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What is the Look Up Drill?
Getting the sights precisely on target as soon as possible is the constant of practical pistol shooting. Defensive pistol shooters and competitive shooters alike share this goal.
This drill works on improving vision speed and solidifying an instinctive index. Vision speed helps you see where your sights are on target faster so you can shoot sooner. An instinctive index helps send the sights directly to where the eyes look without any hunting for the sights.
Both of these skills are critical to getting shots on target with speed and accuracy.
Drill Setup
- 1 Target at 7 yards
- Start position: Gun in hands, pointed down at about a 45 degree angle, with finger on the side of the frame. Head down, eyes looking at the floor underneath the gun so the target is outside of your field of view.
- 2 shots required
Drill Steps
- At the beep, snap the eyes to the center of the target.
- Engage the target with two shots.
Drill Modifications
- Change up your body orientation in relation to the target between reps. This helps develop a good index no matter where the target is.
- This is a great drill to use a snap cap for the second shot in live fire. The snap caps conserve ammo, get around “no rapid fire” range rules, and provide visual diagnostics on what happens for the second shot.
- Instead of pulling the trigger, simply prep the trigger. That can further isolate skills down to only eye movement and sights movement.
Video Explanation
Video demo and explanation of the Look Up drill
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Drill Tips
Snap the eyes quickly and directly to a small point on the target. To look generally at the target, look at a small specific spot in the target. Move the eyes quickly as soon as the beep goes off.
Drill Diagnostics
The key visuals for his drill is whether the eyes snap straight to the target and look at a small finite point. Strive to see the texture on the target, that will help indicate whether you’re looking generally at the target or at a small finite point on the target.
Drill Author
Travis Tomasie
Travis is a multiple world and national IPSC and USPSA champion, Army Veteran and former member of the US Army Marksmanship Unit. He travels all over the US teaching and competing.
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Drill Environment
More Drill Modifications
Modifications to focus on: Conceal Carry
- Add walls to lean around - More info »
- Move through a door - More info »
- Start drills with something in your hand - More info »
- Start from a seated position - More info »
- Turn the lights out and use a flashlight - More info »
- Use a variety of your daily wear clothing - More info »