Achilles Heel Tactical Man Card Drill: The Long Card Challenge

The Achilles Heel Tactical Man Card Drill – Long Card is the ultimate test of proficiency and composure for any shooter. Designed by Rick Crawley of Achilles Heel Tactical, this drill combines rifle and pistol fundamentals into a rigorous 14-stage course of fire, pushing shooters to their limits under performance-on-demand standards.

This challenge is not for the faint-hearted; it’s for those serious about mastering their craft.

What Is the Man Card Drill?

The Man Card Drill is a cold-shooter test designed to evaluate a shooter’s ability to perform under pressure. The standards are strict, requiring all hits to land within the C-zone of the target while adhering to challenging par times. Any miss or failure to meet the time standard results in disqualification.

Why the “Man Card”?

Earning the short card grants lifetime recognition of your achievement. Once you have the short card, you gain the privilege to attempt the long card during subsequent courses. The long card is the next-level challenge—a milestone in your shooting journey that reflects your growth and dedication.

The Setup

• Distance: 25 yards
• Target: C-zone steel or IPSC C-zone
• Equipment:
  • Par timer
  • Two full pistol magazines and one empty pistol magazine
  • One full rifle magazine and one empty rifle magazine
• Hits Required: Only C-zone and A-zone hits count
• Attempts: Limited to two per iteration

Course of Fire: The Long Card

Pistol Stages

1. 1 Round from Compressed Ready: Par time 1 second
2. 1 Round from Holster: Par time 1.5 seconds
3. 1 Round from Holster (Facing Left): Par time 1.5 seconds
4. 1 Round from Holster (Facing Right): Par time 1.5 seconds
5. 1 Round from Holster (Facing Up Range): Par time 1.5 seconds
6. 1 Reload 1: Par time 3 seconds

Rifle Stages

7. 1 Round from Low Ready: Par time 1 second
8. 1 Round from High Ready: Par time 1 second
9. 1 Round from any ready position (Facing Left): Par time 1 second
10. 1 Round from any ready position (Facing Right): Par time 1 second
11. 1 Round from any ready position (Facing Up Range): Par time 1 second
12. 1 Reload 1: Par time 3 seconds

Transition Stages

13. 1 Round Rifle to 1 Round Pistol: Par time 2.5 seconds
14. Check Drill: Par time: 8 seconds
    • 1 round with Rifle from either ready position
    • Transition to pistol
    • Fire 1 round pistol
    • Tactical reload pistol
    • Holster pistol
    • Recover rifle
    • Reload rifle
    • Fire 1 Round Rifle

Standards and Consequences

This is not a drill you casually breeze through. Every hit must land in the C-zone, and every shot must be fired within the strict par times. Fail after two attempts? Your shot at the long card is over.

But here’s the catch—earning the short card isn’t easy either. You must complete it during an Achilles Heel Tactical course, under the watchful eye of an instructor and fellow students. The controlled stress of performing on demand is an added layer of difficulty that mirrors real-world scenarios.

Training Tips for Success

1. Focus on Fundamentals: Master compressed ready, high ready, and reload mechanics.
2. Rehearse Transitions: Practice rifle-to-pistol transitions until smooth and instinctive.
3. Time Your Runs: Use a par timer to train under the same time constraints.
4. Simulate Stress: Practice in front of others to acclimate to pressure.

Achieving the Long Card

The long card represents a new milestone in your shooting journey. Each iteration builds on the skills tested in the short card, adding complexity and refining your ability to perform under demanding conditions.

It’s a challenge that pushes you beyond your limits, showing you where your training needs improvement and highlighting your progress.

So, are you ready to put your skills to the test? The Man Card Drill awaits, but only the most disciplined shooters will earn their spot among the elite.

Want to learn more or attempt the Man Card Drill? Visit Achilles Heel Tactical and sign up for a course to test your mettle under expert instruction.