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Double tap

A double tap is a defensive shooting technique employed in firearms training, particularly with handguns, where two shots are fired in rapid succession at a target's vital zone—typically the center of the chest—to maximize the likelihood of stopping an immediate threat.^[1] This method emphasizes speed and precision to deliver both rounds accurately within a tight grouping, often within 0.5 to 1 second total time, depending on distance and shooter proficiency.^[2] The technique originated in the 1930s with British police officers William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes in the Shanghai Municipal Police and was later popularized by Jeff Cooper in his Modern Technique of the Handgun during the 1970s.^[2]^[3] Today, while the strict double tap has evolved in military, law enforcement, and civilian self-defense curricula toward threat-focused shooting—prioritizing assessment after initial rounds—it remains a foundational skill for building rapid, accurate fire under duress.^[3] Beyond firearms, "double tap" also describes a user interface gesture on touchscreens, such as double-tapping to like content on social media platforms like Instagram, and a military tactic known as a double-tap strike, where a second attack targets first responders.^[1] In electrical systems, it refers to improperly connecting two wires to a single circuit breaker terminal, posing safety risks.^[4] However, the term's most prominent association remains with the shooting technique due to its historical and practical significance in combat and defense training.

History

Origins in Early Firearms Use

The double tap technique, as a formalized defensive shooting method, originated in the 20th century, though informal rapid firing practices with early repeating firearms date back to the 19th century. With the introduction of multi-shot revolvers like the Colt Single Action Army in 1873, shooters in various contexts employed successive shots to address limitations such as misfires or moving targets. However, these were not the precise, aimed double taps of modern training.^[5]

Development in 20th-Century Training

The double tap technique began to formalize in the early 20th century through the work of British officers William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, who developed it during their service in the Shanghai Municipal Police in the 1930s. Facing frequent close-quarters confrontations with armed criminals in the volatile environment of 1930s Shanghai, they emphasized rapid, instinctive shooting to ensure threat neutralization, advocating for two quick shots to the body rather than relying on single-shot precision under stress. This approach was detailed in their 1942 book Shooting to Live with the One-Hand Gun, which codified the method based on their pre-war experiences and became a foundational text for practical handgun training.^[6]^[7] During World War II, Fairbairn and Sykes extended their training methods to Allied special operations forces, marking a significant evolution in military adoption. In the 1940s, they instructed personnel at British Special Operations Executive (SOE) schools and the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS), where the double tap was integrated into close-combat curricula to address the demands of covert operations and trench-like engagements. Fairbairn, in particular, stressed the technique at Camp X in Canada—a joint SOE-OSS facility—emphasizing paired shots for reliability with handguns like the Webley and Colt 1911, shifting from earlier single-shot doctrines toward paired fire for incapacitation. OSS training manuals reflected this influence, promoting the method as essential for operatives in high-risk scenarios.^[8]^[9] Post-war, the technique gained broader traction in U.S. law enforcement and military circles, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) incorporating elements of Fairbairn's principles into its handgun programs by the late 1940s and 1950s, evolving from accuracy-focused drills to include rapid paired shots for defensive encounters. In the 1960s, Colonel Jeff Cooper further refined and popularized the double tap within the "Modern Technique of the Pistol," teaching it through his Gunsite Academy and influencing both civilian and professional training.^[3]^[2]

Technique

Fundamental Mechanics

The double tap is a fundamental shooting technique defined as the rapid firing of two aimed shots in rapid succession to the same target zone, typically the center mass, to neutralize a threat efficiently. This method emphasizes precision over mere speed, requiring each shot to be individually sighted for accuracy while minimizing the interval between them. Unlike uncontrolled rapid fire, the double tap prioritizes controlled delivery to ensure both projectiles impact in close proximity, enhancing stopping power through cumulative trauma.^[8] Central to the mechanics is trigger control, which involves applying smooth, increasing pressure to the trigger without jerking or disturbing the sight picture. In double-action revolvers or semi-automatic pistols, the initial trigger pull overcomes a heavier resistance—typically 9 to 16 pounds—to cock and release the hammer, demanding deliberate finger placement on the trigger face to maintain alignment. For the second shot, the trigger must be reset forward under consistent pressure, allowing a follow-up pull in single-action mode at 4 to 6 pounds, all while the shooter's focus remains on the front sight to avoid anticipatory flinch.^[10] Recoil management governs the transition between shots, requiring the shooter to employ isometric tension in the firing hand and support hand to absorb the upward and rearward forces generated by the discharging cartridge. This stabilizes the pistol's muzzle, preventing excessive flip that could displace the sights from the target, and enables rapid recovery—often within a fraction of a second—through a firm, high grip that distributes recoil evenly across the arms and shoulders. Effective management ensures the pistol returns to battery position predictably, setting up the sight alignment reset for the subsequent shot.^[10] Sight alignment reset is the critical bridge between the two shots, involving a brief reacquisition of the front sight centered vertically and horizontally in the rear sight notch, with equal light visible on both sides and the top of the front sight level with the rear. The shooter's eye must shift focus sharply from the target to the front sight post-recoil, verifying alignment before breaking the second shot, which maintains the double tap's accuracy at close ranges. For trained shooters, the time between shots is typically 0.3 to 0.5 seconds, depending on distance, proficiency, and physiological reaction times for visual confirmation and motor response in trigger manipulation.^[10]^[11]

