The 3-Second Drill is all about managing speed and control. You’ll work from the draw or low ready, hitting small targets at varied distances—all under a tight time constraint. Designed to simulate real-world reaction times, this drill builds the ability to shoot with discipline and purpose when the clock is ticking.
Materials Needed:
- Pistol and holster (if drawing)
- 18 rounds of ammo
- 6 small targets (3–5” circles)
- Shot timer or stopwatch
- Eye and ear protection
Setup Instructions:
- Place six small targets at 7 yards.
- Space them a few feet apart or post on a single sheet in a grid.
- Shooter starts from concealed draw or low ready.
- Timer set for 3-second par times.
Drill Instructions:
- Run the drill in six strings of fire.
- For each string:
- On the timer, fire 3 rounds into one target within 3 seconds.
- Re-holster or return to low ready after each string.
- Move on to the next target for each string.
- Repeat until all six targets have been engaged.
Scoring / Pass Criteria:
- 18 rounds total (3 per target).
- All hits should land within the circle or designated scoring zone.
- Each 3-round group must be completed within 3 seconds.
- Misses or overtime = string failure.
Passing standard:
- Minimum of 15/18 hits on target within par time.
Coaching Tips / Variations (Optional):
- Vary distance from 5 to 10 yards for difficulty scaling.
- Run with tighter par times for advanced practice.
- Use different colored circles or numbers to add a decision-making element.
- Try strong-hand or support-hand only.
Recommended Target Download – Use a 9-circle grid target, or print six 4-inch circles on one sheet for convenience. Check out MidAtlanticMunition’s free downloadable target page for free targets!
Speed under control is the name of the game. Run the 3-Second Drill and see if your training holds up. Post your results to the ‘gram and tag @midatlanticmunition to share your progress. If you need ammo that’s as awesome as your shooting, check out our handgun ammo collection; and check out more drills here!