THE UNITED STATES ARMY MARKSMANSHIP UNIT # re RO og Oi fy UNITED STATES ARMY * INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP GUIDE‘TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE FOREWORD a CHAPTER [| THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH. sce eee deeeee renee SHOOTING EQUIPMENT. 220. eee eee eee vee b UI THE INTEGRATED ACT OF FIRING ....-..- pide Bie digs 8 IV INTERRELATED ASPECTS OF POSITIONSHOOTING ... 44 23 Y THE PRONE POSITION 5. s ss eos Move poet ae Vi. THESTANDING POSITION. eos cece eee eee ness 40 Vil THE KNERLING Position . : - 7 VII REFINING THE POSITIONS «2. see etter eee eee 1X PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TRAINING. 6. sce e eevee 97 KOO ManooTiNG HAMEED isin s yeviece tel eti tcaede wate na AOE XI EFFECTS OF THE WEATHER 20... 0.00.00. 106 HIE COACHING. Ec ee ee ce ee Cee ee eee UE 1, THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD COMPETITION ......064 0113 2. THESITTING POSITIONS 6. esse ee etree eter ee 180 3, SHOOTING WITH TELESCOPIC SIGHTS cece eee 1MFOREWORD ‘The purpose of this manual is to record the principles and techniques of International Rifle shooting with the primary objective of improving the shooters performance in compatition. ‘The techniques and ideas put forth in this mangal represent the collective thinking of the United States medal winners of the last World Championships, Pan American and Olympic Cames. These techniques and idees axe not to be taken e8 the final word or solution to success in international shooting but rather the best information presently available te guide the development of the international rifle shooter. Every Shooter is an Individual, differing {rom his fellow markamex physicelly, mentally and in shooting background: thus, success in international rifle shooting ie the Cirect result of the individual's ability to modify a standard training program to meet his own requirement A shocters progress in Internetional Rifle shooting ts direétly propor tional to his desire to achieve and nis ability to clearly analyze his perform= ance. This manual fe designed to help the shooter with hia amalysix. For Simplicity, the text Is weltten In a manner that perteins to right handed shooters. ‘The valieity of the material presented herein is attested to by the rorults attained in recent years and at pretent. United States Army Inter- national Rifle Teams and individual shooters, using the techniques desersbed in these pages have continued to win in Worlé competition. The effectiveness of training methods ie measured by the suceese in competition. ‘This manual is dedicated to the shooter who is seriously interested in attaining maximun: control of hie developed ghill in the art of International Rifle competitive marksmanship. 7 sions? n, 1axDs, 28. Colonel, Infantry CommandingFigure 1, Olympte Gold Medal ,. International Distinguished Badge,CHAPTER I ‘THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH A. GENERAL, The two medals in Figures | and 2 have one thing in common, both are awarded only te the fines! shooters in the world. The International Distingsished Award Je the highest award this nation can bestow upon a markeman. This medal is awarded to a shooter when he receives his first medal in international world competition. The Olympic Gold Medal is awarded of course to the world champion at the Olympics. World Medals exe given in only four competitions: 1. The Olympic Games are the most difficult competitions in which to win a medal. Only individ ual medels are given, ivey only one gold, ailver, and bronge por event, Alzo the U.S. team le composed cf only four individuals selected at a tryout, normally ran concurrently with the National International Championships, Only two ahootere compete in each event from each nation. 2. ‘The Pan American Games, unlike the Olympics are open only to nations in North, South, and Central Ameries, Four man team suards are algo presented, and for this reason normally eight shooters are selected for this competition. Although four shooters fire In each event, only two can ‘shoot for the individual medal and they are selected prior to firing. 4. ‘The World Championships, open to all nations, includes all six international events. Normally four 300 meter and four 50 meter shooters are selected with one slternate. All shooters are eligible te win both an individual and a team snedal, Each of the above evente are held once every four years are $0 spaced that two do not fall om the same year. 4. The European Chemptonships are open to all nations of Europe end basically everyone who is excluded from the Pan American Games, Normally fired semi-annually, this competition is conducted exactly like the World Championehipe B. MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ISU AND NRA TYPE MATCHES, 1, ‘Time: National Rifle Association matehes require the competitor to shoot his positions in a Limited amount of time. International Shooting Union matches allow 2 longer period of time for the shooter to work and concentrate on his performance, There is ao need tohurry the shot. 2, Tazgete: The target black of the ISU and NRA targets are almost identical. However, the scoring Fings on the ISU target are considerably smaller than those on the NRA target. Thus, the ISU target is more demanding upon the shooters, I is a more discriminating measure of performance than the NRA target. 