Execution and Body Positioning

The execution of a double tap begins with the shooter acquiring the target and aligning the sights on the center mass, typically at close range within 3 to 7 yards where rapid fire is feasible with quick sight realignment between shots. The first shot is fired with a smooth trigger press, emphasizing a high, firm grip to initiate controlled recoil. As the muzzle rises due to the firearm's upward flip, the shooter immediately drives the pistol forward and downward using arm and wrist tension to counteract the motion, allowing the sights to settle back on the target. The second shot follows in rapid succession, typically 0.3 to 0.5 seconds after the first for most trained shooters, aiming to place both rounds in close proximity, such as within 4 inches of each other on the target.^[12]^[2] Effective body positioning is crucial for stability and recoil management during this technique. Common stances include the isosceles, where the shooter faces the target squarely with feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider, knees slightly flexed, and arms fully extended to form a triangle with the body for balanced support; this promotes natural recoil absorption through forward lean but may require additional foot adjustment for front-to-back stability in rapid sequences. The Weaver stance adapts by blading the body slightly, placing the strong-side foot rearward with the support foot forward, shoulders angled, and employing a push-pull grip dynamic—strong arm pushing forward, support arm pulling back—to enhance muzzle control during the quick follow-up shot. Foot placement in both stances emphasizes weight on the balls of the feet with a slight forward lean from the ankles to counter upward forces without shifting balance.^[13]^[14] Grip techniques further optimize ergonomics, particularly for semi-automatic pistols, where a thumbs-forward hold—both thumbs aligned along the frame pointing toward the target—provides superior recoil mitigation by distributing pressure evenly across the hands and locking the wrists, facilitating faster sight reacquisition after the first shot. This grip contrasts with older interlocking methods and is preferred for its role in maintaining control during the muzzle flip phase. From the high ready position, where the firearm is held at chest level with the muzzle pointed downward at a 45-degree angle for quick presentation, expert shooters can typically achieve a draw-to-double-tap sequence in approximately 1.5 seconds, reflecting honed proficiency in transitioning to full extension and firing.^[15]^[16]^[17]

Applications

Military and Tactical Scenarios

In military and tactical scenarios, the double tap technique—firing two rapid, aimed shots at a target's center mass—serves as a core method for threat neutralization in close-quarters battle (CQB), enabling soldiers to deliver incapacitating fire while minimizing exposure to counterattacks. According to the U.S. Marine Corps Pistol Marksmanship manual (MCRP 3-01B), the two-shot technique, akin to the double tap, requires precise sight alignment and trigger control for each round, ensuring accuracy under stress in dynamic environments like room clearing or vehicle extractions.^[18] This approach aligns with qualification standards that emphasize rapid engagement at distances under 10 meters, where instinctive aiming and recoil management are critical for survival. The technique's application extended to high-intensity conflicts, such as urban warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, where it helped reduce engagement times in ambushes and building assaults. A 2004 U.S. Army training initiative for the 1st Armored Division in Iraq incorporated double tap procedures alongside controlled pairs, resulting in a 76% average improvement in soldier marksmanship skills across 251 participants and over 250,000 rounds fired. This training focused on short-range combat (0-100 meters) in non-linear urban settings, enhancing lethality and confidence in offensive operations against improvised explosive devices and sniper threats.^[19] By the 1980s, the double tap integrated into standardized protocols for NATO-compatible sidearms, notably the Beretta M9, adopted by the U.S. military in 1985 as its primary 9mm pistol under NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4090. U.S. Army field manuals from the era, such as FM 23-35 (1988), stressed rapid, accurate pistol fire in combat scenarios, with the M9's double-action/single-action mechanism supporting quick follow-up shots essential to the technique. This standardization facilitated interoperability among NATO forces, promoting consistent training for CQB in multinational operations.^[20]^[21]

