How to stand back up with a gun in hand during a gunfight

Getting knocked down in a gunfight doesn't have to mean the fight is over, but how you get back up matters. In a video from Tactical Rifleman, the instructor breaks down the technical stand-up, a staple of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other grappling arts, and adapts it for a scenario where you're holding a firearm instead of training bare-handed.

Key points

• The setup: You're on the ground after being knocked over, tripping, or stumbling, and you need a stable way back to your feet without exposing yourself.
• Slide first if needed: The video notes you may need to scoot or slide away from a threat before attempting to stand.
• Base and kick leg: One leg plants with the foot flat on the ground for support, while the other stays free to defend or kick if someone closes the distance.
• Hand placement with a gun: The instructor says to keep the firearm in your dominant hand and use your non-dominant hand to base off the ground, adjusting the standard grappling technique for armed use.
• Stable and adaptable: Tactical Rifleman describes the position as stable and useful for transitioning into hand-to-hand if the fight closes in while you're recovering.

Quick take

This is a short clip, but it fills a real gap most shooters never train for: what to do when you end up on the ground mid-fight. Borrowing a grappling fundamental and applying it with a gun in hand is a practical way to bridge marksmanship training with real-world mobility under stress.

Watch the full video: Tactical Rifleman