The Mozambique Drill

SCT

SCT

Security Directors
The Mozambique Drill, also known as the Failure to Stop Drill, or Failure Drill, is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating.
It is important to note that in the heat of such an encounter, all but the most well-trained shooters will be unlikely to score such a precise head-shot. For the vast majority of people the point of aim should remain the torso.

For a full explanation and picture go here:

Firearms Industry Forum - Firearms Industry Forum - Topic: Mozambique Drill (1/1)
 
We were stopped from doing this in the Gulf (UK military) as it was considered 'excessive use of force' and a breach of the ROE - no more rounds than necessary, only aimed shots etc

Plus the coroner if required may deliberate that a killing was unlawful because after they were 'mortally wounded' you then fired a further round.

I totally agree with the reasons behind the drill, however, operators need to be aware of the possible outcomes.

Although the old saying 'I rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6' applies to me :)
 
operator144 said:
We were stopped from doing this in the Gulf (UK military) as it was considered 'excessive use of force' and a breach of the ROE - no more rounds than necessary, only aimed shots etc

Plus the coroner if required may deliberate that a killing was unlawful because after they were 'mortally wounded' you then fired a further round.

I totally agree with the reasons behind the drill, however, operators need to be aware of the possible outcomes.

Although the old saying 'I rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6' applies to me :)
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This happens when keyboard warrior desk jockeys are allowed to make the rules
 
Just a slight clarification.

“The Mozambique Drill, also known as the Failure to Stop Drill, or Failure Drill, is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target.”

I also note in the link given as regards the ‘history’ that Africa is credited as being the country of origin as to this method of shooting. Further it would also seem that Jeff Cooper an American is credited with ‘inventing’ the triple tap! All this it would seem happened in the early 1960’s.

In reality it should perhaps be known as the Shanghai Drill and China credited as the country of origin!
In the 1930’s two British Police Officers, Captain’s Fairbairn and Sykes, developed various combat skills for the Shanghai Police. Pistol shooting and the double tap being one, another being the use of a knife, the commando dagger being developed by them. In the 1940’s the double tap method being used in training both Commando’s and such organisations as the Special Operations Executive. Along with other ‘special’ groups.

The two to the body one to the head concept being a natural progression even then, at least twenty years prior to the “ Mozambique Drill “! After WWII this procedure was continued within British Special Forces as a ‘Standard Operational Procedure’ even before the 1960’s.

Saward
 
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I quite like the 'Mombassa buzi' technique myself..? that's a shot to the body and then empty the magazine to centre body mass until life expires... it has certain subtleness about it..? or perhaps not..?

Good post SCT, lots of forethought and consideration for 'reaction' and 'Shoot to Live' training policies... personal or otherwise...

CD
 
Worth a read if you can still get it.
Shooting to Live. By Fairbairn and Sykes first printed in 1942.

Interestingly in;
Small Arms Training. CQB published in 1945. Mention is also made of double tapping.

Handy tip.
Double tapping with an M79 (40mm) is not recommended. Not much of a target after the first round.

Saward
 
saward said:
Worth a read if you can still get it.
Shooting to Live. By Fairbairn and Sykes first printed in 1942.

Interestingly in;
Small Arms Training. CQB published in 1945. Mention is also made of double tapping.

Handy tip.
Double tapping with an M79 (40mm) is not recommended. Not much of a target after the first round.

Saward
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You should report that on the Firearms Portal Forum
 
saward said:
Handy tip.
Double tapping with an M79 (40mm) is not recommended. Not much of a target after the first round.

Saward
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There was a video a while back on Live Leak I think of someone in an Apache/A10 or similar at night trying to 'double-tap' with a Minigun, had a similar effect - amusing commentary in a typical Military sick sort of way :)
 
SCT said:
The Mozambique Drill, also known as the Failure to Stop Drill, or Failure Drill, is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating.
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My school if thought is not to count rounds when shooting; shoot until the adversary is down...

m
 
Sometimes referred to as the "Mombasa Drill" as well but I believe the true credit should rightly go to the Rogues of Shanghai..
 
To rapidly neutralise an imminent threat, the first two rounds being ineffective due to the threat wearing body armour, requiring a head shot.

Wasn't the double tap used for 9mm calibre weapons to inflict the same damage as higher velocity weapons?

No need for a double tap with a carbine? Simply two rounds at the centre of visible mass.
 
In Jeff's Cooper's words:

"As time passes we discover that there are a good many readers who have not been to school and who are puzzled by our reference to "The Mozambique Drill."

