How to Kneel & Shoot From Cover EXPLAINED!

[@James-cr5mc]

I was taught whatever is comfortable, just make sure you can get up quickly and move when needed.

[@Caldor101]

I was taught the knee up option and my instructor was adamant not using the first knee up option and gave a whole lecture as to why it was best. I like the approach John teaches these options as each are tools with different strengths and weaknesses.

[@50shadesofcerakote]

Sooooo I just went to a "basics to firearms" class at Valor Ridge in Tennessee... Not because I needed too, but because it was paid for by my company and I was invited. They taught this videos subject, and I did the knee down method, as Ive done for the last 10 years and was immediately told I was doing it wrong because they seemed to think the knee up was the only way to go about doing it. Then they proceeded to tell us to essentially expose our entire bodies when shooting from cover to have a good foundation before firing(and because buildings in America are more concealment than cover, so its pointless to stand behind them anyway.)... Theres other things as well, but the dude was so condescending toward me. I have a sig 4xt on a 2.26 mount, and hes trashing the high optics HARD, meanwhile I was shooting better groups than he was with height over bore drills. I shot a silhouette target in the forehead and he told me hes seen guys survive that, then he immediately shoots a hostage target in the SAME EXACT PLACE and goes, "see, that guy is down. 100% without a doubt." I just laughed. I got pictures and videos of what I could to back up what im saying to, just in case...

[@warrenharrison9490]

Bonus, you didn't have to pay for the class.

[@50shadesofcerakote]

@@warrenharrison9490 I wouldnt have paid for it anyway. haha I missed out on 2 really good events to go to that lame ass class. Now Im just hoping it was worth it. Rubbed shoulders with people that basically started this entire industry back in the 70s.

[@stevelumbert9867]

What about on both knees? I know the navy guys like that one.

[@ericj6636]

It slows you down getting from both knees to standing if you're bumping from cover to cover and if you snap shoot it will throw your lower body the opposite direction and your core will kinda "wiggle" in a way that makes your shot less stable. If you have outside knee down your body mechanics let you snap shoot MUCH faster. Outside knee up lets you get faster from kneeling into explosive sprints. Other tips: Learn different dives and slides. Source: tournament paintball in the 2004-2010 era We had these exact discussions and practiced and workshopped all this extensively. Watch Dynasty Dysected 1&2 or One With The Gun and they really go into the body mechanics of high speed gunfighting

[@stevelumbert9867]

@@ericj6636 you are taking yourself wayyyyyyy to serious. Please read my comment again and, well, never mind

[@turnitdowntyler]

@@stevelumbert9867😂 went over his head.

[@ericj6636]

@@stevelumbert9867 oh... I just got it. That was a good one

[@ifalone]

lmao

[@HaywoodVapeReviews]

Praying for you Pastor John.

[@shyman99]

Reminded me of the Aerosmith song, "Falling In Love Is Hard On The Knees". I know, a different battle....

[@jonathanmitchell3733]

Paintball is great practice for this. Go have a look at how good paintballers get at having a tiny signature. The nice thing with paintball is that you can fail a few times before you get it right… without getting killed.

[@JD-bd5uu]

Agreed. I played paintball for 6+ years, starting in high school & on a team. In taking tactical classes I find myself thinking back to those approach & shooting angles, getting LOW lol, being a small target, movements etc.

[@pimpster122]

Airsoft too, particularly speedQB (like speedball for paintball). Bb’s all over an indoor fields’ concrete floor drives home the benefits of knee pads too!

[@Normjohanson]

Speed ball was great practice

[@theparaminuteman]

Paintball players are the absolute masters of signature reduction. It is a regular occurrence in a tournament paintball point to have a literal hose of paint about 3in away from your head while you are also hosing down a critical area of the field, if you flinch for even a second that’s an opportunity for the other player to flank you. So if your signature reduction is off by 3in, that’s a point lost and potentially tournament ending. And you’re typically playing for a cash prize so……

[@caddrafter48]

Unless the paintballs are frozen.

[@barrymccockiner6641]

Knee pads/pucks can't be overstated

[@LastOne-t3o]

Arguably, one could not effectively engage the assailant without them from this position.

[@jonc4050]

Uncle didn't have them in 'Nam

[@JohnLocke1776]

​​​@@jonc4050yup. Neither did founding fathers, any Guerilla outfit in Urban or any other type of combat. Men in this country are becoming soft thanks to ❤neoliberalism and tacit subservience to Israel, globalism

​@jonc4050 unc has had double knee replacement too.

