Ben Stoeger's 15 minute Dry Fire Program

[Pittbug]

I've worked with Ben to convert his original 15 minute dry fire program into a format that works on this forum.

Ben Stoeger's 15 Minute Dry Fire Program

What you need:

1) 3 1/3rd scale targets

2) A 3 foot by 3 foot shooting box

3) A standard sized folding chair

4) Dummy Rounds

5) A timer with a “par time” function

The Rundown on This Program:

I get asked all the time what kind of dry fire program I recommend for people. There are many fine resources out there that can help (Steve Anderson’s dry fire manual comes to mind). What I often see is that there may be too many possibilities for people. They have no idea where to start. On the other hand, many people use drills that require a complicated setup and lots of targets. That can put a damper on practice. Because of these issues, I have designed a dry fire program. It is not comprehensive, but it is a good start.

The concept is to have a set of drills that are extremely easy to setup. They require minimal props. They don’t take long to work through either. On the other hand, these drills cover the bases pretty well. Most skill sets are covered.

Let me describe the program a little bit more fully.

There are a few sets of drills. The main set is the 15 minute program. There are a few ancillary sets, designed to take less time, and they compliment the main program. Most of these drills are based on using the par time function of a timer. For those that aren’t familiar with this practice, you simply set a time in your timer for you to complete a drill, then essentially race the clock to get it done. You set a par time that allows you enough time to complete the drill while being accurate and simulating firing good shots, but you need to set it fast enough that you need to push just a little bit. That is what helps you improve. Also, many of these drills are sort of off beat. They have unusual start positions and procedures. These drills are designed to be strange and new and challenging.

The 15 minute program is designed to cover fundamental shooting and gun handling skills. It requires one target, a timer (with a par time function), and some dummy rounds. Initially, it will take longer than 15 minutes to work through these drills. As you spend more time on them and you don’t need to spend so long reading directions, you will be able to go faster.

The other setups cover things like shooting on the move and getting set up in a position. They require a little bit more stuff. A 3 foot by 3 foot shooting box, 3 1/3rd scale targets, and a standard sized folding chair are needed for those setups. Each of those only takes about 10 minutes to work through.

For people looking to improve their shooting, I recommend running the 15 minute program every day. Take perhaps one day a week off. For those of you seeking to improve more, you should run one of the other setups every day, in addition to the 15 minute program. In total, you will spend less than half an hour a day, and I promise you will give your gun handling skills a good workout.

I have included a few different sets of par times with these drills. They are only guidelines for you based on your shooting skill and your equipment. I recommend coming up with your own par times for these drills, and then working to reduce them.

I encourage you to use these tools to develop your own practice program.

Here is a sample program that someone could use:

Monday: 15 Minute Plan and Setup B

Tuesday: 15 Minute Plan and Setup C

Wednesday: 15 Minute Plan and Setup D

Thursday: 15 Minute Plan and Setup E

Friday: 15 Minute Plan and Setup F

Saturday: Live Fire Practice

Sunday: Off

These drills were developed with help from many different people in the shooting community… actually there are too many people to name. Many thanks to the testers that helped me.

Demo Video:

Edited November 19, 2009 by Pittbug

[Pittbug]

The setup for this program is simple. One USPSA target at 7 yards. A miniature target is fine, as long as you adjust your distance from that target accordingly.

Group Shooting:

10 Shots on upper A (no par time)

Draws:

1) Draw and engage the target with 2 shots

2) 5 reps at slow pace (no par time)

3) 5 reps from hands relaxed at your side. Par times:

1.7s (novice)

1.3s (laid back)

1.0s (expert)

0.8s (crazy)

4) 5 reps from surrender at Par times:

1.7s (novice)

1.3s (laid back)

1.0s (expert)

0.8s (crazy)

5) 5 reps turning draw with Par times:

2.0s (novice)

1.5s (laid back)

1.2s (expert)

1.0s (crazy)

6) 10 reps drawing while taking a step in any direction (be sure to vary direction). Vary start position between hands at sides and surrender. Par times:

1.9s (novice)

1.4s (laid back)

1.2s (expert)

1.0s (crazy)

Reloading:

