Have you ever gone to the range to shoot without a plan? I’m of the mindset that if you shoot without a plan, you aren’t really training and certainly not maximizing your training. When I go to the range, I have a goal and a task to work on. I plan it out, but when I don’t feel like planning anything, and I want to shoot, I turn to Dot Torture.
Dot Torture has been around for a long time but only leaked into the mainstream about 15 years ago. Dave Blinder developed the first incarnation, which IPSC shooters used as early as the 1990s.
The late great Todd Green of Pistol-Training.com enjoyed Dot Toture and developed an extremely popular quick-print target for the exercise. The target is still hosted at Pistol-Training.com for free, so print away.
What’s Dot Torture?
Dot Torture is less of a drill and more of a training experience. It’s not one drill but seven drills that form one exercise. The name comes from the fact you are using dots as targets. The dots are numbered 1 through 10. These dots are two inches in diameter and under each dot, you’ll find that dot’s specific drill instructions.
What I love about Dot Torture is that it only requires 50 rounds. Handgun ammo comes in 50-round boxes, so it’s very convenient. This exercise gives you a solid 50-round workout that develops various skills. It keeps things exciting and dynamic.
Dot Torture is a close-range shooting exercise. The target should be a mere three yards from you the first time you shoot it.
There aren’t any assigned times per drill, but we have some thoughts on using time as a measuring device. Some shooters use an overall time. Time yourself from the first shot to the last, and then try to beat that time every time you shoot the exercise.
Another method is to time each individual evolution and record the time in a notebook. I like the latter route as it allows me to observe my skills. I dislike using a set time for the entire exercise because I might need to stop to reload magazines, find ammo, or, Lord forbid, chat with a range neighbor.
Let’s Look At Dot Torture
Let’s dig into what each portion of the drill consists of and what each Dot means. Outside of a gun and 50 rounds, you’ll also need a holster, a spare magazine, and a magazine pouch.
Dot 1: Shoot five rounds of slow fire.
Dot 2: Draw and fire one shot. (Repeat for five total runs)
Dot 3 and Dot 4: Draw and fire one round on 3 and one on 4. (Repeat for a total of four evolutions.)
Dot 5: Draw and fire five shots with your strong hand only.
Dots 6 and 7: Draw and fire two on 6 and fire two on 7. (Repeat for a total of four evolutions.)
Dot 8: From the ready, fire five shots weak-hand only.
Dots 9 and 10: Draw and fire one shot on 9, speed reload, and then fire on round on 10. (Repeat for a total of four evolutions.)
That’s it — that’s the entire exercise.
As you can see, Dot Torture doesn’t get boring.
You shoot a wide variety of drills and exercise several skills. It’s not only good training, but it’s fun and challenging.
Passing the Dot Torture requires you to shoot it clean. Clean means not a single miss. At the very least, each shot should break the distinct black line of the 2-inch dot.
Beyond the Standard
As you can probably tell, this variant of Dot Torture was more or less made for semi-automatic handguns. Variety is the spice of life and the shooting community grabbed Dot Torture and began forming new variants for different firearm platforms.
For DA/SA Guns: Designed by Todd Green
The original Dot Torture would work with DA/SA guns, but Todd Green built the TDA variant to train shooters in the intricacies of the DA/SA platform.
Dot 1: Two Pairs of slow fire. (First shot double action, second shot single action)
Dot 2: Draw and fire one shot double action. (Repeat for four total runs)
Dot 3 and 4: Draw and fire a double action shot on dot 3 and a single action shot on dot 4. (Repeat for a total of four runs)
Dot 5: Draw and fire a pair of shots, strong hand only. (First shot double action, second shot single action. Repeat for three runs total)
Dots 6 and 7: Draw and fire two shots on 6 (DA/SA) and two on 7 single action only.
Dot 8: From the ready fire a pair with the weak hand only. (First shot double action, second shot single action. Repeat for three runs total)
Dots 9 and 10: Draw and fire one double action shot on 9, speed reload, and fire one single action shot on 10.
Dot Torture Snubby (Revolvers) Lite: Designed by Pistol-Training.com User RJ
Dot Torture works with revolvers, but it’s not optimized for revolvers. Forum user RJ designed this variant for snub nose revolvers. It uses only 20 rounds, which is wise because a small J-frame isn’t always comfy to shoot, and eventually, it can become painful.
This version also stresses reloads, which is excellent for small revolvers.
Dot 1: Five shots slow fire, reload at the end.
Dot 2: Draw and fire one shot on target.
Dots 3 and 4: Draw and fire one on 3 and one on 4. Repeat the process twice and reload on the final string.
Dot 5: Draw and fire one shot one-handed.
Dots 6 and 7: Draw and fire two on 6 and two on 7 and reload.
Dot 8: From the ready, fire one shot weak hand.
Dots 9 and 10: Draw and fire one on 9 and one on 10. (Repeat this drill twice. Optional reload between strings of fire.)
More and More
I feel like I could type out Dot Torture variations all day. They have them for carbines, rimfire, long-range, and more. Leaving you with three will get you going and hopefully provide you with a few training ideas.
Dot Torture drills even work well for dry-fire training when you don’t have anything particular you want to practice. It’s a great way to have a guided training plan for various skills and to get that quick 50 (or 20) round workout down.
