Sunday, July 03, 2005
Time To Shoot
I have been reading the rifle competition bible, “Ways of the Rifle” again. I am amazed at how much information is in this book. Much of it I have read in other literature but this one book has it all. As I read and reread this book I learn new shooting techniques and remember old techniques that I have stopped using in my shooting. It is always interesting reading.
This has been a really busy summer so far. I have taken on a lead role in a project at work, which has caused more travel for me over that past few months. While on a trip this past week, I was reading more about the outer and inner positions. I hadn’t really heard these terms before so I was interested to read about it. The outer position is pretty much what is sounds like, the actual physical setup of the body before taking the shot. Setting the body in the same position on every shot is very important.
What I really found interesting is the discussion of the inner position. The inner position is mentally checking that all the muscles in your body are relaxed while in position. This is really a mental check that must be done with the eyes closed so that the body can focus on the various muscles in the body. The inner position is closely linked with establishing the zero point of the position and when the inner position is set properly, the rifle will be aimed at the zero point. Most time after establishing the inner position and the eyes are opened, the rifle will be pointing off the target and the body will need to be adjusted to get the rifle aimed at the target while maintaining the zero point.
It was after reading this section that I realized that I have become very lazy in these two very critical areas of my shooting. Because I have had less time to shoot over the past two years when I do shoot I try to force my position to keep the rifle on target. This has caused some very frustrating shooting sessions when I do have time to shoot. I will get some great shot strings and then I can’t hit anything. This is typical of not establishing the inner position and zero point. Knowing is half the battle and now I know that I have some work ahead of me if I want to get my shooting game back up to snuff. I say work, but it really all fun!
This has been a really busy summer so far. I have taken on a lead role in a project at work, which has caused more travel for me over that past few months. While on a trip this past week, I was reading more about the outer and inner positions. I hadn’t really heard these terms before so I was interested to read about it. The outer position is pretty much what is sounds like, the actual physical setup of the body before taking the shot. Setting the body in the same position on every shot is very important.
What I really found interesting is the discussion of the inner position. The inner position is mentally checking that all the muscles in your body are relaxed while in position. This is really a mental check that must be done with the eyes closed so that the body can focus on the various muscles in the body. The inner position is closely linked with establishing the zero point of the position and when the inner position is set properly, the rifle will be aimed at the zero point. Most time after establishing the inner position and the eyes are opened, the rifle will be pointing off the target and the body will need to be adjusted to get the rifle aimed at the target while maintaining the zero point.
It was after reading this section that I realized that I have become very lazy in these two very critical areas of my shooting. Because I have had less time to shoot over the past two years when I do shoot I try to force my position to keep the rifle on target. This has caused some very frustrating shooting sessions when I do have time to shoot. I will get some great shot strings and then I can’t hit anything. This is typical of not establishing the inner position and zero point. Knowing is half the battle and now I know that I have some work ahead of me if I want to get my shooting game back up to snuff. I say work, but it really all fun!
