Side Step

The following drill was created by Alex Haddox. Alex is an NRA Certified instructor, martial arts expert, computer virus expert, podcaster and has studied under world renown masters.  Please visit his site and check out what he has to offer.  His website.  His Podcast. Belongs to Guns Right Radio Network.

Side Step 1
Time Start:    Random: 00:05:00 to 00:06:00
Target Start:    None
Audio Start:    Commands & Beep
Target Stay Time:    00:00:00
Target Re-appear Time:    00:05:00
Restart Drill In:    00:04:00
Drill Duration:    00:10:00
Note:    Self-Defense Drill 1

This is a slow drill designed to reinforce proper movements and technique. Conduct this drill until the movements are smooth and easy. In the future, this can also be used as a warm-up exercise before moving to the later drills.

  

Complete all shots before the second beep.

1.   Start with your hands in the ready position.
2.   On the signal, step off the line of attack, 2 or more steps, to either the left or right side.
3.   Draw.
4.   Fire 2 shots to the body.
5.   Fire 1 shot to the head.
6.   Switch to the low-ready position.
7.   Scan the area for additional threats.
8.   Holster slowly and safely.



Side Step 2
Time Start:    Random: 00:03:00 to 00:04:00
Target Start:    None
Audio Start:    Commands & Beep
Target Stay Time:    00:00:00
Target Re-appear Time:    00:03:00
Restart Drill In:    00:04:00
Drill Duration:    00:10:00
Note:    Self-Defense Drill 2

This is a faster drill designed to increase reaction time. Conduct this drill until the movements are smooth and easy.

Complete all shots before the second beep.

1.   Start with your hands in the ready position.

2.   On the signal, step off the line of attack, 2 or more steps, to either the left or right side.

3.   Draw.
4.   Fire 2 shots to the body.
5.   Fire 1 shot to the head.
6.   Switch to the low-ready position.
7.   Scan the area for additional threats.
8.   Holster slowly and safely.

Side Step 3
Time Start:    Random: 00:01:00 to 00:07:00
Target Start:    None
Audio Start:    Commands & Beep
Target Stay Time:    00:00:00
Target Re-appear Time:    00:01:75
Restart Drill In:    00:04:00
Drill Duration:    00:10:00
Note:    Self-Defense Drill 3

This is a full-speed drill designed to increase reaction time and simulate a real-world encounter.

Complete all shots before the second beep.

1.   Start with your hands in the ready position.

2.   On the signal, step off the line of attack, 2 or more steps, to either the left or right side.

3.   Draw.
4.   Fire 2 shots to the body.
5.   Fire 1 shot to the head.
6.   Switch to the low-ready position.
7.   Scan the area for additional threats.
8.   Holster slowly and safely.

Notes:  ecolon - I did 20 reps of each one.  Once I figured out the how to do it in the room, things worked.  I set two targets both on the same wall at opposite sides of each other, had to use IPSC targets, not the best ones to simulate head shots but what are you going to do.  Setting the targets like that let me move from one side of the room to the other.  So when I started I had all the room to my left or right to move.  When I finished one rep, I was already on the other side and I could start the next rep.  I think you can set this drill for a live fire session.   You might have to tweak the settings but if you set it just like its done here with two targets and moving left to right then right to left and so on, it could work.  Remember everyone, quality Repetitions are far better than just lots of repetitions.


For live fire you can Set the Drill Duration to 10 Times on all three drills, that is about two box of ammo.  Good training session.  


Thanks Alex

DRAW - 5 MIN Variations

This drill uses an app target and is designed to strengthen your ability to index the sights and increase your muscle memory through a five minute repetition workout.   Expect your times to be a lot slower than a life size target.  However the payoff is a refinement in your technique.  If you can I recommend placing a life size target behind the iPhone or iTouch.  Five minutes might be too long, if so then switch to (2) or (3) minutes.

Basically what you will see is an image popping in and out, you draw when you see it and re-holster when the image disappears, repeat.  With these drills I also wanted to highlight another way to use the app for your training.

Variations: If you have made some of the other drills then you should have the baselines already for when you draw on the app target with the Strong/Weak Hanks and the Surrender position, these drills use the baselines of those drills. 

DRAW - 5 MIN SHAND

DRAW - 5 MIN WHAND

DRAW - 5 MIN SURR

Start Position: Hands at Side, relaxed. Squeeze the trigger on this Drill.

Procedure: Facing down range. breath in before target appears. When the target appears engage it.  Breath out while placing firearm back in the holsters.  Repeat process, find your rhythm.

Distance: 2 Yards.

