Advanced CQB Training 2: "Track" Drills
One of the keys to maximizing the effectiveness of CQB training is proper drill sequencing. This is particularly important for units with limited resources. For example, many units cannot go to the shoothouse every day. This places great importance on getting as much baseline training as possible out of the way before you show up to the shoothouse. Many units reserve or pay for shoothouse time months in advance, then spend the first several hours of training standing around arguing about SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and reviewing basic techniques. This is a waste of time and doesn’t need to be done in the shoothouse. Ideally, when a unit arrives at the shoothouse, they should be able to hit the ground running immediately and take full advantage of the available resources.
Prior to executing more advanced CQB exercises and drills, there are a number of drills that an individual or unit can execute in sequence to build up to a level of advanced proficiency. Not only does this help you get the most from your training time, but it also maximizes safety, ensuring that by the time a unit or individual goes into live-fire training, there have already been numerous opportunities for practice and familiarization without the risk of introducing live rounds.
Introduction to the Track Drill
One very effective drill that can help refine individual CQB performance is the “track drill,” also referred to as “lane training.” The track drill comes from combat-proven special operations training techniques. When conducting CQB training, special operations units will often have several instructors on the catwalk, each instructor responsible for watching and assessing a single student. The track drill modifies this procedure (and in some ways improves upon it) while allowing a single instructor to run training without needing the help of additional instructors.
To conduct the track drill, first identify the specific movement or technique you want to focus on. For example, you might choose to focus on the first person in the stack turning right, or the third person in the stack turning left. The specific techniques and tactical system do not matter. You can use the track drill to train in single-person CQB, team-level shallow entry (limited penetration) or multiple-teams conducting points of domination. The only requirement is to break down the tactics into individual movements or building blocks and then assess each of those building blocks in detail.
Setting Up the Track Drill
For this article, we will use the example of training the first person in the stack to turn left, using points of domination tactics. The first step is to create the “track” or lane, using cones and engineer/surveyors’ tape if available. You want to mark off the specific track that each student will follow. See the image below for an example set up…
Once you have set up the track, establish the order that students will run through the training. It is possible to conduct track drills by yourself but to get the most out of the drill, it is helpful to have more than one person conducting the training, ideally an instructor and several other students/observers. The instructor/observers will position on the catwalk or in the back of the room. They should be able to observe the entry point and the full track along which students will move. Note that if you are incorporating live-fire or non-lethal fire into the track drill, be sure that instructors and observers are in a safe location and wearing the proper protective equipment.
It is not necessary to conduct the track drill inside the shoothouse. It is possible to conduct the track drill in any unoccupied room. You can also conduct these drills in an open field or parking lot using marked-ground training (or glass house). We will discuss more on marked-ground training in future articles. The key point to remember is that you can conduct track drills almost anywhere, allowing you to maximize your time in the shoothouse.
Track Drill Sequencing
There is no fixed sequence for executing track drills, but many units choose to sequence their iterations in a classic “crawl-walk-run” progression. For example, a unit may progress from dry-fire no targets to dry-fire with targets to non-lethal fire then live-fire. You might also choose to start the training “slick” (without gear) and then proceed to full gear. Whatever sequencing you choose, the key is to ensure trainees are able to learn as quickly as possible in a comfortable environment prior to increasing the level of stress and difficulty. Dry-fire runs also allow you to focus on basic movements and core fundamentals.
Executing the Track Drill
Regardless of what type of run you are executing, the procedures are the same. Students run through the track drill one at a time with the instructor and the rest of the students watching. Once the instructor gives the “going hot” command, the first student will enter the room and conduct whichever technique you have decided to focus on. For this example, the student will clear the doorway (immediate area), clear the corner and move to his/her domination point. Once the student is complete the instructor will call “cease fire.”
At this point the instructor will begin a three-step assessment process: self-assessment, peer-assessment and instructor assessment. It is critical to conduct those three assessments in order. First the instructor will ask the student, “how do you think you did?” The student will then conduct a self-assessment, trying to identify what he/she did well or poorly, with particular emphasis on how to improve for the next run. Once the self-assessment is complete, the instructor will turn things over to the other students/observers to get their input. It is critical to engage the other students/observers in the assessment process and to encourage them to offer honest criticism and feedback. Finally, after the self-assessment and peer-assessment, the instructor will provide his/her own assessment of the run. After that, the student will join his/her peers on the catwalk and become an observer for the next run. The next student will then line up and run the track in the same manner.
The Value of Three-Step Assessment
The key to effective track training lies in the assessment process. First, it is critical to begin with the self-assessment. This gets the students’ mind thinking about what he/she did and could improve upon. It is much better for a student to identify his/her own mistakes, than simply listen (or not listen) to an instructor rattle off criticism after a run. A student who self-assesses will remember the feedback much better than a passive listener.
The peer-assessment step is truly more for the peers themselves than for the student running through the lane. If you do not have the idle students watch and assess each run, they will most likely lounge around, chat and play with their phones while waiting for their turn to run through the training. This is wasted training time. By forcing all of the students to watch and assess every run, you are allowing every student to mentally rehearse movements and tactics multiple times. This will rapidly accelerate the pace of learning and allow students to learn from each other’s mistakes. Finally, the last step is for the instructor to provide his/her own feedback. The instructor should build off of the self-assessment and peer-assessment and ideally identify one key thing for the student to improve on the next run. The instructor will probably want to make a note of that desired improvement to verify that the student improves upon it next time.
Incorporation of Video
Incorporating video can greatly enhance track training, especially if you have the capacity to watch/review the video immediately after the run takes place. There are several techniques for using digital cameras and mobile projectors to make this easy. Record each run and play the video after the peer-assessment but before the instructor assessment. This allows students to compare their own assessments with the video and provides details that the instructor can use to point out particular learning points and issues.
Video is also necessary if you want to conduct track training alone. Simply conduct all the same steps outlined in this article but replace the peer-assessment and instructor-assessment with a video assessment. Essentially, run through the technique, perform a written self-assessment, then watch the video and compare your notes to the video results. Then refine your notes with what to work on for the next run. You can also share your videos and notes with your peers or with an instructor/mentor online. They can then offer points and feedback digitally that you can capture to help you improve in your next training session.
Conclusion
Track training is a great way to dial in and refine the details of any tactical technique or movement. Once again, you do not need to conduct track training in the shoot house. You can conduct track training in an improvised training location prior to major training events to ensure everyone has a basic mastery of techniques prior to attempting more complex operations. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts and ideas by either posting on our social media sites, or sending an email to staff@specialtactics.me.