4. Elzing Pointer In ISU matches, firing points are weually covered and enclosed on three sides. ‘The purpose of this is to protect the slooters from the elements (Figure 3). Also, all shooters equally protected, this is not slways true in NRA matches vhen trees or buildings behind an open firing line protect some ehoctere from wind, while other shooters ga unprotected. C. HOW AN INTERNATIONAL MATCH IS CONDUCTED. 1, Sighting shots are made at specified targets, They must be mace before or between 10-shot strings for match ecore, In other wards, once a shooter hegins shooting for match score, he must Complete a 10-shot string in that position before he can return (oa sighter target in that position. 2, Before the match begine, cach compatitor's targets are clearly marked by position and numberad, It iv the shooter's Tesponsibillty to see that he fires on the correct larger.Figure 3. International Rifle Range. 3, In world championship smallbore competition, enly one shot Is fired at each target, Thus the ‘changing of targets requires the firer to procead toa much slower pace than ie the custom in NRA matcher. In 200 meter matches, 10 hots are ueually fired at each target. The sequence cf the match ie prone, stending and kneeling, 4, Scorekesper a, Behind each competitor is a registrar or acorekeeper (Figure 3]. He in reeponsible to: (2) Signal the pit detsil to change targets, (@) Insure that the competitor does not fire more thax the legal number of match or sighting shots, (3) Record the value (as best he car) of each shot on «scoreboard for the benefit of spectators. His record of the number of shots fired is official, His record of the value of each shet fired is unofil= clal. The register keeper's record thonld bs preserved, however, as it may be referred to by the Jary of Appoale in reviewing targets + bs The position of Register Keeper ix highly valued in Rurcpean countries, where epectster interest in shooting events run very high. Regulation ISU ranges nave large areas reserved {07 spectators, During a match, the area beking a leading shooter ia usually completaly filled with spectators equipped with bincealare Spectatore are traditionslly very courteous and sympathetic toward the shooters, 5. Awards Ceremony: A traditional ceremony attends the completion of every ISU event, ‘The: first three place winners mount a 3-tier pedestal and are presented with gold, silver, and bronze medals, for first, second, and third place (Figures 4 and 5}. Then the first place winner ie honoved by the playing of his national anther: and the reising of hls national flag, The completion of this ceremony marks the official close of the match.b, COURSES OF FIR the international shocte There are six types of International Shooting Union matehes of interest to They are 2s follows English S ‘The competitor fires a maximurn of 15 sighting shots and 60 shots Mech eeore from the prone position, ‘The time limit for tHa mateh ie 2 hrs 30min, More: for shooters thecughout the world 2. Smallbore Three-Position {59 Motors). ‘The competitor fires a maximam of 10 sighting shots and 40 shots for match score In each position (prone, standing, at Kneeling). The time limits are: Thr 30 min prone; 2 hrs standing: 1 hr 45 min kneeling. S. Free Rifle (500 Meters), The competitor fires 2 maximum of 10 sighting shots and 40 ahete for match score in cach position (prone, standing. and kneeling). ‘The time limits are: 1 hr 30 min prone; hea standings I hr 45 nin kneeling. Smallhore Standard Rifle (50 Meters), The compatitar Gras a mascinnm of six sighting shote and 20 shots for match score in each position (prone, standing, and kneeling). The total time tx 2 Bre 30 min. >. Eu lard Kifle (300 Meters), The competitor fires a maximum of six sighting shots and 20 shots for match scare in each position iprone, standing, and kneeling). ‘The total time is 2. hre 30 mine Air Rifle (10 Meters). The competitor fires « maximum of 10 sighting shot and 40 shote for match score rom the Handing position. Currently this event ie fired only In the World ani European Championships. Figure 4. Individual awards ceremony.erraay Figure 5, Individual awarde corerony. B. CONDUCTING AN INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH IN THE UNITED STAT SANCTION, UNDER NRA 1. ie obvious that all ospecta of the organization and cunduct of an ISU mateh are designed to (1) provide an accurate ciscriminating means af measuring performance and (2) give every ahootes an equal oppartunity to deliver the best perforrrance he is capable af producing. This apient ca Prevail in on ISU match even though some aspects of i's organization and conduct are madified to Adapt it to less expensive facilities. 