When it comes to being able to shoot, it is nice to be able to stand there and put your rounds on target when you need to. However, your ability to apply effective marksmanship while using cover and after quick movement in or out of different shooting positions is even better. This is a real test of a shooters' agility and discipline. The SAS developed this test decades ago and ended up sharing it with the author of the book 'Rattenkrieg' where it was well described, as well as many other tests and drills for aspiring shooters. This is a test for those who dare to put their body and ego to the test. SETUP This agility test was developed and shared during the time that the Browning Hi Power was the only pistol of choice for the SAS, before the P226 was in the picture. The test was formed around the 13+1 capacity of their pistol at the time, so naturally this means it originally was a 14 shot test. The operators had 14 seconds to shoot all 14 shots and get them all on target. This is easier said than done, trust me. Though there is no distance standard listed, I would wager that you would benefit from placing your target 5-7 yards away. To conduct this test, load your firearm with at least 14 rounds, and begin in a good standing position with your pistol at the ready. On signal, fire 2 rounds standing, 2 rounds kneeling, 2 rounds prone, roll over for 2 rounds from the supine position, 2 rounds prone, 2 rounds kneeling, and finally 2 rounds standing. It is simple, but it's just not going to be easy to maneuver this fast and hit with great precision within 14 seconds. I am not ashamed that the best time I have been able to pull off clean is about 16 seconds. TARGET SIZE When conducting this test, make sure that your target is appropriate for your skill level. Basically, I recommend that your target be no smaller than a 8" plate. However, if you are focusing one precision, maybe going smaller is a good idea, or if you want to force yourself to make better hits without skimping on time, smaller targets are probably a good idea. However, I still caution to stay within reason and only have a target you can competently hit without destroying your time too bad. I have made that mistake where I had a 3x5 card 10 yards away and had a time double that of the standard. I invalidated the agility aspect of the test and turned it into a timed marksmanship test. Try to steer from doing this. The goal is have a reasonable target for your skills. Another thing for you to note is that when you are in the prone and supine positions, it may be a good idea to have a separate target that is close to the ground so you are not threatening to shoot over your range berm when in these low positions. It shouldn't rob you of any time since you will merely perform a visual shift in focus from a top target to one that is more in line with your position on the ground. MODIFICATIONS AND VARIATIONS Depending on the firearm you are using for this test, you may have more or less capacity than is needed. If you have more capacity, no problem. If you have less ammo, consider this test while giving your time standard flexibility for incorporating a reload. If you want to increase the challenge, demand one round in each position to test agility more than recoil control and accuracy. If accuracy in these positions is a bigger concern, obviously add more rounds on target in each position. Have fun with it and use your imagination. Just be sure to adjust your time standards appropriately to match the modifications you will be making to the original course of fire. EXERCISE POTENTIAL Instead of seeing this test as a way of testing precision and speed, perhaps we can test coordination and stability of the upper body and core. I have used the frame of this test to give myself quite the workout in recent years. The way I go about it is keeping either a rifle or pistol aimed in on a small target while conducting the transitional movements that would be performed in the test. The key here is to keep both hands on the weapon and pause for only one second in each position to get perfect stability before moving to the next position. This will take a bit of coordination to keep your aim true, but being fast isn't necessarily the goal. The goal is to maintain your aim on target and be able to keep it trained on your target while conducting movements such as getting in and out of different shooting positions. If you are going slow, that is just more time under tension for your core and arms, so not a big problem. If you want to try this, do it one handed when two hands is relatively easy for you. CLOSING THOUGHTS Though this test was developed to test the British SAS performance with their pistols, I believe this test is well suited for adaptation to other weapon systems and even ways of stressing and building the body off the range. If you dare to give this test a chance, I think you will be pleasantly challenged and motivated to work harder and improve yourself as a shooter. I know this was the result this test has had on myself.
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