3s
Par Time
7 yd
Distance
3
Rounds
5
Reps
15
Total Rounds
The Failure to Stop drill — also known as the Mozambique Drill — is a defensive shooting standard that teaches a critical concept: what to do when two center-mass hits don’t stop the threat. The answer is a controlled head shot.
From the holster, fire two rounds to the chest (A-zone) followed by one round to the head box, all at 7 yards. The transition from fast body shots to a precise head shot is what makes this drill challenging. You need to shift gears mid-string — from aggressive recoil management to careful sight alignment.
This is one of the most practical drills you can run. It builds the neural pathway for a real-world failure-to-stop scenario while training speed, accuracy, and target transition all in one compact package. A 3.0 second par time is a reasonable goal from the holster.
Range Setup
Setup
Single USPSA/IPSC target at 7 yards. Pistol holstered. Fire 2 rounds to the body (A-zone), then 1 round to the head box.
Scoring
All 3 hits must be in their respective zones: 2 in the A-zone (body), 1 in the head box. Any miss = failed rep. Track time.
Tips
Don't rush the head shot. After the two body shots, take a deliberate pause to confirm your sights on the smaller target.
Progression
Master the transition pause. Once consistent at 3.0s, push toward 2.5s. Add a step-back or lateral movement for advanced reps.