Riot and SWAT Training Stag Do

Riot training is your chance to start a riot without spending a single night in the cells. Your group gets kitted out, taught the basics of police public order tactics by instructors, then split into two teams. One side holds the line with shields and batons, the other plays the rioters, and then you swap. It’s the only stag activity I know where chucking things at the best man is part of the plan.

The training side usually covers things like holding a base line, how snatch squads work, handling a baton and casualty evacuation. Some packages include a petrol bomb demonstration too (watched from a safe distance, not thrown by the stag). Then the instructors step back and let it all kick off.

It’s teamwork with a lot of noise. A shield wall only holds if everyone moves together, which is surprisingly hard for a group who can’t agree on where to eat. When it clicks, you feel like a proper unit. When it doesn’t, the rioters pour through the gap and it’s chaos, which is just as good.

It suits mixed groups too. You don’t need to be fit or sporty or any good at anything. The stag’s dad, the uncles and his mates from five-a-side can all stand in a line and shout. The side swap means everyone gets to be the baddie at some point, and that’s the best bit.

Give the stag a job. Make him the commanding officer and watch his orders get ignored, or put him alone at the front of the rioters and see how long he lasts.

SWAT training is the more tactical cousin. Instead of a shield wall, you learn how an assault team moves through a building. Instructors teach you how to stack up at a door, clear a room and run a hostage rescue scenario. Think of every action film you’ve ever watched, except this time you have to remember which corner you were meant to be covering.

A lot of SWAT packages are abroad, often combined with time on a firing range, so they slot neatly into a city break. Expect plenty of drills before the fun part, and expect the stag to forget the hand signals immediately. Some packages even let you name your gun. I’d make him pick something embarrassing.

If the group cares more about pulling triggers than tactics, our shooting stag do page covers live firearms ranges.

• The booze waits. You’ll be swinging batons or handling weapons, so the drinking starts afterwards. Providers won’t let anyone take part who’s been on it.
• Wear old clothes. You’ll be running, crouching and probably rolling about. Trainers or boots with grip, and nothing you’d mind getting scuffed.
• Bring ID for anything abroad. If the package includes a firing range, you’ll need your passport on you.
• Check the numbers. These work best with enough of you to make two decent teams. Ask the provider about minimum group sizes.
• Expect a bruise or two. Protective kit is provided and it’s all supervised, but a shield charge is still a shield charge.

Riot training is a day activity, so plan a big night out after. Check where your package is based and pick the nearest good city from our stag do destinations. For SWAT abroad, a Prague stag do gives you ranges and a famous beer scene in one trip. If the lads want more running about, paintball and zombie survival games keep the combat theme going.