Self-Defense Handgun Training: Haley Strategic 2-2-4-2-2 Skills Drill for Speed

This drill comes from Haley Strategic, and it’s all about speed. The premise is that you’re in a truly bad situation, facing multiple close threats, and you need to get rounds on target in a hurry.

Gear

Gun that holds 12 rounds, shot timer (optional)

Drill

I run it with three USPSA targets a foot apart, three yards downrange. On the start signal, draw (or come from a Ready position of your choice if you can’t draw at your range), and fire two rounds into the first target, two into the second, four into the third, two into the second and two into the first.

Goal

I’ve seen video where the shooter is aiming for two seconds, but this isn’t a realistic goal for me. With a subcompact 9mm pistol I can run it in a shade over four seconds.

While we usually recommend starting slow and gradually building speed, I think that after you’ve run it once or twice to get a feel for it, start shooting it as fast as you safely can—never to the point you’re not in control. Use your hips to orient your body to the target, rather than a tank-turret approach. Since you’re so close, body orientation is what gets your gun on target, but you still need to catch a glimpse of the sights and execute a good trigger press.

Mix it up with left to right, right to left, middle then left or right target orders.

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