10–15 yd
Distance
5
Rounds
4
Reps
20
Total Rounds
The Gauntlet is a culminating movement drill that strings together forward sprints, lateral movement, and diagonal changes of direction into a single continuous run. Four targets are spread 5-7 yd (5-6 m) apart across the shooting line, and five cones are positioned at three different depths — 10, 15, and 25 yd (9, 14, and 23 m) up-range. The application is direct: moving to cover, bounding between positions, or clearing through dynamic environments where the angle and distance to threats change with every step.
Start at Cone 1 — the furthest cone at 25 yd (23 m) from Target 1 — at low ready. On the signal, sprint forward to Cone 2 at 10 yd (9 m) and engage T1 with 1 round. Lateral walk right toward Cone 3 and engage T2 on the move with 1-2 rounds. Sprint 45 degrees back to Cone 4 at 15 yd (14 m), decelerate, face downrange, and engage T3 with 1 round. Sprint 45 degrees forward to Cone 5 at 10 yd (9 m), decelerate, and engage T4 with 1 round. Total: 4-5 rounds, zero wasted movement.
The diagnostic is deceleration quality. If hits open up at any cone, you are arriving too fast and not chopping your feet to control the platform. Lower your hips as you approach each position, get the sights on target before breaking the shot, and stay in the ready position throughout — never let the muzzle drift during transitions. Once the hits are clean, use a shot timer to drive total time down while maintaining accuracy.
Range Setup
Setup
4 targets (IPSC, USPSA, or paper silhouette) in a line, 5-7 yd (5-6 m) apart.
5 cones:
- Cone 1: 25 yd (23 m) up-range from T1 (start position).
- Cone 2: 10 yd (9 m) up-range from T1.
- Cone 3: 5 yd (5 m) right of Cone 2.
- Cone 4: 15 yd (14 m) up-range from T3.
- Cone 5: 10 yd (9 m) up-range, in line with T4.
Rifle or pistol, loaded, at low ready.
Start position: standing at Cone 1, facing downrange.
Scoring
4-5 rounds total per rep.
1 round on T1 from Cone 2 — must land in the A zone.
1-2 rounds on T2 while moving from Cone 2 to Cone 3 — must land in the A zone.
1 round on T3 from Cone 4 — must land in the A zone.
1 round on T4 from Cone 5 — must land in the A zone.
Any miss is a failed rep.
Once hits are consistent, score on total time with a shot timer.
Scoring: Hit Factor (HF) = points ÷ time. USPSA target zones: A = 5, C = 3, D = 1, Miss = −10. Higher HF = better performance.
Tips
Chop your feet and lower your hips to decelerate efficiently — arriving too fast at a cone means your platform is unstable and the shot opens up.
Progression
Add a par time once all hits are consistent.
Increase to 2 rounds per target for higher round count.
Require all A-zone hits — any C or D fails the rep.
Increase target spacing to 10 yd (9 m) to lengthen lateral and diagonal movements.
Add a magazine change between Cone 3 and Cone 4.
Run with rifle if trained with pistol, or vice versa.