Today we begin working one of the most important performance skills in shooting: target transitions. The key principle is simple and non‑negotiable—your eyes lead, the gun follows. You move your vision first, then drive the gun to where your eyes are looking. This creates faster, cleaner, and more accurate transitions without overshooting or dragging the gun across the target line.

Before you begin, run your safety rules. Clear your firearm, clear your space, and remove all live ammunition from the room.

Today’s Focus — Vision First, Gun Second

Most shooters try to move the gun and their eyes at the same time. This creates sloppy transitions, late sight pictures, and inconsistent hits. Instead, you’re training a more efficient sequence:

1. Eyes snap to the next target

2. Head stays still—only the eyes move

3. Gun drives to where the eyes are already waiting

4. You accept the first sight picture and break the shot

This is how top shooters transition with speed and control.

What You’re Training Today

Universal Fundamentals (Irons + Optics)

• Snapping your eyes to the next target before the gun moves

• Driving the gun in a straight, efficient path

• Arriving at an acceptable sight picture—not perfect

• Maintaining grip pressure through the transition

• Seeing the sights settle before pressing the trigger

Iron Sights

• Front sight leaves the first target cleanly

• Eyes lock onto the next target before the gun arrives

• Front sight settles into the notch as you extend to the new point

• You break the shot as soon as the alignment is acceptable

Optics

• Dot lifts off the first target and moves with the gun

• Eyes land on the next target first, then the dot appears in your vision

• Dot may wobble slightly—this is normal

• You break the shot as the dot passes through the intended point

Whether irons or optics, the rule is the same: your eyes dictate where the gun goes next.

How to Work the Drill

• Set up two dry‑fire targets spaced shoulder‑width apart.

• Start on the left target with a clean sight picture.

• Snap your eyes to the right target—fast and deliberate.

• Drive the gun to your new visual point.

• Accept the first sight picture and press the trigger.

• Reset and repeat in both directions.

Your goal is to move your eyes quickly and your gun smoothly.

Why This Matters

Target transitions are where efficiency shows up. When your eyes lead:

• Your gun moves less

• Your sight picture appears sooner

• Your transitions become faster and more controlled

• Your accuracy improves because you’re not dragging the gun blindly

This is the skill that separates “moving the gun around” from true visual leadership.

Ten minutes. Eyes first. Gun follows. Clean transitions.