B. PLAN SHOT SEQUENCE
There must be a systematic approach to obtaining shooting control. To successfully employ the fundamentals the shooter must develop a plan of action and fix it so firmly in mind that distractions do not interfere with his ability to follow a planned sequence. Simply giving yourself the order to watch the sights hold, and squeeze is not sufficient.
A shooter with natural talent may find it possible to occasionally fire good strings without having a plan of action. But regardless of his talent his performance is going to be erratic until he uses a comprehensive plan.
The shooter must realize that his ability to consistently perform well under pressure is related to the uniformity of his preparation. A planned sequence of thinking that will guide his physical actions through the complete string of fire is absolutely necessary.
You must control your mind and stop disconcerting thoughts of the possibility of failure. Picture yourself as you felt and thought while firing good strings and then ask yourself what technique you were using that enabled you to employ the fundamentals so successfully. The difference between champions and the also-rans lies in the ability to control thinking and plan actions from this point on. Prior planning of the delivery of the shot is the shooter’s only insurance that the delivery will be consistently controlled. Knowledge of a successful shot sequence is the basis of the plan. The best assurance that a good performance can be duplicated is that the action follow a uniform sequence.
1. Remind yourself that when you consistently controlled your shooting you were using a shot sequence. You proved that there is a shot sequence that will work successfully for you. You must recreate precisely those same conditions to get the same results.
The course of fire may have a successful conclusion only if the shooter in setting-up each shot, goes through all the stages — getting completely ready, planning, relaxing, and delivering the shot, analyzing and correcting in the same manner each time.
2. The following sequence is recommended for slow fire:
a. Extend arm and breathe.
b. Settle into a minimum arc of movement.
c. Pick up sight alignment in the aiming area.
d. Take up trigger slack — apply initial pressure.
e. Hold breath.
f. Maintain sight alignment and minimum arc of movement.
g. Start positive trigger pressure.
h. Concentrate point focus on front sight.
i. Follow through. (Occurs with surprise shot only) (No reflex action)
3. The following sequence is recommended for timed and rapid:
a. Extend shooting arm and breathe.
b. Find sight alignment.
c. Find aiming area on edge of target frame (final deep breath).
d. Settle into minimum arc of movement.
e. Point focus of front sight (Partly release breath).
f. Take up slack — apply initial trigger pressure.
g. Maintain sight alignment (target faces).
h. Start positive trigger pressure.
i. Concentrate on sight alignment (first shot is fired).
4. When a shooter has a system to follow, he can concentrate on performance and not be worried about results. Care should be taken during early stages of instructional practice to comply with each of the items on the shooter’s worksheet. As the shooter becomes more capable, sequence, analysis and corrective action becomes more important. Repetition of these steps will instill in the shooter good habits that will enable him to repeat good performance. Further, the worksheet will help the shooter form the habit of not overlooking any factor that will help his shooting. Winning scores are produced by being ready, confident, performing uniformly and being in complete control.
C. RELAXATION
1. Relaxation is best achieved by methodically bringing about a loosening of the muscular masses of the body. Think of the neck muscles, the shoulder, back, abdomen, buttocks and upper legs. Systematically reduce the tension of these members to one of support of an upright stance only.
2. A relaxed muscle does not become as tired as quickly as a tense one. It is also important to rest and relax after two or three shots during slow fire.
D. DELIVER SHOT OR STRING OF SHOTS ON TARGET
The successful delivery of an accurate shot on the target, embraces the proper employment of all the fundamentals. Do not compromise. Follow through and continue to apply all control factors. If the shot is fired as a surprise, there will be no reflex action. When you are absolutely sure you have set up conditions for a controlled shot, put your plan into action. Confidently and aggressively follow each mental step with physical action until the sequence is complete and the shot is delivered on the target.
Remember that in slow fire you do not have to shoot before bringing your gun down to rest. When you fatigue, run short of breath, experience difficulty in maintaining concentration on sight alignment or cannot maintain a suitable arc of movement, lower the weapon to the bench and relax. Re-plan the delivery of the shot, breathe deeply and try again. Some excellent slow fire shooters try two or three times before being able to deliver a controlled shot. Full control of the application of the fundamentals insures the correct control of a shot.
1. Example of a system delivering rapid fire strings with fire commands: As the Range Officer starts his commands, he will announce:
a. “ON THE FIRING LINE, FOR YOUR FIRST STRING OF RAPID FIRE,WITH FIVE ROUNDS LOAD.”
(1) You should load at this time and assume your grip.
b. “IS THE HE LINE READY?”
(1) Continue your rhythmic breathing.
(2) Check that you are going to shoot on the proper target.
c. “READY ON THE RIGHT.”
(1) Extend the arm with a stiff wrist and a locked elbow.
(2) Align the sights.
(3) Breathe deeply and exhale.
d. “READY ON THE LEFT.”
(1) Find the aiming area on the edge of the target frame.
(2) Take a final deep breath.
(3) Settle into a minimum arc of movement.
e. “READY ON THE FIRING LINE.”
(1) Partly release the breath and hold the remainder.
(2) Point of focus is on the front sight.
(3) Take up the slack — apply initial trigger pressure.
(4) Maintain sight alignment.
f. Target faces toward shooter - commence firing.
(1) Start positive trigger pressure.
(2) Shift concentration to perfecting sight alignment.
g. First shot is fired (Surprise Shot).
(1) Maintain eye focus (follow through).
(2) Quick recovery with the sights approximately in alignment, and hold approximately in center of aiming area.
(3) Renew positive trigger pressure.
(4) Strive to correct errors in sight alignment, but do not delay positive trigger pressure.
h. Follow through with four more surprise shots.
i. Good rhythm indicates coordinated application of the fundamentals.
E. MAKE AN ANALYSIS
Complete and instantaneous shot analysis is a prerequisite for improvement in performance or score. It is a complete waste of time and ammunition to fire haphazardly without any comprehensive attempt to improve. A mental impression of the sight alignment should come at the instant the shot breaks.
It is advantageous to analyze why you are shooting well on a particular day. Some shooters have a tendency to ignore their good scores. It is important to analyze the good shot string so the combination of factors that produce these good strings can be remembered and repeated. In making the analysis, an important point to remember is to be honest with yourself and your coach. By admitting mistakes the shooter can correct them. The coach can help find a solution to mistakes which he was not aware of if you reveal everything you saw, heard or thought of during the firing of the shot or string.