4 IDPA Drills You’re NOT Training (But Should Be) | Shoot Faster & Smarter

Published on March 25, 2026
Duration: 22:13

This video provides practical advice for IDPA competitive shooters, emphasizing drills that are often overlooked but crucial for performance. The instructor highlights the importance of weak hand and strong hand shooting, distance accuracy, and precise head shots. Significant focus is placed on the benefits of consistent dry fire practice for improving fundamental skills like grip, draw, and trigger control, which directly translate to live-fire effectiveness.

Quick Summary

For IDPA competitive shooters, essential training includes weak hand and strong hand drills, practicing distance shooting (15-25 yards) for holdover, and mastering head shots to avoid penalties. Consistent dry fire practice for 10-15 minutes daily is highly recommended to refine grip, draw, reloads, and trigger control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important drills for IDPA competitive shooters?

Key IDPA drills include weak hand only shooting, strong hand shooting, distance shooting (20+ yards), and precise head shot practice. Consistent dry fire training for grip, draw, and trigger control is also crucial for improving overall performance.

Why is weak hand shooting important in IDPA?

IDPA stages occasionally require shooters to use only their weak hand. Practicing this skill prevents being caught off guard and exposed during competition, ensuring you can maintain accuracy and speed even with your non-dominant hand.

How should I practice shooting at longer distances in IDPA?

Practice shooting at targets from 15 to 25 yards to understand your firearm's trajectory and develop proper holdover techniques. This is essential as IDPA stages are increasingly featuring targets at these extended ranges, unlike the typical 5-15 yard distances.

What are the benefits of dry fire practice for competitive shooting?

Dry fire practice, even for 10-15 minutes daily, significantly improves fundamental skills like grip, draw stroke, reloads, trigger pull, and sight alignment. These benefits translate directly to better performance during live-fire competition without expending ammunition.

More Training & Techniques Videos You Might Like

More from Summer Shoots

View all →