Target:  App Target - Circle.

Objective: Improve, refine breathing, draw and sight index through continuos repetition.

As always remember to find your Baseline.

Name: DRAW - 5 MIN BHANDS

Time Start: Instant

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start: Off

Target Stay Time: Baseline

Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.05.00

Drill Duration: 05.00.00

Note: Remember you will use the baseline from the other 2 Yard Drills we have set up.  This drill is for both hands

Name: DRAW - 5 MIN SHAND

Time Start: Instant

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start: Off

Target Stay Time: Baseline

Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.05.00

Drill Duration: 05.00.00

Note: Remember you will use the baseline from the other 2 Yard Drills we have set up. This drill is for the shooters Strong hand.

Name: DRAW - 5 MIN WHAND

Time Start: Instant

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start: Off

Target Stay Time: Baseline

Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.05.00

Drill Duration: 05.00.00

Note: Remember you will use the baseline from the other 2 Yard Drills we have set up.  This drill is for the shooters weak hand.

Name: DRAW - 5 MIN SURR

Time Start: Instant

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start: Off

Target Stay Time: Baseline

Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.05.00

Drill Duration: 05.00.00

Note: Remember you will use the baseline from the other 2 Yard Drills we have set up.  This drill is for the surrender position.

Final Drill Notes: You can adjust the Restart Drill In setting, lower or raise it to increase or decrease the time for the next draw.

Regimen: 

 You can create a Regimen for these drills or not.  Its all up to you.  I plan on making one just to keep them together.  Most likely I will play it through the Drills screen.

Sight Index

This drill is designed to strengthen your ability to index the sights and uses an app target.  Expect your times to be a lot slower than a life size target.  However the payoff is a refinement in your technique.  If you can I recommend placing a life size target behind the iPhone or iTouch.

Variations: Add Surr at the end of the name and now you have another set of drills to practice from the Surrender position.   Do Not squeeze the trigger on this Drill.

Start Position: Hands at Side, relaxed. On the variation start on the Surrender position.
Procedure: Facing down range. On the start signal engage target.
Distance: 2 Yards.
Target:  App Target - Circle.
Objective: Improve and refine draw and sight index.

As always remember to find your Baseline.

Name: Sight Index 1
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00 Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Circle
Audio Start: Command and Beep
Target Stay Time: +00.04.00 seconds above your baseline
Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration: 5 Times
Note: The target will stay longer than necessary, remember, the first one is just to warm up.

Name: Sight Index 2
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00 Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Circle
Audio Start: Command and Beep
Target Stay Time: +00.00.20 seconds above your baseline
Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration: 5 Times
Note:

Name: Sight Index 3
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00 Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Circle
Audio Start: Command and Beep
Target Stay Time: +00.00.10 seconds above your baseline
Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration: 5 Times
Note:

Name: Sight Index 4
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00 Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Circle
Audio Start: Command and Beep
Target Stay Time: Baseline
Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration: 10 Times
Note:

Name: Sight Index 5
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00 Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Circle
Audio Start: Command and Beep
Target Stay Time: -00.00.10 seconds below your baseline
Target Re-appear Time: 00.00.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration: 10 Times
Note:

Final Drill Notes: You can adjust the Restart Drill In setting, lower or raise it to increase or decrease the time for the next draw.

Regimen: Sight Index
Tap on the Regimen screen at the bottom
Tap the Plus(+) icon to create a New Regimen
Tap on the Name field and type Strong Hand Draw
Tap the check mark to add new drills

Next:
-Tap on the gray out message for Sight Index 1 and type:  NO PAR TIME
-Tap on the gray out message for Sight Index 2 and type: .2 ABOVE BASELINE
-Tap on the gray out message for Sight Index 3 and type: .1 ABOVE BASELINE
-Tap on the gray out message for Sight Index 4 and type:  BASELINE
-Tap on the gray out message for Sight Index 5 and type: .1 BELOW BASELINE

Now tap on all of the On/Off switches and turn them On. You should see them change to On when the background turns blue. Remember to tap save.

Enjoy.

Video Demo for DFT

All right everyone
I know that when you first hear about the app you might think that its just a gimmick. In order to dispel that idea I've created a small video, using the app and running a drill.

This was shot at my local club.  Now I don't have the greatest camera, as a matter of fact i think that my wife won it at a raffle.  Video quality aside the apps ability to be part of your training is what you should be concentrating on.

Hope you enjoy it and I'm hoping to hear your opinions on the app.

Strong Hand Draw + Weak Hand Draw

With these settings you get two drills.  Create the ones here and name them Strong Hand Draw then create another set and rename it Weak Hand Drill.  These drills are design to strengthen your aim when shooting with your strong and weak hand.  