[@JesseCaldwell-l9e]

Especially if you live through it and end up in your 40s😂

[@christophercurtis8390]

I like the knee down for the same reasons that he stated, however I noticed that when he throws out the other knee for counter balance, that knee is now outside of cover and thus can be engaged by the bad guy. To me this is the same as the knee up approach. I do concede that the cover will dictate the position as if I was behind a wall that provided ample cover for my knee that is the center balance. This was a great video and got me thinking about positioning. Thank you I love all the stuff you put out.

[@locophoto6881]

That's just because he's using a barrel as cover for demonstration purposes.. Obviously a building or a car or a wall, the things found in real life....when barrels are not found in real life....would hide the other knee just fine.

[@ninertactics]

Some guy once said the risk of getting shot is always present, so "you don't conform yourself to a barricade... you adapt to the thing that's trying to kill you." The way you said it is fine too.

[@allsport916]

I like that. Nicely done.

[@LiamHamelly-fr4my]

“Talking is hard” YES!

[@jwilliams3170]

I remember in the police academy they taught us a knee up technique and we basically just showed our femoral artery to the bad guy and then poked out. I had watched pistol 2 on WPSN before I started the academy and immediately knew how much I didn’t like the technique they taught. I did what they asked while I was there, and then immediately returned to the way you taught it. Also, the WPSN pistol classes made me a stud on the range. I was just a couple points shy from being class top shot and we all agreed that the guy grading my target missed a few shots because of ragged holes.

[@maximus.4656]

Side knee you can run cover to cover shoot move communicate . Really good video . Thanks 🙏.

[@dpdog1]

great training video

[@MJFacas]

If you want to maximize mobility (reach) while maintaining the lowest signature you need to point your down knee at the corner of cover. This is a quick and simple rule to follow as you move into the cover position. Just aim that knee to the edge of cover. If it's pointed inside you lose reach as you lean out over you knee in relation to uncleared area down range. If you point it out you expose it before your muzzle. There's a little wiggle room based on body shape. If you consider your rifle will be mounted in your shoulder then anything that protrudes out further then your shoulder is exposed before you have a chance to shoot it. Speed, surprise, and violence of action can make up for some technical errors and plays into John's comment at 3:16 taking about "The enemy of the good is the perfect."

[@jdwar11]

I always instructed which position allows you maneuver and react the quickest. Stability by maintaining a solid low center of gravity is vital to move quickly. The environment you are in will always vary so being able to adjust is vital. You need to practice on different terrains frequently. Definitely do so while conducting some live fire with reactive targets. Get that immediate response.

[@adamshank7711]

I really enjoy this style of video hope you keep posting more

[@rupert916]

I was told by Falla with RB1, the method John likes is the preferred method 👍

[@MajorPandemic]

Fantastic and exactly how I was trained. Had a "Swat" trainer note many years into training that my knee down style identical to this was ludicrous. Love the inflexibikity of horrible trainers. Keep it up awesome content.

[@bghiggy]

Dudes get training 15 years ago based on 25 year old doctrine and refuse to modernize

[@OrganicHispanic209]

"Institutional inbreeding."

[@omoshioine]

3:16 Some good life advice right there.

[@WalterRitchey]

James Williamson taught knee down as you reveal very little of your body. Otherwise you risk becoming a mobility kill. If your leg gets shot you’re good as dead. So he would have us say, “Right side, right knee down.” And “Left side, left knee down.” That is, you’re poking out from right side of cover, be on your right knee.

[@kmk1428]

I’m with you on the knee down for sure - but of course it depends on your cover so having multiple options is important - most important to me is having all those options and using them appropriately depending on what cover you have. 👍

[@jessefig5281]

Solid tips on breaking it down. Thanks!

[@AmbGun]

Awesome...recognize all of those from paintball. Please a video incorporating rice paddy prone/slav squat...stable and ripe for opportunity of movement.

[@theparaminuteman]

Paintball players are the absolute masters of signature reduction. It is a regular occurrence in a tournament paintball point to have a literal hose of paint about 3in away from your head while you are also hosing down a critical area of the field, if you flinch for even a second that’s an opportunity for the other player to flank you. So if your signature reduction is off by 3in, that’s a point lost and potentially tournament ending. And you’re typically playing for a cash prize so……

[@StephenFullard-mk8cj]

I learned almost everything i know about gun fighting from sensei poet. He saved my life twice well taught me how to save my own.

