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What is the Wide and Close Drill?
Wide transitions require stopping the gun exactly at the point where the gun is being aimed. Narrow transitions require moving the eyes to the next target as soon as the final shot is taken. Well, both narrow and wide transitions require both – but precision stopping is generally lacking on wide transitions and fast leading with the eyes is lacking on narrow transitions.
This drill works on precision and leading with the eyes for wide transitions and narrow transitions.
Drill Setup
- 4 targets. Two inside targets are at 10 yards with 4 yards between them. The two outside targets are at 5 yards and are laterally right next to the 10 yard targets. Use a half size target to simulate 10 yards if space isn’t available.
- Start position is handgun pointing at a target on one side with the eyes looking at the far target on the other side.
- 8 shots required, 4 shots per string.
Drill Steps
- At the beep, transition to the far target that you’re looking at and engage with two shots.
- Transition to the close target next to it with two shots.
- Reset for the next string by pointing the gun at the far target that was just engaged and looking at the far target that wasn’t engaged.
- At the beep, transition to the far target that you’re looking at and engage with two shots.
- Transition to the close target next to it with two shots.
Drill Modifications
- Make the inside targets the close target and the outside targets the far targets. This will work transition speed and throttle control.
- Start with the eyes on the same target as the gun is pointing at. At the beep, move the eyes ahead of the gun to the target. That’ll help boost vision speed and precision.
- Increase difficulty by making both targets partial targets.
Drill Tips
On the narrow transition, the most important part is to move the eyes to the next target the moment the second shot is fired. It’s very easy to lock the eyes to the gun on close transitions. Even on close transitions, the eyes need to lead ahead of the gun.
Drill Diagnostics
Watch for over and under travel on the wide transition. The gun should go exactly to where the eyes are looking. If the gun slows down too late or too early, it’ll over or under travel. The aiming correction drastically slows down the transitions.
Drill Author
Brian Purkiss
Brian Purkiss is a USPSA Carry Optics Grandmaster and the founder of Locked Back Training.
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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 »
Further Training with:
Follow the Eyes
Accuracy at Speed, Distance Changeup, Transitions