Variations:  Strong Hand, Weak Hand using the app targets will provide you with a great challenge.  Expect your times to be much slower than when using life size targets.  Also you can create these just to acquire the sights and other drills for acquiring the sights and squeezing the trigger.

Start Position: Hands at Side, relaxed.

Procedure:  Facing down range.  On the start signal engage target.  

Distance: 10 Yards

Target:  Life size target.

Objective:  Improve and Refine draw and sight acquisition.

As always remember to find your Baseline.

Name:  Strong Hand Draw 1

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: None

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  00.00.00

Target Re-appear Time:  +00.02.00 seconds above your baseline

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  The target will stay longer than necessary, remember, the first one is just to warm up.

Name:  Strong Hand Draw 2

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: None

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  00.00.00

Target Re-appear Time:  +00.00.20 seconds above your baseline

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  

Name:  Strong Hand Draw 3

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: None

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  00.00.00

Target Re-appear Time:  +00.00.10 seconds above your baseline

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  

Name:  Strong Hand Draw 4

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: None

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  00.00.00

Target Re-appear Time:  Baseline

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  

Name:  Strong Hand Draw 5

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: None

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  00.00.00

Target Re-appear Time:  -00.00.10 seconds below your baseline

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  

Final Drill Notes:  You can adjust the Restart Drill In setting, lower or raise it to increase or decrease the time for the next draw.

Regimen: Strong Hand Draw

Tap on the Regimen screen at the bottom

Tap the Plus(+) icon to create a New Regimen

Tap on the Name field and type Strong Hand Draw

Tap the check mark to add new drills

Next:

-Tap on the gray out message for Strong Hand Draw 1 and type:  NO PAR TIME

-Tap on the gray out message for Strong Hand Draw 2 and type:  .2 ABOVE BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Strong Hand Draw 3 and type:  .1 ABOVE BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Strong Hand Draw 4 and type:  BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Strong Hand Draw 5 and type:  .1 BELOW BASELINE

Now tap on all of the On/Off switches and turn them On.  You should see them change to On when the background turns blue.  Remember to tap save.

Enjoy.

2-Yard Index Surr

Alright here is another Drill.  You might think that indexing your sights on a target 2 yard away might seem a bit unnecessary, specially on one so small.  Well the first thing you will find is that doing so requires a real refinement of your technique.  You'll also find that your speed has been reduced somewhat.  I also noticed that you have to be really conscious of your movements to get them right every time.  I suspect that with time and facing a bigger target your speed and initial sight index should be greatly improved.  I say that because of the effort it takes to index right.  For a bigger challenge switch the target from circle to square.  Now that is a challenge specially if you match front sight to center square.

Variations:  Turn and draw Surr, Hands at Side, Strong Hand, Weak Hand.  Those are just for the settings for the targets in the app.  You can recreate all of them for live size targets at different distance.

Start Position: Hands on the Surrender position

Procedure:  Facing down range.  On the start signal engage target.  

Distance: 2 Yards

Target:  Round Target in App.

Objective:  Improve and Refine draw and sight acquisition.  In order to succeed you must acquire the target before it disappears.

As always remember to find your Baseline.

Name:  2-Yard Index Surr 1
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Circle
Audio Start:  Command and Beep
Target Stay Time:  00.04.00
Target Re-appear Time:  00.00.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration:  5 Times
Note:  The target will stay longer than necessary, remember, the first one is just to warm up.  You can increase the reps to ten when you build up some strength.

Name:  2-Yard Index Surr 2

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  +00.00.20 below your Baseline

Target Re-appear Time:  00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  5 Times

Note:  

Name:  2-Yard Index Surr 3

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  +00.00.10 below your Baseline

Target Re-appear Time:  00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  5 Times

Note:  

Name:  2-Yard Index Surr 4

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  Baseline

Target Re-appear Time:  00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  

Name:  2-Yard Index Surr 5

Time Start: Random

Time Min: 00.01.00  Time Max: 00.03.00

Target Start: Circle

Audio Start:  Command and Beep

Target Stay Time:  -00.00.10 below your Baseline

Target Re-appear Time:  00.00.00

Restart Drill In: 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  

Final Drill Notes:  You can adjust the Restart Drill In setting, lower or raise it to increase or decrease the time for the next draw.

