top of page

DOT INDEX DRILL: LIVE-FIRE

Small target. Big payoff.

The Dot Index Drill trains your ability to drive the gun with precision. Live fire turns up the pressure. You’ll work rapid transitions between small dots, forcing your eyes to lead, your grip to lock in, and your trigger press to stay sharp. There’s nowhere to hide on a 2-inch target at speed.

Why this drill matters:

In competition and defensive shooting, your eyes must find the target before the gun moves. This drill reinforces that connection. Small targets demand more from your vision, grip, and timing than large scoring zones ever will.

It also reveals critical breakdowns:

  • Overdriving the gun between targets

  • Rushing the trigger without confirming sights

  • Falling out of rhythm due to poor pacing

If you can control a fast run on 2-inch dots, you can control anything.


Set it up:

  • Distance: 3 to 5 yards

  • Target: Two 2-inch dots on the Fusion Target

  • Rounds: 20

  • Reps: 10 reps, 2 rounds per rep

  • Start Position: Compressed ready



How to run the drill:

a. From compressed ready, fire one shot into the left dot


b. Transition and fire one shot into the right dot


c. Repeat for all 10 reps, maintaining control and visual discipline at speed


d. Track hits and misses. Hold yourself to a zero-miss standard whenever possible

Shooting distance for 7 Yard Speed Drill graphic.


What you are actually training:

  • Visual discipline and lead timing: You are learning to let your eyes lock onto the next dot before the gun moves. That habit is the foundation of clean transitions.

  • Target-to-target throttle control: You are developing the ability to move the gun quickly between dots without overshooting or snapping past the center.

  • Trigger control under visual stress: Small targets increase stress. This drill forces you to press cleanly, even when your brain wants to rush.

  • Grip pressure during dynamic strings: Repeating this drill exposes any grip breakdown between reps and helps you lock in hand consistency.

  • Shot accountability on small zones: You are reinforcing precision over volume. Every round must land where it’s aimed or it doesn’t count.



Drill Tips

If your hits are off center, you’re moving the gun before your eyes settle. Fix that first.

The Dot Index Drill: Live Fire appears in Week 8 of the Fusion Targets 12 Week Pistol Program. It builds precision and pace into your transitions and forces you to stay visually locked on small targets under pressure.

Want to build control where it counts?



Comments

bottom of page