Improve Your Shooting: The Best Training Drill You’ve Probably Never Tried

By Tom Givens

Here’s our drill of the month — Dot Torture — part of the Rangemaster’s monthly newsletter. The goal of the drill of the month is to help motivate folks to get out to the range, shoot their defensive weapons, and have some fun in the process.

Remember, with a new drill, start slowly before trying to progress. If you aren’t familiar with the use of your holster, especially from concealment, seek education from a good trainer first. The most dangerous thing you’ll do at the range is re-holstering your gun. You can also shoot this entire drill from the low ready position or by picking the gun up from the bench just to see how you fare.

You may be familiar with Dot Torture. It’s an excellent practice/assessment drill originally devised by David Blinder, then popularized by the late Todd Green.

The target for this drill can be downloaded and printed here. You can follow the instructions on the target that will take 50-rounds. Shoot the drill at five yards.

Here is an abbreviated 25-round version we like to use that takes less time and ammo and is a good way to start out. Here are the revised instructions . . .

(dot – procedure – repetitions – cumulative round count)

#1 1 round from the ready, 3X (3)
#2 2 rounds from the ready, 1X (5)
#3 and #4 1 round on each, from ready, 2X (9)
#5 5 rounds, from the holster, 1X (14)
#6 and #7 2 rounds on each, from the holster, 1X (18)
#8 2 rounds dominant hand only, 1X (20)
#9 2 rounds Non-dominant Hand Only, 1X (22)
#10 Start with only 1 round in the chamber, empty magazine inserted. Fire 1 round, conduct an emergency reload, and fire 2 rounds (25)

 

Tom Givens is Chief Firearms Instructor at Rangemaster Firearms Training Services.