......hope you have a hi-cap and not a J-frame

I've given more thought to a third pelvic girdle shot to put the attacker down and in pain......... bigger target...... as I'm going down.......

 

[Kifaru]

It seems the Mozambique drill is becoming outdated in training circles these days. The drill is probably irrelevant because if the threat takes two hits, body armor or not, his head is not going to be where is was when things started. That's probably the reason for the pause, but people often pause by rote without assessing or thinking.

It is interesting to note that in the incident from which Col. Cooper derived the drill, the "head shot" was not delivered to the brain box. The bullet, fired from a Browning Hi Power, actually hit the neck/cervical spine for the stop. So in reality, the shot was a lucky "miss." It's just my guess, but those may be a few reasons why the drill seems to be falling out of favor.

 

[RobzGuns]

The 'Pause' seems to have gotten lost due to practical shooting competitions, where time, as well as accuracy is the focus.
It's too bad that the reasoning behind a drill, gets lost in competition.

I pause, to make sure I don't end up "1 down" (or get a complete miss. )

 

[NJDevil72]

In my training, these are two different drills. The Mozambique (sometimes called a box drill) is always three shots in succession. Some teach to pause and some don't. The Failure-to-Stop drill is completely different.

The way I was taught, and how I use it in my class, is two completely separate actions. First there is a controlled pair to center mass or thoracic cavity. After these two shots are delivered, the shooter immediately moves into "after action" drills. As part of the after action drill, they are supposed to be checking to see if the assailant was really stopped. At some random point, the instructor will call "Head!" and the shooter takes one well aimed shot to the head (preferably in a box defined by the eyebrows, the upper lip and about 1/2" inside each ear).

The idea is not just to create a pause, but to cause the shooter to actually assess the situation. The instructor might not call for the head shot. Maybe the first two did the job.

I don't like the Mozambique drill because it ingrains three shots into muscle memory. It's not the three shots that are the problem, it's the lack of assessment. If the threat has been stopped, there is no need (and no legal justification) for that third, difficult shot.

This is exactly how I learned it.

 

[Protected One]

Bang, bang, pause...bang (if the threat has not gone down).
And I mean GONE DOWN - not just stopped!

 

[Rastoff]

So, you're going to keep shooting until he's dead? Just stopping isn't good enough for you?

 

[Ranger514]

The Mozambique was taught when I was in the academy, but we were also trained to target the pelvic girdle area as an alternative when thoracic hits didn't produce results. Years later, when I took a Reactive Shooting course, a variation of Point Shooting, our instructors trained us in what they called a "Failure Drill" of six rapid fire rounds to center mass when initial rounds appeared ineffective in stopping a lethal threat.

 

[Protected One]

So, you're going to keep shooting until he's dead? Just stopping isn't good enough for you?

DOWN.....as in "on the ground". Down doesn't necessarily mean dead. If the first two put him down, there will be no third shot.

 

[getoff]

i don't do it anymore. the el pres. is a better drill to me. everybody gets one, then if needed go back for seconds and if needed, thirds. to much range training leads to poor tactics. luckily for me, i have a local range that allows holster work, and if not crowded, shooting on the move. when i was on the job, 94-95, it was popular. i think it's time has passed amongst the "tacticool" set...

 

[keith44spl]

When I was on the meth lab raid team and risky warrants...
We practiced two or three in the middle and more if necessary where ever ya can get em.

Hitting a moving bobble head ain't all that easy under a full adrenaline load.

Stactic range is good for shooting at standing still tragets and
hiding behind a piece of plywood and gunnin down paper.


When I attended Response to Active Shooter training, it was all simunitions.

Ya kinda get a feel for being shot at whilst trying to take all
those careful aim shots ya practiced on the stactic range a shootin paper.

Moving and shootin has worked for me, and I's a sticking to it.

In closing, careful head shots work some times too, if'n ya can get em to hold still enough.


Oh, and use enough gun to start with.



.

 

[Fastbolt]

Bottom line?

If a precisely aimed head shot is determined to be required, it's probably desperately needed. A fast miss will not only fail to achieve the desired goal, but will send another errant round downrange to endanger someone else.

Precision (head) aimed shots, if deemed appropriate and necessary, need to be made with the time and precision necessary to achieve the desired goal. Faster/slower is going to be determined by the skills of the shooter, and the circumstances involved in the particular situation which will dictate the needs of the moment.

