Eyes Up!

The low ready position: Eyes up, watching the area or specific point of concern. Keep arms,
hands and pistol low enough so you can see what’s going on.

One of the most difficult skills to teach during defensive classes — and I find this to be true at almost every level of training — are the visual techniques. “Tactical” vision, watching what’s going on around you, applies before (even if you’re unarmed), during and after the fight. It’s important, and everyone understands the principles, but doing this is extremely hard. The two things I say most often when teaching are “Eyes up!” and “Scan!”

Learn to manipulate your weapon without looking. Use dummy ammunition and
practice with your eyes closed until you’ve truly learned.

Hunting Eyes

We have “hunter” eyes. Our ocular cavities are in the front of the skull. This binocular vision allows us to see in three dimensions, accurately judging distance and depth. However, we have limited peripheral vision (as opposed to plant eaters with eyes on the side of the head) and a big blind spot at the rear. You have to twist your head to see what’s going on around you. So, how does this factor into your defensive strategies?

The best response to danger is avoidance and escape, ideally before bad stuff starts. Doing this requires staying aware of your environment. Being visually oriented creatures, 90% or more of what we “know” is acquired through our eyes. You have to constantly watch the people around you. At the same time you must keep track of the last known safe space, additional exits and objects that can be used for cover or protection. Staying “plugged in” is all about keeping your eyes up and watching the world around you.

Some attacks begin suddenly, offering no chance to avoid and escape. Solving this problem requires your pistol. “Eyes up,” becomes even more important. Don’t lose visual contact with the threat unless something more important appears or you get to a safe area. You can only deal with one problem at a time.

When drawing the pistol keep your eyes on the threat. As you present the pistol keep your eyes on target and bring the sights up to the eyes to acquire a sight picture. This is much more efficient than dropping the head and eyes down at the same time you’re bringing the sights up. Keep both eyes open — remember, binocular vision — and shift your visual focus to the front sight while pressing off the hits.

Danger! Move! Visual awareness lets you spot danger, then move. Look around to find
cover and exits so you know where to go. While watching the threat, be ready to adjust.

Watch What’s Important

If you have to reload or have a malfunction (stoppages occur more often in fights than they do on the range) manipulate the weapon with the eyes up, watching the threat. It’s probably a low-light environment, where the majority of attacks occur, so you won’t be able to see the weapon anyway. Once you’ve truly learned how to manipulate your weapon, it’s not necessary to observe what you’re doing.

Learning to manipulate the weapon begins with the basics — administrative manipulations — loading and unloading. From the beginning, make it a habit not to look at the weapon during manipulations. Yes, there’s some fumbling in the beginning, but that’s why you have an instructor there. After developing your tactile sense, the ability to feel what’s going on, you’ll eventually be more efficient than someone who has to look at their weapon, especially in the dark.

Once you’re finished firing — the threat will let you know when you’re done — go to the “low ready” position. The hands, arms and weapon are extended, but low enough to watch the downed threat, or see if they come back around the corner. It’s time to scan. Your weapon stays pointing towards last known threat, or that corner. Get your eyes up and look around.

There may be additional threats. Where’s your family? Look for cover or a position that’s easily defended if need be. Scanning, taking your eyes off the past danger and focusing on something farther away, will visually break you out of the tunnel vision you may be experiencing. Don’t forget to use reflections. Glass windows, a clean paint job on a car and other shiny surfaces give you eyes in the back of your head, so to speak.

The visual principles and techniques for self-defense are often overlooked. Keeping your eyes up, paying attention to the world around you is always a good habit. During defensive actions, maintaining visual awareness is mandatory. Study this well and then start putting it into practice. Eyes Up!

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