The Principles of
Marksmanship Instruction
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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
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#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 just
intellectual awareness
 Continue safety emphasis
at all levels
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#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
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#3: Use the Correct Stock Length
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
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.
#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
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#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
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#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.
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#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:

#2—place
elbow/arm on
side, keep elbow
under rifle
Common mistakes:
 Teaching the whole clinic—
to much information
 Teaching nothing or
teaching the wrong key
points
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#3—head up/rifle
up, achieved with
correct support
hand position
#1—turn body
90º, stand with
side to target
#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

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Go back to step method to
correct serious position
problems
STEP B
STEP A
STEP C
#9: Add Details One at a Time




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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:
#7—head
position
#6-Right
hand and
arm
#5—full
relaxation
of arm
before
each shot
#9/10—pre-shot
balance/relaxation
checks
#1—correct
hand position
#4—hip under
rifle, hip angle
#3—legs straight
& relaxed
#2—Foot
position, bodytarget angle
#10: Keep It Positive, Supportive,
Enjoyable
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
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
#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
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#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
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