1) Start aiming at the target. Execute a reload in slow motion. Focus on getting the gun in proper position, getting a good grip on the fresh magazine, and looking the reload into the gun. Be sure to work back through all your pouches. (no par time) 5 reps

2) From a surrender start, engage the upper head box with 2 shots, then reload and engage the lower A zone with 4 shots. 5 reps at Par time of 3.6 seconds (novice), 3.2 seconds (laid back), 2.8 Seconds (expert), 2.5 seconds (crazy)

3) Engage the target with 2 shots, reload and engage strong hand only with 2 shots, reload and engage target with 2 shots weak hand only. 5 reps at Par time of 7 seconds (novice), 5.0 seconds (laid back), 4.4 Seconds (expert), 3.8 seconds (crazy)

4) Start facing 90 degrees to the left or the right of the target (alternate between hands at sides and surrender). Draw and engage the upper A zone with 2 shots. Take one step in any direction, reload, and engage the lower A zone. Be sure to vary the direction you step during the reload. Also vary facing to the left or the right for the start position. 5 reps at Par time of 4 seconds (novice), 3.2 seconds (laid back), 2.7 Seconds (expert), 2.3 seconds (crazy)

Miscellaneous Gun Handling:

1) Start with gun “unloaded” and holstered with your hands in the surrender position. Draw and “load” the gun (magazine coming off your belt), engage the upper A zone with 2 shots. 5 reps with Par times:

3.5s (novice)

2.5s (laid back)

2.1s (expert)

1.7s (crazy)

2) Start facing “uprange” (alternate between hands at sides and surrender). Turn and engage target with 2 rounds, reload, and with at least one knee touching ground engage target with 2 more rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

4.0s (novice)

3.0s (laid back)

2.5s (expert)

2.2s (crazy)

3) Start with one knee touching the ground and wrists above shoulders. Stand and engage target with 2 rounds. Alternate which knee is touching ground 5 reps with Par times:

2.0s (novice)

1.5s (laid back)

1.2s (expert)

1.0s (crazy)

[Pittbug]

Setup B

The targets are 10 feet from the front of the box. The front of the chair is set 6 feet directly up range of the back of the 3x3 shooting box. The back of the chair is facing directly up range (unlike the diagram). To use these par times, you must use 1/3rd scale targets. The distance relationship is changed if any other size is used. The targets should be spaced 2 feet apart, edge to edge.

Demo Video:

Movement Skills:

1) Start seated in char with butt entirely on chair, facing directly downrange. Your feet must be flat on the floor with your hands on your knees. At the tone, stand and engage all the targets while moving towards the box. Execute a reload and from the box engage all three targets. 5 reps at Par times:

6.4s (novice)

5.2s (laid back)

4.6s (expert)

4.4s (crazy)

2) Start standing outside the box with the toes of both feet touching either the left side of the box or the right side of the box. Have your hands in the surrender position. Draw and engage the center target with 2 shots to the upper A zone, then move over the box to the opposite side. Then engage all targets with 2 rounds. Please note, you do not fire and shots from inside the box, all shots are fired while outside the box. Alternate starting on the right or left side. 10 reps with Par time:

5.3s (novice)

4.4s (laid back)

3.8s (expert)

3.5s (crazy)

3) Start standing behind chair with both hands touching the back of the chair. Have the chair be directly between you and the center target (do not stand off to one side or another). At the tone, draw and engage each target with 2 rounds while remaining behind the chair. Reload and then move to the box and engage the upper A zone of each target with 2 rounds from within the box. 5 reps with Par times:

7.6s (novice)

6.3s (laid back)

5.8s (expert)

5.5s (crazy)

4) Start standing behind chair with both hands touching the back of the chair. Have the chair be directly between you and the center target (do not stand off to one side or another). Your gun is on the chair facing downrange. At the tone, pick up your gun and move to the box. From the box, engage the upper A zones of each target with 1 round, then reload and engage the lower A zone of each target with 2 rounds. 10 reps with Par times:

7.6s (novice)

6.5s (laid back)

5.8s (expert)

5.5s (crazy)