I added The Mozambique Drill to the modern doctrine after hearing of an experience of a student of mine up in Mozambique when that country was abandoned. My friend was involved in the fighting that took place around the airport of Lourenço Marques2. At one point, Mike turned a corner was confronted by a terrorist carrying an AK47. The man was advancing toward him at a walk at a range of perhaps 10 paces. Mike, who was a good shot, came up with his P35 and planted two satisfactory hits, one on each side of the wishbone. He expected his adversary to drop, but nothing happened, and the man continued to close the range. At this point, our boy quite sensibly opted to go for the head and tried to do so, but he was a little bit upset by this time and mashed slightly on the trigger, catching the terrorist precisely between the collar bones and severing his spinal cord. This stopped the fight.

Upon analysis, it seemed to me that the pistolero should be accustomed to the idea of placing two shots amidships as fast as he can and then being prepared to change his point of aim if this achieves no results. Two shots amidships can be placed very quickly and very reliably and they will nearly always stop the fight providing a major-caliber pistol is used and the subject is not wearing body armor.

However, simply chanting "two in the body, one in the head" oversimplifies matters, since it takes considerably longer to be absolutely sure of a head shot than it does to be quite sure of two shots in the thorax. The problem for the shooter is to change his pace, going just as fast as he can with his first pair, then, pausing to observe results or lack thereof, he must slow down and shoot precisely. This is not easy to do. The beginner tends to fire all three shots at the same speed, which is either too slow for the body shots or too fast for the head shot. This change of pace calls for concentration and coordination which can only be developed through practice."
 
SCT said:
In Jeff's Cooper's words:

"As time passes we discover that there are a good many readers who have not been to school and who are puzzled by our reference to "The Mozambique Drill."

I added The Mozambique Drill to the modern doctrine after hearing of an experience of a student of mine up in Mozambique when that country was abandoned. My friend was involved in the fighting that took place around the airport of Lourenço Marques2. At one point, Mike turned a corner was confronted by a terrorist carrying an AK47. The man was advancing toward him at a walk at a range of perhaps 10 paces. Mike, who was a good shot, came up with his P35 and planted two satisfactory hits, one on each side of the wishbone. He expected his adversary to drop, but nothing happened, and the man continued to close the range. At this point, our boy quite sensibly opted to go for the head and tried to do so, but he was a little bit upset by this time and mashed slightly on the trigger, catching the terrorist precisely between the collar bones and severing his spinal cord. This stopped the fight.

Upon analysis, it seemed to me that the pistolero should be accustomed to the idea of placing two shots amidships as fast as he can and then being prepared to change his point of aim if this achieves no results. Two shots amidships can be placed very quickly and very reliably and they will nearly always stop the fight providing a major-caliber pistol is used and the subject is not wearing body armor.

However, simply chanting "two in the body, one in the head" oversimplifies matters, since it takes considerably longer to be absolutely sure of a head shot than it does to be quite sure of two shots in the thorax. The problem for the shooter is to change his pace, going just as fast as he can with his first pair, then, pausing to observe results or lack thereof, he must slow down and shoot precisely. This is not easy to do. The beginner tends to fire all three shots at the same speed, which is either too slow for the body shots or too fast for the head shot. This change of pace calls for concentration and coordination which can only be developed through practice."
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I still say counting rounds in a real fight is inefficient. Shoot at center mass until the attacker can no longer do harm. Simple, effective and proven in the field.

m
 
We are taught the "Zipper Drill" as well. Start at the groin and fire in a vertical direction ending at the head. However many shots it takes is however many it takes. This is akin to MTS's advice...shoot till the threat is over!
 
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Its still used in current Police classification shoots. However in this politically correct climate it is worded differently.
It is "one shot to the body and one shot to the head, to simulate the subject wearing Body armour"
 
Just a few observations that may have been overlooked.

Back in the Shanghai days , the concept of your local criminal wearing body armour was not something you tended to consider. Hence two rounds to the body in general was enough to remove the threat. The concept of the head shot was to ensure the threat was well and truly removed, when dealing with multiple assailants. So allowing you to progress without the fear of being shot by a still active threat.

Since those days we have the case where assailants can be found wearing body armour. But also ammunition has improved! Anyone having used old .38/2z ammunition can no doubt vouch for that. Now you can get armour piercing rounds for pistols. Would suggest a look at what is on the market that the Police could perhaps use.

“No need for a double tap with a carbine? Simply two rounds at the centre of visible mass.†Well interestingly the ‘double tap’ was taught for the carbine during WWII, close contact in the jungle! I believe a ‘double tap’ is two rounds?

