DOT Technique
The DOT Technique is designed to teach you how to "get on target" faster. This is a great exercise to increase your speed and transition from Sight On Target (creating a sight picture and placing it on the target), to Point Shooting.
Have you ever noticed that when you press on the radio power button on your car radio, you don't usually "look" for the button? Or, when you insert your key into the ignition. Do you bend your head down and guide the key in with your eyes firmly focused on it? Or, when you pick your nose. Do you have to stand in front of a mirror to find your nostril and guide your finger in? OK, gross example but it proves a point. The answer is NO.
Common routines we do become habit. Our muscles get trained to complete these remedial tasks, almost as a reflex. Your brain guides your finger effortlessly to the button, the ignition, or your nose. Your arm moves on a set path based on muscle memory and a repetitive reflex. This is the principle of the DOT Technique. Here's how it's put into practice.
The DOT is not an acronym. It's a real DOT! The DOT can be anything. It can be a small 1" stick-on target, a piece of blue painter's tape.. anything. The object is to place a DOT on your wall. Place the DOT at eye level. Now, step back far enough from the DOT, to where your are within finger reach. Place your shooting hand in your pants pocket. When ready, draw your hand out and touch the DOT with your trigger finger. Repeat the process but this time, use your thumb. Repeat this process until you can touch the DOT 20 consecutive times with your trigger finger and your thumb (of your shooting hands). Practice is over. Repeat this lesson as frequently as you can.
What have we learned? Without too much effort, you should be able to achieve 20 consecutive touches rather quickly. How does this apply to shooting? Reflecting back to your firearm safety training, you may recall that we "keep our finger off the trigger, until the sights are aligned, and you're ready to fire". The trigger finger should be resting on the frame, just above the trigger.
Notice from the picture, when the handgun is removed, what you have left is a pointing finger. The theory is, when you draw your firearm, and your finger is on the frame (not on the trigger), your trigger finger (which is also your pointing finger) should be able to lock onto your target (in this case a small DOT).
So, why do you practice with your thumb? When engaging in a firefight your trigger finger would have transitioned from the frame to the trigger. Can't really point with the finger anymore. Your thumb remains in the same position, pointing forward. Because of this, a lot of shooting instructors only train with the thumb as the pointer. I like the flexibility of using both, as I encourage my students to always return the trigger finger to the frame when you don't have a target in sight.
Whether you use your trigger finger, your thumb, or both, this is the basic principle of Point Shooting. The more your practice, the faster you will be able to get your gun pointing at your target and getting the first crucial shot off.
Now go practice!
The Draw
After practicing the DOT Technique, strap on your holster or whatever you use for carry or CCW carry (ladies, break out your purses). Following the firearm safety rules, you will release the magazine (or open the cylinder if it's a revolver), cycle the slide, lock it open and visually inspect that the chamber/barrel is empty. Place the ammunition/magazine far away from where you are practicing. Once confirmed, holster your firearm and practice the same DOT Technique. Instead of your thumb or trigger finger, your muzzle should be touching the DOT. Reholster and repeat.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for your scratching your door or wall (depending on where the DOT is placed). I suggest placing a piece of cardboard up first, then put your DOT on it. The cardboard will cushion the muzzle, against the wall or door.
Blow commercials away!
Getting ample trigger-time is essential for developing muscle memory. The more you grip your firearm and the more you finger the trigger, it will get easier and more comfortable. So many times I will be out at the range and see a person come up to the line and shoot. After every shot, they re-grip the gun or relax, then tense back up for the follow up shot. Not good. Here's a good way to get in some practice time and have fun doing it.
The next time you plan on sitting on the couch and engaging in hours of mindless TV viewing, go get your gun. Following the firearm safety rules, you will release the magazine (or open the cylinder if it's a revolver), cycle the slide, lock it open and visually inspect that the chamber/barrel is empty. Place the ammunition/magazine far away from where you are practicing. Once confirmed, grip your gun in the low ready position, and enjoy your show. When the commercials come on, raise your firearm to the high ready position and engage your targets! Start dry-firing your firearm!
I like to alternate. The first set of commercials, I take head shots at every MALE figure. Next set, I take head shots at every FEMALE figure. Don't shoot at kids! Even though it's fake, you don't want to get that visual stuck in your subconscious. Heaven forbid, you get into a situation and end up shooting at a kid. Ok, if in the commercial the kid has a weapon, go ahead and pop one in his chest. That's a no brainer.
On average, a 1 hour TV show has 28+ commercials. This equates to over 125+ opportunities to line up your sights and squeeze that trigger. This also gives you many opportunities to work on tracking moving targets, and practice "Shoot/Don't Shoot" discrimination scenarios.
These three exercises should:
- Help your Action vs Reaction skills.
- Increase your ability to practice without the need of costly ammo.
- Develop muscle memory.
- Introduce you to the fundamentals of Point Shooting.
- Have fun with your firearm, when you have the time.
Then, take what you've learned to the range (at least once a month or as often as you can) and practice with LIVE fire.
Note: Most public shooting ranges do NOT allow you to draw from your holster/purse and shoot. All firearms must be on the table and pointed downrange, or on the back rifle racks, with the muzzle pointed up.