Kentwood USMCJROTC Rifle Team
Classes include; Safety, Positions, Sight
Alignment and Sight picture, Natural Point of Aim
(NPA), BRASS, and Terminology
Class 1
Safety
Four universal safety rules:




Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
Never point your weapon at anything that you
do not intend to shoot.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are
ready to fire.
Keep your safety on until you are ready to fire.
When is a rifle considered ‘safe’?



A rifle is safe ONLY when the bolt is back, and
the safety is on.
Shooting competitions will require the
participant to use an Empty Chamber Indicator
(ECI) to indicate that the barrel is free from all
rounds.
For the safety button: Red = Fire
Black = No Fire
The button is pushed in to the
right, showing black.
Range commands


The Range Safety Officer (RSO) must be
obeyed at all times. In a match he will give you
commands similar to these:
“Shooters, move your equipment to the line.”
- Bring all equipment to your firing point on the line
and set up your mat, scope, pellets, etc.
- When you bring your rifle to the line you must
have your rifle barrel sticking over the firing line.)
- ECI must remain in the barrel
Cont. from Range commands

“The five minute preparation time has begun.”
- Put your sling on and get into position
- You are now allowed to remove your ECI
- Prepare yourself by acting out the steps of a good
shooter

“Shooters, with one round, load.”
- Pump your rifle, insert a pellet into the chamber,
and close the bolt
Cont. from Range commands

“You may unlock.”
- You can take the safety off
- Shooting finger must remain on the trigger
guard
“The line is hot; you may commence fire when
ready.”
- When ready, begin shooting.
Cont. from Range commands

“Cease fire! Cease fire on the line!”
- Immediately stop shooting and follow the rules of
a cease fire

“The Range is cold.”
- The shooting phase and/or competition has ended
and the shooter can now leave
Cease fire

If this command is called the shooter must:
1. Stop firing immediately regardless whether a
pellet is in the chamber or not
2. Put the safety ON
3. Either point the rifle up at the ceiling, or set it
on the ground

Anybody can call a cease fire. The Range
Safety Officer, shooting participants, spectators,
all can issue this command.
When are Cease Fires called?




Someone has stepped over the shooting line
A shooting trap has fallen rendering the
participant to not being able to shoot (only the
RSO can issue this, as it is a ruling)
The RSO may give this command if the limited
amount of time has been reached and shooters
remain on the shooting line
When all participants have completed their
shooting
Safety Equipment




ECI (Empty Chamber Indicator)
The only safety equipment needed in this
course are safety glasses.
Safety glasses must be worn at all times when
on the firing line.
The shade of the glasses depend on the
shooters preference. Dark, clear, yellow, blue
tints are all acceptable.
Class 2
Rifle Nomenclature
.177 Daisy Avanti 853CM
Rear Sight
Bolt
Stock
Breech
Front Sight
Muzzle Break
Barrel
Pump
Trigger
Pistol Grip
Butt
Trigger Guard
Safety Button
Sling Attachment
Key Ideas



The muzzle break on this rifle acts nothing more
than a weight to balance out the rifle for the
shooter
The raised edge on the stock is where you
place your cheek
The sling attachment is adjustable back and
forth
Miscellaneous Terminology

Empty Chamber Indicator –

Maintenance Rod –

Aperture –
Class 3
Sight Alignment and
Sight Picture
Sight Alignment



Sight Alignment is the relationship between
the front and rear sight.
Perfect sight alignment is when the front sight is
centered with the rear sight.
Sight alignment has a greater affect on where
the round hits rather than sight picture.
Sight Picture


Sight Picture is the relationship between the front
sight and the target.
Perfect sight picture is when the target is center in
front sight. Things to know about sight picture:
Aperture



The aperture is what you are centering on your
front sight. The size of your front sight aperture
can be changed.
If you can not see any white around the target
you need a larger aperture.
Most people prefer to have a smaller line of
white around the target. This is because the
less white you have to deal with the less chance
you have of off centering the target. But, it’s the
shooter’s decision.
Focusing




Trying to center the front sight, rear sight, and
bulls-eye of the target at the same time is quite
difficult.
It is in the shooter’s best interest to focus on the
front sight first.
Doing so will then allow the sight picture and
sight alignment to center.
The last thing you should focus on before you
take the shot is the alignment of the sights.
Eye Relief


Eye Relief is simply a term used to describe the
distance from the rear sight to your eye.
Adjusting your eye relief will adjust how much of
the sight alignment you see.
Class 5
(NPA) Natural Point of
Aim
Natural Point of Aim (NPA)
This is the position in which your body natural
points the rifle.
How to find positional NPA

Get into position.

Keep your breathing normal.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.

Make sure all of your muscles are relaxed.