5) Start standing in the box with hands relaxed at your sides. You must start with some part of both your feet touching a fault line. For example, both your big toes touching the front fault line, or both your heels touching the back fault line. Engage the center target with 2 rounds from within the box. Then, from outside the box, engage all the upper A zones with 2 rounds. You must move out of the box from the side opposite where you start. For example, if you start in the front, you must move out the back. Diagonal directions work as well, if you start in a corner with one foot touching each fault line, then move out of the box over the opposite corner. Be sure to alternate starting positions. 10 reps with Par times:

4.5s (novice)

3.9s (laid back)

3.3s (expert)

3.0s (crazy)

[Pittbug]

Setup C

The targets are 10 feet from the front of the box. The front of the chair is set directly in front of the front of the box. The back of the chair is facing directly down range (unlike the diagram). The chair is in the center of the box. See the below picture for clarification. To use these par times, you must use 1/3rd scale targets. The distance relationship is changed if any other size is used.

Advanced Shooting Skills:

1) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. At the tone, draw and engage each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

3.0s (novice)

2.3s (laid back)

1.8s (expert)

1.6s (crazy)

2) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. Your gun is on the chair with the muzzle pointed downrange. At the tone, pick up your gun and engage each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

3.4s (novice)

3.0s (laid back)

2.4s (expert)

2.1s (crazy)

3) Start seated in the chair with butt entirely on chair facing up range. Your feet must be flat on the floor with your hands on your knees. At the tone, stand, turn, then draw and engage the upper A zones with 2 rounds each. Then execute a reload and engage the lower A zones with 2 rounds each. All shots must be fired from within the box. 5 reps with Par times:

7.2s (novice)

6.0s (laid back)

5.1s (expert)

4.8s (crazy)

4) Start with both feet touching rear of the box while facing up range. Your wrists must be above your shoulders. Turn and engage each target with 2 rounds, reload, and engage each target with 2 additional rounds. 10 reps with Par times:

5.5s (novice)

4.6s (laid back)

4.0s (expert)

3.5s (crazy)

5) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. At the tone draw and engage each target with 2 rounds using your weak hand only. 5 reps with Par times:

4.0s (novice)

3.2s (laid back)

2.6s (expert)

2.3s (crazy)

6) Start with your toes against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. You must be outside the box, facing downrange. Draw and step into the box. From within the box engage the upper A zone of each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

4.0s (novice)

3.2s (laid back)

2.6s (expert)

2.3s (crazy)

[Pittbug]

Setup D

The targets are 10 feet from the front of the box. The front of the chair is set 3 feet directly down range of the front of the 3x3 shooting box. The back of the chair is facing directly down range (unlike the diagram). To use these par times, you must use 1/3rd scale targets. The distance relationship is changed if any other size is used. The targets should be spaced 2 feet apart, edge to edge.

Movement Skills:

1) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. A magazine must be staged on the chair. At the tone, draw and engage each target with 2 rounds. Use the magazine on the chair to reload, then engage the upper A zone of each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

6.8s (novice)

5.9s (laid back)

5.2s (expert)

4.8s (crazy)

2) Start standing outside the box with the toes of both feet touching either the left side of the box or the right side of the box. Have your hands in the surrender position. Draw and engage the center target with 2 shots to the upper A zone, then move over the box to the opposite side. Then engage all targets with 2 rounds. Please note, you do not fire and shots from inside the box, all shots are fired while outside the box. Alternate starting on the right or left side. 10 reps with Par times:

5.0s (novice)

4.4s (laid back)

3.8s (expert)

3.5s (crazy)

3) Start with one knee touching the ground and wrists above shoulders (you may be kneeling anywhere you wish). Your gun is staged on the chair pointed downrange. Pickup your gun and engage only the two targets on the outside of the array (not the center target) with 2 rounds. After engaging those two targets engage the center targets upper A zone with 2 rounds. The shots at the center target may only be fired from behind the rearmost part of the box. The shots at the outside targets may be fired from anywhere. 5 reps with Par times:

5.5s (novice)

4.6s (laid back)

3.9s (expert)

3.5s (crazy)

