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May 7, 2018

Why Dynamic Drills Matter

Tired of Shooting at Static Targets? Spice Up Your Range Time with Dynamic Drills

Are you feeling stuck in a rut with your range sessions? Shooting at stationary paper targets can get monotonous and fails to prepare you for real-world scenarios. It’s time to shake things up and challenge yourself with some dynamic drills that will improve your target acquisition, get your heart pumping, and enhance your overall shooting skills.

Static target practice has its place, but it doesn’t replicate the stress and physical demands of a real defensive situation. By incorporating movement and rapid target acquisition into your training, you’ll develop skills that translate more directly to practical applications.

Key Elements of Dynamic Drills

Target Acquisition

Quick and accurate target acquisition is crucial in dynamic situations. Practice transitioning between multiple targets of varying sizes and distances. The “Catch 22 Drill” is excellent for this, requiring you to engage steel targets at different ranges in a specific sequence[1].

Movement

Incorporating movement into your drills serves two purposes:

  1. It elevates your heart rate, simulating stress.
  2. It teaches you to shoot accurately while on the move.

Stress Inoculation

To truly prepare for high-stress scenarios, you need to train under similar conditions. The “4567 Drill” is a great example, combining time pressure with different shooting positions and hand usage[1].

Or, try the “X Drill,” which involves moving between firing positions in an X pattern while engaging different target zones[1].

Sample Dynamic Drills

The Circle Drill

This drill teaches you to balance speed and accuracy under increasing time pressure:

  1. Set up an 8-inch steel plate at 7 yards.
  2. Fire 6 rounds at a slow pace (1 shot per second).
  3. Repeat at a moderate pace (2 shots per second).
  4. Finally, fire as fast as possible while maintaining accuracy[1].

El Presidente

This classic drill incorporates movement, multiple targets, and reloading:

  1. Set up three targets at 10 yards, spaced 1 yard apart.
  2. Start facing away from the targets.
  3. On the signal, turn, draw, and fire two rounds at each target.
  4. Perform a reload, then fire two more rounds at each target[3].

Threat Response Drill

This drill simulates different real-world scenarios:

  1. Close-range threat: Practice creating distance while drawing and firing.
  2. Medium-range threat with no cover: Move offline while drawing and engaging.
  3. Medium-range threat with cover: Sprint to cover, then draw and engage[5].

Safety First

Remember, safety is paramount when practicing dynamic drills. Ensure you’re at a range that allows movement and multiple target engagement. Always follow range rules and wear appropriate safety gear.

Conclusion

By incorporating these dynamic drills into your range sessions, you’ll not only break the monotony of static target practice but also develop crucial skills for real-world applications. Remember to start slow, focus on proper technique, and gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable with each drill. Happy shooting!

Citations:

[1] https://tacticalhyve.com/shooting-drills-the-ultimate-list/
[2] https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/drills-for-improving-speed-and-target-acquisition.6918934/
[3] https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/pistol-shooting-drills/
[4] https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/210804-target-acquisition-speed/
[5] https://www.thearmorylife.com/pistol-shooting-drills-for-combat-marksmanship/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A9YJNJh978
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4wKWsCFAfU
[8] https://www.dps.ms.gov/sites/dps/files/T.O.S.S.%20Lesson%20Plan.doc