Open your eyes and where ever you rifle is pointing that is
where your NPA is.
Repeat this process 2 to 3 times in order to insure that your
NPA is correct.
How to correct you NPA


If your NPA is off, you will need to adjust it to
ensure that your pellet will accurately hit the
target.
When adjusting your NPA, do not move your
entire body, just pivot.
How to correct NPA cont.

In prone you want to pivot your body around your
elbow to adjust your NPA.
How to correct NPA cont.

In order to adjust your NPA in kneeling you
must move your forward foot either left or right.
How to correct NPA cont.

To adjust your NPA in the sitting position your
need to rotate your butt.
How to correct NPA cont.

In order to adjust your NPA in the offhand
position your need to slide your rear foot either
left or right.
Class 6
B.R.A.S.S.
(Breathe, Relax, Aim, Stop, Squeeze)
Breathe




When shooting there are several breathing techniques
that you can use;
When you breath your body has a natural respiratory
pause in between breaths. This is an opportune time
to the shot.
You can take a shot also at the top of your breathe or
at the bottom of your breath.
A(n) important thing to remember with breathing is that
you want to make sure that you have the same
amount of air in your lungs for each shot.
Relax



You don't want to muscle the rifle. You want to make
sure that your sling or your skeletal structure is taking
up the weight of the rifle.
You want to turn your muscles into jell-o. In other
words, don't use them.
If you are tense, your muscles will get tired and this
will cause you to shake.
Aim



When aim you want to get that perfect sight alignment
and sight picture.
When aiming in, it is important to bring the butt of the
rifle up and place it into your shoulder between the
deltoid muscle and the collarbone.
In the standing position, it is common for shooters to
bring the rifle up, point it at the ceiling, and slowly
bring it down.
Stop



Simply stop.
Pause for a moment, go through the technique of
BRASS.
Stopping allows the shooter to better judge whether he
needs to re-acquire his NPA, or simply take a few
more breaths.
Squeeze


You want to squeeze the trigger ever so lightly. The
shot should somewhat surprise you.
Typically it takes two or three seconds for a good
shooter to correctly pull the trigger.
Errors



If a shooter does not breathe before he takes a
shot, he could end up tensing up and begin to
shake.
The most common shooting mistakes that come
from NOT following BRASS are:
Flinching – Anticipating some sort of re-coil,
cuasing the shooter to look away when
squeezing the trigger. This is a pellet rifle, there
is no such thing as re-coil with these.
Errors cont.


Jerking the rifle – squeezing too fast causing
the shot to go off center
Muscling the rifle – gripping the rifle much too
hard causing you to shake
Class 6
Positions
Positions


All of the positions are about stability and
consistency.
You want the most stable position as well as
one you can easily replicate every time for
every shot.
Tips for consistency


Find a way to measure the length of your sling in each
position. For example, maybe in prone the sling is the
distance from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow.
Write the information down in your data book.
Load the same every time. Load the pellet, close the bolt,
and then pump the rifle. This will reduce any loading flaws.
Be sure to only load ONE pellet at a time and pump the rifle
only ONCE per shot.
Tips for consistency



Grab the butt of the rifle and place it in your
shoulder – the same spot every time.
Place your chin on the stock, looking over the
rifle 90o away from the sights. Then turn your
head to look through the sights.
This will help keep the position natural and
ensure the same spot weld and eye relief.
Tips for consistency


Find a breathing pattern and do it the same way
for every shot.
A good shooter takes his shot consistently with
each breath. For example, a shooter may take 3
deep breaths and then bring his rifle up, and
bring the rifle down and shoot at the exhale of
his breath.
Tips for consistency



When setting up your equipment, you want it all
easily accessible.
Your scope should be in a place where you can
easily move your head and look through it.
You don’t want to be moving around your body
and feet, because this will cause you to lose
your NPA.
Tips for consistency

Your pellets need to be somewhere within
reach. In off-hand, it is a good idea to use a
chair to pace your pellets on, that way you don’t
have to bend down to pick them up.
Positions


The positions described below are for right
handed shooters. If you are left handed, you will
be opposite.
Whether you are right handed or left handed
depends on your dominant eye. If you are right
eye dominant, you are a right handed shooter.
Finding your dominant eye

Select an object that is a few feet away from you.
Stare at the object and then point to the object
using your index finger.

When your eyes are focused on the object and
not on your finger, you will see two blurry fingers
in your line of sight.

