Here’s a cut-and-paste from another Interweb forum (NationalMatch). I think it has everything a growing shooter needs, all in one meal: (Posted by Bill Corcoran, stolen, with permission, from Scott Fletcher on NationalMatch.us)
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By Scott Fletcher
Just trying to help some of you who have questions about how to advance in this. I hope this helps someone shoot better, advance or understand a little better. Good luck.
My background:
USMC Distinguished Marksman 4 matches
22 points with the pistol working on it.
Winning ITT team at the Marine Corps Champions 1993
Winning ITT team at the National Championships 1993
Head Coach of the 29 Palms Post & Station team, early to mid ’90’s
Aiming is the act of positioning the sights of the rifle at the proper area of the target. Proper aiming is the ultimate goal of every shot. All fundamentals of marksmanship must be used to fire a proper shot. Any deviation from even one, will result in a poor shot. The most important aspect of aiming is to have complete focus on the front sight. A “perfect shot” happens when you least expect it. “Making” it happen will, more often than not, result in bad things.
Sight alignment is the relationship between the front and rear sight. While “placing the tip of the front sight centered vertically and horizontally in the rear aperture” is the accepted norm, and perhaps the easiest way to accomplish alignment, it can be argued that as long as you place the front sight at the same place within the rear sight for every shot, sight alignment is what you see as an individual.
Sight picture is the placement of sight alignment on the aiming area of the target. The term “aiming area” is used as opposed to “aiming point”. The rifle will always have some degree of movement. Accepting an area instead of a point will allow you to shoot within an acceptable “wobble”. The aiming area is a choice of the individual. Weather can affect which sight picture is used on any given day. Center mass, six o’clock, line of white, flat tire, reverse flat tire, frame hold all describe sight pictures used with various degrees of success. Notes should be taken for any different sight picture used.
Stock weld is the repeatable placement of the face on the stock of the rifle. It includes the distance of the eye to the rear sight. Keeping the head as straight as possible, the neck as relaxed as possible and being able to look straight out of the aiming eye will result in a more relaxed and repeatable position. Any differences in the placement of the face, cheek, eye or head pressure on the stock will result in zero changes and differing shot placements.
Grip is the placement of trigger hand on the stock/pistol grip of the rifle. It also refers to the amount of control used by that hand. At most, it can be referred to as a firm handshake. Too light of a grip will result in not enough control and too firm will result in muscular tremors. Differences in grip pressure will affect shot placement and zero changes.
Trigger control is the pressure used to allow the hammer to fall without disturbing sight alignment. The term “pressure” is used because “squeeze” or “pull” for most involves using more than just one finger of the firing hand. The trigger finger must move independent of the hand. It must move straight to the rear. Any sideway, downward or upward movement will result in improper control. Imagine the trigger being attached to the front sight and moving the tip of the front sight into your eye until the shot is fired.
Bone support is the use of the skeleton to support the rifle. The use of the skeleton instead of muscles will result in less movement while aiming. It also results in less fatigue. Holding drills during dry-firing will let you know if you are using bones or muscles to support the rifle.
Muscular relaxation is ability to allow the bones and the sling to support the rifle. During standing, finding the center of gravity and placing it over the center of the pelvis will allow the bones and not the muscles to support the rifle. During sitting and prone, the use of the sling and elbow placement will allow the muscles to relax, resulting in less movement and repeatable positions.
Body alignment is the use of the position to aim the rifle. When relaxed, during the natural respiratory pause, the rifle will “naturally rest” within the proper aiming area. There should be no need to move the rifle to attain proper sight picture. During breathing, the front sight will move straight up and down. Any angled movement will indicate improper alignment.
Breathing is the act of inhaling and exhaling. Long, deep, slow, exaggerated breaths before aiming will aid in relaxation and clearing vision. Attempt to hold your breath only as long as it takes to shoot a properly aimed shot. If it doesn’t happen. Start over.
Natural respiratory pause is the time between exhaling and inhaling. While aiming, this pause will allow for the most consistent breathing cycle and ease of relaxation.
Follow through is the act of allowing the weapon to complete the cycle of fire with a minimum of disturbance. It is also important to keep the aiming eye open during firing and follow through. This allows for “calling” the shot and seeing the recoil of the rifle. Inconsistent recoil can be a sign of problems with the fundamentals.
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Scott Fletcher