Want to get better at shooting? Here are five simple drills you can set up at any range that use simple targets.
1. FAST Drill
2. Bill Drill
3. Failure Drill
4. 2 shots to the head
5. Dot Torture
Check out the excellent video on Dot Torture from Lucky Gunner here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guxSc0o6lAU
Caleb, have you ever used any shot timer apps on your phone that you would recommend? Or should I suck up the cost of a real shot timer? Nice drills. thanks for sharing. simple enough to run at my anti-holster draw range. Even better drills for when I go out to the pit in the national forest.
man what happened- last video I saw of you was Dan Wesson valkkrie & now you look totally different. did you go to prison or did you join the Village people?
These are great drills, but I would suggest that people make some modifications.
1) get closer when starting this drill. Most people cannot hit a quarter at point blank range at speed draw. So start at point blank range and work your way out as you develop skill. I started this drill seven years ago at point blank range. And I agree, start slow until you are consistent and then add speed.
2) Put a dot or a pin on the 3 X5 card since for beginners, it aids in developing focus to see something more refined to hit. (This is based on the principle aim small, miss small). Ideally, the dot or pin should be as small as you can clearly see. For most of us, that will be something like a 1/4 inch diameter. People with outstanding eyesight can go as far down as one eighth inch diameter but only if you have outstanding eyesight. And for guys with really old eyes, you can go as big as a quarter. The smaller the size, the quicker your progress.
I have a modified dart board, and my "bulleye " is the size of a quarter, and my " 8 inch outer ring " is really 5 inches. At 7 yards, 8 inches is way too big. If you start of at point blank range like I did doing the pencil drill, and work your way out to 21 feet, you will understand what I mean. If you want to use an 8 inch circle, fine not a problem just put a pin or a black dot in the center and aim for the dot.
3) You don't have to do this with live ammo. As a matter of fact I recommend against it for safety reasons. I've used a J frame for my efforts and an SRT Laser Pistol. My J frame is calibrated to that distance at which I am competent (with a Crimson Trace small boot grip laser). 12 feet. By the term "competent," I mean a speed draw of the industry standard ( one and one half second for one shot or less) hitting the quarter 90% of the time for one shot. I'm now shooting at 21 feet, but I don't hit the quarter 90% of the time. I'm hitting it at speed draw about 40% of the time, but getting within 1 1/2 inches of the quarter bullseye 90% of the time. This is why I say that an 8 inch circle is way too large. It should be reduced to about 4-5 inches. Mine is five inches.
4) While this is the only gun channel that I subscribe to on You Tube because I have so much respect for this outstanding presenter, I have to say that these times are very slow. HOWEVER, bear in mind this is live fire and they should be slow for safety reasons. But for training purposes you should do the bulk of your training with either a laser pistol, BB Gun, Airsoft or something else that allows you to maximize your speed. As indicated, I use lasers.
5) I've been doing something similar to this for the past seven years, two times a day, seven days a week. So this is not theory. I am a Point Shooter, also known as an Instinctive Shooter and I don't use the sights. Unlike pros, I could never develop the speed necessary if I used sights. It is straight see the target, pull the gun and shoot in one second or under. And I don't look at the gun, the instinctive shooter is looking at the target, and that is why focus is so important. And that is why the smaller the target, the more accurate you become. If I shoot a silhouette, I never look at the silhouette, I'm imagining a left or right Iris, or the center of the brow, or the pimple on the cheek, or that snaggle tooth in the mouth. The worst thing you can do is actually aim for a silhouette. It makes you miss.
And yes, at my competence level of 12 feet, I can hit a quarter sized bullseye all day without using the sights at speed draw. Anyone can do this. That is average shooting. And by "competence level," that is the level where you cannot miss even if you tried.
The theory behind it is never accepting anything but a direct hit as "acceptable." And for 99.9 % of shooters, that means going to point blank range and starting out with "The Pencil Drill." This is the most effective drill that I have ever used, and is the foundation of being able to hit without missing.
6) My maximum range is 21 feet. Too many people try to shoot at greater distance which is a waste of bullets. You learn nothing.
Statistically, the average (90%) gunfight occurs at under 15 feet. So someone learning skills should keep that in mind. Learn to become blazing fast at point blank range and out to about 15 feet. If you are fast and can't miss you've got most bases covered.
If I have to use a gun at 30 feet as a civilian, I am committing murder or I made a terrible mistake and didn't bring a shotgun or a rifle.
7) Ideally you should do this drill with an outside the waistband holster like the presenter at the beginning, but as you develop accuracy and speed, you should be doing this with EVERY holster that you carry. The reason for this is because the draw sequence will be different for every holster and it requires a substantial learning curve in muscle memory.
Spoiler Alert : You will break guns doing this at speed draw. My J frame is going back to the factory for the second time after pulling the gun out of my front pocket holster carry and having the front sight hook on the pocket and jerking the gun out of my hand and having it clattering on the concrete floor. That is the kind of shit that happens in the real world kiddies. So having it happen in practice means that you are doing it correctly.
That is why NEVER use LIVE AMMO with these kinds of aggressive skill developments. You WILL GET KILLED and you WILL have an ACCIDENT.
The speed that this trainer is shooting is correct for practice with live ammunition. Ideally you should go slower. You cannot call a bullet back. Always go slow and think each move through so you don't make a mistake.
i personally wouldnt consider reloading important for self defense.. seeing as how its kinda rare people carry spare mags and even less that you would ever have to reload. if you do carry one, i like the trex arms one for one drill, more reps. bill drill is awesome, failure drill is great.. pretty good stuff!
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Nice video! What model shot timer are you using?
Look at the damage the assclowns have done to the ceiling of that range. DERP!!!
