The Drill:

The Balance Board Draw is a dry-fire drill that involves drawing from the holster while standing on a balance board. Simple, right? Well, not quite. We all know that dry-fire training is an important part of our repertoire, but over time, repeating the same drills can become monotonous. Tossing the balance board into the mix spices things up a bit by adding an additional element of difficulty and fun.

The Setup:

To run this drill, you will need the following items:

  • Pistol
  • Holster (IWB or OWB)
  • Snap caps/Dummy rounds
  • Balance board
  • Target
  • Safe space: room containing a solid backstop and no ammo

 The Skills:

The focus of this drill is to be smooth. As we have all heard time and again, “Smooth is fast.” In order to keep your balance, your draw, target acquisition and trigger press will need to happen in one fluid motion. Additionally, you will have to maintain a stable shooting platform and reduce the presence of any unnecessary movements. It’s all about the economy of motion; less moving parts means more speed. Smooth is fast.

The Details:

Be sure your firearm is clear and the room is free of any and all ammunition. To start the drill, you need to find a flat, hard surface for your balance board. Position your feet approximately shoulder width apart on the board and start by simply trying to keep your balance. You will note that the stance required to stand on the balance board is the same athletic stance you take when shooting: knees slightly bent as you focus on maintaining your center of gravity. If you are leaning too far forward or backward, you will not be able to balance. Once you have gained your balance and are comfortable standing on the board, you can add the draw component. You will use the same draw techniques you use during your normal dry-fire practice. The challenge is to draw, fire and reholster your firearm all while maintaining your balance on the board. If your center of gravity shifts in any direction other than center, you will receive immediate feedback from the board as you tip off-center. Be sure to push the firearm out straight, bringing the firearm up to your face instead of your face down to the firearm. Repeat the draw process until you can smoothly draw your firearm, extend your arms and dry fire your firearm without tipping or losing your balance.

Safety Considerations:

As with all dry-fire drills, the element of safety cannot be stressed enough. Check your firearm visually and physically to ensure it is clear. Remove all ammunition from the room in which you are practicing. If possible, have someone else verify your firearm is clear. With regards to the balance board, start slow and work your way up to the draw. Wear a good sturdy pair of shoes or boots to reduce the risk of rolling your ankle. Make sure that nothing — such as a table, chair or family pet — is in the immediate area (should you lose your balance and need to step off the board).

Closing Thoughts:

One of the biggest drawbacks I hear from people is that dry-fire training is boring. To combat this, keep your training fun and continually incorporate new techniques into your daily routine. Try to do at least 10 minutes per day of dry-fire drills and you will see significant improvement in your performance at the range. Change things up and keep challenging yourself.