Draw Surr

This drill is set to practice the draw starting from the surrender position.  Please keep in mind taht the reps in the video have been kept short for time considerations.

The intention of the the demo is also to demonstrate the app's ease of use with live targets.

W Hand Draw

This video was created to work and strenthen your weak arm.  The repetitions on the video have been lowererd.  You can raise them to ten.  Settings are on the video.

S Hand Index

 This drill was created to work and strengthen your strong arm.  The repetitions on the video have been lowered.  You can raise them to ten.  Settings are on the video

Sight Index Video

Its taken me all day.  Recorded quite a few drills, using the app's target and with live targets.  This is the first one.  Remember this is mean as a demo so the repetitions have been kept to a minimun.

PS; Cut me some slack this is my second video.  Enjoy

New Demos On The Way...

For those of you that are interested.  I spent the morning taking videos of different drills done with the app.  Some of them use the apps targets some of them use real targets.  I got to download them in the mac and get them all squared away and up load them as they are finished.

Again if you have used the app please leave me a review in the Reviews page or send me your comments and questions.

Thank you all

Reviews

Please post your reviews here.

February 21, 2010
by Alex Haddox, found at this location, Podcast Episode 114

"I can setup targets in my backyard and use the app to trigger the event and count the time when the targets are available. I can conduct timed self-defense scenarios with full movement in the privacy of my backyard that you can’t do on a square range with live ammo."

"I know Elliot designed the application with the competitive shooter in mind, but the tool is flexible enough that it can also be used for self-defense training. That is one of the things I really like about it."

Full Review: Practical Defense 114 - Dry Fire Trainer and Nixle

Correct Procedure?

I just got done doing some morning drills.  I have the drills set up for the draw and some of them are meant for the app targets and some of them are meant for life size targets.  I'm doing the drills with life size targets and I noticed that I was pulling the trigger too fast.  I wasn't sure if I had the sights aligned on that first shot.  I needed to correct this and make sure that I always had a perfect sight alignment before pulling the trigger.

I was doing 50 reps of the Draw from the surrender position at 10 yards from a live target.  The 50 reps were set on five drills of ten reps each.  I was doing the last drill when it dawn on me.  The PAR time for my baseline on that drill is 1:30.  That is supposed to mean that I can draw from surrender, draw the firearm and align the sights.  I don't have to pull the trigger.  So on those last drill I pull the trigger after the PAR sounded.  I noticed that for those last reps my sights were always aligned.  With time that par should go down and my first shot should be faster.  I think the most important thing is that if I keep practicing firing the shot after the PAR the accuracy should improve and so should improve my overall technique.

Remember I'm not an instructor nor do I claim to be one, these are the things I'm noticing from my training and they work for me.  We are all different and if they work for you great.

Sunday February 21, 2010

Morning Everyone
I want to urge everyone that has bought the app to send me some feedback.  The Reviews link is there for you to leave your impressions on the app, good or bad.  If you are too shy or don't care to expose your point of view to the world send me an email.  Please contact me If you have some questions about the app or have come up with some drills of your own and would like to share them
 
I will be posting some more drill and some new videos shortly.  I think we are getting our very first formal review, in a podcast.

Thanks everyone

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.

Dry Firing Advice from a National Coach

Ran into this article from Tom Redhead.  He has graciously given me permission to post the article here.

Dry Firing Advice from a National Coach

The Pistol Shooters Key To Improved Scores

By Tom Redhead

NSRA National Pistol Coach

Okay, okay I’ll admit it. If ever there was a case of a poacher turning into a gamekeeper this is it. During the years when I was a member of various National Pistol Squads, I hated and loathed dry firing. It was boring, useless and only for wimps. What was the point in being on a range and just clicking at a target, when I could be firing for real? So, like 99% of my peers, I never did any whatsoever. Of course if my coach asked about dry firing I lied and said, "Well, yes I do a certain amount".

Prior to the Berlin Wall being torn down in 1989 and the Soviet Union imploding in

1992, little was known of the former Eastern Block’s research into shooting techniques. Target shooting was the subject of very serious scientific research, for example, East Germany allegedly had sixteen scientists working for ten years (or was it ten scientists working for sixteen years? whatever!).

The fruits of their labours were buckets full of medals, however, anyone who imparted this knowledge would probably have become an unwilling recipient of hospitality in a ‘minus five star’ state institution. Circumstances have changed and we are gradually becoming aware of the results of their research, which leads me nicely into explaining the benefit to be gained by doing ‘UP CLOSE & PERSONAL’ dry firing.

I have learned to appreciate the fact that dry firing is the pure training exercise. It is now a very important part of the training regime of all members of the NSRA National Pistol Squad. Done properly it doesn't have to be either boring or time consuming, in fact it can be stimulating and very beneficial. You'll be surprised just how rewarding it is especially when your dry firing session goes well.

The fundamental difference between the ‘old’ concept of dry fire and the new is that it

mostly takes place in your home, with the muzzle of your pistol only forty five to fifty

centimetres (eighteen inches) away from a plain blank background. A door, a wall, a

sheet of paper will do very well. At this distance the feedback is excellent and the

distractions almost zero.

