Turning on the Draw |
Bruce Piatt
I've spent the week reading what all of you as Range Officers would do if someone screws the pooch during a "turn and draw start". Continue batting the issue around if you will but I personnally don't RO. I'm posting this to the shooters who want a tip on how to perfect their "turn and draw" so they won't screw the pooch and have a lonely ride home from the range. (or get someone hurt in the process)
You all know your normal draw. Your hand goes to the gun and it clears the holster. A Master Class shooter should break his first shot around 1.0 seconds. Shooters of lesser class will be anywhere from 1.2 to ???. The point here is the slower you draw, the less chance you have to break the 180!! Here's why. Don't stand on the line thinking of all the motions of the draw AND all the motions of the turn. If you're thinking about your turn and do it the way I'm going to detail, you will be finished with you turn before your normal draw time has lapsed.
THE TURN.....Stand with your feet NO FURTHER than shoulder width. Unlock your knees and put your weight on the balls of your feet. I tend to have slightly more on my strong side foot. When the timer beeps, the first thing you want to do is SNAP your head to your stong side and look for your target. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Your head/eyes should be the first thing to turn and line up with your target. If the RO allows you to start with your head turing over your strong side shoulder, do it. The stage description usually doesn't allow it. Your body will follow by TWISTING your hips. Your weak side foot will do some pushing off but don't try to have your feet do all the work. You hips do more than your feet. You SNAPPED your head around and found your target. You'll begin to notice that your head will be STILL looking at the target AS the rest of your body does the spinning. When the beep went off, you began your turn and your hands went for your gun. If you turned quickly and you did your normal draw, there's no way to break the 180.
SYNOPSIS.....I feel my head snap around, find the target and remains still, my gun comes up to the line of sight, as the rest of the body follows. I find myself finishing my final sight alignment as by body is still moving and my feet are getting settled.
FINAL THOUGHTS WHEN WAITING FOR THE BEEP.....think about your body position as outline above. Think about SNAPPING your head around, the body will follow. Don't wait for your body to stop before you shoot. As with any shooting, GET TO THE SHOOTING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE..don't play with position or props.
PRACTICE....before you attempt this with a loaded gun, practice this EMPTY during your dry fire sessions. It's winter so you won't have any excuse come spring time. Be Careful.... Practice, Practice, Practice
Sincerely,Bruce Piatt
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