[@cavedweller364]

John, your mobility at your age is impressive

[@jackfrost2978]

i'm mostly knee down. Unless i expect to moving soon. Or multiple quick moves. As knee up is slightly faster and easier to move forward from. But Knee up is much easier to get hit. It is important to know your cover and your angels. Too often people present a small target on the side with their gun. While completely exposing butt, back, other leg. Another big consideration. Is when you have to be able to cover both sides of your cover. The last position talked about is almost exclusively a never do this. In my opinion. No real pros. Much less situational awareness and much slower to transition if you need to cover both sides of your cover. Another detail to consider. Is how close to your cover, are you getting. If you are right up against relatively small cover. Knee up might be better. If you get very close to your cover. The drawback is the lose of vision. Lack of being able to assess the situation. For instance people repositioning on you. If you snuggled up to your cover. It also makes it much harder to cover both sides of your cover. You have to constantly assess what is most important in the moment. Cover or situational awareness. The advantage of regularly using both knee up and knee down, depending on situation. Is in both mental preparation, and comfort / familiarity. When you have to actively use both sides of your cover. Sometimes you just don't have the time to change your position. So knee down becomes knee up and the other way around. Becoming comfortable thinking dynamically and transitioning without much thought, depending on situation. Is typically more important than learning one way only. Although this also take far more practice. To get used to doing properly. Being comfortable making adjustments is also important to practice. You need to become comfortable. with what and why you are doing what your doing.

[@nstscanada2103]

i've been having this debate for awhile now about "getting hit and falling behind cover". The concept works, only if your center of gravity is between your legs. @04:54 you lean beyond your right leg. Imagine your two feet are the bottom part of a triangle and just beyond your feet is the point of the triangle. People generally fall where the point of the triangle is (unless they are pushed or otherwise moved) when they lose consciousness. The concept being that if you lose consciousness at that moment, your body will fall out of cover due to center of gravity being outside your leg (point of the triangle no longer being between your legs). Saying the above, i keep my right knee down to reduce signature and increase stability. Even though the point of my triangle is "outside" of cover. Thank you for such a great video and explanation.

[@TCRGHOSTWannabe]

context is the answer

[@believethehype8936]

I'd need to take one of these courses. I'm more kinesthetic in learning. John slays it in demo, but it's not quite sticking in my brain.

[@gunsandrosarymanfromthenorth]

Thanks for the inputs sir John really matters and helpful this concept 👊

[@eddiexoc8430]

Great points. Thank you.

[@PrePrayerdLife]

John is my absolute favorite Ninja guy!!

[@thebarefootadventurer8467]

I need more of these tactics videos! John is an excellent explainer

[@demunbell]

Excellent content 👌🏿!

[@philiplucky7170]

Hey JV great video as always, het what knee pads you running

[@whiterabit09]

Posting firearms tutorial content again?! Subscribed.

[@randy2663]

This whole video existed for John to show off at 5:32. Us with low quality knees cannot compete.

[@svetlinsofiev1910]

Thanks for the video

[@DarnellColeMusic]

This is actually one of the concepts that carries over well from paintball

[@theparaminuteman]

Paintball players are the absolute masters of signature reduction. It is a regular occurrence in a tournament paintball point to have a literal hose of paint about 3in away from your head while you are also hosing down a critical area of the field, if you flinch for even a second that’s an opportunity for the other player to flank you. So if your signature reduction is off by 3in, that’s a point lost and potentially tournament ending. And you’re typically playing for a cash prize so……

[@Reubixvk1]

The knee down one also would depend on your cover. When you had the camera in front you could see your counterweight leg behind the barrels. So cover would make a difference as well. Good training though to test which ones will serve me best.

[@Sophistry0001]

Seems like the knee-down method also has the "drawback" that if you are behind a skinny block of cover, like the stack of barrels here, you run the risk of sticking your counterweight leg out the other side. In these examples maybe we are assuming the barrel represents a wall or something where that wouldn't be an issue

[@kennethguerrero6802]

I was taught knee up. If you get better shots at the target, the target tends to stop shooting back… cuz theyre dead. The knee down option was explained to me as using pennies to buy a diamond. Its not worth it if the shots are no good

[@petesheppard1709]

#4, for we older types--CONDITION of knees. Pushing 70, mine don't work quite as well as they used to...

