Can You Master These Two Survival Drills?

By Larry Rodriguez

Posted in
#Skills

Editor’s Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Please seek qualified training, and also ensure any training you do follows the safety rules of the range you are attending.

If you carry a firearm for self-defense, training in its proper use is not simply an option — it’s a necessity. However, that training does not necessarily have to been cumbersome in both time and money.

Practicing with a Springfield Armory 1911, a man sets up for a series of survival shooting drills. Regular training reinforces safety and accuracy under stress.

Here we have two quick shooting drills that can be done with two paper targets, one steel plate, and two plastic drums for simulating cover. These drills are not initially designed for the novice shooter, and can be broken down into small segments where the shooter can repeatedly work on a specific skill before putting it all together as a complete training drill.

Since both drills start from a position of disadvantage for the initial engagement, the defensive shooter will have to move quickly to seek cover to reload and continue to shoot the threat as necessary.

Range Necessities

Unfortunately, due to safety concerns in an environment with space limitations and where you have shooters with different skill levels, most public ranges cannot offer the flexibility for this kind of training.

At an outdoor shooting range, a firearms instructor is giving detailed instructions to a shooter about the upcoming drill. The instructor is gesturing toward the training area, ensuring the student understands the sequence of movements. This part of the session emphasizes how important clear communication is before running tactical exercises. The environment includes target stands and open space for safe movement. The lesson relates directly to two self-defense shooting drills that focus on cover, reloading, and accurate fire under stress. The instructor’s role highlights the value of professional guidance when practicing defensive skills. — On the range, an instructor walks through the drill setup with the shooters. Proper guidance ensures safe and effective practice.

However, if you have access to a private outdoor range, where ideally you could have complete control of the shooting bay and be able to move freely and shoot safely, these drills provide a good opportunity to incorporate life-saving tactics with your EDC handgun. However, you must follow all safety rules and ensure you do not put yourself at risk.

Caliber and magazine capacity are personal preferences, so use what you shoot best under stress. You will need two target stands with paper or cardboard targets (hostile or IDPA), one steel plate at 15 yards, and two big plastic drums.

A woman is captured mid-drill as she fires her pistol on an outdoor shooting range. She maintains a firm two-handed grip and proper stance while aiming at her target. The scene shows the active portion of firearms training, where controlled live fire builds accuracy and defensive awareness. Range equipment and target stands are visible in the background, creating a structured training environment. This practice session connects to two self-defense shooting drills that emphasize speed, movement, and using cover. The focus on her technique highlights how shooters gain confidence through repetition and safe habits. — A woman practices defensive shooting skills during a live-fire session at the range. Consistent training builds accuracy and confidence under pressure.

Unless you have frangible ammunition, you would need to set up the steel plate at a minimum of 15 yards away to minimize the possibility of catching metal fragments. You can also add a shot timer, but I feel it’s not needed at the beginning. I concentrate on consistently getting solid hits while employing tactics.

From the Ground Up

This drill begins with the shooter lying supine three yards from two paper targets, simulating a situation where you just tripped and fell backwards, either by accident or backpedaling from two advancing adversaries. Depending on the height of the berm, position the targets a little lower in the target frame to ensure the rounds won’t go over the berm. The source of cover will be set a few feet behind the shooter.

On the range, a shooter lies supine on the ground at the start of a defensive drill. His pistol is safely holstered as he positions himself for the first stage of training. This drill simulates being knocked down by an attacker and forces the shooter to recover while under threat. Targets are placed a few yards ahead, and training equipment such as plastic drums are set up to simulate cover. The drill highlights how two self-defense shooting drills teach shooters to handle disadvantaged positions. Practicing from the ground ensures familiarity with movement, safe gun handling, and tactical accuracy. — Supine on the range, the shooter begins the exercise with targets ahead. Drills like this build the ability to recover and fight back under pressure.

For safety, start with a loaded, holstered gun in the supine position in front of the targets, hands at your sides, palms down. Then, slowly draw and position your gun hand (finger off the trigger) over the support hand resting on your belly and form a “V” with your open legs and keep your toes down.

A shooter lying supine on the ground draws his pistol and starts orienting it toward the target during a training drill. His upper body is slightly lifted, and the gun is being positioned safely before firing. This stage of the exercise simulates responding to an attacker while down on the ground. Paper targets and range equipment can be seen in the background, creating a controlled environment. The drill forms part of two self-defense shooting drills designed to improve survival skills under pressure. Training like this highlights movement, positioning, and accuracy from a disadvantaged start. — The drill moves forward as the shooter raises his pistol from the supine position. Practicing transitions ensures readiness for unexpected encounters.