Law Enforcement and Self-Defense

In law enforcement, the double tap technique became a standard element of firearms training in U.S. police academies during the 1970s, popularized by Jeff Cooper's modern technique of the pistol and adopted to enable officers to deliver two rapid, accurate shots to center mass for threat neutralization.^[2]^[3] This approach aligns with broader federal guidelines, such as those from the Department of Justice, which stress that deadly force must be objectively reasonable and proportional to the threat, always preceded by de-escalation efforts to minimize unnecessary lethal encounters. In self-defense applications, the double tap falls under "reasonable force" doctrines, permitting civilians to fire two shots to immediately stop an imminent threat without retreating, particularly in jurisdictions with Castle Doctrine laws that extend no-duty-to-retreat protections within one's home or vehicle.^[22] Legal standards require that each shot be justified by the ongoing danger, with courts evaluating whether the response was proportionate; for example, precedents affirm multiple center-mass shots as defensible if they effectively end the assault without excess.^[23] This contrasts with military contexts by focusing on domestic legal accountability rather than rules of engagement. Training programs for both law enforcement and civilians highlight double tap adaptations for low-light conditions and multiple assailants, using simulators to replicate real-world stressors like poor visibility or dynamic threats.^[24] Studies on handgun effectiveness indicate that two rapid torso hits increase threat stoppage rates compared to a single shot due to the compounded probability of incapacitating vital areas.^[25]

Controlled Pairs

The controlled pair is a precision-oriented variation of the double tap technique, involving two deliberate shots fired at the vital zone of a target with a brief interval between them to allow for sight verification. Unlike faster methods that rely on a single sight picture, this approach emphasizes re-acquiring and refining the sight picture after the first shot to ensure the second aligns accurately, typically resulting in split times of approximately 0.3 to 0.5 seconds at close ranges such as 5 yards.^[2] This method prioritizes accuracy over speed, making it suitable for scenarios where precision is critical to stopping a threat effectively.^[3] The key distinction of the controlled pair lies in its focus on verification through the sight picture between shots, which allows shooters to assess and adjust for any misalignment caused by recoil or movement. This deliberate process is integral to precision shooting courses, where it trains participants to maintain control under stress while confirming hits on vital areas. In contrast to rapid, unverified pairs, the controlled pair enhances hit probability at varying distances.^[2] Promoted by Jeff Cooper as part of the Modern Technique of the Pistol during the 1970s at Gunsite Academy, which he founded in 1976, the controlled pair became a foundational element of advanced handgun training.^[3] Cooper refined earlier double-tap concepts into this more accurate form to address real-world combat needs observed in his military experience and teaching. The technique also found applications in competitive practical shooting, such as the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), where it is used in standards stages to score two aimed shots per target, promoting disciplined marksmanship under time constraints.^[26]

Failure-to-Stop Drills

The Failure-to-Stop Drill, also known as the Mozambique Drill or Failure Drill, is a defensive shooting technique designed to neutralize a threat when initial body shots prove insufficient to halt an aggressor. It builds on the double-tap concept by incorporating a rapid assessment and follow-up headshot, emphasizing the need for precise shot placement under stress. Developed as a response to real-world scenarios where attackers continued advancing despite multiple center-mass hits, the drill trains shooters to transition quickly from torso targeting to a cranial shot for immediate incapacitation.^[27] The drill's origins trace back to the Mozambican War of Independence (1964–1974), reportedly in the late 1960s, when Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau faced an armed FRELIMO fighter at Lourenço Marques airport. Rousseau fired two 9mm rounds into the attacker's chest from his Browning Hi-Power pistol, but the threat persisted; a third shot to the neck severed the spinal cord, stopping the advance. Rousseau later recounted the incident to firearms instructor Jeff Cooper, who formalized it into a training drill in the late 1970s at his newly founded Gunsite Academy in Arizona. Cooper named it the Mozambique Drill to honor its roots and integrated it into his Modern Technique of the Pistol, which prioritizes combat-effective marksmanship. In the 1980s, the Los Angeles Police Department adapted and renamed it the Failure Drill to focus on its tactical utility without geographic connotations, and it became a staple in law enforcement training.^[28]^[27] Execution of the drill typically begins from a holster draw at a distance of 3 to 7 yards, simulating close-quarters encounters. The shooter fires two controlled shots to the center mass of the target—aiming for an 8-inch circle on the torso—to disrupt vital functions like blood flow and oxygenation. After these initial rounds, the shooter briefly assesses the threat; if the target shows no signs of stopping (e.g., due to body armor, drugs, or adrenaline), they immediately deliver a single precise shot to the head, targeting the "T-zone" between the eyebrows and upper lip to damage the central nervous system. Early iterations involved lowering the pistol to a low-ready position after the body shots for assessment, but modern practice keeps the firearm on target to minimize transition time, often completing the sequence in under 2 seconds for proficient shooters. Training emphasizes smooth mechanics, including a stable stance with weight forward, sighted fire for the headshot, and trigger reset discipline to avoid over-firing.^[27]^[28] In training contexts, the Failure-to-Stop Drill enhances situational awareness and decision-making, teaching shooters to evaluate shot effectiveness rather than relying solely on volume of fire. It is particularly valuable for addressing threats protected by body armor or in chemically impaired states, where torso hits may fail to incapacitate immediately. Adopted widely by military special operations units, SWAT teams, and civilian defensive courses, the drill underscores the physiological reality that headshots provide faster physiological stops by targeting the brain or upper spine. Proficiency is measured through metrics like par times (e.g., 3-4 seconds total from holster) and hit accuracy (90%+ on all shots), with dry-fire practice recommended to build muscle memory before live rounds. Despite its effectiveness, instructors stress legal and ethical considerations, as headshots increase risks of over-penetration in civilian settings.^[27]^[28]

