Drills and Skills you can work on during your next range trip, straight from the experts at N.A.P.S.I.!

N.A.P.S.I. Blackjack Drill

If you've been through any of the NAPSI Defensive Handgun classes, you should be familiar with the SEB Target.  We like them for their versatility.  They provide an almost endless amount of options in the training environment.  It was with that in mind that we set out to develop an exercise that would allow us to work on nearly all of the foundational defensive shooting skills, with only a modest expenditure of ammunition, while taking advantage of everything the SEB Target has to offer.  This drill will definitely test your ability to apply your skills while under a cognitive load. 

For the Blackjack Drill, shooters will need 21 rounds loaded into at least 2 magazines (you can add additional magazines for a greater challenge). From 4 yards, present the firearm from the holster on the signal, fire 2 rounds into the High Center Chest (HCC) box then a single round into the #2 circle, then 2 rounds into the HCC box then a single round into the #4 square, then two rounds into the HCC box then 1 into the #6 triangle. Switch to the left side of target, fire a single round into the #5 triangle then two into the Low Center Abdomen (LCA) box, then 1 to the #3 square then two to the LCA box, then 1 to the #1 circle then 2 to the LCA box. Finish with 2 rounds to the HCC box and 1 round to the head for a total of 21 rounds. Shooter will reload as needed during the exercise. Keep your head in the game! Do NOT lose track of your sequence during a reload (if you get out of sequence, you fail). Par time is 24 seconds. Shots must be in the proper target area or clearly breaking the line to count. Shots outside the appropriate target areas add 1-second to your score for each missed shot. Passing score is 24 seconds or less.  When you get to the point where you can pass the drill clean each time, move back to 5 yards, then to 7.  As an added challenge, try shooting the drill in reverse order. 

SEB Targets are available for purchase from a wide variety of sources online and in many local firearms/ammunition retail outlets. 

N.A.P.S.I. 5X4 Skills Evaluation Drill

We developed the NAPSI "5X4 Skills Evaluation Drill" as a way to get a "cold assessment" of our current defensive shooting skills with a minimal expenditure of time and ammunition.  The target is printed on a standard 8.5"X11" sheet of paper and contains a 5" circle in the middle, with 4 numbered shapes in each corner (which is why we named it the "5X4" drill).  It's a simple drill that, with only 12 rounds of ammunition, will test your reaction time, your drawstroke, your ability to transition between targets, your ability to balance speed with accuracy, your ability to reload the firearm quickly, and your ability to process information while preforming under the stress of time pressure.  

There are two versions of the target.  Fundamentally they are the same, with a slight change in numbering sequence and target shape to make it a bit more difficult to simply "memorize" the target.  Remember, this is a Skills Evaluation Drill and that's what it should be used for.  This isn't a drill you should simply practice over and over.  Rather, you should work on developing and mastering the skills that this drill requires you to perform, and use this exercise as a way to gauge your progress.  We recommend shooting the exercise "cold" (at the beginning of your range session), record your score, then shoot it a second time at the end of your range session using the other version of the target to gauge performance improvements.   The specific instructions for the drill are printed on the target.  Click either tumbnail to open a printable PDF of that target.       

This resource page contains links to a number of different skill-assessment/skill-development exercises that were developed by the leadership in the NAPSI Training Department to help students establish a baseline for their current skill level, in addition to making improvements in their performance through structured practice and good work ethic. 

*NOTICE*

All shooting activities come with inherent risks.  Careless, negligent, or otherwise improper use of firearms can cause serious injury or death to you or someone else.  Safe handling practices MUST be observed at all times!  No book, website, video, or audio production is a valid substitute for in-person instruction with a qualified instructor.  Remember, when you handle firearms, you and you alone are responsible for any damage you may cause to persons or property.  Always follow the NAPSI Safe Firearms Handling rules when handling firearms:

► ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN THE SAFEST POSSIBLE DIRECTION!

► ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER, OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD AND ALONGSIDE THE FRAME,

UNTIL YOU HAVE MADE THE CONSCIOUS DECISION TO FIRE THE GUN!

► ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS IN FRONT OF AND BEYOND IT!

N.A.P.S.I. "Tactical Tic-Tac-Toe"

The NAPSI "Tactical Tic-Tac-Toe" drill is a fun warm-up exercise.  We like to pair up two shooters, staple 3 or 4 of these targets to a target board, and let them shoot a few rounds of "tic-tac-toe".  This provides them an opportunity to focus on basic marksmanship fundamentals, while enjoying some friendly competition with their training partner.  To start, the two shooters should select a "cross" on the target and each take a single shot at that "cross".  The shooter who lands their hit closest to the center of that "cross" then goes first.  Shooters must then "call" each shot as they play the game.  Shots must be within the circle they "called", or clearly breaking the line of that circle, in order to count as a hit.  Try increasing your distance from the target for each new game for an added challenge.  Click the thumbnail for a printable version of the NAPSI "Tactical Tic-Tac-Toe" target. 

N.A.P.S.I. Drills and Skills

2024 NAPSI Instructor Development Workshop - Dec. 5 - 8, 2024!  Click HERE For More Details!