El Presidente Drill: The Ultimate Pistol Shooting Challenge
What is the El Presidente Drill?
The El Presidente Drill is a legendary firearms training exercise designed to test and improve a shooter’s draw speed, target transitions, recoil control, reload efficiency, and overall accuracy under time pressure.
Originally developed by Col. Jeff Cooper, founder of modern pistolcraft, this drill remains a staple in USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association), IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association), and military/law enforcement training worldwide. El Presidente Universal Firearm Proficiency standard.
Drill Setup
Equipment Needed:
- Handgun (semi-automatic or revolver)
- 12 rounds minimum per run
- Three targets (USPSA/IPSC or IDPA silhouette targets) or 11″ x 6″ paper
- Shot timer for measuring performance
- Magazine pouch for quick reloads
Target & Shooter Positioning:
- Targets: Three targets set 1 yard apart, positioned at 10 yards from the shooter.
- Shooter Start Position: Facing away from the targets (180-degree turn required).
- Handgun Holstered: Shooter begins with hands raised at shoulder level (“surrender position”).
- Magazines: Two magazines, each loaded with six rounds.
Drill Execution
- Shooter starts facing away from the targets with hands up.
- On the buzzer:
- Turn 180 degrees to face the targets.
- Draw and fire two rounds per target (left to right or right to left).
- Perform a mandatory reload.
- Re-engage each target with two more rounds per target in the same order.
- Drill is complete once all 12 rounds are fired.
Scoring & Performance Metrics
Scoring Zones:
Scoring is based on accuracy and penalties:
| Target Zone | USPSA/IPSC Penalty | IDPA Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| A-Zone / Down Zero | 0 seconds | 0 seconds |
| C-Zone / Down One | +0.5 seconds | +0.5 seconds |
| D-Zone / Down Three | +1.0 second | +1.5 seconds |
| Miss | +10 seconds | +5 seconds |
| Procedural Errors | Varies | +3 seconds |
Performance Goals:
- Beginner: 12+ seconds
- Intermediate: 8-12 seconds
- Advanced: 6-8 seconds
- Grandmaster-Level: Under 5 seconds
Why Train with the El Presidente Universal Firearm Proficiency Standard?
This drill is valuable because it trains real-world defensive shooting skills, including:
- Fast draw times from the holster.
- Efficient target transitions between multiple threats.
- Accurate controlled pairs to balance speed and precision.
- Quick and smooth reloads under time constraints.
- Developing muscle memory for practical shooting scenarios.
El Presidente Drill Variations
- One-Handed Version: Second string must be shot weak-hand only.
- Headshot-Only Version: Must hit only the head zone of each target.
- Steel Target Version: Modified for steel challenge shooting.
- Carbine Version: Adapted for rifle shooting at 25 yards.
Disclaimer:
The firearm drills, exercises, and standards provided on this website are intended for general informational and reference purposes only. They do not constitute instruction, supervision, or certification.
Shooting firearms is inherently dangerous. Attempting any drill without proper safety protocols, training, or supervision can result in serious injury or death.
By using this website, you agree that:
You are solely responsible for your actions.
You will only attempt these drills under the supervision of a qualified firearms instructor or with equivalent safety precautions in place.
You will always follow local laws, range rules, and firearm safety protocols.
You will not exceed your personal skill level. Speed should never come at the expense of control or safety.
You understand that no information on this website should be interpreted as personal guidance, instruction, or encouragement to engage in high-risk training activities.
The operators of this site assume no liability for injuries, damages, legal consequences, or improper use of the material presented.
If in doubt, don’t attempt the drill. Safety, legality, and good judgment are your personal responsibility.