Regimen: 2-Yard Index Surr
Tap on the Regimen screen at the bottom
Tap the Plus(+) icon to create a New Regimen
Tap on the Name field and type 2-Yard Index Surr
Tap the check mark to add new drills
Next:
-Tap on the gray out message for 2-Yard Index Surr 1 and type:  NO PAR TIME
-Tap on the gray out message for 2-Yard Index Surr 2 and type:  .2 ABOVE BASELINE
-Tap on the gray out message for 2-Yard Index Surr 3 and type:  .1 ABOVE BASELINE
-Tap on the gray out message for 2-Yard Index Surr 4 and type:  BASELINE
-Tap on the gray out message for 2-Yard Index Surr 5 and type:  .1 BELOW BASELINE

Now tap on all of the On/Off switches and turn them On.  You should see them change to On when the background turns blue.  Remember to tap save.

Enjoy.

Burkett Reloads

Here is a great reload drill created by Mark Burkett.  All credit for this is his.  Also make sure to visit to his site www.mattburkett.com.  Now I hear a lot of gripping about having to pick magazines off the floor when doing this exercise.  Really? Here is how i've solved that.   I get a night stand and place it in front of me, then I place a cloth basket with a couple of things on top of it to soften the fall of the mags.  Reach down to grab them without having to bend.  Specially nice on the range.  You can place the iPhone/iTouch in front on you so you can see the Drills message.

This exercise is hard at first.  Having to hold your arms through 50 reps is not easy.  If you need to lower the repetitions to 5 to build up some strength, do it.

Drill: Burkett Reloads

Start Position: Pointed at target.  

Procedure: Do a reload but do not introduce the mag into the firearm.  Simply present it at the mag opening on the pistol.  

Distance:  The distance to the target can vary since what I'm looking for is to perform the reload.  Make it two yards or 10yards.

Name: Burkett Reloads 1

Time Start: Random

Time Min:  00.01.00  Time Max:  00.03.00

Target Start: Off

Audio Start: Beep only

Target Stay Time: 00.00.00

Target Re-Appear Time:  00.02.00 plus your baseline

Restart Drill in 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  This first one is just to get you warm up, that is why the Target Re-Appear so add plus (2) seconds to your baseline.  Of course you can set this higher or lower according to your skill level but for the first one I like to leave it high.

Name: Burkett Reloads 2

Time Start: Random

Time Min:  00.01.00  Time Max:  00.03.00

Target Start: Off

Audio Start: Beep only

Target Stay Time: 00.00.00

Target Re-Appear Time:  + 00.00.20 above your baseline

Restart Drill in 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  N/A

Name: Burkett Reloads 3

Time Start: Random

Time Min:  00.01.00  Time Max:  00.03.00

Target Start: Off

Audio Start: Beep only

Target Stay Time: 00.00.00

Target Re-Appear Time:  + 00.00.10 above your baseline

Restart Drill in 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  N/A

Name: Burkett Reloads 4

Time Start: Random

Time Min:  00.01.00  Time Max:  00.03.00

Target Start: Off

Audio Start: Beep only

Target Stay Time: 00.00.00

Target Re-Appear Time:  Your baseline

Restart Drill in 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  N/A

Name: Burkett Reloads 5

Time Start: Random

Time Min:  00.01.00  Time Max:  00.03.00

Target Start: Off

Audio Start: Beep only

Target Stay Time: 00.00.00

Target Re-Appear Time:  - 00.00.10 below your baseline

Restart Drill in 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  N/A

Name: Burkett Reloads 6

Time Start: Random

Time Min:  00.01.00  Time Max:  00.03.00

Target Start: Off

Audio Start: Beep only

Target Stay Time: 00.00.00

Target Re-Appear Time:  - 00.00.20 below your baseline

Restart Drill in 00.04.00

Drill Duration:  10 Times

Note:  N/A

Final Drill notes:  Another setting you can adjust is Restart Drill In, lower it or raise it to increase or decrease the time for the next reload.

Regimen:  Burkett Reloads

Tap on the Regimen Screen at the Bottom

Tap the Plus (+) icon to create a New Regimen

Tap on the Name field and type Burkett Reloads, 

Tap the check mark to add new drills.  

What I want you to do is:

-Tap on the gray out message for Burkett Reloads 1 and type: NO PAR TIME

-Tap on the gray out message for Burkett Reloads 2 and type: .2 ABOVE BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Burkett Reloads 3 and type: .1 ABOVE BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Burkett Reloads 4 and type: BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Burkett Reloads 5 and type: .1 BELOW BASELINE

-Tap on the gray out message for Burkett Reloads 5 and type: .2 BELOW BASELINE

Now tap on all of the On/Off switches and turn them On. You should see them change to On with a blue background. Remember to tap save. 

You are done.