For example, shooter movement occurring between the COM shots and the deliberate aimed head shot (think lateral displacement) will probably introduce more difficulty in acquiring a proper sight alignment/picture than if the shooter made the transition from COM shots to head shot while standing still. The trained person ought to be able to react to both potential situations, as may be considered necessary.

The distance and lighting conditions will be important considerations, too. Ditto other influences. Shooter injury, use of 1 or 2 hands, non-dominant hand shooting, non-dominant eye use (injured dominant eye), etc.

A threat target standing behind solid cover (dumpster?), with only their head and shooting hand/weapon exposed?

Attention to acquiring and maintaining a solid foundation skillset will help when introducing more advanced techniques and skills.

FWIW, while we may change the cadence and/or number of controlled and deliberate COM shots and other nuances of a training/qual scenario where a failure-to-stop drill is being used, the importance of taking the time needed to make an accurate precision/head shot, within reasonable time constraints (situational context), is still discussed with the people.

 

[Rastoff]

DOWN.....as in "on the ground". Down doesn't necessarily mean dead. If the first two put him down, there will be no third shot.

OK, but there is a legal consideration. What if they cease the assault and start to move away? Not down so, do they still need one or maybe a few more rounds?

You only have to right to shoot as long as there is a threat. Once the threat has stopped, even if they are standing, every shot after that is questionable.

Sure, those extra shots might be explainable. Then again, maybe not. Legally, once the threat has been stopped, the shooting must too.

 

[keith44spl]

OK, but there is a legal consideration. What if they cease the assault and start to move away? Not down so, do they still need one or maybe a few more rounds?

You only have to right to shoot as long as there is a threat. Once the threat has stopped, even if they are standing, every shot after that is questionable.

Sure, those extra shots might be explainable. Then again, maybe not. Legally, once the threat has been stopped, the shooting must too.

Is what yur sayin....

No coup de grâce allowed.





.

 

[Protected One]

When I attended Response to Active Shooter training, it was all simunitions.

Ya kinda get a feel for being shot at whilst trying to take all
those careful aim shots ya practiced on the stactic range a shootin paper.

LOVE that Response to Active Shooter training! Shoot-Don't Shoot training was pretty educational as well. I want one of those 8mm simunition glocks

Rastoff.

I won't shoot a retreating "former" threat, but in most cases two to the chest is probably putting the threat down - not to flight.

 

[keith44spl]

Quote:
Originally Posted by keith44spl
When I attended Response to Active Shooter training, it was all simunitions.

Ya kinda get a feel for being shot at whilst trying to take all
those careful aim shots ya practiced on the stactic range a shootin paper.

Yeah, I got to go head to head with the state's SRT Sgt....
We tide up 1-1 and thought we jest stop there, as the week was coming to a close.

LOVE that Response to Active Shooter training! Shoot-Don't Shoot training was pretty educational as well. I want one of those 8mm simunition glocks

Rastoff.

I won't shoot a retreating "former" threat, but in most cases two to the chest is probably putting the threat down - not to flight.

We all know...Sometimes theys go down and jest play a lit'l opossum on ya.

I don't take my eye or muzzle off'n em.....They might want some more.



.

 

[OKFC05]

Attention to acquiring and maintaining a solid foundation skillset will help when introducing more advanced techniques and skills.

When officiating in IDPA and USPSA matches, I have been surprised to encounter some individuals who object to stages designed to test a full skill set, such as weak hand shooting, head shots, shooting while moving, Bill drill, Mozambique, targets at 35 yds, etc.

Their usual attitude is that they have thoroughly studied what skills are needed for "real world defense" (never took a pistol combat course or got in a gun fight, real or simunitions) and ONLY THEIR chosen skills should be in the match.

How does that attitude sound to you?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Is what yur sayin....

No coup de grâce allowed.





.

Ya... I like to put a round in the back of the head as I walk by their prone face down body........just to be sure!!

If it works for Jason Bourn ....... good enough for me............




FWIW
With the proliferation of cameras today...... that 3rd shot to the head...... better not be two long after the first two.......... or 80% of the viewers will call it an execution............