[@LeadSocietyUSA]

Anyone know what knee pads he’s using? Interested in a good set of knee pads to keep with my kit

[@tjwalker960]

Paralysis by perfection will get you killed.

[@Wade-1]

Wish there were more pants with knee pads that were affordable. I only have one pair of crye g3. I don't want to tear them up. I tried the $75 Chinese copy. While they are pretty damn good, you'd imagine we could get some $125 pair that aren't Chinese knockoffs.

[@ExtremelyAverageMan]

Yikes. Just buy double knee work pants like the rest of us blue collar normies.

[@joeross1763]

Thank you! For you

[@bghiggy]

Jiue jitsu or basically any grappling MA can really help with the balance issue of knee down and overextending. Once you figure out how to move and balance your body in less than ideal positions you can be extremely effective in whatever you are doing. My coach always drilled into our heads "find your balance". Without being balanced you are inevitably going to be compromised in your position in terms of getting sweeped or getting caught in something you otherwise shouldn't have been caught in.

[@coreyswann8735]

John, I've tried several knee pads over the years and I am in need of something new, what are the ones you are wearing and would you recommend them?

[@UncleSlam1776]

Arc'teryx. Best external/non-built-in option out there.

[@paulpalmer5264]

Love content

[@greyscout01]

Fortunately for me, knee down has always been my natural go-to. It was interesting seeing the pro/con of all the options. Thanks.

[@JamesStray]

I noticed during your analysis of the knee down position, during the angle from the front, that your other knee was showing outside the other side of the barrel. That would leave it open to be shot. So it seems both positions could open your knee to be shot on either side.

[@kerbalairforce8802]

The barrel isn't a barrel. It represents the corner of a building or dumpster.

[@JTank11B]

My knees hurt just watching this. Eight years in the infantry, two OIF deployments. 😭

[@joshuasundberg9172]

Hey John, huge warrior poet fan, especially the family based stuff for the wife and kids. In this video it appears you use your magnifier to co-witness your iron sights rather than your red dot. Is this the case and can you explain your thinking please. Thank you for the awesome content! God bless! 🇺🇸❤️💪🙏

[@meirsigal4847]

You should do a gear review of Agilite.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

God bless you

[@viintage4689]

WPS 💪🏼

[@samueldavidvisuals2595]

Video/Content Request for John - I’m a young man in a newish relationship and want to be the best protector for my girlfriend and future wife that I can be. I see news stories about terrible and violent crimes in our country, and am hoping John could speak to specifics about being a protector of your significant other, and family, as a young man with no combat experience. There are the obvious things like physical fitness, and fighting, shooting, medical training- but I am curious about more specific things based on our current society. Things like opening the car door for your lady and making sure she's secure in the car before you get in, or conversations to have and what level of training I should give my girlfriend- such as if I ever had to pull my g*n for protection or got into any sort of defensive altercation, what should I instruct her to do? - are there any places that I shouldn’t let her go alone and should accompany her? What kinds of instructions should I give her for when she’s home alone and someone unknown comes to the house? Any things of this nature would be incredibly helpful to me, and I’m sure lots of young men. Thanks!

[@kaedenbringhurst4027]

@WarriorPoetSociety are y’all gonna be coming to Utah any time soon for training courses? I’d love to have the chance to learn from y’all

[@GramKracker88]

Interesting points. I don't have actual combat experience, but plenty of paintball/airsoft - and even slow moving projectiles hit anything exposed. Seems to me signature is def the most important factor and adjusting all factors to the cover your behind and who is with you. What good is stability or mobility if you get shot because you gave a bigger target? To me this isn't out of fear or retreat, but about staying in the fight longer.. Also, any thoughts on how close to cover you should be? With your barrels your using and sitting a couple feet behind it, if anyone was to get an angle on you, your super exposed.

[@BISPOCARRARA]

Great instruction!

[@bitkarek]

you can counterweight the "knee up" style too.

[@rnbspowa7of69]

Thank you.👍😎🇺🇸

[@ChiRaqiveteran]

Good stuff put out more stuff like this bro in christ

[@Bhartrampf]

Great way to break it down, their is no one size fits all in anything.

[@MFamstar1]

Outstanding Semper Fi!

[@pyeitme508]

WOW!

[@PoliticallyInsensitive]

I was taught that (if shot) you tend to fall towards the down knee. So that knee should be towards the cover not the corner.

[@coreylawyer4158]

I really like those knee pads, where can I get a set of those? Checked WPS didn't see them, just inserts.

