When the IACP published training material that recommended officers use head shots to defeat suicide bombers, a despairing groan went up from much of the law enforcement community. Knowledgeable trainers complained that the average street cop, using a pistol and with little special practice, probably couldn't hit such a small, "fleeting, frustrating target" as a human head, except at near-contact distance.
OK. But given the looming specter of domestic terrorism and the current grim reality of active-shooter scenarios that demand rapid patrol-level response, the bar is being raised, like it or not. The time may come when that's the shot you must make... and can't afford to miss.
World-class shooter Ron Avery, president of The Practical Shooting Academy, Inc., who extensively trains law officers throughout the U.S., offers these challenging pistol drills to hone your skills for that do-or-die moment.
Avery teaches these as part of his five-day Advanced Handgun Skills class for both officers and trainers. They're tough, make no mistake about it. Initially at least, be prepared to modify the ideal times he lists as you need to. But keep in mind, Avery says, "If you take too much time, you're target shooting, not precision speed shooting with real-world constraints."
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Drill #1:
Put a 3- to 4-inch diameter circle of paper inside the head of whatever target you're using. This is your aiming point.
At 3 yards, from an imminent-threat position, shoot one round in the center of the head in 1.5 seconds. Work down to 1 second. (Use an electronic timer for maximum reliability.)
At 3 yards, from a low-ready position, shoot one round in the center of the head in 2 seconds. Work down to 1.5 seconds, then to 1 second.
At 3 yards, repeat the drill, drawing from your holster. Use different hand start positions to maximize versatility. Work down to 1.5 seconds.
At 3 yards, repeat the drills, firing two shots in head. Work down to 1.5 seconds.
Repeat all above exercises at 5 yards and 7 yards.
Drill #2:
At 5 yards, from a low-ready position, drop to a kneeling or squatting position and shoot one round in the center of the head in 2 seconds. Work down to 1.5 seconds
Repeat at 7 yards and 10 yards.
At 7 yards, put a "no-shoot" target next to the threat (head-shot) target to increase your stress load. Have two no-shoot setups, one on right and one on the left side of the threat.
At 10 yards, from a low-ready position, fire one head shot in 2 seconds, then reduce time to 1.5 seconds. Repeat drill from holster, hands in different start positions.
Repeat all drills, firing two shots. Start with 2.5 seconds, work down to 2 seconds.
At 15 yards, from a low-ready position, deliver one head shot in 2.5 seconds. Work down to 2 seconds, then 1.5 seconds.
Repeat, drop to kneeling or squatting position, firing one shot in 2.5 seconds. Work down to 2 seconds.
Repeat 15-yard drills, from holster.
Repeat, firing two shots while standing. Work down to 2 seconds.
"These drills are a good start and should get you warmed up," Avery says.
As your skill improves, add movement for the "suspect" (with a good swinger target) and for yourself (by running to different shoot locations). "Obviously, this will be much harder," Avery says. "Time limits will vary, but keep them snappy."
"Mickey Mouse training, with low expectations, yields poor results. Challenge yourself with real-world demands. Impose tight time limits, realistic scoring zones, miss penalties, different lighting conditions and shoot from stationary and moving platforms and from realistic cover and awkward positions."
"You never know when, where, or how the fight will come. But when it is thrust upon you, will you be prepared to save lives-including your own-because you trained for the "impossible' shot?"
Read more articles from Ron Avery in his PoliceOne Column.
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