 

[BAM-BAM]

When officiating in IDPA and USPSA matches, I have been surprised to encounter some individuals who object to stages designed to test a full skill set, such as weak hand shooting, head shots, shooting while moving, Bill drill, Mozambique, targets at 35 yds, etc.

Their usual attitude is that they have thoroughly studied what skills are needed for "real world defense" (never took a pistol combat course or got in a gun fight, real or simunitions) and ONLY THEIR chosen skills should be in the match.

How does that attitude sound to you?

Having been away from IDPA for several years.... due to younger children.....

going back to a local match last month: most of the stages seemed like they were right out of a Hollywood action movie....... not engagements 99.9999% of us would have any chance to survive.

I know there are limits to setting up stages. due to time and space..... and the stages have to be "entertaining"....... but I felt the stages were moving from IDPA towards USPSA......... blazing at targets as fast as you can.....

IMHO a stage where you are;

1) clearing a house/3rooms...... shouldn't be a foot race...

2)I hope I would never have to engage in a 'Hostage rescue" with just my cc side arm

3) can't imagine engaging 6 shooters in a crowd of 10 or so no-shoots ( at 5-20yds)..... shooting out the windows.....while sitting in the driver's seat of a van......... except on the Walking Dead.

The walk through is needed for safety...... but shooters were not assessing the situation ...... it was run and gun.......the pre identified targets......

Example...... one stage ..... engage 5 targets one shot each....while retreating to cover behind a wall...... at the wall engage each target with 2 more rounds...... when I got to the wall I shot 3 targets from the right end..... running my gun dry...... as I reloaded I moved (safely) to the left end of the wall to engage the last two........

I was questioned why I did that as it took more time...... I replied I wasn't going to stick my head out at the same spot more than once if I don't have to............I'll move and take the last two from their flank! The RO seemed to get it ..... the other shooters.... not so much...... it was all about time.


I wish there was more opportunities to do simulation/Hogan Alley ....style.........training/practice....

LOL years ago I thought "Lazer Tag" had some possibilities...... but after the first match I realized my COM hits didn't register on the sensors....... LOL

I will keep going to matches but I will not make them a foot race........


Rant over........

 

[kbuckey]

Even in combat they second guess you. There was a little incident during the first Gulf War where some gun camera shots from some Apaches showed some rounds impacting amongst some Iraqi troops. The vids made it to the press and there was a huge hullabaloo about war crimes. I (amongst others) reviewed the films, with the audio, and it was clear that when the hands went up the "cease fire" went out immediately. Unfortunately those 23mms can't be called back once they are out of the barrel. Still the press wanted someone to be "held accountable". Thank goodness cooler heads prevailed.

 

[OKFC05]

going back to a local match last month: most of the stages seemed like they were right out of a Hollywood action movie....... not engagements 99.9999% of us would have any chance to survive.

I just sent an email out to our local IDPA volunteer stage setters on this very subject. Some clubs are out of control, using illegal stages and what IDPA HQ refers to as "Tribal Rules." We have one volunteer that ONLY wants speed stages, not "thinking" stages.

It is tough to keep any club going with volunteers, but the "run and gun" faction may well destroy IDPA as originally intended. I hope not.

 

[keith44spl]

I know there are limits to setting up stages.....but I felt the stages were moving from IDPA towards USPSA......... blazing at targets as fast as you can.....

IMHO a stage where you are;

1) clearing a house/3rooms...... shouldn't be a foot race...

2)I hope I would never have to engage in a 'Hostage rescue" with just my cc side arm

3) can't imagine engaging 6 shooters in a crowd of 10 or so no-shoots ( at 5-20yds)..... shooting out the windows.....while sitting in the driver's seat of a van......... except on the Walking Dead.

The walk through is needed for safety...... but shooters were not assessing the situation ...... it was run and gun.......the pre identified targets......

Example...... one stage ..... engage 5 targets one shot each....while retreating to cover behind a wall...... at the wall engage each target with 2 more rounds...... when I got to the wall I shot 3 targets from the right end..... running my gun dry...... as I reloaded I moved (safely) to the left end of the wall to engage the last two........

I was questioned why I did that as it took more time...... I replied I wasn't going to stick my head out at the same spot more than once if I don't have to............I'll move and take the last two from their flank! The RO seemed to get it ..... the other shooters.... not so much...... it was all about time.


........

