?Foundations are an essential part of self-defense.  There are physical foundations, such as stance and grip, mental foundations to ground the physical actions, and moral foundations that serve as the base for all.

If you start from the ground up the first thing to examine is your physical stance.  The proper stance provides stability.  The stance is incredibly important, especially in the beginning when you’re learning how to shoot accurately.  A good stance allows you to use proper footwork so you can shoot accurately while moving, index efficiently to engage multiple targets or work around cover and clear corners.  It all starts with the proper foundation – the stance.  For fighting – defending against a violent attack – an aggressive fighting stance is mandatory.

The firing grip - whether it’s with one or two hands - is also another physical foundation.  The ability to operate the pistol properly – shooting accurately and manipulating the weapon efficiently - starts with the grip.  A solid grip allows you to press smoothly and straight to the rear to fire accurately, and then reset the trigger to fire the next shot.  If you have to reposition the support hand between each shot you’re not starting with the correct grip.  Having a pistol that fits your hands is important; a pistol that’s too small or too big makes it difficult to acquire and maintain the correct grip.  Practice until you can acquire and maintain the proper grip, providing a solid foundation for the pistol.

The stance is a physical foundation, but it also plays into the mental part of the equation.  The mind tells the body what to do, but your stance – the physical –influences the mental - how you’re thinking.  Assuming a fighting stance puts you in a fighting frame of mind, mentally preparing you for what’s to come.

Having the right mental foundation will also show in your physical actions.  Watch some one who is sure of what they are doing.  Their mental attitude will be displayed in their physical actions.  This is important, because ninety percent or more of our communication is body language.  Most threats are not looking for a fight; the right body language – a fighting stance that flow from the proper mental foundation - may change their mind about what they thought they were going to do.

The proper moral foundations are mandatory.  You have to ask yourself the hard questions before becoming involved in a confrontation.   What are you ready, willing and morally prepared to fight for?  Given a choice we would avoid all confrontations, but there are times when avoidance or escape are not options.  In a fight you may injured or worse.  You may be forced to physically injure another person, and they could die as a result of your actions.  Are you ready to accept this and the consequences of your actions?  Get your moral foundations established well in advance of the need.

There are physical foundations that support all your skills.  Skill is important, but all your techniques rely on having a solid mental foundation.  Ultimately, all relies on the moral base.  Make sure when the time comes you’re doing the right thing for the right reasons.  In other words, you’re standing on a solid foundation.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama.  He is the author of “The Book of Two Guns” - http://shootrite.org/book/book.html writes for several firearms/tactical publications, and is featured on GunTalk’s DVD, “Fighting With The 1911 - http://shootrite.org/dvd/dvd.html  McKee’s new book, AR-15 Skills and Drills, is available off Shootrite’s website: http://shootrite.org/AR15SkillsBook/AR15SkillsBook.html

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