[@alexdesiral9774]

Are you planning on making a WPS version of the CR920XP?

[@Jimmy.O.]

Man... it's like sportsbike riding class. Knee postion and counterweight.

[@danielecorwin]

Looking for your thoughts on Trump's Sec Def pick.

[@skullandcrossbones65]

G'day, I remember the "A Team" All drums are %1000 pullet proof and the good guys don't get seriously hurt.

[@ericbergfield6451]

Very interesting presentation, I've never seen a video on this topic before, it's definitely a good thought experiment

[@TheEpicDartfish]

Which exterior kneepads do you use? I find that many designs I've used haven't proved as good as integrated knee pockets.

[@gebeme11]

Same question but weak side. Switch shoulders or maintain strong side but lean further?

[@OldSolidSnake]

I try to buy some ifak's from WPS but they're always sold out...

[@unclebubba5584]

good explanation, especially for an older guy whose had both knees replaced..

[@jeremyhampton1496]

My knees hurt watching this video lol

[@JuanGarcia-ok6je]

Support hand always gets the knee.

[@ExtremeUnction1988]

More of these vids! Love these movement/tactics lessons.

[@MaritimeHomesteader]

Awesome video. Great info and delivery. Blessings brother

[@terryderush2657]

And now we know. Thanks 👍

[@papitas2843]

Knee up to protect the bit and pieces! 😂😂😂

[@carlpickins106]

What muzzle device are you rolling sir?

[@sean-michaelruppert7721]

When are you bringing the war poet rifle back?

[@darbovision2672]

Excellent video! I do have a fair amount of training. Biggest issue is I'm old with a lifetime of old injuries and the flexibility just isn't there so I do the best I can. I have not seen the "sideways" knee up version. I like that.

[@FingerstoFight]

I . . . have no idea which I do! I think I do all of the above, plus! some times I might squat . . . some times I might go both knees down. I play airsoft and to my knowledge I have never taken a round to the knee while going around a corner soooo dose that mean I'm doing it right? Also, the ground might play a roll here, if I'm behind a tree on a steep hill it's gonna be knee down on the up hill and knee up on the down hill. No? also in airsoft I might be working on a corner so long that I change knees just from fatigue of being in the same position waiting for something to happen (guarding a fort\flag\ important position.) is it wrong to just practice all of it and use what the situation needs? why would ever say you should always do THIS?

[@theparaminuteman]

Paintball players are the absolute masters of signature reduction. It is a regular occurrence in a tournament paintball point to have a literal hose of paint about 3in away from your head while you are also hosing down a critical area of the field, if you flinch for even a second that’s an opportunity for the other player to flank you. So if your signature reduction is off by 3in, that’s a point lost and potentially tournament ending. And you’re typically playing for a cash prize so……

[@mmg122495]

Question I have as well as observation with knee down is that your weak side leg or foot is somewhat exposed. Is there a way to counteract this and/or reduce the signature of that exposed foot/leg?

[@brianshuler6951]

With my knees, I can get down either way, but I can only get back up with right knee down.

[@tpcleaning640]

Comment for the algorithm.

[@theGimpfantry]

Yup. Love what you are sharing, my brother.

[@danielllewellyn5720]

I'm no one special. I've never seen combat, but I've played paintball and now airsoft since I was a kid. As stated here only give an eye and a muzzle👍. Keep that chicken wing tucked in, or you get hit in the elbow, ect... As far was stance though, Why not change it up? We always called it working a bunker. If you present at the same position every time you want to take a shot, it's easy to predict where to shoot. The last time I played, there were two guys that had a great lane of fire in a hallway. I watched as they took out guys by numbers. I laid down and when I presented, I was in a position they didn't expect and shot them both out. I'm just asking here is this really all that different?

[@DarthVaderx7]

Which eyepro is that?

[@dsbiddle]

I think knee closest to exposure should be up so you have better control when leaning over to shoot so you don’t topple out into the open. Just my amateur opinion before I even watch the video

[@AmateurHobo]

What shoes are those?

[@KLL1869]

I know this is unrelated to this video but I've been a fan of the mr920 war poet with the holosun for a long time. I've been budeting for a while to purchase one. Where I live you can't find them any where, sure I could probably have one shipped to an FFL holder but a lot of the gunshops here are friggin assholes that charge a big extorsion fee. I just wished that they more readily available. I guess I'll just keep looking.

[@omens_slays]

I was taught knee down, and it served me well over 2 deployments.