The Principles of Marksmanship Instruction

1. The Principles ofMarksmanship Instruction

2. Principles of Marksmanship Instruction • Principles that should be the foundation of all marksmanship instruction • Principles focused on developing the best and most effective teaching methods for new shooters • Principles that help new shooters: • Learn rifle target skills more quickly and effectively • Establish a foundation for their future development regardless of their personal goals • Enjoy their marksmanship experience more • Are more likely to become life-long participants

3. #1: Teach Safety First, Last and Always • Safety instruction and discipline must be part of all shooting activities • Keep safety simple, not complex • Focus on critical performance factors: Muzzle, Action, Trigger, Target • Real safety requires practice, not justintellectual awareness • Continue safety emphasis at all levels

4. #2: Start with the Most Appropriate Rifle • Rifles must be appropriate for the age, physical size and maturity of the junior • Junior must handle rifle comfortably and safety • Rifle must offer appropriate competition opportunity • Advance junior to another rifle when they are ready 10-13 years 12-15 years 13-16 years 13-18 years

5. #3: Use the Correct Stock Length • A rifle that is too long (or too short) cannot be handled comfortably • Have stocks of variable lengths available • Fit stocks to individual shooters • Shorter stock lengths facilitate ease of handling, better rifle control, better positions.

6. #4: Use Big Targets Start with a target big enough to contain all well-executed shots. Misses are negative—hits are positive. Graduate to the official target when shot groups merit advancement

7. #5: Work Ethic and Interest are Keys • Shooting is a motor skill developed through correct repetitions • Natural ability has little or nothing to do with shooting advancement • Some shooters do poorly at first—some do well—neither is an indication of ultimate success • Continue to encourage every shooter in your program

8. #6: Present Shooting as an Olympic Sport The Olympic dream, with its imagery, idealism and world-wide stature, is the single most important attractor that shooting has for youth.

9. #7: At First, Teach Only Key Points • Introduce new positions by presenting the fewest teaching points needed • Teach only key points for each position—standing key points shown on right: • Common mistakes: • Teaching the whole clinic—to much information • Teaching nothing or teaching the wrong key points #3—head up/rifle up, achieved with correct support hand position #2—place elbow/arm on side, keep elbow under rifle #1—turn body 90º, stand with side to target

10. #8: Use the Step Method • Use the “Step Method” to teach new shooting positions • Teaching steps: • Body position only--without the rifle • Position with the rifle—without the sling (sling positions—always find hand stop position before adding sling) • Position with the rifle and the sling • Go back to step method to correct serious position problems STEP B STEP A STEP C

11. #9: Add Details One at a Time #9/10—pre-shot balance/relaxation checks #7—head position • Refine and improve positions by teaching one new teaching point at a time • Shooters can only master one new thing at a time • Teach—practice—automate—teach again • A teaching progression for standing is shown on the right: #6-Right hand and arm #1—correct hand position #4—hip under rifle, hip angle #5—full relaxation of arm before each shot #3—legs straight & relaxed #2—Foot position, body-target angle

12. #10: Keep It Positive, Supportive, Enjoyable • Apply corrections calmly & quietly—stay in control • Give positive corrections—highlight the correct action, not the incorrect one • Accept every participant as a person of worth and potential • Young people, discipline, challenges and fun do go together

13. #11: It’s Positive Repetitions—Not Magic • Shooting ability is developed through positive repetitions—correctly executed position, shots and techniques • Believe in training--minimize changes or experimenting—there are no secrets or magic answers • Use a shooters diary to understand, master and reinforce positive repetitions

14. #12: Stress Shooters’ Growth, Not Winning • Keep the emphasis on the shooters and their growth not on winning. • Respect every shooter’s goals • Make sure shooting’s life skills live in your program: • Self control, self discipline, emotional control • Concentration skills, goal-setting, achievement • Fairplay, teamwork, leadership • Rewards of hard work, training and competition