Participants will begin with a thorough welcome and administrative check-in, including staff introductions, verification of pistol licenses, and distribution of name tags as needed. Safety is paramount: a tailored range safety briefing is provided, and strict protocols are enforced throughout the course. Students must provide emergency contact information and wear eye and ear protection at all times unless otherwise instructed.

● Strict Range Commands: All movement and firearm handling are governed by clear commands and oversight from instructors and Range Safety Officers.● Firearm Handling: Firearms remain holstered and unloaded except on the firing line and only when the “make ready” command is given. All handling is performed with explicit permission and under supervision.● Safety Protocols: Procedures for casing/uncasing, handling dropped items, and engaging manual safety are rigorously followed.

This course emphasizes practical training and problem-solving over competitive shooting. The focus is on combat-effective hits and preparing for real-world defensive situations, not sport or bullseye shooting. Key principles include reality, consistency, and efficiency.

Students will review and refine essential handgun fundamentals:● Grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, breath control, and follow-through.● Emphasis is placed on proper trigger reset and sight picture acquisition for multiple shots.● “Search and assess” techniques are practiced ensuring situational awareness after engaging a target.

● Workspace Technique: All reloads and firearm handling are performed in the “workspace”—directly in front of the body, just below eye level, to maintain awareness.● Admin and Tactical Reloads: Students practice both administrative and tactical reloads, press checks, in-battery checks, and proper magazine positioning for readiness.

The curriculum features a progression of live-fire drills and defensive scenarios, including:● Fundamentals Warm-Up: Accuracy and grouping at 7 yards, with immediate feedback and coaching.● Cold Defensive Drill (Dillan Drill): Rapid engagement of a target at 25 yards, emphasizing speed and accuracy.● Movement Drills: “A Diamond is Forever” and “Zig Zag Drill” incorporate movement, target transitions, and shooting from various positions.● Barricade & Support-Side Drills: The “High Smith Drill” challenges shooters with barricade work, kneeling techniques, and transitions between strong and support sides.● Supine & Moving Target Drills: Simulate defensive shooting after a fall, including close-contact moving targets.● Threat/No Threat Recognition: Decision-making under pressure, with shoot/no-shoot targets.● Classic Standards: “El Presidente” and variations test speed, accuracy, and reload proficiency.● One-Handed Reloads & Strong-Side Shooting: Techniques for reloads and shooting with the strong hand only.● Stress & Close Quarters: Drills such as “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Pipe Dreams” simulate elevated heart rate and close-quarters engagement.● Multiple Threats & Defensive Movement: Scenarios like “Rubbing the Dummy,” “Get Behind Me!,” and “No Surrender!” develop skills for engaging multiple threats and protecting bystanders.● Barricade, Cover, and Team Movement: Advanced drills cover use of cover/concealment, reactionary shooting, and team/buddy bounding movement.

● Urban prone shooting● Support hand shooting and reloads on the move● Man down and wounded shooter drills