Training for Target Pistol Shooters - Pistol New Zealand

1 Training for Target Pistol Shooters ISSF basics Training Programme By Greg Yelavich MBE 12 Commonwealth Games Medals at 7 Commonwealth Games 2 Olympics + 1 as Coach, 70+ National Titles Training For Target Pistol Shooters by Greg Yelavich MBE 1 | P a g e Contents 1. Introduction 2. Safety Rules 3. Pistol shooting Fundamentals Determining the best shooting hand Natural Point of Aim Grip Breath control Sight alignment, Sighting 4. Dry Firing 5. Trigger Trigger Squeeze & Position 6. Common shooting Errors 7.

2 shooting Skill Procedures 8. How much Training 9. 10 shot Training Skills 10. Tuning the Pistol 11. Dry fire body Awareness Programme 12. ISSF Pistol Competitions (Appendix 1) Training For Target Pistol Shooters by Greg Yelavich MBE 2 | P a g e 1. Introduction This Basic Training Program is to assist you during your initial Training covering handling and use of Target pistols. Proper initial Training will enhance your enjoyment of the sport, by giving you the knowledge and confidence required to build a set of fundamental skills and, with practice, the confidence to participate in the activities of the club.

3 This program addresses the basic knowledge needed for you to be a safety-conscious skillful member of the club. Purpose of this manual This guide has been developed as a resource to assist you during your initial Training , gaining better competitive scores with higher levels of accuracy It is in a simple format and only covers the basics . Its purpose is to set some guidelines that can easily be referred to by you. You need to know All the following information is either stolen with respect or comes from personal experience.

4 I have been very fortunate, at times to have some of the best support knowledge from coaches, Shooters , doctors and sport psychologist Assisted by the fact I am a perfectionist and have very critical analyzing skills and sharp body awareness instincts I feel this enables me to compile the following Training For Target Pistol Shooters by Greg Yelavich MBE 3 | P a g e 2. Safety Rules Always keep the Pistol pointed in a safe direction, muzzle down range It is important that you are always aware of the direction the muzzle is pointing while on the range, - at an angle of 45 downwards, facing the Target area.

5 Only load the Pistol when you are told to do so by the Range Officer 3. Pistol shooting Fundamentals Essentially, accurate shooting with a Pistol requires only the elements described in the following sentence: ALIGN THE SIGHTS PROPERLY, CAUSE THE SHOT TO BREAK WITHOUT DISTURBING SIGHT ALIGNMENT All fundamentals of Pistol shooting such as position, grip, sight alignment, breath control, trigger control, physical condition, and psychology of shooting , when perfected, simply enables the shooter to perform the action described in the above key sentence.

6 These fundamentals must be properly performed every time a Pistol is fired. In order for a shot to be accurate, it is necessary to make sure that the Pistol will be held as motionless as possible to do so during the time that the shot is being fired. The stance used by the shooter must provide the greatest stability possible for both the shooter 's body and the Pistol . Training For Target Pistol Shooters by Greg Yelavich MBE 4 | P a g e Correct body position points the Pistol directly to the Target center. Likewise, the vertical movement of the Pistol is confined to the aiming area.

7 In order to keep the Pistol as immobile as possible the shooter must hold his breath for the length of time required to deliver an accurate shot. To obtain correct sight alignment, it is necessary for the shooter to hold the Pistol in a relaxed grip and that trigger pressure is applied straight to the rear. This ensures that the delicate balance of sight alignment and minimum arc of movement is not disturbed. In order to deliver an accurate shot within the Shooters ability to hold, the shooter must not only press the trigger evenly, but he must to so with correct sight alignment.

8 The size of the shot group will, therefore, not exceed the dimensions of the arc of movement, provided the shot breaks as a surprise and no reflex action of muscles disturbs the delivery of the shot. To help the shooter acquire the necessary knowledge to master all the factors that control his shooting we shall analyze in detail each separate element of accurate shooting - stance, position, grip, holding the breath, sight alignment, and control of the trigger. Also included will be methods of Training that will accelerate the shooter 's development into a champion Pistol shot.

9 This status is achieved only after the shooter has mastered the technique of executing the fundamentals. Determining the best shooting hand Before any practice can be carried out, or indeed a shot fired, the shooter must first determine which hand will be used to Training For Target Pistol Shooters by Greg Yelavich MBE 5 | P a g e grip and fire the Pistol . As a general rule of thumb it is recommended that a shooter use the hand which is on the same side of the body as the dominant eye. Natural Point of Aim Proper body position is essential in order to shoot a good accurate shot.

10 For one handed, standing position shooting following these basic steps. Carefully study, and practice adopting the correct body position Practice the position without holding a Pistol . Practice the position with a Pistol . Practice obtaining and maintaining the correct relaxed grip. Adjust your body position so that the Pistol points naturally at the Target when you raise your arm to sight Feet should be shoulder-width apart Non- shooting arm secured close to body. Stance should be straight with head held upright, eye to the center of the Target .