PRES-SH794.PPT

The Principles of

Marksmanship Instruction

PRES-SH794.PPT

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

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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.

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

Varying Shooter Progress Rates

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Shooter A

Shooter B

Shooter C

Shooter D

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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.

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

#1—turn body 90º, stand with side to target

#2—place elbow/arm on

side, keep elbow under rifle

#3—head up/rifle up, achieved with correct support hand position

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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 A

STEP B

STEP C

PRES-SH794.PPT

#9: Add Details One at a Time 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:

#1—correct hand position

#2—Foot position, body-target angle

#3—legs straight & relaxed

#4—hip under rifle, hip angle#5—full

relaxation of arm before

each shot

#6-Right hand and

arm

#7—head position

#9/10—pre-shot balance/relaxation checks

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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

PRES-SH794.PPT

#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