by Lance Manley-
P4
I had been looking forward to this one for over a month.
Having missed Warzone 1 last year, this was the chance to learn how to disarm
both pistols and automatic rifles and then face a "hostage situation"
scenario at the end of the training. KMM Chief Instructor Bartosz was super
keen for this event, with students from clubs as far away as Bristol, Reading
and Southampton having signed up to attend.
With anticipation at it zenith, it was with much swearing
and ill temper that I then got a dislocated finger during sparring 2 days
before Warzone 2.
So...with much chuntering about the unfairness of life I was
determined to go along anyway and just watch.
On the day a lot of guys were there early and seemed pretty pumped up, looking forward to the training. I spoke to Patrick Day-Childs from No Fear Academy who said "This looks awesome, really wanted to come to this."
After a warm up with the students, Bartosz and another KMM
instructor Russell moved on to demonstrating the Glock 17. They had a
functioning replica version powered by gas, and would prime the pistol just
before demonstrating a disarm, mainly to show that during a struggle the weapon
can still fire and you need to have your techniques sorted. It also became
apparent that due to the release button, the magazine can quite easily come
loose in a fight. Bartosz stressed that the priority is to ensure you are safe
and the area is clear, before you decide whether or not to go back for it.
The initial disarms were stuff we'd covered in class over
the last few years but then the unique stuff was shown. The first method was if
you are on your knees with a gunman facing you, pistol pointed at your head.
The practice relies on swiftly moving the gun to one side of your face and then
utilising the momentum of the gunman attempting to pull the gun free, to get to
your feet. A technique from behind was then shown where it was clear you have
to actually be able to feel the barrel touch the back of your skull before you
react, so as you can gauge distance as you grab.
Further techniques involved being on your knees but then
kicked in the chest so you are laying on your back. The gunman then sits
astride your chest and there is a method to specifically deal with this and
also if you are laying on your front with the pistol in the back of your head.
They then moved on to the bit I'd been looking forward to
for so long, which was the AK 47 automatic rifle disarm. The techniques are
very different due to the fact that it's a long weapon so you need to take into
account the shift in weight and positioning as you grab the barrel. The
replicas themselves are quite heavy which adds even more realism to the actions.
One positive bonus is that there's more to grab onto than with a pistol disarm.
After trying that out for a good while, and switching positions Bartosz then
split the guys into two big groups for the finale.
A smaller room with chairs against one wall had been set up
to resemble seats on an aircraft. Two volunteers stepped outside while the
others chatted nervously and then the door was kicked open and a couple of
nasty looking types with AK47s and balaclavas burst in yelling "EVERYBODY
DOWN ON THE FLOOR!!!" and other threats. The idea was that in a
situation such as this, if someone tries to take out a gunman/ terrorist then
the others in the room absolutely HAVE to react quickly in order to neutralise
the threat. In real life a gunman watching potential hostages or victims
attempting to take down his partners will almost certainly react by shooting.
The first group tackled the initial gunman very well, but left the second guy
alone for precious seconds. After some feedback from Bartosz, two more guys
stepped out and the exercise was repeated. This time the response was better
with people getting thrown down in big rugby scrums. It resembled watching a
soldier getting overpowered by zombies on The Walking Dead. Goz Gozwellings of
KMM had three guys on her but wouldn't let go of her rifle, constantly yelling
"GIVE ME YOUR MONEY, I WANT YOUR MONEY!!!" refusing to accept
the inevitable. Bartosz pointed out on the debrief that in real life she would
have been subjected to elbow, fists and feet into her face and body so hanging
on to the gun was unrealistic. Between this and the next scenario the school
caretaker came in to fiddle with the lock on the fire door. I initially thought
this was due to us overrunning slightly on time but then we had one bad guy
emerge through there, while the other ran in the other side. Again complete
bedlam with bodies going down on the floor and lots of grunting and shoving.
The best bit was yet to come when the half of the group that
had been left in the main hall with Russell then burst in to try and overpower
the other guys. A melee of epic proportions as everyone piled in, and James
Gale of Krav Maga Defence Academy running across the length of the room to drag
No Fear Academy terrorist Patrick Day-Childs down to the ground.
At the end Bartosz and Russell signed the attendance
certificates. I jokingly asked if I got one for observing and Bartosz handed me
mine, pre-printed days before. Everyone who had participated then lined up to
get theirs, with a handshake and a round of applause and they went their
separate ways.
Excellent tuition and it looked like a lot of fun. Just need
to avoid any niggling injuries in time for next year's Warzone 3.
No comments:
Post a Comment