Tag: drill

Firearms Training, Shooting Techniques

FBI 5-Yard Round-Up Drill

Mark Schneider

The FBI 5-Yard Round-Up is a short but effective shooting drill used to test your ability to shoot quickly and accurately at close range—under time pressure and using both one- and two-handed techniques. It’s an excellent benchmark for concealed carry holders, security guards, and armed professionals who want to improve close-quarters handgun fundamentals.

📋 Drill Breakdown

  • Distance: 5 yards
  • Total Rounds: 8
  • Target: FBI Q target, B-8 repair center, or silhouette with a defined scoring zone
  • Start Position: Low ready (or from the holster for advanced shooters)
  • Par Timer Required: Yes

🔁 Course of Fire

StringActionRoundsPar Time
1Two-handed from low ready22 sec
2Strong-hand only23 sec
3Support-hand only24 sec
4Two-handed from low ready again22 sec

All strings begin from the low ready unless modified. Shooters must complete each string before the par time buzzer ends. No extra shots allowed after time expires.

📊 FBI 5-Yard Round-Up (Scaled for 8.5″x11″ Milk Bottle Target)

StringActionRoundsScaled DistancePar Time
1Two-handed from low ready22.5 yards (7.5 ft)2 seconds
2Strong-hand only22.5 yards (7.5 ft)3 seconds
3Support-hand only22.5 yards (7.5 ft)4 seconds
4Two-handed from low ready22.5 yards (7.5 ft)2 seconds

✅ Total Rounds: 8
✅ Target: Milk bottle silhouette printed on 8.5″x11″ paper
✅ Scoring: All hits must land inside the bottle zone within the par times

📄 See below to print out this drill
You’ll find a downloadable version of the chart and the printable milk bottle target at the bottom of this page.

🎯 Scoring

Scoring is pass/fail based on hits inside the designated scoring zone within time limits. You can scale difficulty by using a tighter scoring zone such as the 8-ring of a B-8 target.

  • Basic Standard: 6/8 hits inside scoring zone under time
  • Pass Standard: 8/8 hits inside scoring zone under time

🧠 Skills Built

  • Close-quarters shot placement
  • One-handed accuracy (strong and support hand)
  • Time management and par-time discipline
  • Recoil control and sight tracking under pressure

💡 Modifications

  • Run it from concealment draw
  • Add verbal command or decision-making cue before draw
  • Repeat multiple reps per hand to strengthen one-handed control
  • Use reduced-size targets for advanced shooters

✅ Train With Us

This drill is a great way to build confidence for real-world encounters at close range. We regularly incorporate this and other high-value drills into our Colorado Concealed Carry Classes and armed guard training programs.

🔗 Learn More

👉 Need your CCW? Take our live-fire concealed carry class with verified instructors.
👉 Protect yourself legally. Compare self-defense insurance plans side by side.
👉 Know Colorado law. Read our full guide to Colorado self-defense laws before you carry.

FBI 5 Yard Round Up Shooting Drill Target-compressedDownload
Concealed Carry

The 7-7-7 Pistol Shooting Drill

Mark Schneider

Quick Shots: Learning from Max Michel

Max Michel, a competitive shooting luminary, excels in combining speed with precision, notably in a drill where he fires at three targets, achieving a remarkable feat of seven shots per target in under seven seconds. His technique revolves around a balanced stance, allowing swift hip-led transitions and a focus on moving eyes ahead of the gun for better target alignment. He advocates starting from a low-ready position to master the basics of fast, accurate shooting and efficient reloading.

Michel’s drill, requiring three targets and aiming for 21 rounds in under seven seconds at a 7-yard distance, serves as a challenging yet instructive exercise for shooters. It emphasizes the importance of a steady grip, keen sight focus, and swift trigger work. Although matching Michel’s speed is formidable, the practice offers invaluable lessons in improving one’s shooting dynamics, underlining that the ultimate challenge lies in surpassing personal limits.

Speed-Shooting Challenge: The 7-7-7 Drill

Ready for a test of speed and accuracy? Here’s a drill inspired by top competitive shooters, designed to sharpen your skills. You’ll need:

  • Three targets (steel plates or silhouettes).
  • A pistol.
  • Three magazines (each loaded with more than seven rounds).
  • A timer.

Position yourself 7 yards away from the targets. On the start signal, engage the first target with seven rounds, perform a quick reload, and repeat for the remaining two targets, aiming to complete 21 shots in under 7 seconds.

Achieving this time is a challenge, even for experienced shooters, so focus on the process and your personal improvement. This drill isn’t just about pushing your limits; it’s about refining your technique, from stance to reloads, under the pressure of time. Enjoy the process and remember, the real competition is against your last best.

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Shooting Techniques

The Rectangle Handgun Shooting Drill

Mark Schneider

The Precision Practice Drill

Objective:
This exercise emphasizes the importance of methodology over immediate outcomes.

Main Target:

Execute 6 rounds into each rectangle within 5 seconds across 6 continuous sequences (totaling 36 rounds), at a distance of 7 yards. Ensure all shots remain within the specified rectangle without any opportunity for correction shots.

Progressive Steps:
Start the practice at a 3-yard distance. Once you’ve mastered shooting cleanly at this range, progress to 5 yards, and subsequently to 7 yards. For an added level of difficulty, practice shooting with both your dominant and non-dominant hands.

Exercise Steps:

  1. INITIAL WARM-UP: Start by performing this drill without a time limit, completing 3 sets at a 3-yard distance.
    Note: Even seasoned shooters should start at 3 yards to challenge their focus on sight alignment rather than the impact on the target. This step encourages concentration on grip and sight alignment, allowing for a focused approach on technique rather than speed.
  2. SECONDARY WARM-UP – TIME CONSTRAINT: Introduce a 5-second time limit for the next 3 sequences.
    Note: The introduction of a timer can often induce haste. Focus on the quality of your shots rather than quantity within the time frame. Achieving 2-3 precise shots is more beneficial than rushing 6 imperfect shots. Prioritize maintaining your shooting technique and accountability over speed.
  3. EXECUTE THE DRILL: Complete a full set of 6 sequences, firing 6 rounds (or fewer, based on the quality you’re able to maintain within the time frame).
    Note: It’s crucial to be aware of your limitations and adapt. If achieving 6 shots compromises quality, reduce the number. Improvement comes from recognizing and adjusting for deficiencies in the process.

Background and Tips for Improvement:

This drill is a nod to The Garcia Dot Drill, designed by Frank Garcia of the Universal Shooting Academy. That drill involves shooting 6 rounds into a 2” dot within 5 seconds at a distance of 7 yards, with any shots outside the dot considered a miss. The adaptation to six 2×3” rectangles suits the typical targets used in USPSA and compensates for close-range aiming considerations.

If difficulties arise, pay attention to your shot grouping and consider whether grip strength, sight alignment, or a combination of both might be the issue.

Reality Check:

If you find this drill to be too easy yet lack significant competitive accolades, it’s time to reassess your approach. Occasional lucky shots should not be confused with skillful, intentional hits. The goal is not to rely on chance but to develop consistency and precision. Honest self-assessment is key; practice not until you succeed, but until failure becomes improbable. The path to improvement is challenging and demands persistence, but it’s essential for true progress.

Credit: Inspired by Tim Herron’s methodologies and training practices.

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