2. Sponsors should not hesitate to corrlact ISU type smallbore matches as they end mote important. especially among the younger ghocters thal hupe te wor 2 becoming more ay compete for thet? 3, Ag stated hefore, the fring po s ehculd Le covered anil enclosed on thee sides, We feel thet this iv eusential to the proper conduct af an ISU type match, Preparing the firing paints can he actomplished quite easily, especially if a root already cxints over the firing polute 4. The purpose of the enclosures is to protect the shooters from wind, rain ane euuns Amy mate- ial, and any desian of construction, which will werve this purpose, ta advouate, ‘The eaclonare mop be temporary or removable 40 that the range may be coaverted back to NRA match specifications. 5. Many clubs have found thot 6-foot target france can be erected fo form enclosures, Others have used target cloth stvetchedon portable frames, Any material will serve which keeps out weather and direct sunlight, 6. Notice that two firing puints are enclosed together (Figure 3}, ‘The enclosure thas forme booth which houses two shooters.7. A.single rear wall extends the length of the firing line. An aisle or doorway exists between ‘the firing boothe so that spectators and officials may walle up and down the firing line withou! inter fering with shooters. 8. The target contains 5 tull's-eyer. One of these bull! s-eyes is designated as a sighting targets (there is one target for use st 50 meters, another for use at 50 yards if there is no 50 meter line.) The target shocts are the same size ae NRA 50 yard target shoots, and fit atandard target frames. 9. Practical requirements dictate that 5 shots be fired in each match score bull's-eyes, This enables the sheoters to fire 20 match shots before changing tergets. Ife half coarse ie fired, the shooter is allowed total of € sighting shots in each position. [fa full course is fired, the shooter is Allowed a total of 12 sighting ahots in each position. (The usual 10. plus 2 for the delay in changing forgets.) Any unueual delaye eniiile the shooters to twa (2) more additional sighting shote immediately after the cease fire is Ilited, Under NRA modified rules unlimited sighters may be fired. 10, Officials and shooters will find thet matches conducted In such a manner will run just as amocthly as regalation NRA type match, and perhaps more 0 because shooters are no! rushed in changing targets or equipment. 11, Match officials are sometimes over-eoncerned with the shooters! equipment. Rarely is illegal equipmeat used intentionally, Many times the official rules do not cover certain eituctions oF items of equipment. In such cases judgment must be rendered {rom the spirit of the competition rather than the rule bock. Officials should not hesitate to call upon the advice of experienced ISU shooters in determining the admissibility of a specific piece of equipment. 12, Many shooters will be interested in ISU matches in $0 foot indoor gallery ranges. Matches may be conducted with no modifications to existing range facilities, Half course and (ull course matches may he ragistared with the NRA. 13, Fifty meter international targets reduced for use at 50 feet are available. These targets (4-34) have 12 bull's-eyee, two of these dorignated ar sighting bull'z-eyes. Only one shot should be fired at a match acore bull'a-eye, Any number of shote may be fired on a sighting bull's-eye. 14, Sponsors, match officials, and competitors are encouraged to become fi Gopies of the rules may be obtained from the National Kifle Association. Opi wmiliar with ISU Rules.CHAPTER IL SHOOTING EQUIPMENT A. RIFLES FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION, Each international course of fire lends to a specific type oF style of rifle for competition, These rifles vary according to ISU rules governing competition and the shooters preferences, Prone Rifle: The prone rifle 1s deslgned especially for the prone position, The stock is generally longer with 2 bullt-up cheek piece to enable the competitor to maintain position evor long periods of time. The tmallbore prone rifle Is . 22 caliber long rifle end the full bore prone rifle will not exceed 8 milli: meters, or . 323 caliber. (Figure 6) b, The prone rifle may be used In the English Match and the prone phase of the three-position event. Due to its particular design, the prone rifle is generally not used In any other position. 