Finding your dominant eye


Now, close one eye and then close the other
eye. You will notice that with one of your eyes
closed, your index finger will point exactly at the
object, however, when the other eye is closed,
your finger will point at an area slightly shifted to
the side of the object.
The eye with which you see your index finger
pointing exactly at the object is your dominant
eye.
Prone




The most stable position.
Your entire body is in contact with the ground,
so you are extremely stable.
Make sure that your sling is tight and located
above the bicep - it has a tendency to loosen.
You can use a shooting mat in this position.
Prone cont.
Your body should be angled approximately thirty
degrees from the target.
You should be a straight line from the left shoulder
to left foot. Arrange your legs into the most
comfortable and stable position for you.
Prone cont.
Cocked leg – Your right leg is slightly bent, which
gives your body room to breathe.
Marine style – Both legs are straight, maximizing
your contact with the ground.
Prone cont.
Your feet can be pointing in any direction that is
comfortable. However, the position is less stable if
one or both of your feet are resting on the tip of
your shoe. Try to lay your feet flat on one side or
the other.
Your left arm should be directly beneath the rifle
so it is supporting the weight of the rifle.
Your right hand should not be gripping the rifle
stock- that creates unwanted muscle tension.
Prone cont.

Your right hand should be firmly holding the
pistol grip to prevent jerking the trigger, but
relaxed as much as possible
Sitting



This position may be slightly less stable than
Prone.
Your sling will probably need to be shortened.
Remember, the sling should be holding up the
rifle, not you. This prevents muscle tension.
You can use a shooting mat in this position as
well.
Sitting cont.



Once again, your body should be angled roughly
thirty degrees away from the target.
There are three variations of this position:
Cross Legged – Your legs are crossed at the calves.
More than likely, you will be more comfortable with
your left foot over your right, but do what is natural.
Sitting cont.
Cross Ankle – Your ankles are crossed, again
with whichever legs feels most natural on top.
This position is most commonly used by
especially tall people.
Place your elbows on the meat on the inside of
your knees. Do not create bone on bone contact.
Sitting cont.
Open Legged – Your legs are not crossed, but
angled so that your feet are flat on the deck.
This position is only used if you are physically
not able to get into the other two positions,
because it is considerably less stable.
Your leg muscles will be tense, trying to stay
in the same position and will become tired,
causing your shots to be thrown.
Kneeling





This position is less stable than prone and sitting
You are higher off the ground
Your right elbow will not be supported.
Your sling will need to be shorter in this position than
prone and sitting.
Also, you may need a kneeling roll and you can use
a shooting mat.
Kneeling
Start by placing the kneeling roll around thirty
degrees away from your target. Then place the
inside of your right ankle on it and rest your butt
on that foot. Your foot cannot be turned so that
you are sitting on the inside of your heel. Your foot
should be like a ramp, a straight line from the
ground going up the bottom of your foot to your
heel.
Kneeling
Your left foot should be almost directly below your knee,
forming a ninety degree angle from hamstring to calf.
Your left foot should be pointing at the target, or up to
thirty degrees away from it. (Turning your foot clockwise
inward may provide more stability and comfort.)
Place your left elbow on the left leg either before your
knee, or over it, but not on it.
Your right arm will be unsupported in this position.
Kneeling cont.





Low Kneeling: This is slightly more stable than with
a kneeling roll for two reasons:
Your body is lower to the ground
Your body is more compact, not being supported by
an outside piece of equipment.
Some find that this position hurts the ankle and foot
too much to be able to fire ten well-aimed shots.
Remember, your position needs to feel natural to
you.
Kneeling cont.



Below are the only differences between regular
kneeling and low kneeling:
You will lay your right foot flat on its right side and
then sit on the inside of your ankle/foot. You will be
disqualified if your butt is touching the ground, so do
not try to sit halfway on the deck.
Your left leg will probably not form a ninety degree
angle, but place it where it feels comfortable. Your
left foot must be flat on the deck.
Offhand





This is the least stable position
Your body has the least amount of contact with the
ground.
The sling is not used in this position and cannot be
attached to the rifle.
You will not use a shooting mat.
Using a glove is optional.
Offhand cont.
Your feet should be ninety degrees from the
target, forming a line from the middle of your
right arch, through your left foot, and straight to
the target.
Your feet should be about shoulder length apart.
Offhand Cont.
Your hips should be facing forward, NOT toward
the target. You will lose stability if you let your
hips drift to face the target.
Your weight should be evenly distributed
amongst both legs and you should be
standing on the whole of your feet. Do not rest
most of your weight on your heels, try to
evenly distribute it.
Offhand cont.
Do not lock your knees straight and do not tense them. You
want as many of your muscles to be relaxed as possible.
If you can, place your left elbow on your hip - this gives
your left arm support. You may need to stick your left hip
out a little in order to achieve this. If you cannot comfortably
reach your hip, rest your arm on your ribcage.
Hand positions for Offhand


A glove is used in each position. Offhand is an
exception.
4 types of hand positions:




Knuckle
Flat hand
3 fingers
The ‘V’
(Coaches will show how they look)