Start by using a completely blank aiming area and then progress to using a small dot, thin horizontal or vertical lines. To maintain interest vary between them. You may find you need to increase the width of your rear sight slightly, in order to gain a clearer sight picture but no buckets please.

Initially when ‘on-aim’ focus your attention on aligning the tip of the foresight and then, this is very important, switch your attention to controlling the notches either side of the foresight. When you release the trigger any errors in your technique will becomes instantly noticeable. Now consciously work at eliminating these ‘errors’. The primary objective is to acquire a smooth, prompt, trigger release.

A 'little often’ is much better than a ‘lot infrequently’. A 20 minutes quality training session, two or three times a week, will improve your shooting to a marked degree. The more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. Mornings are better than evenings when you’re much fresher. This is especially important if you are training to compete in shoulder-to-shoulder competitions because they are usually held during the day, not evenings.

You are training to sharpen your fine motor skills, as well as habituating your technique; therefore it is essential to do it right. To ensure that you set your aiming mark at the correct height, follow this procedure:

On your 10 metre range ‘go on aim’ at a target and get someone to measure the exact distance from the floor to the underside of your pistol (Air cylinder or barrel whichever is most appropriate). Then at your dry firing location reverse the procedure, holding your pistol on aim, get someone to give you the correct height and then place your aiming mark as dictated by your sights.

Give it a go. You never know, you might get to like it and it will certainly improve your

scores. Trust me, I’m a National Pistol Coach!

Golden rules of dry firing:

- Get ‘up close and personal' a few centimetres only.

- A ‘little often’, is always better than a ‘lot infrequently'.

- Try to dry fire when your mind is fresh and alert i.e. mornings.

- Dry fire for twenty minutes.

- Dry fire against a white area, use horizontal, vertical, cross or dot aiming marks

- Keep your aiming lines thin, vary them to maintain interest

- Concentrate on controlling the top of the foresight and then the notches.

- Wear your shooting apparel, as much as is practicable.

- Remember practice does not make perfect but it does make permanent!

- Avoid lazy habits whenever you are training.

- Work at it, don't daydream and be sure to make your mind concentrate and FOCUS.

Enjoy your shooting,

Tom Redhead

NSRA National Pistol Coach

Finding your Baseline

The key to establishing a proper format for your drills is finding your baseline.  What is your baseline?  Your baseline is basically the fastest time it takes you to perform the drill you want to do flawlessly.

Example Drill
Turn & Draw.
Target:  Full size, 10 yards from shooting position.
Procedure:  Face up range.  Hands on the surrender position, on signal, turn and engage the target pulling trigger twice.

Name: Turn & Draw
Time Start: Random
Time Min: 00.01.00 Time Max: 00.03.00
Target Start: Off
Audio Start: Choose both Command and Beep
Target Stay Time: 00.00.00
Target Re-Appear Time:  00.05.00
Restart Drill In: 00.04.00
Drill Duration: Repeat 10


Ok so that is the drill.  Now you need to perform this drill lowering your time until you get to a point were you are not performing well.   Target Re-Appear Time (Your Par Time) is set to five seconds.  This is the setting you need to lower until you find your baseline.  Lower it by -00.00.10 hundredth of a second until you reach your baseline.  


You need to find this for each and every drill you perform regardless if you are using the app or not.  If not, how are you going to measure your progress?

Today ...

Got a match today.  Slept lousy.  I've been given permission to showcase the app in the Guns Rights Radio Network forums so you will be able to talk to me there.  While you are there check out the folks who worry and keep us inform.  From politics to training these folks have banded together to broadcast their thoughts.  Also look for the thread I've started in the General Discussion forum and join the conversation.

I've made a couple of videos that I hope I can share with you.  They are no terrible exciting and filled with gunfire but are meant to showcase the apps ability to help you train, and that is exciting.

Dry Fire Trainer App

Hello everyone and welcome

First of all let me tell you that I'm not a firearms instructor and have not won any national or regional competitions.  I have owned firearms for the past twenty something years and in June of 2009 I took the safety check for IPSC and competed a couple times.  It was my intention at first to compete in a very infrequent manner.  However the more I participated the more hooked I became.  I began to look for more and more economic ways to train.  I bought a .22 conversion kit for my Glock, which I highly recommend, as a training aid.  I purchased a training trigger that allows me to pull the trigger without having to move the slide.  I've bought books and dvds.  I would like to also recommend Refinement and Repetition: Dry Fire Drills for dramatic Improvement by Steve Anderson.  The format for the drills is one that I highly recommend and is one that I borrowed.

I read somewhere that Dry Firing for 10 minutes equalled 500 rounds in the range.  Now maybe it was the gullible or the cheapskate in me but I thought to give this training technique a go.  In my defense I will say that I had not ever competed in any shooting sports so I had never heard of the technique.  It wasn't till much later when I really started digging for more information that I realized just how important it is to your training regimen. 

I bought a timer to help me with my training early on but realized that I wanted something more something very programable, that offered visual aids and maybe some commands.  I wanted something that help recreate the moment before the match started as close as possible.  As time when on a more clear image of what I wanted formed and it ended in the product before you.

