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CQB For Dummies

2026-05-19

This is mostly just a summary of this playlist so I don't need to sift through footage every single time.

Actions on the Door

Split Stack

A split stack is when at least one person is on either side of the door. You just get you and your buddy on both sides of the door, and you're good to go. This is where our first major concept is introduced, known as attack the crack. Whichever side is in the direction of the continuation of the line connecting the latch side and the hinge side when you open the door is the one attacking the crack.

If you are defending a door, you also want to position yourself to attack the crack in case the door is opened from the other side.

Now that both sides have been positioned, the operator attacking the crack will instruct the other operator to open the door, who is also responsible to make sure nobody is exposed to the door opening.

Once the door is open, you want to be standing at the shallowest angle you can, while still being able to see inside the room. The operator attacking the crack will be the first to do their pie, going from the starting position to the 90 degree line and returning to the starting position, after which the second operator will do the same. Operators shouldn't go at the same time, as this causes collisions and confusion with targets that are in both operator's views.

Now, the majority of the room will have been cleared, with only two dead angles. Operators should cross into the room at the same time to secure the entire room.

Single Stack

A single stack is when you and your buddy stack on the same side of the door, usually when there isn't enough space on the other side or it's generally unsafe.

Since both operators are on the same side, there is no need to identify who is attacking the crack. The first operator will open the door and pie across the opening. In this process, the second operator needs to keep enough distance between them and the first operator, to ensure if the first operator needs to bail, they have enough space to do so without having a collision. Once the first operator has reached past the 90 degree point, the second operator also needs to start addressing the room.

Angles of Exposure

Angles of Exposure states that whoever is most exposed to the problem should handle it. There is no need to throw the problem to someone else just because of their proximity, especially if you are in a better position to begin with.

Priorities of Threat

This is the order in which threats should be dealt with.

  1. Active Armed Threats: individuals actively presenting a weapon or engaging in hostile action. Unless they are already engaging you, you should try to make them surrender first.
  2. Unarmed Individuals: individuals without visible weapons. Must be controlled and secured, keeping in mind this category includes both civilians and potential enemy combatants.
  3. Uncleared Spaces: parts of the room that have not yet been cleared.
  4. Open Door/Doorways: potential entry point/escape for enemy combatants. Need to be secured.
  5. Closed Door: dealt with as normal after everything else has been cleared.
  6. Deceased Individuals: do I really need to explain this one?

Distance

Stand-off

Refers to increasing the distance between yourself and combatants that rely on close proximity to reach their desired outcome (e.g. bomb vests and melee weapons).

Extraction of Angles

Refers to the speed at which an operator can retreat from pieing to safety. It is crucial to identify the right distance between the operator and the apex so the cost of not being able to move in and out of cover quickly while potential combatants can don't outweigh the benefits of keeping the distance.

AMCB

AMCB, or Angle Man/Corner Boy, is a tactic used when encountering a L-shaped corridor, where there is a primary angle that needs to be pied combined with an interior wall adjacent to that corner which creates a secondary blind spot behind the primary one. One operator (the Angle Man) will actively pie the corner, while the other (the Corner Boy) stays behind cover and focuses on reading the AM's body language, ensuring if the AM needs to bail or requires immediate support, there can be a prompt resolution.

Non-verbal Cues

Right so this is where the video went on about talking less to convey more information by signing with your gun/flashlight, and while it makes a good point, I'm just tryna have fun with my buddies where we spend half the time testing if friendly fire is on, so we are NOT serious enough to learn these signs lol.