Expert insights on what’s really slowing down your shooting—and how to fix it.
In competitive shooting, split times or “splits” measure the time duration between shots on the same target. Improving your splits isn't just about pulling the trigger faster, says Vortex Edge® Firearm Instructor, Chris Urrutia. It’s about smart, focused practice. Keep reading to learn about the most common hurdles hinder faster splits and Urrutia’s go-to drills to overcome them.
Click on the videos below to watch Vortex Edge® Firearm Instructor, Chris Urrutia, demonstrate his top drill for achieving faster splits.
REASON 1: EXCESSIVE TENSION
"Far too much tension in the upper back, shoulders, and shooting hand tops the list of major setbacks I see with new and even a lot of experienced shooters," says Urrutia. “Excessive tension can impede the natural movement of your trigger finger, leading to slower splits and inconsistent trigger resets. So if you notice your shots are erratic, or you experience 'trigger freeze' where your finger can't promptly reset the trigger, it’s time to address your tension levels.”
DRILLS TO IMPROVE: For better trigger control at speed, focus on relaxing specific muscle groups while maintaining a firm grip. Your goal should be to move a relaxed trigger finger through the entire trigger press without moving the gun. Watch below to see a quick way to reduce tension and optimize trigger finger isolation for faster, more consistent shooting:
REASON 2: IMPROPER STRUCTURE
Proper vs. Improper Alignment: See how correct structure can enhance your shooting speed and accuracy.
"Proper body alignment leads to good balance, which plays a crucial role in shooting speed,” says Urrutia. By allowing you to see a consistent and predictable pattern from your sights, correct positioning can dramatically enhance your shooting pace and accuracy.
DRILLS TO IMPROVE: The “doubles drill” allows for experimenting with relaxing elbows, shoulders, and upper back muscles. According to Urrutia, there are three easy tells of undue tension: 1) the head excessively snapping back when you shoot 2) your upper body lifting up and back behind your feet; and 3) the shots tracking up or “pushing into the gun,” which causes low shots.
REASON 3: LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Confidence in your grip and your ability to control the trigger speed is foundational. "You have to be able to smack the trigger fast without disturbing the gun," says Urrutia, adding that building confidence through practice is key, especially with drills that enhance your shooting rhythm and reduce split times.
DRILLS TO IMPROVE: Urrutia believes you can’t shoot fast until you experience and allow yourself to shoot fast. He suggests beginning with cadence exercises tailored to refine your reflexes and precision. Explore the techniques in the video where Urrutia demonstrates methods to steadily increase your rate of fire while maintaining accuracy.
Enhance your speed and accuracy with the Vortex® Defender micro red dot series—three models specifically design for the shooting, self-defense, and competition. Check Out the Defender Series Now.
For further reading on shooting faster with a red dot, check out 3 Tips for Making the Move From Iron Sights to a Red Dot on Your Pistol.
It’s our hope you can learn and laugh along with the expert voices we feature on this blog. We want to be clear that the opinions you see featured here are just that: opinions. The content belongs to the authors and is not necessarily the opinion of Vortex Optics.
To learn more about what you’ve read, please like, follow, and otherwise support our authors.