Boy oh boy, that hits the nail on the head!!!

Gaming is jest that....Fighting to live....Is another deal altogether.


.

 

[Fastbolt]

When officiating in IDPA and USPSA matches, I have been surprised to encounter some individuals who object to stages designed to test a full skill set, such as weak hand shooting, head shots, shooting while moving, Bill drill, Mozambique, targets at 35 yds, etc.

Their usual attitude is that they have thoroughly studied what skills are needed for "real world defense" (never took a pistol combat course or got in a gun fight, real or simunitions) and ONLY THEIR chosen skills should be in the match.

How does that attitude sound to you?

Weak.

Certainly not well-rounded.

Reminds me of some folks who only trained to learn and practice a limited range of techniques in the martial arts, thinking they'd never need to know how to do anything else.

That might work okay in the dojo or training hall, especially where your opponent is cooperative and you know exactly what he will be doing, but outside in the real world it's not quite so predictable and accommodating.

I'd not go quite so far as to undermine someone's confidence in an intentionally restricted shooting and manipulation skillset. However, I'd point out that if they can't effectively respond to some sets of conditions which aren't considered uncommon in the everyday world, even though they might be outside their normal range of experience, perhaps they might consider becoming at least a little better rounded in their ability to respond to someone who hasn't been using the same sheet music.

The other side of that coin, though, is the occasional instructor who tries to cobble together unusual and often awkward sets of training scenarios just to call it "tactical", and theirs, without being able to support them by using general or specific examples of actual shooting incidents. What skills are being assessed, created or refined? Creating "no win" and overly complicated scenarios may stroke some instructor's ego, but it's not doing a service to someone trying to learn relevant and practical new skills, or figure out how to apply existing skills in new, but relevant, situations.

Just my thoughts.

I prefer to have everyone with whom I work be able to walk off a qual or training range and have a justified confidence that they can immediately apply whatever skills we've been working on, and do so right away.

 

[DevilDog72]

air soft guns in a shooting drill against your shooting buddies is a real eye opener..... targets in your back yard with the airsoft guns gives you movement, shooting timing, recovery, retreat and advancing skills you can build on......

it seems like folly or a game, however, it soon becomes real enough, you try very hard to put your buddy out of the game before he does it to you. I know it is not the same as firing your real CCW and it does not abrogate the time needed in live fire.

wear a serious face shield and gloves that will protect your knuckles.... those dang little pellets hurt.

 

[Magload]

Having been away from IDPA for several years.... due to younger children.....

going back to a local match last month: most of the stages seemed like they were right out of a Hollywood action movie....... not engagements 99.9999% of us would have any chance to survive.

I know there are limits to setting up stages. due to time and space..... and the stages have to be "entertaining"....... but I felt the stages were moving from IDPA towards USPSA......... blazing at targets as fast as you can.....

IMHO a stage where you are;

1) clearing a house/3rooms...... shouldn't be a foot race...

2)I hope I would never have to engage in a 'Hostage rescue" with just my cc side arm

3) can't imagine engaging 6 shooters in a crowd of 10 or so no-shoots ( at 5-20yds)..... shooting out the windows.....while sitting in the driver's seat of a van......... except on the Walking Dead.

The walk through is needed for safety...... but shooters were not assessing the situation ...... it was run and gun.......the pre identified targets......

Example...... one stage ..... engage 5 targets one shot each....while retreating to cover behind a wall...... at the wall engage each target with 2 more rounds...... when I got to the wall I shot 3 targets from the right end..... running my gun dry...... as I reloaded I moved (safely) to the left end of the wall to engage the last two........

I was questioned why I did that as it took more time...... I replied I wasn't going to stick my head out at the same spot more than once if I don't have to............I'll move and take the last two from their flank! The RO seemed to get it ..... the other shooters.... not so much...... it was all about time.


I wish there was more opportunities to do simulation/Hogan Alley ....style.........training/practice....

LOL years ago I thought "Lazer Tag" had some possibilities...... but after the first match I realized my COM hits didn't register on the sensors....... LOL

I will keep going to matches but I will not make them a foot race........


Rant over........

Paintball I used to play it a lot but being to old to run and gun I had a sniper marker. You knew when you were hit. Don

 

[Protected One]

I think this covers it.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kJ0FRuxQY7k[/ame]