Two Target, No Reload Standards


This course of fire is something I developed for the AT-IV class as a test of the essential skills: basic marksmanship, fast shooting on a single target, target acquisition, and presentation of the pistol from 'ready' and holstered positions. This 100 round course can be used as a basic practice regimen with or without a shooting timer.

Set up two IPSC or IDPA targets about 2-3 feet apart, at the specific range (3, 7 or 10 yards). There are 4 target zones: left center mass (L), right center mass (R), left head (LH), right head (RH). I use IPSC targets and use IPSC scoring, which means that the small A-zone in the middle of the head is worth 5 points, and the rest of the head is worth 4 points. It's also OK to score the head using IDPA scoring, which is that the whole head scores at maximum value. If you are using IDPA targets, score 5 points for the '0' zone, 4 points for the '1' zone, and 2 points for the '3' zone.

The goal for each string is the same: get the most points possible as quickly as you can. If you have a shooting timer, pick a level and use the par times for that level. Without a shooting timer, run the drills at whatever pace you can shoot your best, then repeat the whole thing (on the same day or a later practice session) and try to increase your speed by 10-15% over what's comfortable.

The three sections can be shot in any order, and each exercise can be broken out and repeated as part of a practice session.

If you are doing this drill at a range that won't allow drawing, run all the drills from low ready, or (better) start the holstered drills with the gun in a retention position (the point in the draw when you have both hands on the gun and the muzzle is pointed downrange, but your arms are pulled in close to your body). Start the drill by pushing the gun out, just as you would do in the last part of your draw.

All the 3 yard drills are run from 'defensive ready' which is my term for having both hands up at chest level, palms out (as in 'please don't hurt me, I don't want any trouble'). It's not the traditional surrender (wrists above shoulders). In defensive ready, wrists should be below shoulder level. I've seen this position called 'interview position' in law enforcement texts. It puts the hands close to midline and allows quick transition to drawing, blocking, punching, pushing back, and other options. You can substitute hands at sides or any other start position you like.


PART 1 - 10 YARDS

Drill
Rounds
Reps
Target
Start
Level I Par (seconds)
Level II Par (seconds)
Level III Par (seconds)
Slow Fire Group
6
1
Left Head
low ready
unlimited
unlimited
unlimited
Rapid Fire Group
6
1
Right Head
low ready
6.00
5.00
4.00
1 shot draw
1
6
Left
Hands at Sides
1.75
1.50
1.25
2 shot draw
2
4
Right
Hands at Sides
2.00
1.70
1.40
1 shot per target
6
1
L,R,L,R,L,R
Hands at Sides
4.50
3.50
2.50

 

TOTAL HITS: 6 (head), 10 (center mass) per target

TOTAL ROUNDS/POINTS: 32/160


PART 2 - 7 YARDS

Drill
Rounds
Reps
Target
Start
Level I Par (seconds)
Level II Par (seconds)
Level III Par (seconds)
Two Per Target
8
1
LL, RR, LL, RR
Hands at Sides
4.50
3.50
2.50
1 shot draw
1
6
Left Head
Hands at Sides
2.00
1.75
1.50
2 body, 1 head
3
2
Right & Right Head
Hands at Sides
2.50
2.30
1.75
2 body, 1 head (both)
6
1
L, LH, R, RH
Hands at Sides
4.00
3.25
2.50
Rapid Fire Group
6
1
Left
Hands at Sides
3.00
2.50
2.00

 

TOTAL HITS: Left Head (7), Left Body (12), Right Head (3), Right Body (10)

TOTAL ROUNDS/POINTS: 32/160


PART 3 - 3 YARDS

Drill
Rounds
Reps
Target
Start
Level I Par (seconds)
Level II Par (seconds)
Level III Par (seconds)
1 head per target
6
1
LH, RH, LH, RH, LH, RH
Defensive Ready
4.00
3.25
2.50
2 shot draw
2
4
Left
Defensive Ready
1.75
1.50
1.25
Rapid Fire Group
6
1
Right
Defensive Ready
2.75
2.25
1.75
1 per target
8
1
L,R,L,R,L,R,L,R
Defensive Ready
4.25
3.25
2.75
2 per target
8
1
LL, RR, LL, RR
Defensive Ready
3.75
3.00
2.25

 

TOTAL HITS: Left Head (3), Left Body (16), Right Head (3), Right Body (14)

TOTAL ROUNDS/POINTS: 36/180

Note: because of the high number of hits per target, it may be useful to split this part into two sections and tape after the Rapid Fire Group.


TOTAL ROUNDS: 100

TOTAL POINTS: 500