This is your daily reminder to train!  It doesn’t have to be a pain.

Just take 5 minutes and do something, even if it’s simple.

Today, I’m working on the first part of the El Presidente drill. For those of you unfamiliar, this drill was originally developed by Jeff Cooper (he also created the color codes of awareness) when he was training security for a South American president. It later became a standardized stage in USPSA/IPSC, and the name “El Presidente” stuck.

Here’s the breakdown of the drill:

- Start standing 10 yards away from three targets, positioned 1 yard apart.

- Your back should be facing the targets and your hands in the surrender position.

- Upon the cue, turn, draw, and fire two shots into the center of each target.

- Execute a mandatory reload.

- Fire two more shots into the center of each target.

The drill incorporates all the elements of a complete shooting skill set—movement, drawing, reloading, and engaging multiple targets. Cooper designed it as a way to gauge overall proficiency and timing is a crucial aspect.

A good time to aim for? The par time is 10 seconds, while professionals regularly hit times in the 4-5 second range. Today, I’m focusing on the first part—turning, drawing, and getting that first shot off. My current par time for this is set at 1.5 seconds, and it’s a work in progress!

Which shoulder you turn over depends on which side you carry your holster. If you carry on your right side, turn to the right. If you carry on your left side, turn to the left. For those carrying appendix (like me), you’ve got a bit more freedom. You can turn over whichever shoulder feels the most natural or comfortable for you.