You need to be the first one on the target when it comes to CQC. Even the best team tactic is worthless if you don’t know where to place that red dot or iron sight in any given situation. This is where target practice comes in. Everyone has their own method of practicing. Some people think shooting at cans in the backyard will help. Others have a complete target practice manual what they’re updating regularly. In my opinion practicing has three different levels: gear and related equipment, target practice, and team tactics.

You can only go to the third level when you are comfortable with the first two. No one wants an operator who needs 20 seconds to change a mag or shooting left and right without any reason.

It doesn’t matter what kind of target practice you’re doing. Always do it wearing the same gear that  you would wear during a game. I’ve seen people doing awesome shooting while practicing but the whole picture changed when they put on the vest and face mask. Aiming is not the only thing you need to practice. Safely moving around in buildings full of debris without looking at the ground, or finding a magazine without looking for it is also important. You need to familiarize yourself with every stitch on your gear because your “life” depends on it. Pulling a magazine out of the pouch is a hard task if you have improper gloves. Aiming with a huge bulky face mask needs a bit of practice too. Don’t be afraid to modify your gear.

Make your own magpul using 550 cord and duct tape (believe me soldiers in real life are doing this). Equip your gun with modified trigger guide (this cheap part will give extra room for your finger when you’re shooting from an awkward position).

Cut off those Velcro pouch flaps if you don’t need them. Drill extra holes on the side of your mask for improved ventilation (make sure not to use drill bits bigger than 4mm). Just to give you an example: I am using basketball knee protectors instead of tactical ones so I can move smoother than others and you can buy them in every sport store and they’re cheap. I don’t even wear a vest  as I go with paintball chest protectors under my shirt for CQC only a leg holster for magazines and another one for my AEP. Get rid of it if it’s not comfortable or modify it to suit your needs. Just drop the extra weight and bulky gear if your team leader allows you to do so. You can go out and target practice once you have the gear you know how to use.

There is one good thing about airsoft: every hit is a hit and it doesn’t matter where you hit the enemy. Knowing this will give you a huge target, not just a can or cardboard box. Using a life size target will help you to tell the distance of the opponent when it comes to “real” action. Just go to http://www.ipsc.org/ and check their diagrams regarding target sizes or get friendly with a cinema staff to give you old life-size movie posters made out of cardboard so you can shoot at any celeb you want as paper targets. You need to know how far your target is even if you’re lying on your back and shoot only if the target is within your range.

Utilize as many firing positions as you can. Try to aim/shoot while your team mate is behind you grabbing your vest and dragging you bit left and right. Lay on your back pull up your legs and shoot between your knees.

Put diversions on your training field (strobes, loud music, nice girls:). Play with earplugs to improve your reaction time. Re-organize the obstacles every now and then so you won’t get used to them.

Plenty of non-airsoft gun magazines are writing reviews on range trainings or practical shooting events. Range instructors can give you plenty of ideas on practical shooting.

……………………………………to be continued.