2s
Par Time
7 yd
Distance
1
Rounds
10
Reps
10
Total Rounds
In a defensive scenario, the first shot is everything. This drill strips away all complexity and focuses on one thing: how quickly and accurately you can draw your pistol and put a single round on target.
At the buzzer, draw from concealment or duty holster and fire one shot at a standard target at 7 yards. That’s it. One rep, one round, one chance to get it right. The par time is 2.0 seconds from concealment — a widely accepted benchmark for competent defensive shooters.
Run this drill cold — before your warm-up — to see your real-world performance. Your cold first shot is a better indicator of your actual skill level than any drill you run after 200 rounds of practice. Track your times and hit locations across multiple sessions.
Range Setup
Setup
Stand at 7 yards facing a USPSA/IPSC target or B-8 bullseye. Pistol holstered (concealment or duty rig). Hands at sides or surrender position.
Scoring
Time from buzzer to shot. Hit must be in the A-zone or 8-ring. A hit outside the scoring area is a fail regardless of time.
Tips
Build your draw in layers: grip, clear, extend, press. Each step should be smooth and deliberate — speed comes from efficiency, not rushing.
Progression
Work toward sub-1.5s from concealment. From an open holster, sub-1.2s is a strong benchmark. Run it cold at the start of every session.