4) Start standing in the box with hands relaxed at your sides. You must start with some part of both your feet touching a fault line. For example, both your big toes touching the front fault line, or both your heels touching the back fault line. Engage the center target with 2 rounds from within the box. Then, from outside the box, engage all the upper A zones with 2 rounds. You must move out of the box from the side opposite where you start. For example, if you start in the front, you must move out the back. Diagonal directions work as well, if you start in a corner with one foot touching each fault line, then move out of the box over the opposite corner. Be sure to alternate starting positions. 10 reps with Par times:

4.5s (novice)

3.9s (laid back)

3.3s (expert)

3.0s (crazy)

5) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands in the surrender position. From the box, engage the upper A zone of the center target with 2 rounds. Then engage each target with 2 rounds with some part of either foot touching the seat part of the chair (the part you sit on). 5 reps with Par times:

5.4s (novice)

4.5s (laid back)

3.7s (expert)

3.3s (crazy)

[Pittbug]

Setup E

The targets are 10 feet from the front of the box. The front of the chair is set directly next to the right side of the of the 3x3 shooting box. (see picture below) The back of the chair is facing directly to the right (unlike the diagram). To use these par times, you must use 1/3rd scale targets. The distance relationship is changed if any other size is used. The targets should be spaced 2 feet apart, edge to edge.

Advanced Shooting Skills:

1) Start with your toes against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. You must be outside the box, facing downrange. Draw and step into the box. From within the box engage the upper A zone of each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

4.0s (novice)

3.2s (laid back)

2.6s (expert)

2.3s (crazy)

2) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands in the surrender position. A magazine must be staged on the chair. At the tone, draw and engage each target with 2 rounds. Use the magazine on the chair to reload, then engage the upper A zone of each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

6.9s (novice)

5.7s (laid back)

5.1s (expert)

4.7s (crazy)

3) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. Your gun is on the chair with the muzzle pointed downrange. At the tone, pick up your gun and engage each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

4.0s (novice)

3.2s (laid back)

2.5s (expert)

2.2s (crazy)

4) Start with your toes against the back of the box, hands in the surrender position. You must be outside the box, facing downrange. Engage the lower A zone of the center target with 2 rounds from outside the box. From inside the box engage the upper A zone of each target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

4.1s (novice)

3.2s (laid back)

2.7s (expert)

2.4s (crazy)

5) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. Your gun is on the chair with the muzzle pointed downrange. At the tone, pick up your gun and engage each target with 2 rounds using your strong hand only. 5 reps with Par times:

4.4s (novice)

3.5s (laid back)

3.0s (expert)

2.7s (crazy)

6) Start with your heels against the back of the box, hands relaxed at sides. At the tone draw and engage each target with 2 rounds using your weak hand only. 5 reps with Par times:

4.0s (novice)

3.2s (laid back)

2.6s (expert)

2.3s (crazy)

[Pittbug]

Setup F

The targets are 10 feet from the front of the box. The front of the chair is set 3 feet directly up range of the back of the 3x3 shooting box. The back of the chair is facing directly up range (unlike the diagram). To use these par times, you must use 1/3rd scale targets. The distance relationship is changed if any other size is used. The targets should be spaced 2 feet apart, edge to edge.

Movement Skills:

1) Start standing in the box with hands relaxed at sides. You must start with some part of both your feet touching a fault line. For example, both your big toes touching the front fault line, or both your heels touching the back fault line. Engage the center target with 2 rounds from within the box. Then, from outside the box, engage all the upper A zones with 2 rounds. You must move out of the box from the side opposite where you start. For example, if you start in the front, you must move out the back. Diagonal directions work as well, if you start in a corner with one foot touching each fault line, then move out of the box over the opposite corner. Be sure to alternate starting positions. 10 reps with Par times:

4.5s (novice)

3.9s (laid back)

3.3s (expert)

3.0s (crazy)

2) Start standing behind chair with both hands touching the back of the chair. Have the chair be directly between you and the center target (do not stand off to one side or another). Engage each target with 2 rounds from outside the box, from inside the box engage the upper A zone of the center target. 5 reps with Par times:

5.4s (novice)

4.3s (laid back)

3.6s (expert)

3.3s (crazy)

