HOP Blog
DOPE Drill: Mastering Speed and Accuracy on the Range
Sep
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to maintain both speed and accuracy under pressure, you’re not alone.
Many shooters hit a plateau where they can either shoot fast or shoot accurately—but not both. Created by Rick Crawley at Achilles Heel Tactical, the DOPE Drill is a game-changer. This innovative drill is designed to push your limits while providing actionable data to enhance your shooting capabilities. In this article, you’ll learn how to implement the DOPE Drill to identify your failure points, improve your response times, and ensure every shot counts.
Whether you’re in law enforcement, military, or a civilian shooter serious about your craft, mastering the DOPE Drill will give you the edge you need to excel on the range and in real-world scenarios.
Understanding the DOPE Drill
The DOPE Drill focuses on keeping all rounds within the A-zone of the target as quickly as possible. The idea is to push yourself to the point of failure to identify your limits. By knowing where you consistently fail, you can set a baseline for improvement.
As Rick states, “You know where you’re out running your headlights, you know where you’re failing. You have a failure baseline.” This approach allows shooters to track their first-round accuracy, the split times between consecutive rounds, and the overall time to complete the drill.
Execution of the Drill
The drill begins at varying distances—5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 yards. Once a sight picture is established, the shooter drives the gun to the target and engages with five rounds as fast as possible. The goal is speed and accountability for where each round lands.
- 5 Rounds as Fast as Possible: The shooter fires five rounds, recording the time for the first shot and the split times between each subsequent round. For example, “First shot was a 1.13, and a 17 split, and 14 split in 12 split.”
- Progressively Increasing Distance: After each set of five rounds, the shooter moves back to the next distance and repeats the process, pushing themselves to shoot as fast as possible without compromising accuracy.
- Establishing a Baseline: The shooter is encouraged to find their point of failure—where their accuracy begins to falter. This baseline helps in understanding what adjustments are needed, whether it be in grip, stance, or sight alignment.
Ready to start practicing the DOPE Drill? Get the Achilles Heel Tactical Target today and take your shooting skills to the next level!
The Importance of Cadence
Maintaining a consistent cadence is critical during the DOPE Drill. Rick emphasizes that the shooting cadence should remain the same whether the shooter is close to the target or further away. This consistency allows for better data collection on how grip and sight alignment impact accuracy at different speeds. As he mentions, “There should be nothing changing about that cadence.”
The Squirrel and the Nut Analogy
A unique aspect of this drill is using the “Squirrel and the Nut” analogy. This concept simplifies the understanding of sight picture, alignment, and follow-through.
- The Nut: Represents the shooter’s point of aim, accounting for the mechanical offset from a gross sight picture. The goal is to keep the sight focused on the Nut, ensuring precise aim.
- The Squirrel: Symbolizes the red dot sight (RDS) that naturally seeks out the Nut. Just as a squirrel finds a nut, the RDS will settle back on the Nut if the shooter maintains control and doesn’t rush the shot.
The analogy helps shooters visualize and internalize the importance of staying focused on the point of aim and allowing the RDS to settle before taking the next shot.
Accountability and Tracking Progress
One of the critical elements of the DOPE Drill is accountability. After each round, shooters must assess their performance and understand where they succeeded and where they fell short. This process includes:
- Tracking Round Placement: Ensuring that rounds are within the A-zone, even as the shooter speeds up.
- Evaluating Grip and Stance: Noting any changes or inconsistencies that might affect accuracy. Rick notes, “The refinement of the grip, my initial round that’s going downrange progressively gets slower.”
- Adjusting for Accuracy: If shots start missing the A-zone, the shooter can slow down slightly to allow the sights to settle, demonstrating that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed.
Benefits of the DOPE Drill
The DOPE Drill is highly effective for shooters who want to push their limits while remaining accountable for every shot. It encourages continuous learning and adaptation, and shooters will discover a lot from this drill. By consistently practicing this drill, shooters can refine their skills and become more proficient and confident in handling their firearms under stressful conditions.
Conclusion
The DOPE Drill is more than just a practice routine; it’s a powerful tool for transforming your shooting skills. By focusing on speed and accuracy simultaneously, this drill helps you establish a failure baseline, refine your grip and sight alignment, and improve your overall performance. With the insights gained from tracking your progress, you’ll be able to push your boundaries and confidently handle any shooting scenario that comes your way.
Now, it’s your turn to take action. Grab your gear, head to the range, and try the DOPE Drill. Experience firsthand how this drill can sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.
Consider signing up for the Achilles Heel Tactical Baseline Pistol Course to take your training to the next level. This course offers expert instruction and hands-on experience, allowing you to master the DOPE Drill and other essential skills under the guidance of seasoned professionals. Start your journey to becoming a more accurate and efficient shooter today! Explore our course offerings and take the next step towards elevating your shooting game.
