How To Control Flinching When Shooting: Tactical Tuesday

Published on February 6, 2018
Duration: 3:54

This video from the USCCA training division demonstrates the 'Ball and Dummy' drill to help shooters overcome flinching. By mixing live ammunition with dummy rounds in a magazine, shooters are forced to maintain focus on the front sight and execute a smooth trigger press, as a flinch will prevent the firearm from cycling on a dummy round. The drill emphasizes proper malfunction clearance and reacquiring the target.

Quick Summary

The Ball and Dummy drill is a firearm training technique that uses a mix of live and dummy rounds to expose and correct flinching. When a dummy round is fired, it causes a malfunction, clearly indicating the shooter anticipated the shot and flinched, prompting a focus on trigger discipline and front sight awareness.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Flinching
  2. 00:10The Ball and Dummy Drill Explained
  3. 00:31Magazine Loading with Live and Dummy Rounds
  4. 00:39How the Drill Identifies Flinching
  5. 00:56Trigger Press Fundamentals
  6. 01:15Shooting Stance and Aiming
  7. 01:51Commence Firing
  8. 02:03Identifying a Flinch
  9. 02:07Malfunction Clearance: Slap and Rack
  10. 02:17Reacquiring Target and Executing
  11. 02:50Slide Lock Empty and Unload
  12. 03:01Debrief and Analysis
  13. 03:18Engaging the Brain for Correction
  14. 03:32Conclusion and Training Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ball and Dummy drill for shooting?

The Ball and Dummy drill involves loading a magazine with a mix of live rounds and dummy rounds. The shooter fires without knowing which is which. If they flinch, the dummy round will cause a malfunction (no cycle), clearly indicating the flinch.

How does the Ball and Dummy drill help control flinching?

By introducing an element of surprise with dummy rounds, the drill forces shooters to focus on a smooth trigger press and front sight acquisition, rather than anticipating the recoil. A flinch becomes obvious when the firearm fails to cycle on a dummy round.

What are dummy rounds used for in firearm training?

Dummy rounds are inert cartridges used for training. They look and feel like live ammunition but do not fire a projectile. They are essential for drills like the Ball and Dummy to diagnose shooter errors such as flinching and to practice malfunction clearances.

How do you clear a malfunction caused by a dummy round in the Ball and Dummy drill?

To clear a malfunction from a dummy round, you perform a standard malfunction clearance: firmly slap the bottom of the magazine to ensure it's seated, then rack the slide forcefully to eject the dummy round. After clearing, reacquire the target and continue firing.

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