So I’ve started using the following drill as a warmup. I start with a 4" dot at 7 meters and fire a controlled pair into it (ie a sight picture for each shot and then a follow through sight picture for a total of three sight pictures.) If I score two hits I move the target back 1 meter and fire two more. I move the target back one meter at a time until I miss then start over at 7 meters. The focus is on accuracy and fundamentals. I don’t use any time limit, the performance yardstick is the distance I make it before I have to reset.
I really like this drill for several reasons. One, it’s fun. It also builds confidence at longer range and forces me to focus on marksmanship fundamentals. It adds a little bit of pressure as I add distance and feel invested in making the hits. Finally, it’s exciting to see that tangible improvement and go for personal bests.
My question for any experienced shooter that cares to answer is how can I improve this drill? I recognize that one of the big weaknesses of the drill is that I have to break my grip and move the target back every two shots. Does anyone have any ideas how I can use this to increase the training quality of the drill? Does anyone have any drills that could compliment it?
I sometimes do something similar, except that I take a step back after each successful string, as opposed to moving the target. Depending on your range, this may not be possible.
Other ideas:
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Include a drawstroke, so you can make lemonade out of the fact that you have to move the target stand. Or add elevated heart rate into the time between strings, or for misses. Nothing like physical reward.
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Add a timer in between, say, 7 yards and 10. As you improve, begin to include the timer farther back.
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Make the target smaller
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Consider moving to 3 shots.
A couple things that I use from time to time. Again, great drill you have going there.
I fire a routine like this all the time and use it with a lot of beginner level shooters to keep them entertained while driving home the fundamentals.
Sometimes I speed the tempo up a hair. Not to say that I’m firing at the first moment my sights cross the target but rather bring the pistol to bear from the low ready and squeeze off a round at a 1-2 pace. Then between follow up shots, I allow my brain to process the up coming steps and walk my body thru it. Something like 1 raise weapon 2 fire. 1-2 thought processing follow up. 1 raise weapon 2 fire…Just always ensuring that proper form and sight picture come before speed.
Accuracy is very important. To test your grip, sight tracking, trigger control and follow through–fire more than two rounds. The Bill Drill is good for this, also multiple targets/shots. You can get away with a bad grip firing one or two shots, fire more and it will cost you if not corrected. People tend to have a quicker “one shot draw”(woo fing hoo) when they know they will fire one round into the berm vs. counting the first shot of a multiple shot drill.
Also, keep things relative such as in a defensive scenario, find a balance in the speed and accuracy. For instance, let’s use 10 yards. What would you rather have-two shots inside an eight inch circle in 2 seconds or two inside a three inch circle in 4 seconds–an example.
Bottom line is to push the envelope with speed to find the balance with accuracy. Know the time YOU need to make THAT shot.
Bottom line is to push the envelope with speed to find the balance with accuracy. Know the time YOU need to make THAT shot.[/QUOTE]
I couldn’t agree more. One of the most common things I encounter during classes is either the Wyatt Earps or the people that act as if they’re shooting the X at Camp Perry. It’s always one extreme or the other! (I’m talking in regards to civilian basic courses and CCW) Balance is an absolute necessity!
Like everything else on this site, define the purpose.
Drills are far more valuable if they test or measure something, those that do are the ones that stick around.
As it is, the Dot Torture (http://pistol-training.com/drills/dot-torture) does everything the warm-up you are shooting does, and more.
If you can clean the Dot Torture at 3 yards, back up to 5, and then to 7, etc. It provides many opportunities to balance speed and accuracy, but places the emphasis on accuracy. It also clearly tells you what you need to work on.
There are a shit-ton of good drills out there with defined standards. The only reason to try to create a “new” drill is if you are trying to measure or test something that non of the other drills do, and right now, short of hitting a running Bigfoot, it’s pretty much already covered.
Have additional dots that are 3", 2" and 1" on your target. Then you don’t have to change the distance, just go to a smaller dot. As mentioned above, Dot Torture is a good comparable drill.
Gringop