Caleb, have you ever used any shot timer apps on your phone that you would recommend? Or should I suck up the cost of a real shot timer?
Nice drills. thanks for sharing. simple enough to run at my anti-holster draw range. Even better drills for when I go out to the pit in the national forest.
man what happened- last video I saw of you was Dan Wesson valkkrie & now you look totally different. did you go to prison or did you join the Village people?
Can i practice these drills without my gun going off and killing someone?
Nice drills Caleb. And a dropped shot to the genitals ,still bad day for bad guy. Awesome work!
Great drills, but these are skill drills, not really self-defense shooting drills.
These are great drills, but I would suggest that people make some modifications.
1) get closer when starting this drill. Most people cannot hit a quarter at point blank range at speed draw. So start at point blank range and work your way out as you develop skill. I started this drill seven years ago at point blank range. And I agree, start slow until you are consistent and then add speed.
2) Put a dot or a pin on the 3 X5 card since for beginners, it aids in developing focus to see something more refined to hit. (This is based on the principle aim small, miss small). Ideally, the dot or pin should be as small as you can clearly see. For most of us, that will be something like a 1/4 inch diameter. People with outstanding eyesight can go as far down as one eighth inch diameter but only if you have outstanding eyesight. And for guys with really old eyes, you can go as big as a quarter. The smaller the size, the quicker your progress.
I have a modified dart board, and my "bulleye " is the size of a quarter, and my " 8 inch outer ring " is really 5 inches. At 7 yards, 8 inches is way too big. If you start of at point blank range like I did doing the pencil drill, and work your way out to 21 feet, you will understand what I mean. If you want to use an 8 inch circle, fine not a problem just put a pin or a black dot in the center and aim for the dot.
3) You don't have to do this with live ammo. As a matter of fact I recommend against it for safety reasons. I've used a J frame for my efforts and an SRT Laser Pistol. My J frame is calibrated to that distance at which I am competent (with a Crimson Trace small boot grip laser). 12 feet. By the term "competent," I mean a speed draw of the industry standard ( one and one half second for one shot or less) hitting the quarter 90% of the time for one shot. I'm now shooting at 21 feet, but I don't hit the quarter 90% of the time. I'm hitting it at speed draw about 40% of the time, but getting within 1 1/2 inches of the quarter bullseye 90% of the time. This is why I say that an 8 inch circle is way too large. It should be reduced to about 4-5 inches. Mine is five inches.
4) While this is the only gun channel that I subscribe to on You Tube because I have so much respect for this outstanding presenter, I have to say that these times are very slow. HOWEVER, bear in mind this is live fire and they should be slow for safety reasons. But for training purposes you should do the bulk of your training with either a laser pistol, BB Gun, Airsoft or something else that allows you to maximize your speed. As indicated, I use lasers.
5) I've been doing something similar to this for the past seven years, two times a day, seven days a week. So this is not theory. I am a Point Shooter, also known as an Instinctive Shooter and I don't use the sights. Unlike pros, I could never develop the speed necessary if I used sights. It is straight see the target, pull the gun and shoot in one second or under. And I don't look at the gun, the instinctive shooter is looking at the target, and that is why focus is so important. And that is why the smaller the target, the more accurate you become. If I shoot a silhouette, I never look at the silhouette, I'm imagining a left or right Iris, or the center of the brow, or the pimple on the cheek, or that snaggle tooth in the mouth. The worst thing you can do is actually aim for a silhouette. It makes you miss.
And yes, at my competence level of 12 feet, I can hit a quarter sized bullseye all day without using the sights at speed draw. Anyone can do this. That is average shooting. And by "competence level," that is the level where you cannot miss even if you tried.
The theory behind it is never accepting anything but a direct hit as "acceptable." And for 99.9 % of shooters, that means going to point blank range and starting out with "The Pencil Drill." This is the most effective drill that I have ever used, and is the foundation of being able to hit without missing.
6) My maximum range is 21 feet. Too many people try to shoot at greater distance which is a waste of bullets. You learn nothing.
Statistically, the average (90%) gunfight occurs at under 15 feet. So someone learning skills should keep that in mind. Learn to become blazing fast at point blank range and out to about 15 feet. If you are fast and can't miss you've got most bases covered.
If I have to use a gun at 30 feet as a civilian, I am committing murder or I made a terrible mistake and didn't bring a shotgun or a rifle.
7) Ideally you should do this drill with an outside the waistband holster like the presenter at the beginning, but as you develop accuracy and speed, you should be doing this with EVERY holster that you carry. The reason for this is because the draw sequence will be different for every holster and it requires a substantial learning curve in muscle memory.
Spoiler Alert : You will break guns doing this at speed draw. My J frame is going back to the factory for the second time after pulling the gun out of my front pocket holster carry and having the front sight hook on the pocket and jerking the gun out of my hand and having it clattering on the concrete floor. That is the kind of shit that happens in the real world kiddies. So having it happen in practice means that you are doing it correctly.
That is why NEVER use LIVE AMMO with these kinds of aggressive skill developments. You WILL GET KILLED and you WILL have an ACCIDENT.
The speed that this trainer is shooting is correct for practice with live ammunition. Ideally you should go slower. You cannot call a bullet back. Always go slow and think each move through so you don't make a mistake.
With form comes speed
i personally wouldnt consider reloading important for self defense.. seeing as how its kinda rare people carry spare mags and even less that you would ever have to reload. if you do carry one, i like the trex arms one for one drill, more reps.
bill drill is awesome, failure drill is great.. pretty good stuff!
Reloads? Aftermarket recoil springs?
I dig the fast drill and failure drill.
These drills seem like they would make shooting much more fun due to the added challenge. I can't wait to try them out.