2. Free Rit a. The free rifle is fully defined In the ISU rulebook as a rifle with a shumb-hole stock, removable palm rest, and an adjustable butt assembly with an Interchangeable hook and plate, ‘The smallbore free rifle is .22 caliber long rifle and the fall bore free rifle io a caliber not to exceed elght millimeters. The free rifle Is used In all positions becauee of its inherent ability to be adjusted to any shooters body configuration and poaltion requirements, (Figure 6) 5 vb, The three positicn rifle may be used in the English Match and in all positions of the three position free rifle match 5 dard Rifle a. The standard rifle 1s any rifle which does not have a thumb-hole stock, adjustable butt plate, butt hook, hand stop, and does not exceed 11, ] pounda and specific length and width measurements ( ISU rules). The standard rifle Le designed to onable the shooter to complete in prone, kneeling and stending positions of the standard rifle match, The smallbore standard rifle Is «22 ealiber long rifle and the full bore standard rifle is not to exceed eight millimeters. (Figure 6) b, The standard rifle was designed primarily for the standard rifle match: however. if the competitor desires, he may compete in the English and/or three position match with the standard rifle, The full bore standard rifle, when fired In a muliltary match, 1s called an Army rifle. 4, Air Rin. a. The enliber and i rifle is designed to meet the same requirements ae the standard rifle. Teis . 177 fired at 10 meters (23 feet), (Figure 6) b. The air rifle is used only in the 10 moter alr riile match, The match consis! from the etanding position. of 49 shots fredFigure 6, Rifles used in International Competition from top te bettam: emsllbore position rifle, smalihore prone rifle, smalibore stendard rifle, air rifle, full-bore free rifle, full bore standard rifle (army rifle).B. ACCESSORIES FOR INTERNATIONAL RIFLES. ach shooter should equip hie rifle with all the necessary Items to compete on an equal level with his opponents, The International shooter should make sure his equipment conforms to (SU specifications, 1, Palm Rest: As seen In Figure 7, the alte ard shape of the palm rest is up to the individual shooter, ‘There ere many fine palm rests produced commercially: however, some shooters make thelr ‘own custom palm reste. 2. Butt Plater The butt plate assembly can he one of the most useful parte of the Internationel rifle, Besides being able to adjust the stock length and che helght of the hook or prone plate, the newer butt plates algo have adjustments for cant and offset. These adjustments allow the shooter to modify hie rifle to fit his particular body conformation and position. Used properly, the butt plate can alse be 4 great help in consistent placement of the rifle to the shoulder (Figure 8). 4. Hook: ‘The hook is used mainly to help the shooter place the rifle in his shoulder the same way every shots Although the hock 1s used mostly in the standing and kneeling position, a mumber of good shooters find it te also beneficial in the prone position (Figure 8). 4, Prone Plate: Many shooters find that the hook is unnecessary or uncomfortable: therefore, they use a Mat prone plate, The prone butt plate may he made of either rubber or metel and hea the cape bility of being adjusted vertically on the rifie stock. 5. Sighte: See Chapter Il, the Integrated Act of Firing - The Bye end Sight System, SHOOTING CLOTHING, t, Shirts: ISU rules permit the wearing of up to 2,5-mm of clothing under a shooting jacket. Thelr use greatly decreases the affocts of pulse best and single muscle tremore that would otherwise be tranamitted to the rifle (Figure 9). 2. Shooting Coat: A leather shooting coat gives the shooter some body support In all positions, tt 1s especially helpful in the standing position, Legal leather coats are available from Americen and European manufacturers. Though expensive, it is considered worthwhile item of equipment for the serious shooter, ISU rules permit the use of leather Jacket that has only one row of buttons located in the center third of the jacket, and does not have adjustable atraps (Figure 9), (For some detailed information see ISU specifications. ) 3, Pants: Trousers thickness cannot exceed 2, § millimeters. Reinforcement or #kld pade may be used on the seat and beth knees (Figure 9)+ 4, Epatwear: The shooter may woar nonrestricting footwasr in which the height does not oxeced 2/3 the length of the sele, and doce not exceed 10 cnillimeters in thickness (Figure 9) Glover The ISU shooting glove must not be more than 12 millimeters total thickness. More time is required to condition the hand to the pressures of the hand- atop and sling when a thinner glove ts used, The glove must not extend up the wrist more than 5 millimeters fram the hand (Figure 9). 