The El Presidente Drill 

Overview

Our version of this extremely popular pistol drill is intended to be completed on our Essentials or Kill Zone Targets. This pistol drill focuses on several different aspects of shooting to include; draw speed/efficiency, trigger speed, proper trigger manipulation, recoil management, target identification, accuracy, and target transitions. This pistol drill is for intermediate to advanced shooters and includes multiple target transitions, and a magazine reload. We have also added a couple of alternate scoring variations to increase difficulty, emphasize accuracy, and challenge advanced shooters.

The Kill Zone Target

The Kill Zone Target features the standard IPSC target with an overlaid x-ray of the human body which shows bones cartilage and vital organs. Vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, and intestines are shown to allow shooters to see how their rounds would affect the body.

Kill zone Target

Setup

To conduct this drill, you will need to set up three Kill Zone Targets in a horizontal row, approximately one yard apart from each other. The shooter should begin this drill at the ten yard-line facing up-range (facing away from the targets). The shooter’s pistol should be holstered with both hands above the head in the surrender position. The magazine in the shooter’s pistol should have five rounds with an additional round in the chamber totaling six rounds. The shooter should have an additional magazine accessible with at least six rounds which will be used for a speed reload. This pistol drill requires a total of 12 rounds. This drill requires a shot timer to be properly scored. The time begins at the sound of the buzzer and concludes when the twelfth and final round has been fired.

Drill

At the sound of the buzzer, the shooter will turn and face the targets while simultaneously drawing his/her pistol from the holster. The shooter will fire two rounds into each of the three Kill Zone Targets from left to right. The shooter will then speed reload and shoot an additional two shots into each target from right to left. If the drill is completed successfully, each of the three Kill Zone Targets will have four rounds in them.

Explanation

The drill should be performed by firing two rounds into the left target, two rounds into the middle target, and two rounds into the right target. A speed-reload should be conducted as quickly as possible, and then the shooter will fire two rounds to the right target, two rounds into the middle target, and fire two rounds into the left target. The first half of the drill is done from left to right with the second being done from right to left to ensure the shooter can transition between targets proficiently in both directions.

Purpose

This drill simulates having your back turned to multiple threats at a very close distance. When conducting the drill, shooters should put themselves in the mindset that they are outnumbered by the enemy at a close range and must get rounds on target as quickly as possible. The speed reload is thrown into the mix to simulate that the shooter has run out of ammunition but the threats are still not down. Speed is critical in this drill, but smoothness and efficiency are also equally important. The best times for this drill are achieved by shooters who maintain consistent shooting rhythms throughout the entirety of the drill.

The speed reload is critical. A shooter must speed reload quickly and efficiently, then get back on target for the follow-on shots without delay. This drill is an excellent way to test a multitude of pistol skills all at once and is a handy tool to point out which area of your shooting needs improvement. Speed, accuracy, consistency, and a quick speed reload are paramount for a shooter to score well on this drill.

Scoring 

***There are multiple scoring variations for this drill. The standard scoring variation for the El Presidente drill should be completed in less than 10 seconds with zero misses by intermediate shooters. Advanced shooters routinely finish this pistol drill in approximately 6 seconds with the world record coming in at just over 3 seconds.***

1. The fastest time achieved with zero misses is the score obtained.  All 12 rounds must impact the IPSC portion of the Kill Zone Target. Rounds impacting the A, B, C, and D zones count as hits and will be scored. If a round lands outside of the D-Zone it will be considered a miss, and the score for the drill is a failure.  Example: if all twelve rounds are within the D-Zone and the drill is completed in 6 seconds then the score for the drill is 6 seconds. If even one round impacts outside the D-Zone, then the run is considered a failure and will not be scored. The fastest time achieved is the best score. This scoring method emphasizes speed. All you have to do is get the rounds within the D-zone as fast as possible, so accuracy is secondary to speed with this scoring method to an extent. (The world record was scored with this scoring standard).

2. The second scoring method requires that all rounds impact within the A-Zone of the target. It is important to note that the A-Zone is located in both the chest cavity and in the head where the T-box is normally located. Rounds that land within either of these areas are scored as hits. Any rounds that land outside of the A-zone will make the run count as an automatic failure. This scoring method puts a much larger emphasis on accuracy. Times will typically be slower with this scoring method because much higher levels of concentration and accuracy are required to earn a good score.

3. This variation is extremely challenging. The first six rounds must land within the chest cavity A-zone. After the speed reload is conducted, the following six rounds must impact the B-zone located in the head of the Killzone Target. When the drill concludes, there should be two rounds in the chest cavity A-zone, and two rounds in the head/ B-Zone of each target. This method requires even more accuracy than the previous two variations and will challenge advanced shooters because the B-zone is roughly half the size of the chest cavity A-zone. Speed is fine, but accuracy is final with this scoring variation.