Skills Check: Harden The Diamond

Published on November 18, 2025
Duration: 2:50

This advanced training drill, 'Harden The Diamond,' developed by Steve Tarani and demonstrated by Kevin Creighton of Shooting Illustrated, focuses on developing variable focus and precision under dynamic conditions. Shooters engage targets in a diamond pattern at increasing distances, requiring them to adjust their level of attention and fundamental control based on range. The drill emphasizes clamping down on fundamentals for difficult shots and maintaining sight alignment through the trigger break.

Quick Summary

The 'Harden The Diamond' drill is an advanced firearms training exercise requiring an outdoor range. It involves engaging targets in a diamond pattern at distances from 4 to 20 yards, teaching shooters to vary their focus and fundamental control (sight alignment, grip, trigger control) based on range.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Harden The Diamond Drill
  2. 00:26Range Setup and Distances
  3. 00:40Drill Objectives and Fundamentals
  4. 01:28Drill Demonstration
  5. 01:37Performance Review and Final Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Harden The Diamond' drill?

The 'Harden The Diamond' drill is an advanced firearms training exercise designed to improve a shooter's ability to adjust focus and fundamental control based on target distance. It involves engaging targets arranged in a diamond pattern at varying ranges, from close to 20 yards.

What are the key objectives of the 'Harden The Diamond' drill?

The primary objective is to teach shooters the variable 'amount of attention' needed for different shots. It forces intense focus on sight alignment, grip, and trigger control for distant targets, while allowing quicker engagement for closer ones, preventing a uniform, incorrect pace.

Why is an outdoor range necessary for the 'Harden The Diamond' drill?

An outdoor range is required because the drill utilizes both paper and steel targets at varying distances. Steel targets, particularly those placed at intermediate distances on the sides of the diamond, necessitate an outdoor setting to safely manage potential ricochet hazards.

What fundamental shooting skills does the 'Harden The Diamond' drill emphasize?

This drill strongly emphasizes sight alignment, grip, and trigger control, especially for longer-range targets. It also hones target transition speed and the critical skill of maintaining sight alignment through the entire trigger break.

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