My Favorite Shotgun, Rifle & Pistol Shooting Drills: Rayna Wright

Today, S3 Ambassador Rayna Wright introduces us to the “Designated Target” drill, a favorite of hers. It was originally introduced to her by reigning National Champion Joey Sauerland as a way to practice transitions and increase hit factors. 

"I love that it works for both dry and live fire and can be as simple or complex as needed. More importantly, it can train both accuracy and speed, essential in both USPSA and IDPA."

How to Set Up:

• Targets: Select and set up one target to be your “designated target.” 

• This is the target you return to after each time you engage another target. 

Target Variations:

The beauty of the drill is the ability to modify it to your unique training needs, or time and space constraints. For instance, you can:

• Use partial targets or plates to train precision.

• Arrange targets at varying distances to train acceptable sight pictures.

• Change the designated target to make a whole new challenge without having to sacrifice precious practice time rearranging targets. 

• Focus the exercise on either speed or accuracy.

To Train for Speed:

As Joey puts it, we’re training our bodies to “know what it feels like [to go that fast].” This leads to faster transitions and ultimately quicker stage times. For this variation:

1. Use a timer and engage each target, returning to the designated target each time.
2. Focus on acquiring a sight picture before moving on; don’t worry about accuracy too much at this stage.
3. Complete five runs, recording your time for each.
4. Calculate your average time across the five runs.
5. Reduce that average by 0.1–0.2 seconds to set your par time.
6. Run the drill again, working toward beating your par time.
7. Once you consistently beat it, reduce the par time again.

Training for Accuracy

For this version, ditch the timer and focus on obtaining a perfect sight picture: center A-zone, center steel, etc. This trains your eyes to consistently acquire a precise sight picture, resulting in more alphas and fewer makeup shots.

Example Setups

1. One Target and a Plate Rack: Engage the paper target first, then a plate. Return to the paper before moving on to the next plate.

2. Multiple Paper Targets: Set up three or more targets and pick a designated target. Engage it first, then another, and return to the designated target before moving on. Mix it up by switching the designated target or reversing the engagement order

Why This Drill Works:

"The Designated Target drill is a great tool to help you refine transitions, speed, and accuracy. Whether you’re training for USPSA, IDPA, or just looking to improve your shooting skills, I hope you give it a try."