Tag: red dot training

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Mastering the Occluded Dot

a person holding a gun with occulded red dot

Mastering the Occluded Dot Technique in Competitive Shooting

Hey everyone, Aaron here from Rune Tactical! Today, I want to share one of the most significant improvements I’ve made in my competitive shooting career: embracing the occluded dot technique to become more target-focused.

The Journey to Occluded Dot

When I first started in USPSA, the two largest divisions were OPEN and Limited. Iron sights require a more front-sight-focused approach, but the idea of occluding the dot makes your support or non-dominant eye work harder at seeing things faster. This technique forces your brain to superimpose the information from your support eye into your vision, allowing you to act on what you see more effectively and efficiently.

Historical Context

Back in the day, from around 2000 to 2015, shooters would talk about training their eyes by staring at ceiling fans and picking a blade to focus on, trying to make their eyes “faster and more focused.” This is similar to sitting on the couch, picking a character from a TV show, and dry-firing on them every time they appear on the screen. Though seemingly old-school, these methods are still relevant and effective in today’s competitive shooting world.

DON’T POINT A LOADED GUN AT YOUR TV; WE AREN’T RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR STUPID!

The Occluded Dot Technique

The occluded dot technique blocks the window of your red dot sight using a Range Panda dryfire cover or a piece of black tape. The range panda covers are a fantastic answer to the tape residue left on the glass. They are also cheap, so there isn’t a reason not to have one. This forces your brain to rely on the information from your support eye, enhancing your target acquisition speed and accuracy. Here’s how you can practice this technique:

  1. Dry Fire Practice: Start by practicing with an occluded dot during dry fire sessions. This helps you get used to the visual input from your support eye.
  2. Live Fire Practice: Once comfortable, incorporate the occluded dot into your live fire practice. This will help you adapt to the technique under real shooting conditions.
  3. Focus on Fundamentals: When practicing with an occluded dot, focus on core fundamentals like grip, stance, and trigger control. Avoid improving other aspects simultaneously, as it may complicate diagnosing issues.

Benefits of the Occluded Dot Techniquea person holding a gun with occulded red dot

  • Enhanced Target Focus: Forces your support eye to work harder, improving target acquisition speed.
  • Improved Accuracy: Helps maintain a consistent sight picture, leading to more accurate shots.
  • Increased Confidence: Builds confidence in your ability to engage targets quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

The occluded dot technique is a valuable tool in the competitive shooter’s arsenal. By incorporating this method into your training routine, you can enhance your target focus, accuracy, and overall performance. Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering any technique. So, hit the range, stay focused, and keep pushing your limits!

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Master Occluded Doubles for Faster Shooting

Mastering Occluded Doubles in Shooting

Shooting Occluded Doubles isn’t just for competition its a drill that serves Concealed Carry, Tactical & Competition equally.

Mastering Occluded Doubles in Shooting

In the world of competitive shooting, mastering various drills and techniques can significantly enhance your performance. One such technique that has gained popularity is shooting occluded doubles. This method involves firing two quick shots at a target while using an occluded red dot sight. Let’s dive into what this technique is and how it can improve your shooting skills.

Mastering Occluded Doubles in Shooting
Mastering Occluded Doubles in Shooting

What Are Occluded Doubles?

Occluded doubles refer to a shooting drill where the shooter fires two rapid shots at a target using a red dot sight with the front lens covered. This forces the shooter to rely on their dominant eye to align the red dot with the target, while the non-dominant eye provides peripheral vision. This technique can improve target acquisition speed and accuracy, making it a valuable skill for both competitive and defensive shooting scenarios.

Benefits of Shooting Occluded Doubles

  1. Improved Target Acquisition: By occluding the front lens of the red dot sight, shooters are forced to focus on the target with both eyes open. This enhances their ability to quickly acquire and engage targets.
  2. Enhanced Accuracy: The occluded red dot sight helps shooters maintain a consistent sight picture, leading to more accurate shots.
  3. Increased Confidence: Practicing occluded doubles can build confidence in a shooter’s ability to engage targets quickly and accurately.

How to Practice Occluded Doubles

  1. Cover the Front Lens: Use a piece of tape or a lens cover to block the front lens of your red dot sight.
  2. Set Up Your Target: Place a target at a distance that challenges your shooting skills, typically between 7 to 15 yards.
  3. Choose Your Start Position: This can have more influence than you may think, so be careful when picking this. We recommend something like hands relaxed at sides or just using the timer to start with the gun already up.
  4. Draw and Fire: Draw your firearm and fire two quick shots at the target. Focus on maintaining a consistent sight picture and smooth trigger pull.
  5. Assess and Repeat: Evaluate your shots and adjust your technique as needed. Repeat the drill to build muscle memory and improve your performance. The goal is 2 alpha or down zero as fast as possible.
Glock with occluded holosun on partial target

Tips for Success

  • Consistency is Key: Regular practice is essential to mastering occluded doubles. Incorporate this drill into your training routine to build proficiency.
  • Focus on Fundamentals: Maintain a strong, firm grip in your support hand, maintain grip but not tension in your trigger finger hand to prevent trigger freeze, and smooth trigger pull to ensure accurate shots.
  • Stay Relaxed: Keep your body relaxed and avoid tensing up, as this can negatively impact your accuracy.
  • Practice Strings of 10-16 Rounds: This helps to see if there are any correlating groups forming, which can provide valuable feedback on your technique.

Conclusion

By incorporating occluded doubles into your training routine, you can significantly enhance your shooting skills. This technique not only improves target acquisition and accuracy but also builds confidence in your ability to engage targets quickly and effectively. Remember to cover the front lens of your red dot sight, set up challenging targets, and choose a start position that suits your style. Practicing strings of 10-16 rounds can help identify any patterns and improve your performance over time.

Consistency is key to mastering occluded doubles. Regular practice, focusing on maintaining a strong grip and smooth trigger pull, will ensure you achieve the best results. By staying dedicated to your training and continuously assessing and adjusting your technique, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more proficient and confident shooter. Happy shooting!