When ready to shoot, quickly lift your upper torso while presenting your gun and start engaging targets as soon as your shoulder blades are off the ground, putting at least two good hits on the A zone of each target.

A shooter is pictured mid-drill on an outdoor range, lying on his back with his upper torso raised as he fires at paper targets. His arms are extended in a two-handed grip, showing proper muzzle control and sight alignment. This drill simulates defending oneself immediately after being knocked down in an attack. Targets are positioned close by, emphasizing speed and accuracy under stress. The training is part of two self-defense shooting drills designed to prepare shooters for realistic survival conditions. Practicing from the ground ensures familiarity with unconventional firing positions, recovery movements, and safe gun handling. — The author engages his targets from the ground with his torso raised. This drill simulates fighting back after being knocked down during an attack.

Then, with the finger off the trigger, and as fast and physically able, bring your legs underneath you, come to a kneeling position and engage the threats in one-handed shooting, at least one shot at each target. Next, use your support hand to push yourself up, working your way to a standing position while keeping the gun pointing at the threat. Once standing, reacquire your two-handed grip while walking backwards (toe to heel) and continue engaging the threats until you get behind cover.

A man is shown mid-drill as he begins to stand up from the ground while keeping his handgun aimed at the targets. His posture shows deliberate, controlled movement with the muzzle pointed safely downrange. This drill simulates recovering from being knocked down during an attack and emphasizes never losing focus on the threat. The training bay includes paper targets and simulated cover, ensuring a realistic environment. This sequence is part of two self-defense shooting drills that teach shooters to handle movement under stress. The moment demonstrates how to balance safe gun handling with physical transitions. — The authos works his way back to his feet while keeping his pistol aimed at the targets. This stage of the drill reinforces control and awareness during recovery.

Reload as needed from behind cover in a kneeling position, keeping your body about one arm’s length from the edge facing you to avoid “crowding.” Engage from behind cover, only exposing a tiny portion of your body to get hits on the threat. Once the dust settles, do a quick visual scan before emerging from cover and holster up.

Note: If standing up from the kneeling position with a loaded gun in your hand proves to be a challenge, or a safety compromise, holster your gun while in the kneeling position and then stand up to draw again and continue the drill.

On Reloading

Reloads are usually dictated by your magazine capacity, your ability to clear a malfunction, and your skill to hit the target when you want to.

Other than the locked-back reload, we also train to conduct a saved magazine reload, whereupon you reload, ideally from behind cover during a lull in the fight, to have a fresh magazine in the gun and save a partially full magazine in your pocket in case it is needed later.

A shooter is shown with his pistol slide locked back during a live-fire training session, prompting an immediate reload behind cover. He leans into a controlled reload while keeping his muzzle pointed downrange and eyes on the threat area. The photo captures the critical moment when a stoppage interrupts the flow of action and the shooter must perform a reload or clearance. This scene ties into two self-defense shooting drills that emphasize movement, use of cover, and managing malfunctions. The environment includes paper targets and simulated cover, showing a realistic training bay. The image underscores the importance of practicing reloads and saved-mag techniques with an EDC handgun to stay ready under stress. — The shooter’s slide locks back mid-drill, forcing a reload behind cover. Handling reloads under stress is an important part of realistic defensive training.

However, I have yet to see that happen in the real world. What I have seen most of the times is that people don’t count rounds as they shoot, and they reload out of necessity — when they run dry. So, be prepared to reload as needed no matter what stage you are at.

At the end of this drill, you would have done shooting from a supine position, one-handed shooting while changing positions, shooting while moving backwards, getting behind cover, reloading and re-engaging as needed while maximizing the use of cover, and scanning the vicinity — all in seconds.

Notice that I didn’t mention specifically the number of rounds needed for each portion of the exercise as that will depend on the effect of your defensive shooting on the threat, just like it would likely be in the real world. Don’t hesitate to sneak in a couple of rounds in the transition periods as well.

A man is shown at an outdoor shooting range using a large plastic drum as cover while reloading his Springfield Armory pistol. He keeps his body low and the muzzle pointed downrange, minimizing exposure to the simulated threat. The image captures a moment in tactical practice where movement, cover use, and reload technique come together. This scene is part of two self-defense shooting drills that emphasize minimizing risk while getting the firearm back into the fight. Background elements include paper targets and an open training bay that suggest a controlled environment. The photograph illustrates responsible range behavior, focusing on muzzle discipline, situational awareness, and the practical use of improvised cover. — Behind plastic barrels simulating cover, the author crouches and conducts a deliberate reload during defensive training. Using cover and muzzle discipline keeps the drill safe and practical.

