Intermediate
Rifle
Rifle Failure Drill (Mozambique)
Used in: Defensive · Military Qualification · Police Qualification
Source: Adaptation of the Mozambique / Failure to Stop drill for carbine. Originally attributed to Mike Rousseau, codified by Jeff Cooper.
3s
Par Time
25 yd
Distance
3
Rounds
5
Reps
15
Total Rounds
The Failure Drill — sometimes called the Mozambique — is one of the most practical combat sequences in any shooter’s toolbox. Two rapid rounds to center mass, then an immediate transition to a precise headshot. The rifle version at 25 yards demands more than just fast splits: you need to shift gears from speed to surgical accuracy within the same string of fire, managing a longer sight radius and heavier platform.
Set one IPSC target at 25 yards (25 m). Start in low ready with the rifle loaded, safety on, finger indexed. On the beep: mount the rifle, disengage the safety, fire two rounds to the upper chest (A zone), then place one round in the head box. Par time is 3.0 seconds. The first two shots should be fast and controlled — the third shot is where the drill lives. If you rush the head shot, you miss. If you take too long transitioning, you blow the par.
Score the drill pass/fail: two A zone hits plus one head box hit under 3.0 seconds is a pass. Track your head box hit rate across sessions — that is the number that tells you whether you are actually improving or just making noise. Once 3.0 seconds is consistent, push to 2.5. When 25 yards feels automatic, move back to 50 yards (46 m) and reset the par to 4.0 seconds.
Range Setup
Setup
1x IPSC target at 25 yd (25 m). Rifle with loaded magazine, safety on. Start in low ready position (muzzle depressed ~45 degrees). Shot timer required.
Scoring
2 rounds in the A zone (upper chest) + 1 round in the head box under 3.0 seconds = pass.
Any hit outside the A zone on body shots = marginal.
Missed head box = fail the rep regardless of time.
Log each string time and head box hit rate.
Goal: 5 out of 5 clean passes in a session.
Tips
The transition from chest to head is a gear change, not a pause. Drive the dot up in one smooth push — do not stop at the neck and hunt for the head box. Commit to the line from sternum to forehead and break the shot when the dot enters the box.
Progression
Push par time from 3.0 toward 2.5 seconds with clean hits.
Move the target to 50 yd (46 m) and reset par to 4.0 seconds.
Run from standing unsupported to test stability during the cadence change.
Add a reload after the body shots — two to chest, emergency reload, one to head.
Shoot from kneeling or behind a barricade to simulate cover usage.