6 Hats A cap oF hat of some sort is recommended to protect the shooter from the sun, wind, and rain.gad Figure 7 Palm reste Figure 8 Adjustable butt and hook assembly, 9Figure 9, Shooting Clothing: (a) Boots, (b] Sweat shirt, {c] Shooting jacket, id) Glove, D, OTHER SHOOTING FOUIPMENT, In addition to the rifle accessories, each shooter should he outfitted with other necessary Hteme of clothing ail equipment, ‘The followkng items of equipment are recommended af deing useful while at the same time meeting the requirements cf the International Shooting Union + Kneeling Roll: The imerling roll can be made of cloth or leather and be filled with sand, saue dust, or any other suitable material. The roll must be no moxe than 8 inches long and 7 inches im Glameter, ‘The roll should conform to the individual shooters position ard instep (Figure 10). 2. Shooting Met: In international competition shooters are normally required 40 use mats provided by the host cange, Nevertheless there will be many instances where each individual will need to have his own. ‘The mat should be thin and have a non-ekid eurface for tho shooter's elbowe (Figure 10), 3, Sling! The ISU aling must not be more thon 40 millimeters (1-9/16 inches} in width, Mere time Is Fequired to condition the arm to the pressure of the narrow sling, but it nevertheless provides adequate support, A shooter who intends to participate jn ISU events should uso a narrow eling exclu sively to keep his arm conditioned, A leather sling ls preferred to a webb sling (Figure 10) 4. Hand Stap: The hand atop ia used to provent the hand from allding along the forearm of the stock, The hand stop can be as large oF as small eg the shooter degizes, Some shooters merely use the sling swivel as a hard stop: however, this requires additional conditioning of the undue diecomfost, 5, Hgulpment Box: A sturdy box is useful in carrying all of 9 shooter needs. Tt should be lace mecellansous equipment that the enough to comfortably contain thls equipment and $0 arranged te offer maximum protection to delicate accessories auch ag sights, stop wetch, ete, Figure 11)Be Figure 10, Shooting Equipment: (2) Mat, (b) Kneeling roll, (c) Sling and hend atop. 5. Spotting Telescope with Stand: A teleacore gives the shooter a means of epotting his ahot. The scope also cin be used to siudy mixage, It should be equlpped with a triped atend capable of adjustment for each shooting position, Most shooters use a telescope with 2 magnifying power between 20X and 30% (Figure 11). 7, Loading Block: The ammunition loading beck not only serves to keep the ammunition clean, bat is helpfal to the ehooter in counting the number of shote fired, The block Le urvally constracted in wood or plastle with a capacity of holding 59 to 100 rounde (igure (1). 3, Stop Wateh: In all International courses of fire @ specified time Limit In enforced, The sheoter should carry his own timepiece and monitor the remaining time for the course (Figure 11), 9. Balance Weight - Rall Weight: Many shooters employ the use of an added weight attached to the stock ofa rifle which extends out uader the barrel. This weight known ap a balance or rail welght, tenda to dampen or slow the movement of the rifle, allowing oxaler trigger control. { should be noted that the added weight does not stop the movernent of the rifle, but may slow the movement, The welght also allows the shooter to lean farther back in the standing position and maintain his non-muscular, Dore to bone support 10, Target Pastenera: The shooter is often required to hang his own targets. On most ranges, & staple gun and/or a set of target clips are sufficient toole to securely fasten targets (Figure 11), n@ o fe) a (ed a Figure 1. Shooting box Spotting telescope Loading block Shooting glasses Tripod Extension rode Shooting box and seceasories. (g) Notebook (h) Ear protectors () Target clipe (i) Screwdrivers (i) Allen wrenches (0) Stopwateh 111, Shooting Glasses: Therelare two general types of shooting glasses: those with standard frames and levge lentes, ard those with normal size lenses and jointed, adjustable framor, Both typos are wldely used. ‘The chief advantage of shooting glasses Is that they allow the shooter to Look through & central portion of the lene without interference from the frame. To use shooting glasses correctly, the eye should look through the central lens area where the proseription ie focused. Individuals wilh corrected vision will find these glasses extremely useful, Colored or tinted shooting glasses are avallable to aid in adjusting to varied light conditions. Dark green, smoke, or blue lenses are ured in very bright sunlight and yellow lenses are generelly used in dull Light. Iowever, some shocters prefer to use one color under all conditions, It must be noted, however, that all colored lenses filter out some amoant of light. An additional advantage of shooting glasace tn that thoy protect the eye from gas Dow back In case of a ruptured primer or cartridge case (Figure 11). 