Body Alignment Targeting "BAT"

BAT is a combative technical method of discharging rounds against multiple targets within a combat situation. The focus is center mass targeting. When seconds count, bull's-eye target shooting does not work. 

There are multiple factors involved in shooting a handgun. Firm grip, controlled arms, aiming using front and rear sight, breath control, trigger control and follow through. While these factors establish a good discharge of the sidearm to a single target, most shooters utilize a stance called “Isosceles” which is more commonly taught to beginners. The Isosceles stance is a good shooting stance that provides a strong, stable platform, which is crucial for accuracy. However, if engaged in a combat situation, the Isosceles stance is not the superior stance in tactical performance.

Within combat engagements, the Weaver stance is often used by military and self-defense advocates because it allows accuracy while presenting a smaller profile. The Weaver stance also allows the shooter to move more quickly compared to a shooter utilizing the Isosceles stance. This ability to move offers superior methods on defense applications when discharging a sidearm.

Both the Isosceles and Weaver stances have proponents, and both have certain benefits depending on the shooting situation. The Isosceles stance is a naturally defensive stance that provides excellent coverage in most directions by simply rotating the upper body like the turret on a tank. However considering the posture and rooted stance, would the shooter in defense be any better than the paper targets they shoot at?

Breaking down the Isosceles stance; 

1 – Stand facing the target with feet shoulder width apart. This will only offer the opponent a larger target to focus on.

2 – Bend your knees slightly. With feet shoulder width apart while bending knees slightly, the body is unable to quickly move or defend from being pushed back.

3 – Extend hands fully towards target keeping arms straight and locked. Arms straight and locked will cause the arm to raise upwards from the recoil.  

4 - With shoulders square and arms locked forming a perfect isosceles triangle, the shooter follows seven shooting factors,

(1) Grip  (2) Stance  (3) Sight Alignment  (4) Sight Picture  (5) Trigger Control  (6) Breathing  (7) Follow Through.

There is too much to consider and increased time with defensive applications. The Body Alignment Targeting (BAT) program incorporates the Weaver stance while training the shooter not to use the front and rear sights of the sidearm.

The Weaver stance was developed by Jack Weaver and was the first to use a two-handed grip with opposite tension from both hands. Weaver’s push/pull grip stance provided speed, stability and accuracy, and he started dominating the popular shooting events. Col. Jeff Cooper quickly realized the benefits of this stance and adapted it for self-defense shooting. 

Breaking down the Weaver stance;

1 – Stand with feet shoulder width apart with strong side leg slightly back in what is often called a boxer’s stance. This allows the body to become a smaller profile when ability to defend on stable ground if pushed back.

2 – Bend knees while keeping body weight slightly forward. This establishes the body to be rooted.

3 – Angle support arm’s shoulder towards target while shooting hand applies opposite pressure with elbows bent. Elbows bent allows the recoil to align with the center of the body instead of moving upwards as with the isosceles stance. This alignment with the center offers a greater ability to discharge multiple rounds in the same location as a group setting.

The person who is engaged in a situation involving a sidearm, will have an increase rush of Adrenaline. From this rush, the heart beats faster, the body sweats more and when a person focuses on a single target, that person will develop tunnel vision which will eliminate 6 feet of vision. What is within 6 feet? The sidearm front and rear sights. To extend on this thought, tunnel vision will deter the defending shooter from scanning for additional threats.

BAT is a method of discharging a sidearm while not focusing on the sights of the sidearm. Body alignment is broken down to shoulders and head. These two areas replace the rear and front sights of the sidearm. By allowing the shoulders and heart alignment for targeting, this will eliminate tunnel vision and allow the defender to scan the area for additional threats. While shoulders and heart replaces the sights of the sidearm, the “center mass” or “line of sight” is accomplished with the heart and chin.

The Body Alignment Targeting (BAT) is a technical program relating to defenses involving multiple target engagements with a sidearm. 

Do not get confused with the Modified Weaver stance which incorporates the shooting arm fully extended to take advantage of the body’s skeletal system for accuracy. With the shooting arm locked forward, sight movement is minimized because the weight of the gun is held by both bone and muscle. Everything else stays the same including the reverse isometric pressure of the hands on the gun.

This class is beneficial for all who never trained in tactical engagement or only practiced shooting stationary targets.

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