determine the cause and apply positive correction. If the group is not centered then the weapon isn’t zeroed, the position was bad or the grip incorrect. If the shooter is sure of the zero of his weapon, then quickly check out the position and grip before firing the next five shot string. Look for one of the five following situations to occur. (It is possible however, for two or more of the situations to occur in one string.)
a. Shots off call and grouped within ability to hold, but not centered on target.
b. Shots on call but group larger than normal holding ability and may or may not be centered on target.
c. Shots off call, group larger than holding ability and may or may not be centered on target.
d. Shots on call grouped within ability to hold, but off center on target.
e. The shooter’s rapid fire worksheet lists the following steps as a guide to complete shot group analysis:
(1) Follow through the proper recovery checkout.
(2) Shot group call (describe five individual sight alignments).
(3) Compare group location with call.
(4) If shot group or call is bad, determine cause.
(5) Did you get a surprise break on each of five shots?
(6) Was the first shot fired on time?
(7) Was rhythm maintained throughout string including last shot?
(8) Did all shots break in normal arc of movement?
(9) Did you apply positive trigger pressure on each of five shots?
(10) Did you lose concentration during string? (What were you thinking of)?
(11) Did you ignore minor errors in hold?
(12) Were you worried about results?
F. POSITIVE CORRECTION (If Necessary)
1. After a shot analysis, corrective measures have to be incorporated into the shooter’s performance if the error is to be avoided on the next shot. Slipshod analysis, if any, is usually compounded by the absence of corrective action. Without analysis and corrective measure, improvement is at an end. The shooter who has not learned what he is doing wrong, or what to do about it if the trouble is found is lost and will never excel.
2. Corrective measures prevent the recurrence of poor performance and must be immediately applied. Much has been written about why we shoot poorly; however, it is just as advantageous to analyze why you are shooting well on a particular day. It is more helpful to know the right way to perform than to have your mind cluttered with a multitude of “don’t”. Coaches in particular should concentrate on and emphasize the positive factors.
3. Look for, analyze and correct mistakes every time a shot is fired.
4. There must be agreement on corrective measures between coach and shooter. The coach must explain the reasons for specific corrective measures recommended.
G. USING ADDITIONAL AIDS TO ORGANIZE A SYSTEM OF SHOOTING
1. The sight adjustment card furnishes information on sight capabilities, aids in obtaining a zero and provides a convenient record of sight settings for all caliber weapons.
2. The preparation check sheet provides a convenient list of actions necessary to shoot successfully.
3. The pistol scorebook: The pistol scorebook is a valuable aid to the competitive pistol shooter. It is an individual shooter’s record of all firing by stage, such as slow, timed, and rapid fire, plus National Match Course and the value of all shots fired should be recorded. Practice scores should be kept separate from Match Scores.
The score book is valuable only if it is kept accurately and up to date. Record the bad scores as well as the good ones. By keeping the scorebook accurately it will be an aid in finding weak points in the shooter’s performance. The scorebook will show over a period of time a trend in the shooter’s progress. It will reflect progress in the different stages of fire. Averages may also be kept in the scorebook for each stage of fire. Record of ammunition used, sight adjustment, windage, and elevation, weather, light, wind, temperature, may be an aid to the shooter at a later day. There are many type scorebooks that will do the job well, but choose the one that is simple and will furnish the data you need quickly. An example of pistol scorebook page appears on the following page.
4. Due to the great number of functions necessary for the shooter to apply in exercising control of his shooting, a worksheet for both slow and rapid fire is furnished.
a. The slow fire worksheet provides the shooter with a guide to organization and application of a system for the control of a slow fire shot.
b. The timed and rapid fire worksheet provides the shooter with a guide to the organization and application of a system for the control of a five shot string of timed or rapid fire.
Figure 4-4. Example of the Pistol Scorebook Page.
H. ORGANIZED TRAINING
The champion shooter must be capable of intense concentration and have the sheer guts and determination to adhere to the application of fundamentals in spite of match pressure, adverse weather conditions, discouragement, gun trouble and possible sickness. The best method of sustaining good performance is good organization. To shoot well, do more of the little things right. If you are well organized, overall superiority will result. The knowledge of a systematic approach to controlled shooting must be thoroughly ingrained in the minds of all shooters. The “edge” lies with the shooter with a system.
It should be added that any system will be worthless to a shooter who has indifferent attitudes toward training and who turns the training sessions into a fixed routine, repeating in robot-like fashion the prescribed shooting aspects of a competitive shooter’s activity. It requires not only systematic and painstaking work, but a thoughtful analysis of his work, continuous striving for the new and better, a bold search for the best, and an unwavering strengthening of his will. Only such work on his own shooting methods will turn a shooter’s training into a reliable means of assuring his further development and make it possible for him to win.
(NOTE TO READER — In the original manual (and the wordperfect version) these two worksheets (figures 4-5 & 4-6) were a full page each (Table), with checkboxes to the right of the page. I will do my best... - Richard-)
PREPARATORY (In assembly area) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1. Squadding — Proper Relay & Target
2. Using clean weapons — Proper Caliber
3. Proper sight setting (Zeroed)
4. Blacken sights
5. Ammunition, Ear Plugs & Screwdriver
PREPARATORY (On firing line)
6. Focus scope on proper target
7. Dry Fire for natural Position & Grip
8. Adjust ear plugs
9. Ammunition loaded into magazine
10. Mental Stimulation of Confidence
PLAN DELIVERY OF SHOT (Review Shot Sequence)
11. Extend arm & breathe deeply
12. Settle into minimum arc of movement
13. Pick up sight alignment in aiming area
14. Take up trigger slack — apply initial pressure (take final breath and hold part of it)
