Get off the X - Start Incorporating Moving with Shooting

“Get off the X!” is a common saying used in classes to cue shooters to move rather than stand and deliver, but what does that really mean?  Why do we need to get off the X?  It is an easy phrase to say and on range typically equates to a step, maybe two, but what does it mean off range out in the real world?  In this article we are going to break down what that phrase means and how you can use the cue to increase your shooting skills and tactics.

We get the “X” from the film industry, an “X” taped to the floor tells the actors where to stand.  The government then took that and made it a term that represented the spot that was most vulnerable, whether that be for an ambush of a vehicle or the assasination of a person.  This helps everyone be on the same page of where the dangerous spot is and gives direction to where the safe spots are.  

However, we as individual citizens don’t have a squad or protective detail, we are both the target and the protector.  This unfortunately means that in self-defense situations you are the “X” and where you move it moves with you.  That one to two steps on range then isn’t going to cut it.

What does getting off the X accomplish?

If those one or two steps aren’t going to cut it then why do we practice it, what are we really trying to do here?  The cue is simply to get you to start thinking about moving, priming you to act as necessary for the situation at hand.  If you never practice moving, it won’t be an option in an encounter.

If you are practicing situational awareness then moving from the “X” has already been preplanned, you know where you are moving to to improve your position.  When the encounter starts you have 2 seconds to decide what to do, “get in” and move directly to force because the attacker is already on top of you, or “get out” and move away from the attacker.  Our “A” answer is to “get out”, to have a plan to create distance and space which gives you time to solve the tactical problem in front of you.

When moving off the “X” you want it to improve your position, hopefully that means fully exiting the situation unscathed.  If escape isn’t feasible then moving to cover will be the next best option.  Exits and cover could be a couple of steps or it could be a short sprint away.  When exits and cover are not available though your next best option is becoming a harder target and moving to more advantageous positions through movement.  A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one, but remember the “X” moves with you.  

When we move we want to move offline, that means at least a 45° angle, moving straight back does not improve your position.  Fighting to a position of advantage can put you back in control of the action/reaction power curve, forcing the attacker to react to you.

If you have done your situational awareness and pre-event planning you should know what your exit, cover, and movement options are.  A good portion of “getting off the X” then is up to your soft skills like mindset, pre-planning, and threat recognition.  That still leaves the physical portion though, of knowing how to incorporate moving while in a defensive situation which may include using your firearm.

Training to “Get of the X”

Most shooters will be exposed to movement in a very limited capacity, if at all, on range due to safety concerns.  A class may have 10-12 people on the firing line that all need to be kept in sync, this generally limits how many steps can be taken, at what pace, in what direction, etc.  This gives you a taste of movement, but by no means is enough to cement the skill and add it to your toolbox.  Not to worry, this is a skill which can easily be incorporated into dry fire.

As previously mentioned, when we move we want to improve our position, so moving straight back or forward changes the distance but we are still in the target path.  Moving back at at least a 45° angle will put you out of the immediate target path, however just a step from the bad guy to reorient and your right back in the target path.  Since the “X” follows you it is likely you will need to continue to move, creating more distance and space to give yourself time.  

Initially you’ll do what you did on range, take a step or two while drawing and fire.  It is important to draw while moving, doing two things at once to again give yourself more time.  Practice moving back at an angle to both the left and the right, then begin to incorporate more steps and different angles.  This movement isn’t a default action of “when I draw I step back and to the right” each time you move should be a decision not a default reaction.

Once you have some basic movement options down, you can up the difficulty.  That can be done by adding some speed and urgency using the Bar Hop drill or learning to walk and shoot at the same time.   Create variations in the distance and difficulty of the target, perhaps you simulate the stress with some fitness prior to the shooting, or add a shot timer for stress and gather some data.  

The difficulty doesn’t lie solely in the targets and shooting though.  The real world has endless environmental possibilities.  See if you can give yourself options and/or constraints to up the difficulty.  Maybe that means a narrow hallway, wide open space, or environmental obstacles to navigate. Perhaps a simulated piece of cover to get to.  What about avoiding the shooting and exiting altogether?  You could occupy a hand or feign injury, pretend or enlist volunteers so you are having to make decisions for not just yourself but those under your protection.  The possibilities are endless, use your imagination or play out real encounters like those seen on Active Self Protection.

It Takes More Than a Step

It may take some time for this to click and become a more natural feeling, that’s totally okay we all have to start somewhere.  The more you know the better decisions you can make, and much of it can be done on your own away from the range.  

Grab some books to learn about mindset and tactics.  Dry fire with smart training aids like MantisX or BlackbeardX that give you data points on time and technique.  Test your skills at the range and take Concealed Carry and Force on Force classes.

We’ve all heard it, the number one defense is don’t be there.  In the unfortunate event that you are there, you want to have the best chance possible to win.  That is secured through a well-rounded system of knowledge, mindset, gun handing, and marksmanship.