Mastering the "Doubles Drill" in IPSC

In the world of IPSC, the "Doubles Drill" stands out as an essential exercise for shooters aiming to enhance their speed, accuracy, and overall performance. This drill is not just about firing two shots quickly; it's about precision under pressure, control, and fine-tuning your shooting technique.

What is the Doubles Drill?

The Doubles Drill involves firing two shots at a target in rapid succession, with the goal of both shots hitting close to each other on the target. This drill is designed to improve trigger control, sight alignment, and recoil management. It’s an excellent way to develop the muscle memory and skills needed for competitive shooting.

Equipment Needed

Before we dive into the technique, ensure you have the right gear:

A reliable IPSC-approved handgun
A standard IPSC target
Eye and ear protection
Timer (to record your shot times)

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing the Doubles Drill

Start Position: Stand at a comfortable distance from the target, typically 7 to 10 yards. Begin in the standard IPSC starting position with your gun loaded and holstered.
Draw and Aim: Draw your handgun smoothly on the timer's beep and aim at the target. Speed is essential, but not at the cost of safety or accuracy.
First Shot: Fire your first shot with a focus on proper sight alignment and trigger control. Your aim should be to hit the center of the A-Zone.
Recoil Management: As soon as you fire, the gun will recoil. This is where your skills in managing recoil come into play. Absorb the recoil with your arms and body to quickly realign your sights on the target. Focus on your grip, particularly in your non-master hand.
Second Shot: Without pausing, immediately fire the second shot. The challenge is to keep this shot as close to the first as possible.
Repeat and Record: Practice this drill in sets, each aiming to reduce the time between shots while maintaining accuracy. Record your times and accuracy to track improvement.

Tips for Success

Focus on Grip: A firm, consistent grip helps manage recoil and improves accuracy. This drill will help your body to unconsciously learn the correct grip pressure, recoil management, and trigger timing.
Sight Picture: Keep your focus on the front sight throughout the drill.
Trigger Reset: Learn the trigger reset point of your handgun to minimize movement between shots.
Breathing: Maintain regular breathing; don’t hold your breath during the drill.
Consistency: Practice regularly. Consistency is key to mastering any skill.
Timing: Use a timer to keep track of your splits between the first and second shots. You should get them down as quickly as possible, but definitely less than 0.25 seconds.
Draw on the First Round Only: Load a magazine with ten rounds and use the timer to draw on the first shot. Fire your second shot as quickly as possible. For your second and subsequent pairs (3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th, 9th & 10th shots) don't reholster. Give yourself a moment for the pistol to settle, then fire each pair as quickly as possible.
Fall of Shot: Ideally, both shots in your double should fall close together. The objective is to reduce the split times for doubles in the A-zone. The occasional Charlie is OK, but the key is to avoid sacrificing accuracy for speed.
Progress: Try moving closer to the target if you can't land them both in the A-Zone. Initially, you may want to start this drill 3 meters from the target. When all shots are in the A-zone, progressively move further away until you consistently shoot doubles at 15m with less than 0.25-second splits.

Not a Double-Tap

The objective is to deliver two aimed shots close together on the target and close together in time. At very close ranges (1m to 5m), the shots are fired without a sight picture. At medium distances (7 to 15m), the first shot is aimed, but the second shot is predicted.

The drill is designed to teach your body and unconscious mind to anticipate when to pull the trigger for the second shot. The body learns the correct timing for that second shot through repetition and practice.

At longer distances (>20m), each shot will need to be aimed. But practicing the doubles drill at closer distances will still help you recover the sights more quickly, even at longer distances.

Safety First

Remember, safety is paramount in any form of shooting. Always follow the four fundamental rules of gun safety:

Treat every gun as if it’s loaded.
Never point the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

Conclusion

The Doubles Drill is a cornerstone in the training regimen of competitive IPSC shooters. Incorporating this drill into your regular practice sessions can significantly improve your shooting speed and accuracy. Remember, the goal is not just to shoot fast but to shoot fast and accurately. With dedication and regular practice, you'll see substantial improvements in your IPSC performance.

Pro Tip:

If you use a striker-fired pistol such as the Glock 17 or P320, a dry-fire magazine from www.dryfiremag.com will be invaluable for training. You can also use the DryFireMag for walk-throughs of training sessions on the range before switching to live ammunition.