References

[1]
DOUBLE TAP Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
noun. the technique or act of shooting a target twice in rapid succession. If a double tap to the chest fails to stop an attacker, the next shot is aimed at ...
[2]
How To Master Double Taps - Gun Digest
Nov 9, 2023 · It's thought that the concept of firing two fast shots to stop a threat, also known as a double tap, was first taught by W.E. Fairbairn and ...
[3]
Whatever Happened to the Double Tap? - American Rifleman
Sep 9, 2015 · The Double Tap, though it may not have been called that, was a much older technique that had possibly been taught by Captain William Fairbairn ...
[4]
The Art of the Double Tap | An Official Journal Of The NRA
Dec 18, 2009 · A double tap consists of two individually sighted shots fired in rapid succession striking in close proximity on a target. The two shots should ...
[5]
What Is A Double Tapped Circuit Breaker?
A double tap occurs when two wires are connected to a single circuit breaker that is only engineered to accept one wire.<|control11|><|separator|>
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Double-Action Revolvers & The Old West - American Rifleman
Aug 30, 2010 · In the 19th century Smith & Wesson was a little late to the double-action game, not introducing double-action models until three years after ...
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How did the famous shootists of the old west, like Hickock, Holliday ...
Jun 28, 2023 · Double action revolvers such as the 1877 Colt Rainmaker, Lightning and Thunder were relatively fast and effective but were also somewhat finicky ...
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Last Words Billy the Kid - James Charles Roy
Billy was quick as a cat and ruthless when cornered. If he'd had a gun in his hand, they argue, he would have started shooting almost as a reflex, whether Peter ...
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Pistol Fanning in the Old West - by Wild West Josh
Apr 14, 2025 · If you're not familiar, fanning is when the shooter holds down the trigger and rapidly slaps or “fans” back the hammer with his free hand.
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Dreyse Needle Rifle: The World's First Military Bolt-Action
Oct 21, 2023 · He submitted it to the Prussian military who after testing it adopted it in 1840 and ordered some 60,000 for its troops. Initially clandestinely ...Missing: rapid drills
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Jul 1, 2019 · The combined bolt action and center-fired cartridge allowed soldiers to sustain a very high rate of fire compared to the old muzzleloaders. The ...
[12]
Creedmoor and the International Rifle Matches - Research Press
An inaugural rifle meeting was held on 21 June 1873. This was essentially a short range affair, with a rapid fire 100 yard match and two 200 yard matches.
[13]
History of Target Shooting, Guns & Competitive Events - Britannica
The earliest recorded shooting match is one held in Eichstäat, Bavaria, in 1477; the shooters, probably using matchlocks, competed at 200 metres (220 yards). A ...Missing: 1870s- | Show results with:1870s-<|separator|>
[14]
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Sep 14, 2017 · Fairbairn and Sykes advocated firing multiple rounds each time the pistol was brought to target – a technique that is still taught today. They ...
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Fairbairn and Sykes: Shooting to Live - The Armory Life
Aug 13, 2023 · This is a time capsule that shows the beginnings of the tactics and techniques we still use today. This book was written in 1942, and the ...
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W. E. Fairbairn and the Birth of Modern Gunfighting (Part 2)
Oct 27, 2021 · Fairbairn always taught the usefulness of firing two shots into an enemy but he seems to have emphasized the “double tap” especially at Camp X.
[17]
None
Summary of each segment:
[18]
Controlled Pairs or Double Taps? | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal
Sep 8, 2016 · 45 to .80 seconds during the course of a match with varying target distances. An average split time of .60 seconds is realistic. A true Double ...
