Shooting is a skill which requires a lot of practice to obtain a high level of skill. However, when most people shoot, there are a number of common errors in the way they shoot, which, if corrected, will produce an immediate improvement in their shooting.

The two main points which affect most cadets are incorrect breathing and positioning on the firing point. This page will tell you how to correct these mistakes. Try them - it worked for me!

Positioning

The ATC only shoots in the prone position (lying flat on the stomach). The way you lie in this position has great effect on the size of you grouping of shots. The ideal position is shown in the diagram below - click on it to see a description of how your limbs and body should be arranged.

The whole idea is to absorb the recoil of the rifle with little or no disturbance to your position. Once you are lying down in as close a position to this as you can get, you must check your sight picture. (see below)

The picture above is how the sight should appear - the point where the vertical and horizontal dashed lines meet should be where you want your shot to fall.

Your body should be naturally aligned towards the target -to check this, acquire your sight picture and close your eyes. Then, take a deep breath in and out, open your eyes and see where your sight lies. If it has moved off your Point of Aim (POA) then shuffle your torso, pivoting around the centre of your stomach, until you reacquire your correct sight picture. Your body should now be naturally aligned.

Breathing

When you are shooting, the main aim is to avoid any disturbance to your position, as this may affect the fall of shot. Breathing will cause such a disturbance, and so must be controlled so that the shot can be released with no problem.

The ideal breathing pattern leading up to, during and after a shot is shown in the diagram below. During the first couple of breaths the first pressure on the trigger should be taken up, allowing the second pressure to be taken up easily in the time you are not breathing.

As a summary, shooting is summed up by the four marksmanship principles:

• Position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon
• The rifle must point naturally at the target without undue effort
• Sight alignment and aim must be correct
• The shot must be released and followed through with minimum disturbance to position

If you apply these principles when shooting, you should put in a much better performance.