The Tennis Ball Drill

Here is a great drill that may teach you a thing or two. I highly recommend you give it a try...What you need:- A friend- A big bucket of tennis ballsHave your friend stand 5yds away from you holding his big bucket of tennis balls. Whenever he is ready, and without warning, he is to start throwing them at you as fast as he possibly can. Your goal is to NOT get hit by any balls. He is also allowed to move while still trying to hit you.How fast did you have to move to not get hit by those tennis balls?Do you ever train to move that fast while also drawing your EDC pistol? Most people don't.When post people train moving while shooting they train slow movement, barely any faster than normal walking pace. Problem is, is that actually making you any harder to hit?What is more important in a gunfight; shooting the other guy or not getting shot yourself? If you can only pick one, generally not getting shot yourself takes priority. Pretty much everyone answers "not getting shot." Its common sense.Just the other day I asked someone that question and he answered "Not getting shot." Then I had him show me how he moves and shoots at the same time. He did it like most everyone does, a pace barely above walking while shooting.Me: "Why are you moving so slow?"Him: "Because if I move any faster its hard to hit the target."Me: "But did you just say NOT getting shot is more important than shooting the bad guy? Does that speed actually make it any harder for him to hit you?"I seen the light bulb go off over his head. I then ran him through the Tennis Ball Drill to give him an idea of just how fast one must really go when they are behind the curve and someone has drawn down on them and is firing. This is called a "Reactive Gunfight."Here is another version I highly recommend all Red Dot users try.Get two pistols, one with irons and one with a red dot. Both you and your partner unload and verify they are clear. Then both of you take painters tape and wrap the ends of both pistols. They are now cleared, safe, and ready for the drill.Repeat the drill as above but this time try and draw the pistol with Irons and while still avoiding balls, place the sights on him (you will have to do this wile moving) and press the trigger. Don't stop the drill right there, keep going a little longer because in real life one single shot doesn't always stop the threat.Now repeat with your pistol that has a red dot. I wont tell you what will likely happen here but you may come to learn something about your optic and it may not be what you think. (Hint: There is a reason that guys like Sonny Puzikas, James Yeager, Kyle Defoor, Ken Hackathorn, John "Shrek" McPhee, Mike Pannone, and others dont carry an optic on their EDC pistols.)I use this drill on intermediate shooters to show them two main things:- The importance of moving- The limitations of a RDS and how they are GREAT at shooting but not some amazing for REACTIVE PISTOL gun fighting. They are great on rifles and great on proactive weapons though!Before you start calling me a "boomer" or a "poor" (neither of which apply to me), give this drill a try. Make sure your partner is giving it is all and actively trying to hit you with those tennis balls. via /r/CCW https://ift.tt/2CM3xil