[19]
Training Tip: Double Taps - The Shooter's Log
Feb 8, 2017 · The double tap drill is considered by most to be two shots delivered to the target as quickly as possible. The double tap is an excellent tactic for maximizing ...
[20]
The 3 shooting stances: Which one's right for you? - Police1
Apr 15, 2024 · The standard taught was the Isosceles Stance. The shooter faces the target squarely, the feet are set shoulder-width (or slightly wider) apart.Missing: double tap execution thumbs high ready draw
[21]
Shooting Stance 101: Build a Solid Platform - uscca
Jan 8, 2025 · The Weaver stance involves dropping your strong foot back, pushing the handgun forward, and locking it on target with a solid grip of both hands.Missing: double thumbs high
[22]
Perfect Handgun Grips: Two Thumbs Forward & One-Handed Mastery
Feb 21, 2024 · The Two Thumbs Forward firing grip is a powerful technique for handgun shooters seeking improved accuracy, control, and safety.
[23]
Basic Two-Handed Shooting Stances - The Armory Life
The Isosceles Stance 38 wadcutters at a speed no greater than 12 shots in 25 seconds but launched the muzzle upward (and sometimes, the shooter backward!) with ...Missing: double thumbs ready
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Speeding Up your Draw: Everything to Know about Draw Speed
### Summary of Draw Speed Information
[25]
None
Summary of each segment:
[26]
[PDF] current inadequacy of small arms training - DTIC
Jun 15, 2005 · On the range the soldiers were instructed on shooting Controlled Pairs (CP), Double Tap (DT) procedures, tactical movement techniques, target ...
[27]
[PDF] COMBAT TRAINING WITH PISTOLS, M9 AND M11
Jun 25, 2003 · and lessons that meet the objectives of the US Army Marksmanship program for ... FM 3-23.35. 2-1. CHAPTER 2. PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING.Missing: tap | Show results with:tap
[28]
The Beretta M9: 25 Years of Service | An Official Journal Of The NRA
Nov 12, 2009 · Between 1984 and 1988, there were at least three instances of slide breakages with an M9 or Model 92SB during military training, although these ...
[29]
[PDF] De-Escalation Tactics and Discipline - NYC.gov
less than one percent of the total curriculum.
[30]
Summary Self-Defense and 'Stand Your Ground'
Sep 23, 2025 · The common law principle of “castle doctrine” says individuals have the right to use reasonable force, including deadly, to protect against ...
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Self-Defense Law: Overview - FindLaw
Aug 15, 2023 · This FindLaw article provides an overview of self-defense laws and the complications that come with them.
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Law Enforcement & Police Training Simulators - Use of Force - VirTra
Boost de-escalation skills with VirTra's VR police simulators, offering crucial use of force training for law enforcement. Explore our training tools now.Missing: double tap stoppage rate
[33]
Handgun Ammunition Stopping Power Update
... handgun bullet to “stop” a fight. Abstract. A “stop” is defined as one shot to anywhere on the torso, not counting head, neck, or extremity shots; where the ...
[34]
Compressed Surprise Break: The Secret Of Fast And Accurate ...
Jul 12, 2016 · These men coined the term double tap to describe firing two shots from a handgun with one sight picture as a method to ensure stopping a threat ...
[35]
Jeff Cooper: Father of Modern Pistol Shooting - American Rifleman
May 18, 2011 · The third principle is the “controlled pair,” two shots fired in quick succession—the double-tap. The Colonel had seen combat in the Pacific and ...
[36]
The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To - Shooting Illustrated
May 18, 2017 · The Mozambique/Failure Drill consisted of firing two shots at center mass, lowering the pistol to the ready position and assessing the need for the third shot.Missing: IDF | Show results with:IDF
[37]
History of the Failure Drill: Mozambique Revolt Roots - The Armory Life
Mar 20, 2022 · Jeff Cooper created The Modern Technique of the Pistol and the Combat Mindset. After hearing Rousseau's story, Cooper developed the Failure ...