Three things that are involved in tactics of all types are light, movement, and angles. Effective tactics is knowing how to exploit all three to your advantage. Let's talk about light- application is home defense.
The majority of home invasions and burglaries occur during the hours of darkness. A basic principle is outside bright light / inside no light. Let me explain. Bright lights on the outside of your house accomplish three important things.
They illuminate the exterior of the home, warding off those who prefer to operate in shadows.
Help emergency personnel identify your residence by description or address.
Detract from the night vision of those entering the home. This hampers not only their ability to operate in a dark environment, but makes their eyes hungry for light. That is an asset when you utilize hand held or weapon mounted lights. For those that utilize dogs as part of their layered defense, this is in the dogs favor as well. They have good night vision. The only thing worse than getting attacked by a dog, is getting attacked by one you cannot see.
When you go to bed at night and "button up" the house for the night, the darker inside the better; especially on the floor that is most likely to be breached by an intruder.
A principle of tactical light use is to work from darkness into light whenever possible. Bad guys seldom carry flashlights, either because they are too stupid to be prepared, or smart enough to know how much attention a small light in a dark area can attract.
In your environment, you need to control the light. Both room lights and hand held or weapon mounted lights. You are in control. You know your floor plan and where the furniture is. They do not. They are entering into your dark cave.
If your layered defense has failed until this point and you are confronted by an intruder in the darkness, his eyes starved for light, will be quick to focus on your light. This give you two advantages.
One, after naturally focusing on the light, they will reflexively bring their hands up to protect their eyes. The darker the environment, the more severe the reaction. This will allow you to assess for weapons.
Provides you with a temporary "wall of light" to operate behind, whether it is to engage a threat or move to another area.
When possible, use light on a threat like you would cover them with the muzzle of a firearm, from cover. Do not be pulled from a good position closer to a threat unless for some reason it provides a better advantage.
Light is in every environment, either by it's presence or absence. Learn to use it as a tool.
The majority of home invasions and burglaries occur during the hours of darkness. A basic principle is outside bright light / inside no light. Let me explain. Bright lights on the outside of your house accomplish three important things.
They illuminate the exterior of the home, warding off those who prefer to operate in shadows.
Help emergency personnel identify your residence by description or address.
Detract from the night vision of those entering the home. This hampers not only their ability to operate in a dark environment, but makes their eyes hungry for light. That is an asset when you utilize hand held or weapon mounted lights. For those that utilize dogs as part of their layered defense, this is in the dogs favor as well. They have good night vision. The only thing worse than getting attacked by a dog, is getting attacked by one you cannot see.
When you go to bed at night and "button up" the house for the night, the darker inside the better; especially on the floor that is most likely to be breached by an intruder.
A principle of tactical light use is to work from darkness into light whenever possible. Bad guys seldom carry flashlights, either because they are too stupid to be prepared, or smart enough to know how much attention a small light in a dark area can attract.
In your environment, you need to control the light. Both room lights and hand held or weapon mounted lights. You are in control. You know your floor plan and where the furniture is. They do not. They are entering into your dark cave.
If your layered defense has failed until this point and you are confronted by an intruder in the darkness, his eyes starved for light, will be quick to focus on your light. This give you two advantages.
One, after naturally focusing on the light, they will reflexively bring their hands up to protect their eyes. The darker the environment, the more severe the reaction. This will allow you to assess for weapons.
Provides you with a temporary "wall of light" to operate behind, whether it is to engage a threat or move to another area.
When possible, use light on a threat like you would cover them with the muzzle of a firearm, from cover. Do not be pulled from a good position closer to a threat unless for some reason it provides a better advantage.
Light is in every environment, either by it's presence or absence. Learn to use it as a tool.