I get the feeling that many have practised their ‘two to the body one to the head’ on a one way range, perhaps with a fig 11. Some even on an electronic range? This is fine to begin with but you need to progress your training should you be in a position to be called upon to go to the two way range.

Unlike the fig 11, live targets will not be standing still but rather moving and even shooting back. In that first instant contact you may very well not get any head shot. There can be many other factors that you will have to be aware of and reacting to. Remember, “No plan survives first contact with the enemyâ€.

The use of Simunitions is perhaps the nearest that some will get prior to a live two way range. The fact of getting hit gives you a better understanding of what to expect in reality. Prior to Simunitions the thing to use was ‘wax loads’. Used with a .38 Special not only did it hurt when you were hit but it also taught you to make your rounds count. Remember a pistol could be the only firearm you have and you may also be limited to the number of magazines or speed loads you carry.

Saward
 
I was lead to believe that ‘double tap’ was designed to be used by low velocity weapons i.e. >350m per second ammunition, as opposed to the full metal jacket higher velocity rounds covering <950m per second.

Two low velocity rounds in approximately the same vicinity would hopefully achieve a figure of 8 type cavity therefore achieving a more influential wound, more consistent with that from a high velocity round.

A common over looked consequence of ‘double tapping’ is if you miss with 1st round you miss with the 2nd.

It is also associated with the ‘shoot & stop’ syndrome, where the body automatically stops to do something else. Try this yourself, stand in front of the mirror and use an imaginary weapon, engage the target with a double tap – you automatically return to the initial carriage position with the muzzle facing the ground. Too many people raise the weapon, discharge a ‘double tap’ and then return the weapon to the initial patrol type stance with the muzzle facing a safe direction!

You should remain in the standing alert position and with the muzzle facing the target…

Have you considered a ‘full magazine tap’ which translates to you firing at a rapid rate of fire (1 round every 2 seconds) which allows the muzzle to return to the initial rest position so the weapon points naturally at the target without any undue physical effort, prior to the next shot being released and followed through without any undue disturbance to the position.

There should be only 3 times you should stop shooting:
1. You go down
2. Your target goes down
3. EMPTY magazine

In a test with an assailant in a red man suit, 2 firers with simunition were firing at the same target.

The red man ran at the firers from a distance of 15m:

• The double tap firer fired 1 x double tap & 1 round prior to being over run

• The full magazine firer fired 8 to 12 rounds prior to being over run

Finally, do you need to fire 2 rounds at a target to realise no impact? Could this not be done after 1 round? After engaging a target with a round and with no visible impact, therefore instantly resorting to firing at the head?
 
Security Chauffeur College said:
I was lead to believe that ‘double tap’ was designed to be used by low velocity weapons i.e. >350m per second ammunition, as opposed to the full metal jacket higher velocity rounds covering <950m per second.

Two low velocity rounds in approximately the same vicinity would hopefully achieve a figure of 8 type cavity therefore achieving a more influential wound, more consistent with that from a high velocity round.

A common over looked consequence of ‘double tapping’ is if you miss with 1st round you miss with the 2nd.

It is also associated with the ‘shoot & stop’ syndrome, where the body automatically stops to do something else. Try this yourself, stand in front of the mirror and use an imaginary weapon, engage the target with a double tap – you automatically return to the initial carriage position with the muzzle facing the ground. Too many people raise the weapon, discharge a ‘double tap’ and then return the weapon to the initial patrol type stance with the muzzle facing a safe direction!

You should remain in the standing alert position and with the muzzle facing the target…

Have you considered a ‘full magazine tap’ which translates to you firing at a rapid rate of fire (1 round every 2 seconds) which allows the muzzle to return to the initial rest position so the weapon points naturally at the target without any undue physical effort, prior to the next shot being released and followed through without any undue disturbance to the position.

There should be only 3 times you should stop shooting:
1. You go down
2. Your target goes down
3. EMPTY magazine

In a test with an assailant in a red man suit, 2 firers with simunition were firing at the same target.

The red man ran at the firers from a distance of 15m:

• The double tap firer fired 1 x double tap & 1 round prior to being over run

• The full magazine firer fired 8 to 12 rounds prior to being over run

Finally, do you need to fire 2 rounds at a target to realise no impact? Could this not be done after 1 round? After engaging a target with a round and with no visible impact, therefore instantly resorting to firing at the head?
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Are you sure about your timings. 1 round every 2 seconds is hardly rapid. Average rapid fir rate for a semi auto is 45-60 rpm. Also, anything over 1,126 f/s (343.2 mt/s) is high velocity (supersonic).
 
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