The Drill:
If you are ever involved in a violent encounter, chances are you won’t be standing still and neither will the people around you. The focus of this week’s drill is putting accurate rounds on target while moving. We added in a second good guy shooter to reinforce the importance of target isolation and simulate innocent bystanders moving in and out of your field of view.
The Setup:
You will need a target that allows for 360-degree engagement. We used a sparring/training dummy. The training dummy can be substituted out for a stack of cardboard boxes or any object that is roughly the size a “bad guy.” Next you’ll need three obstacles, such as chairs, garbage cans or stationary object that you can safely move around without knocking over; plenty of room to move around; a SIRT or laser training pistol; and, lastly, a training partner.
The Skills:
Shooting and moving simultaneously is a skill that few get to practice on a regular basis. This drill will elevate your heart rate and cause you to become a little winded. Both are natural body responses that will happen in a violent encounter. Training while your body is experiencing similar reactions will help to evaluate your shooting capabilities and limitations.
The Details:
Place your bad guy target or training dummy in an open area. Set up two rows of three to five obstacles parallel to the target. Space them out enough that you can move around each one. Both shooters will line up, facing the target, with the obstacles between them and the target.
Shooter 1 starts by moving quickly to the first obstacle/position on his left. Once at the obstacle, he places multiple rounds on target. Shooter 1 then moves diagonally to the next obstacle/position two, on his right. Simultaneously, Shooter 2 moves to the obstacle that Shooter 1 just left and fires multiple rounds on target while Shooter 1 is shooting from obstacle/position two. Shooter 1 then moves diagonally to the left to obstacle/position three while Shooter 2 is moving to position two and places rounds on target. Shooter 1 then leaves the last position and runs around the back of the target and engages as he is running away and to the position where he initially started from. As this is happening, Shooter 2 engages the target from the third/last position and then runs behind, engages and returns to the starting position. Repeat this sequence multiple times to elevate your breathing and heart rate.
Safety Considerations:
This is a dry-fire drill and can only be executed using SIRTs or laser training pistols. All live firearms and ammunition must be removed from the training area and secured in a separate location. Consult your physician before performing any strenuous activities that elevate your heart rate and breathing. Ensure the area in which you are running is clear of any trip hazards.
Closing Thoughts:
Utilize a shooting partner for this drill. Add in communication and work as a team. Maintain muzzle discipline and be aware of your partner’s movement. During a violent encounter, out in the public space, there will be innocent bystanders moving all around you. It is your responsibility to ensure target isolation while moving and shooting. Remember, you are accountable for every round that leaves your muzzle and for making every shot count.
Vary your training. Keep it fun. Keep it safe. And keep practicing.
