Abstract: The present invention target practice device is fitted with a hub which, together with a malleable key, pivotally drives a holder upon which a target is mounted to at least two positions--a lay down position and a pop-up position. The malleable key has a composition that is sufficiently strong to enable the drive shaft of the motor to pivotally drive the holder, and yet be sufficiently weak to be sheared at a predetermined torque. Thus, if the target practice device enters into a "fail mode", instead of causing the drive motor to jam up and to thereby expose the target practice device to potential harm, the key is sheared off so that no damaging load is placed on the drive shaft of the drive motor.