You kick a door alone, heart rate high, rifle up, and suddenly every shadow looks like a problem. That’s 1-man CQB—no stack, no hand-offs, just you solving a complex geometry problem under pressure. Here at Taylor Defense, we train and think in that space every day. Whether you’re military, law enforcement, or a responsibly trained civilian, understanding solo CQB fundamentals can keep you alive and effective. In today’s breakdown, we’re pulling lessons from a Green Beret teaching Navy SEALs how to run single-man close quarters battle—clean mechanics, hard angles, and disciplined reps that translate across units.

This isn’t about flashy room clears. It’s about deliberate movement, information gathering, and responsible tempo. The video below dives into the mechanics. Let’s set the stage with core concepts you can use right now.

Why Solo CQB Demands Different Thinking

With a team, you’ve got sectors, cross-coverage, and a flow. Alone, you’re a mobile camera and a rifle. The mission shifts from rapid dominance to controlled surveillance and selective action. It’s slower, smarter, and anchored in risk management. The Green Beret’s approach emphasizes clarity: prioritize angles, reduce exposure, and never outrun your information.

Foundational Mechanics You Can’t Skip

1. Threshold Evaluation

Before you enter, you gather. Use the doorframe as cover, not concealment. Roll your eyes, not your shoulders. Keep the muzzle oriented where your eyes are hunting. Slice the room in small bites—pie the angle to reveal sectors incrementally. Every degree you earn before you commit makes the entry safer.

2. The Angle Game

Angles decide fights. High-value corners—especially deep or “far-side” corners—drive your path. If you can clear 70% of a room from outside with good slice-the-pie, do it. If you can’t, plan your entry to address the highest threat corner first. Your feet set your fate; don’t drift into the fatal funnel. Keep hips square to threat zones and rifle stable through the arc.

3. Entry with Purpose

When you commit, commit decisively. A tight, controlled step that clears the muzzle and your head at the same time. Avoid over-penetration; 1-man clears aren’t full wraps. You want enough entry to own your priority corner and maintain options to exit or re-approach. The Green Beret’s cue is simple: move just enough to see and fight, not more.

4. Work the Light

White light is information and a beacon. Use momentary light to identify, not to paint walls. Short pulses, off-axis, and immediately move your position after activation. Manage photonic barriers—bright windows, mirrors, or reflective surfaces—by angling your beam low or off-center to prevent blinding yourself.

5. Muzzle, Mechanics, and Safety

Muzzle discipline is non-negotiable. Maintain a high-ready or low-ready that suits the geometry. In tight doorways, a compressed high-ready can keep the gun clear of frames while maintaining immediate response. In long hallways, a stable low-ready may keep your optic out of the door jamb and speed acquisition.

Decision-Making: Tempo and Triggers

Solo CQB is a game of tempo control. Speed sits behind information. If the angle is unknown, slow down and collect. If you’ve confirmed a threat vector, accelerate decisively. The Green Beret’s framework for decision-making is simple: identify, isolate, act. Confirm what you can from outside, isolate the threat axis, and execute with purpose. It’s not about being the fastest—it’s about surviving the first problem and being ready for the next.

Watch the full video above for detailed insights and demonstrations.