Speed is the king in competition; however, it is not without control. You need drills that will test you under pressure but still hone the basics. They come in handy when you want to shave those seconds off, tighten splits, and boost your stage planning.

Not all tactical shooting targets are merely defensive training tools. In fact, the target is one of the most effective ways to hone your competitive shooting. So here are five drills that you need to be doing on a regular if you are serious about getting better.

Target discrimination drill

Take five targets, of which three are only threats. Add photo-realistic or colored no-shoot tactical targets. You should only spot and attack the correct targets on the signal.

This develops visual processing and shot discipline. Excellent in USPSA or 3-Gun, where not all arrays are a green light. It will teach you to think and process information simultaneously. All the while keeping your grip, sight picture, and footwork.

Accelerator drill

Place three tactical shooting targets at 7, 15, and 20 yards in a staggered arrangement. Work each one with two rounds, near to far, far to near.

This one trains restrained velocity and teaches you how to adjust the rhythm of your shooting according to the distance. It is a fundamental drill to learn throttle control- an important aspect of realistic shooting sports.

Bill drills with steel or torso paper

This one is a classic. Six rounds draw at 7 yards, all center-mass. Here, you are training recoil control, speed, and consistency.

Utilize tactical silhouette targets for this drill. You can use paper targets to allow smaller scoring zones or steel targets to get immediate feedback. The idea is to maintain your hits compact and to drive your time low without hurrying your basics. Be careful of your hold and your targets as well.

Make sure you note your split times. For instance, examine which shots are sloppy.

Reload-1 from multiple distances

Set up two tactical shooting targets at different distances, such as 7 yards and 15. One shot at the first, reload, one shot at the second. Then turn it round.

You are imitating stage factors where the target distance imposes various tempos. Do you take too much time on the far target? Fasten your load? This practice helps you maintain an accurate rhythm and keen timing.

El Presidente with no-shoot elements

Begin standing up range among 3 tactical targets separated by approximately 1 meter each. Beep: turn, draw, two on each, reload, and two more on each.

To increase the stakes, add a no-shoot overlay to one or two of the targets. It is no longer a matter of speed only but the ability to recognize clean shots when time is running out.

This one teaches target transitions, reload timing, and how to remain smooth under stress. And no, you can not toss that reload.

Last thoughts

Each repetition must have a goal, and tactical shooting targets provide you the framework to recreate the actual mayhem of a competition. These drills do not only develop speed but also adaptability, control, and more intelligent stage work. Train under pressure, train purposefully, and practice every drill.