12, Hearing Protectors: Regardless of how minor the munsle report secma, hearing protectors mould be worn at all times while on the range. Jn addition to physically protecting the ears from permanent damage, concentration can be significantly improved by eliminating extranscus rangs (Figure 11) Book! The current rule book is a helpful item of the shooter's equipment, It fs the ibilty to be familiar with all the rules and regulations governing the match in which 14, Shooting Notebook (Diary): Every shooter should keep a notebook to record information he has found to de helpful to his performance. This notebook may Include conerata information ach ae sight vetting for specific range zeros as well as experimental ideas cr paychologleal conditions which the shooter has formulated, It Is important that these facts, Ideas, ard personal techaiques be promptly recorded rather thas left to memory, This information can provide the key to consistent improvement and gocd scores (Figure 11), 15, Dooley A few small tools should be carried to perform adjustments on the rifle and its acces: sories, “A small and large screwdriver plas a get of alien wrenches will be useful (Figure 11), 16, Cleaning Rod and Materials: The cleaning rod should be a one plece steel rot coated with a plastic material softer than the rifle barrel, In order to maintain a high degree of accuracy and correct rifle function, proper cleaning materiale are required. These materiale mey include: Bore brushes, cloth patches, solvent, lubricant, bol: brush, rust inblbitor, and cleaning red guide, Arms manufac turers recommend regular cleaning to maintain maximum acearacy of their rifles (Figure 12) 17, Rifle Cases: All rifles should be transported in cases of some sort, A canvas or lesther case ratticlent for dally use and will keap the rifle safe from scratches, dust, and the weather, Whon tranaporting the rifles for # long period of tine or when abualve treatmeat Ie Llkely to oceur, a metal ‘or wooden box shonld be used for additional protection (Figure 13).oi Figure 12. Cle od guide Figure 13. aning equipment, (1) Cleaning rod heushee and jeg (©) Cleantng roa () Selven ie) on Rifle cases, 1“CHAPTER UI THE INTEGRATED ACT OF FIRING A. GENERAL. In this chapter we are going to consider several of the factors that rust be integrated to produce the tolal act of firing « shot, The reader should bear in mind tha: we consider each factor ‘separately only for ease of ciscussicn, All converge and are coordinated at a single moment to produce the shet. 1, To the spectator, the performance of a shooter appears deceptively simple: the shacter places the rifle in position, takee aim, and pulle tho trigger. 2, But the man behind the rifle knows differently. Shooting ta not simple; it involves a complex coordination of several mind and body furietione. B. SHOOTING METHOD, It is relatively aacy to talk or write about correct cheating methods. To [put these methods into practice 1s vastly more difficult, It ts because of this challenge that shooting fascinates s0 many thousands of people. 1, The shooting method USAMKTU shooters accept is that of holding the rifle in the 10-ring anc activating the trigger without disturhing the rifle. ‘Thia method requires the shocter to develop hie ability to hold the rifle motionlee: 2. The other methad is to allow the rifle te move shout on the target, and fire the shot ae the rifle crosses the 10-ring, ‘This method of "shooting on the move"! has a definite disadvantage in that the shooter cannot always predict the precise path of the rifle's movement. He will therefore never completely climinate wild chots, ¢. BREATH CONTROL. 1, General, The breathing process provides the body with oxygen and eliminates waste elements from the blood. Correct breathing le essential to proper hody function. 2, A complete respiratory cycle lasts 4-5 seconds, Inhalation and exhslation require only about 2eeconde. Thus between each respiratory cycle thers ise pause of 2-3 seconds, ‘This pause van be ecended to 6-8 seconds without any special labor or unpleesant sensations, It is during én extended pause between breaths that the rifleman should fire the shot. (Figure 14) The reason being that during the reepiratory pause the breathing muscles are relaxed and the shooter avolds strain upoo the ciaphragm, Also his concentration is not broken by thinking of the need to breathe, 3, Holding the Breath, a, When a boginning shooter te told shat holding his breath will assist in steadying the rifle, he may tnetinctively relate this action ta holding ais breath in the manner that he would prio: to suymerg- ing in water, Inkaling deeply and holding the air in the hinge in NOT a correct procedare in markeman- ship. b. A shooter should assume his position and bresthe naturally until Ais hold bogine to then takes a slightly deeper breath; exhales and pauses, expecting 10 fire the shot curing the pause. IE the hold does not seitie sufficiently to allow the shot to be fired, the shocter resumes normal breath- ing and repeate the process, The technique le graphically portrayed below. 1s