3) Start seated in chair with butt entirely on chair, facing directly downrange. Your feet must be flat on the floor with your hands on your knees. Engage the center targets upper A zone with 2 rounds from outside the box. Then, from inside the box engage the lower A zone of every target with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

5.5s (novice)

4.6s (laid back)

3.9s (expert)

3.5s (crazy)

4) Start standing outside the box with the toes of both feet touching either the left side of the box or the right side of the box. Have your hands in the surrender position. Draw and engage the center target with 2 shots to the upper A zone, then move over the box to the opposite side. Then engage all targets with 2 rounds. Please note, you do not fire and shots from inside the box, all shots are fired while outside the box. Alternate starting on the right or left side. 10 reps with Par times:

5.0s (novice)

4.4s (laid back)

3.8s (expert)

3.5s (crazy)

5) Start seated in chair with butt entirely on chair, facing directly downrange. Your feet must be flat on the floor with your hands on your knees. Draw and move in front of the box and engage all the targets upper A zones with 2 rounds each. Reload and step backward into the box. From the box engage each targets lower A zone with 2 rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

7.5s (novice)

6.4s (laid back)

5.4s (expert)

5.0s (crazy)

6) Start standing outside the box with both heels against the front line of the box. A magazine must be staged on the chair. Engage each target with 2 rounds and reload using the magazine on the chair. After reloading engage each target with 2 additional rounds. 5 reps with Par times:

6.9s (novice)

5.7s (laid back)

5.1s (expert)

4.7s (crazy)

[11.43mm]

Thank You! As good as this will be for me, I think it could be GREAT for recruiting new shooters.

[Jman]

Well. I'm impressed.

Jim

[RangerTrace]

Good stuff. I'm looking for something new since the time has changed. THANK YOU!!

[Paul Burtchell]

Thanks Reuben. Alot of hard work went into that. I started Ben's Program last week and already I'm seeing improvement.

[Magnus DUX]

Simple but great and very well put together stuff. Thanks

[Pittbug]

I can't go back and edit the original posts, but Ben emailed me the rest of the setup demo videos, so here they all are.

Setup B

Setup C

Setup D

Setup E

Setup F

[Corey]

Just copied all this information into a word document so i can print it off and have it handy, separate sheets for each setup for the different days. Looking forward to getting started on some winter training (I hate living in Northern IN this time of year)

[TRev1911]

I have been doing these drills for two weeks and have seen a noticable improvement in my gun handeling skills. The variety and par times

makes dry firing a challenge. Thanks this is a great posting

[Ben Stoeger]

I have been doing these drills for two weeks and have seen a noticable improvement in my gun handeling skills. The variety and par times

makes dry firing a challenge. Thanks this is a great posting

Maybe it is time for me do put up some fresh drills... what do you guys say?

[Corey]

I have been doing these drills for two weeks and have seen a noticable improvement in my gun handeling skills. The variety and par times

makes dry firing a challenge. Thanks this is a great posting

Maybe it is time for me do put up some fresh drills... what do you guys say?

i always like having new drills to do, adds variety and challenge

[ShootsinRain]

I have been doing these drills for two weeks and have seen a noticable improvement in my gun handeling skills. The variety and par times

makes dry firing a challenge. Thanks this is a great posting

Maybe it is time for me do put up some fresh drills... what do you guys say?

"raises hand" Yes, Please!

[Brooks]

I have been doing these drills for two weeks and have seen a noticable improvement in my gun handeling skills. The variety and par times

makes dry firing a challenge. Thanks this is a great posting

Maybe it is time for me do put up some fresh drills... what do you guys say?

That would be great!

Thanks for what you already have posted. Your website is very informative.

[M4Super90]

Thanks for the post. These are interesting ways to change the dryfire up a bit.

[kfd147]

I will start doing these drills today. Thanks for the program.

Jason

[CrankyCrash]

This is awesome, thanks for putting in the time and effort to share this.

[Pro2AInPA]

I just started working on this program last week. It's intense for sure, and I can tell it's going to help me make A.

[imhntn]

I am going to try this too. It looks like a good program and with all the rain we are having here in OK, I can't get to the range anyway so I better be getting some trigger time inside. Thanks for all the work on this.

[gohuskers]

Good stuff. Perfect for winter training.