{"id":4829,"date":"2025-03-29T05:36:52","date_gmt":"2025-03-29T05:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=4829"},"modified":"2025-03-29T05:36:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T05:36:52","slug":"one-handed-pistol-drills-left-right-middle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=4829","title":{"rendered":"One Handed Pistol Drills – Left, Right, Middle"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll ever have to engage with a single hand in a self-defense scenario. With that in mind, it still pays to be ready. <\/p>\n

Shooting with one hand, especially your support hand, can be humbling. Your time, your accuracy, and control all take a nosedive. <\/p>\n

Everything\u2019s more challenging, but you can help prevent that performance plunge by practicing and deliberately training to be better with one hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Bring a Shot TImer (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

One-handed drills aren\u2019t going to be fun, and they won\u2019t stroke your ego, but a little time each range session is an investment worth making. <\/p>\n

Since I\u2019m a big believer in drills, I want to introduce five of my favorite one-handed drills. None of these require substantial ammo<\/a> to shoot, and each can sharpen steel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Training with firearms can be inherently dangerous. Always use ear and eye protection, and obey the four firearm safety rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thumbs Up \u2013 A One Hand Warm Up\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Proper technique can make shooting with one hand easier. Our first drill allows you to set up that technique. <\/p>\n

When shooting with a hand, it can help you bring your non-shooting hand toward the center of your body. This helps control recoil and establish a more secure stance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, if you push your thumb up instead of around the frame, you prevent your hand from naturally canting to the opposite side. Canting creates an exaggerated recoil impulse. Prevent that by keeping your thumb pointed up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Thumbs all the way up (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

This drill requires your gun and a magazine full of ammo. A shot timer<\/a> can be used, but isn\u2019t necessary. A shot timer can help you receive more objective data and build skills. Use a tiny target, like a B8. The drill can be fired from five to seven yards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll start with your gun in your dominant hand in a high, low, or compressed ready position \u2014it\u2019s the dealer\u2019s choice. At the go signal, you\u2019ll extend and fire two shots. Then, you\u2019ll return to the start position but switch hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As you switch hands, also switch your forward leg. When shooting right-handed, position your right leg forward. When shooting left-handed, position your left leg forward. Every press should focus on proper technique, with your thumb up and nonfiring hand positioned in the center of the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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For one hand shooting the thumbs up stance prevents cant (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Shoot until the gun runs dry. If using a shot timer, you should make accurate hits in less than 1.5 seconds, or that should be the goal. As you\u2019d expect, this drill tests one-handed skills, and we shoot two rounds to help exercise proper recoil control.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most importantly, it\u2019s all about keeping proper form and getting used to flowing into a proper one-handed shooting technique.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The One Hand El Pres\u00a0<\/h2>\n

We all know and love the classic El Presidente drill. This is a one-handed version that exercises both hands. Remember to use the proper one-handed technique throughout the entire course of fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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I went with three USPSA A Zones as targets (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

We\u2019ll need three targets spaced about one yard apart and 10 yards from the shooter. <\/p>\n

They can be man-sized, but I prefer a USPSA A-zone<\/a> to make things challenging. You\u2019ll need six rounds per run, a holster, and a shot timer to measure your time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Start with your hands up, and back to the targets (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

You\u2019ll start with your weapon holstered and face away from the three targets. At the go signal, turn, draw, and fire with one round with your dominant hand on each target. <\/p>\n

After shooting each target, carefully transition the gun to your nondominant hand and assume the proper shooting position.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Turn and draw (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

With your support hand, shoot each target one more time to finish the drill. The classic El Presidente calls for 10 seconds to pass. <\/p>\n

Since that also requires twice the ammo fired and a reload, let\u2019s use seven seconds as passing and less than five as acing the test.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Then go to your dominant hand, and then swap to your nondominant hand (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The one hand El Pres works most of the same skills as the standard El Pres. You get target transitions, a draw, and accuracy under a time limit. <\/p>\n

This time, it\u2019s all done with one hand. The real test combines all this while assuming a proper one-handed shooting position for your support and dominant hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1-1-1 Drill\u00a0<\/h2>\n

The 1-1-1 Drill comes from Rick Hogg of War Hogg Tactical<\/a>. I\u2019ve been to a class with Rick, and he\u2019s keen on adding stressors to your shooting. This drill will require you to move and get your heart rate up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The drill requires three rounds per run, a holster, and something you can do to get your heart racing. It\u2019s not target-specific, and there isn\u2019t a time standard, so we don\u2019t need a timer. I always advocate a small target to stress accuracy. You\u2019ll be ten yards from your target.<\/p>\n

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Starting by getting your heart racing (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

We start the drill by getting our heart rate up. You can do sprints, kettlebell swings, overhead presses, whatever you must do to get your heart rate up. With your heart rate up, you\u2019ll draw and:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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We get to use both hands\u2026once. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n