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5 Reasons why every woman should learn to shoot

And these are just the first 5…

Learning to shoot is empowering. It gives you a feeling of confidence and self-reliance that you can’t get from any other activity. Here are five reasons why every woman should learn to shoot. 

1) You never know when you might need to use a gun for self-defense.

Boy isn’t that the truth! Maybe your husband owns one that’s not very helpful if he’s not with you and carrying. And why is it that every time my husband goes out of town, someone random person comes knocking on our door. We never get solicitors, neighbors, or other random people knocking on our door when he is home. It’s always when he’s away.

2) Learning how to shoot helps you feel more in control of your life and your safety.

Learning to shoot is an incredible confidence booster. You will find yourself holding your head even higher once you’ve mastered handling your firearm. This kind of confidence translates into other areas of your life as you feel more in control of your own personal safety. Doing so, will free up your ability to start to take more control of other things in your life as you are no longer at the mercy of your circumstances.

3) Shooting is a great way to relieve stress and tension.

The first few times I visited a range, I was so nervous! It is not an easy thing to do and takes a lot of energy to continue training to proficiency. Every time I left the range, I would have the biggest adrenaline dump. I felt relief to have accomplished my practice time for the day coupled with a certain amount of pride for doing something scary.

4) Shooting is a challenging and fun hobby. 

Shooting is definitely challenging, but don’t give up after the first couple tries. With practice, it becomes a really fun hobby. As you progress, try out different targets, outdoor ranges, and consider becoming a member of a private range that will allow you to be more creative. Find ways to try out different calibers of guns and get your other gun enthusiast friends to join you.

5) Becoming proficient at shooting can give you an advantage in competitions or in dangerous situations.

There is no point in half-assing your training when it comes to firearms. You must train to proficiency or don’t bother buying one. It’s not just about being able to hit your target, but being able to competently handle your firearm. Accuracy will come with practice. You may go so far as to become competitive, but the fact of the matter is that if you can’t quickly draw, load, aim, and accurately fire a round, it may be the difference between life and death. Train to proficiency, and no less.

Amara Barnes

Amara Barnes is the founder and CEO of Women Gun Owners Association of America (WGOAA). Her passion for helping other women learn the skills, abilities, and gain the confidence they need to handle, carry, and shoot any type of firearm is what inspires her everyday.

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If you’re serious about carrying a firearm for self-defense, static target practice isn’t going to cut it. Sure, it’s fun to shoot perfect little holes in paper while standing perfectly still, but the real world doesn’t come with stationary targets and all the time in the world to line up your sights. Confidence comes from knowing that you can respond to whatever a bad situation throws your way—whether it’s movement, cover, or sheer chaos. To help you level up your skills, we’ve rounded up five essential shooting drills that every armed woman should incorporate into her practice. These drills focus on accuracy, movement, and situational awareness—because let’s be honest, no one is politely standing still while you defend yourself. Ready? Let’s move. 1. The El Presidente Drill - designed by Colonel Jeff Cooper What it Builds: Speed, accuracy, and transitioning between targets. This classic drill is a favorite for a reason: It simulates engaging multiple attackers while emphasizing quick target acquisition. Here’s how you do it: Set up three targets in a straight line, spaced about 3 feet apart. Start with your back to the targets at 10 yards. Your gun is holstered, hands up, and facing away. On the timer (or a friend yelling “go!”), turn around, draw, and shoot two rounds into each target—left to right. Reload, and then shoot two more rounds into each target—right to left. Pro Tip: Focus on smooth transitions between targets, not just speed. Precision under pressure is key! 2. The Box Drill What it Builds: Movement, situational awareness, and shooting while changing positions. Real life requires movement, and the Box Drill gets you off the X. It forces you to engage targets while moving in all directions, simulating defensive scenarios where you’re not standing still like a statue. Mark out a square with cones or tape, about 5 yards by 5 yards. Place a target in front of the square between the two front cones. Start at one corner of the square. On the buzzer, move to the next corner while shooting two rounds at the target. Move sideways, forward, and backward—firing two shots from each corner. Pro Tip: Keep your feet moving and your muzzle downrange. Work on keeping your shots accurate while moving, even if it’s slower at first. 3. The Failure-to-Stop Drill (Mozambique Drill) What it Builds: Critical decision-making under stress. This is a lifesaving drill that teaches you to stop an immediate threat effectively. It combines precision and speed, and it’s perfect for defensive shooting practice. Place a target at 7 yards with a defined head and chest zone. On the buzzer, draw and fire two shots to the chest followed by one shot to the head. Why it Works: Two shots to the chest are intended to stop the threat, but if your attacker is wearing body armor or isn’t immediately stopped, the headshot is your contingency plan. Practice this to build confidence in making accurate, decisive shots. 4. Shooting from Cover Drill What it Builds: The ability to shoot effectively while protecting yourself. If you’ve never practiced shooting from cover, this drill is a wake-up call. Using cover effectively could save your life, and this drill forces you to get comfortable shooting from awkward but realistic positions. Set up a barrier (like a barrel or barricade) 5-7 yards from your target. Practice shooting two to three rounds from: Standing, around the side of cover (left and right sides). Kneeling, around the side of cover. Squatting or prone (from the ground). Pro Tip: Always hug the cover without crowding it—keep enough space to move and lean safely while keeping your gun out of view. 5. Low-Light Flashlight Drill What it Builds: Confidence in shooting under low-visibility conditions. Most defensive encounters happen in low light, yet few people train for it. Using a flashlight while shooting adds a new layer of complexity, but mastering it is non-negotiable if you want to be prepared. At dusk or in a dark range bay, place your target 7 yards away. Use your handheld or weapon-mounted flashlight to illuminate the target while drawing and firing two accurate shots. Practice turning the light on and off quickly to avoid giving away your position. Pro Tip: Train with both dominant and support-hand shooting while holding the flashlight—you don’t always get to use your strong hand in real life. Final Thoughts: Practice Like It’s Real These five shooting drills aren’t just about punching holes in paper; they’re about building the real-world confidence you need to defend yourself and your loved ones. Don’t just practice what’s easy or comfortable—push yourself. Move, reload, adapt to low light, and shoot from unconventional positions. And when you show up at the range, don’t be afraid to be the woman who sets up cones, barricades, and timers like you’re prepping for a SWAT drill. Let ‘em stare—because the confidence you’re building is worth every second. Practice hard, train smart, and remember: Confidence isn’t given—it’s earned.

The 5 Best Shooting Drills for Building Real-World Confidence

January 22, 2025

If you’re serious about carrying a firearm for self-defense, static target practice isn’t going to cut it. Sure, it’s fun to shoot perfect little holes in paper while standing perfectly still, but the real world doesn’t come with stationary targets and all the time in the world to line up

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