The main point here is to present a constant deadly defense against your attacker(s) at every stage of the fight from the beginning until it’s over. Again, good solid hits are paramount. Don’t do it faster than you can do it safely. Once you get comfortable with safely putting rounds on target at every stage, you can add a couple more targets and speed it up a little bit.

Now, as mentioned earlier, you can also practice each portion several times as an independent event to gain control and confidence, and then slowly add to the drill until its completion.

Out in the Open

I have heard that when no cover is available in your immediate area, the best form of cover is fast, accurate fire — that is, until you are able get behind a wall or another hard object capable of stopping incoming rounds.

In this drill, the source of cover will be in front of the shooter, at approximately 45 degrees to the left (or right), the distance to which will vary depending on the space available in the range. I would try to make it at least 10 yards away to make good use of movement to the source of cover with a loaded gun in your hand.

A man is shown on an outdoor range firing his handgun from an open position without nearby hard cover, demonstrating how to respond when shelter isn’t available. The image highlights rapid, accurate shooting and controlled recoil management under simulated stress. This scene relates to two self-defense shooting drills that teach both seeking cover and, when necessary, applying suppressive accurate fire while moving. Visible targets and clear lanes emphasize a controlled training environment where exposure and movement are practiced safely. The photograph underscores the balance between speed and precision when fighting from the open. It also reinforces basic safety: muzzle awareness, proper stance, and eye protection. — The author fires from the open when no hard cover is available, showing how fast, accurate shots can buy time. This emphasizes that shooting in the open is sometimes necessary — but not ideal.

But first, before moving, the defensive shooter must address an immediate threat in front of him about 15-20 yards away. Starting from the standing position and a loaded, holstered gun, face the steel plate, draw and fire two rounds, with emphasis on getting both hits on steel. If you must slow down your draw, presentation and trigger press to get a first-round hit, then do so. Speed will come with correct practice.

Once you get your hits on steel, bring your gun closer to your mid chest and move as quickly as you safely can to the drums. Short, quick steps are preferable while keeping the gun close to the body (finger off the trigger) and pointing the muzzle to the ground away from you. As you come within a couple of yards of the drums, slow your speed and re-establish your two-handed grip and engage the two paper targets before diving down behind cover.

A man is captured mid-drill on an outdoor shooting range as he moves quickly toward cover while holding his handgun. His eyes remain on the threat area and his body is angled toward a plastic drum positioned as protective cover. This image illustrates how defensive training integrates movement with weapon handling. The action is part of two self-defense shooting drills that focus on using obstacles to reduce exposure while engaging targets. Paper targets and range props provide a structured environment that replicates real-life conditions. The photo emphasizes the importance of practicing not just shooting, but also movement and cover tactics. — The shooter moves quickly toward cover during a defensive drill. Training with movement and cover teaches shooters to stay safe while staying engaged.

Note: If you are uncomfortable running with a loaded gun in your hand, simply holster the gun and run to cover. As you get close to cover, then draw and continue the drill.

Reload from behind cover and slowly emerge with your gun pointing at the targets and engage again. Scan and holster up.

Don’t peek out of cover unless you are pointing the gun at the threat at the same time. If your gun is pointing down at the ground while you peek, it might take precious time to bring it back up, get a sight picture, and squeeze off a good shot. Also, you would be offering your adversary at that point your forehead as a target. In contrast, if you line up your gun at the target as you look and the threat needs shooting, then you are ready to address it at that very instant. Your line of sight and your gun, like a tank turret, should be in sync every time you peek out.

While low behind a drum, the author squeezes off accurate shots around cover to defeat the threat. This teaches how to present the smallest possible silhouette while staying effective.

Because the first few shots of these drills are meant to quickly get you out of a disadvantageous position into a better position behind cover, you can use the timer to see how fast you can get those hits on target first. But as you move behind cover, don’t sacrifice the use of cover for raw speed. Reload and be ready to press the trigger the moment you line up the sights on the target while using cover to the max.

Conclusion

Go ahead and experiment with variations of these drills. For example, add a (safely executed) side shuffle to get out of the line of fire while drawing and shooting on steel. Or, add more steel and paper targets and increase the engagement distance as well. Or shoot from the sides of the drums, not only from the top surface.

Challenge yourself and have fun!

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