Please comment on the product and let me know which drills you are practicing and the improvement the app is having in your training.

E. Colon

Note:

All measures of safety are to be taken when dry firing.  Follow all rules as if you were in the range.

1.  Treat firearm as if it were loaded.

2.  Do not point it at anyone.

3.  All ammunition has  to be taken out of the room in which you practice.

4. Visually inspect that the firearm and any magazine which you are planning on using on your practice is unloaded.

5.  You are responsible for your safety and those around you.

Dry Fire App - How to set Drills

I've set this blog to help answer questions and listen to your suggestions about the app so lets get started.  So you downloaded the app or are thinking about it and you are wondering how it works.

When you first download the app your Drills screen and your Regimen screen will be empty.  Don't worry we will help you fill those really quick.  There is a certain strategy when building your drills.  Doing is the best way to learn so follow along.

On the Drills screen - which is empty - tap the plus icon (+) on the top right hand corner.  Now you are in the Set Drill screen.

Name

Tap the empty field with the gray out Drill Name. Type in 2-YARD INDEX 1.

Note:  In case you don't know.  After you write the name you can come back and while pressing and holding down the name you just wrote a looking glass will pop up.  If you let go you will see a couple of choices.  Select all then copy.  This will help you save some time.

Time Start

The default is Instant.  Tap Instant and you will see some choices.  Tap to choose Random.  A row will appear with Time Min 00.00.00 and Time Max 00.00.00.  Tap on the numbers 00.00.00.  Use the wheel to choose 00.01.00 (1 second) for Time Min and 00.03.00 (3 seconds) for Time Max, tap Done on the right hand corner to confirm and exit back to the Set Drill screen.

Note:  00.00.00 = Min.Sec.Hundredth.

Target Start

Tap the target icon.  Find and choose the Circle target.  Make it as big as it will go. Tap Done on the right hand corner to confirm and exit back to the Set Drill screen.

Audio Start

Tap the space next to the play button.  Choose both, the Command and the Beep. Tap Done on the right hand corner to confirm and exit back to the Set Drill screen.

Note:  White letters and black background means selection has been chosen.

Target Stay Time

This setting lets you choose for how long the target will stay up in the screen.  Tap on the numbers and use the wheel to choose 00.02.00 (2 seconds).

Note:

Target Re-Appear Time

This setting will be left at 00.00.00

Note:  This setting is used to set a Par Time.

Restart Drill in

Tap on the numbers and use the wheel to choose 00.03.00 (3 seconds).

Note:  This setting will let you set the time in which the next drill is set to begin.

Drill Duration

Tap on the numbers and you will get some options.  Tap Repeat, choose 5, tap Done on the right hand corner.

Note:  Repeat lets you set an exact quantity of repetitions.  Duration lets you set your drill to run for a specific amount of time.  If the time runs out while a drill is playing it will finish that drill.

You have just finish setting your first drill.  This drill is design to help you acquire your sights in a very consistent manner.  Keep the height of the app the same.

Procedure:  Stand 2 yards from target.  Arms At Side, face target.  On signal acquire sights.  Do not pull the trigger.

Couple of things to take care of:

First:  Run the drill and answer the following.  Do I have enough time in between the drills to re-holster the weapon?  If not adjust the Restart Drill in setting to increase or decrease it.

Second:  Now you need to find your baseline.  Your baseline is your individual capacity to fully complete a drill.  That is to say without any mistakes.  Your grip was on the money when you grasped it the first time.  As it rose you were able to effectively place your support hand in the correct position then moved forward to let you acquire the proper sight picture to call the shot.  I agree with Steven Anderson when he says that you have got to be absolutely honest with yourself about it.  It is the foundation of your dry fire practice.  Change the time in Target Stay Time up or down until you are able to perform the procedure and find your baseline.  Write it down, we will need it later.

Note:  You will find that the app requires a more refined control of your technique so your time performing this drill on the app might be higher than on a target.  Don't worry about it.  You'll see.

Now that you have your your time in between drills and your baseline figure out it means we can move on.

What you need to do now is go back into this drill you created - 2-YARD INDEX 1 - and change the Drill Duration from five (5) to ten (10).  Now I want you to create four (4) more Drills with the exact same settings - except that you are going to leave Target Stay Time blank, we will change that later.  That should bring your drills to a total of five (5).

You should see something like this:

2-YARD INDEX 5

2-YARD INDEX 4

2-YARD INDEX 3

2-YARD INDEX 2

2-YARD INDEX 1

Once you have all of them made, go to:

2-YARD INDEX 1 and change Target Stay Time to (3) or (4) seconds.  I always mean for my number (1) drill to be a warm up, so if your baseline is (3) or (4) just make it a couple of seconds higher than your baseline.

2-YARD INDEX 2 and change it to .20th hundredth of a second higher than your baseline.

2-YARD INDEX 3 and change it to .10th hundredth of a second higher than your baseline.

2-YARD INDEX 4 and change it to your baseline.

2-YARD INDEX 5 and change it to .10th hundredth of a second below your baseline.

You can now play each and everyone of them in a consistent manner.  Take a moment now and play through each of them or move on to the Regimen.