10–15 yd
Distance
5
Rounds
6
Reps
30
Total Rounds
The Serrator builds the hardest movement pattern in practical shooting — controlled diagonal sprints with rapid direction changes. Five cones form a W shape at two depths downrange, and you sprint 45 degrees between them, engaging targets as you hit each cone. The drill punishes false steps, lazy deceleration, and shooters who can only move in straight lines.
Set 3 targets 5-7 yd (5-7 m) apart. Place 3 cones 10 yd (10 m) from the targets and 5 yd (5 m) apart — these are the front row. Add 2 cones 15 yd (15 m) from the targets and 5 yd (5 m) apart — these form the back row, offset to create the W. Begin at Cone 1 with gun holstered. Draw and engage Target 1 with 1 round, then sprint 45 degrees to Cone 2, decelerate, and engage Target 2 with 1 round. Continue the W pattern through all 5 cones, firing 1 round per position — 5 rounds total.
Score on clean hits only — a miss from any position is a failed rep. Once hits are consistent, add a shot timer and chase total time. The key metric is deceleration quality: a shooter who sprints fast but takes an extra second to settle the gun at each cone is slower overall than one who enters each position under control. Run it left-to-right, then mirror the pattern right-to-left to train both lateral directions equally.
Range Setup
Setup
3 targets (IPSC, USPSA, or paper silhouette) in a straight line, 5-7 yd (5-7 m) apart.
5 cones arranged in a W pattern at two depths:
- Front row: 3 cones, 10 yd (10 m) from the targets, 5 yd (5 m) apart.
- Back row: 2 cones, 15 yd (15 m) from the targets, 5 yd (5 m) apart, offset between the front-row cones.
Pistol loaded, holstered.
Start position: standing at Cone 1 (front row, in line with Target 1), facing downrange.
Scoring
1 round per cone position, 5 rounds total per rep.
All rounds must land in the scoring zone (A zone or equivalent).
A miss or hit outside the zone from any position is a failed rep.
Once hits are consistent, score on total time with a shot timer.
Run both directions (left-to-right and right-to-left) and compare times.
Scoring: Hit Factor (HF) = points ÷ time. USPSA target zones: A = 5, C = 3, D = 1, Miss = −10. Higher HF = better performance.
Tips
Push off at 45 degrees without a false step — the first foot should drive diagonally, not plant and redirect.
Progression
Require 2 rounds per position instead of 1 (10 rounds total).
Start from concealment instead of open holster.
Add a par time once deceleration is consistent in both directions.
Add a no-shoot between two targets to force visual discipline mid-sprint.
Run with rifle at low ready instead of pistol from holster.
Increase cone spacing to 7 yd (7 m) to lengthen the diagonal sprints.