Defensive shooting training: the problem with repetitive drills. We are all guilty of repetitive drills: After all, it’s fun and practice makes perfect, or so they say! I’m sure many have attended “tactical or personal defense training” and found themselves at the firing line drawing their pistol from a holster and shooting at a target at close range on verbal command, quickly followed by a routine of returning to the high ready while looking left and right to ‘assess’ to ensure that potential danger has passed. More informed instructors may call upon the firing line to shoot at a particular shape on the target, or a number to make the shooter think first (i.e. identify the target), before making the shot, but again the all important routine of ‘assess’ is preformed at the end. Performing and running drills has become a mantra in firearms training but the student has to realize the limitations of such repetitive practice and appreciate the potential pitfalls. Remember the objective isn’t one of becoming a master of a particular drill, it’s simply a tool to help you develop your competence in the more important objective of developing your appropriate skill set.