Whether you have been shooting for years or are just getting started, here are some tips from international sport shooting experts that are sure to help you continue your improvement. While they are divided into discipline, tips from each section can be applied to many areas of your shooting.

Tips courtesy of USA Shooting Coaches and staff.

Sporter

  1. Wear the best "legal" clothing available:
    • Wear flat soled "skateboard" type shoes with good support for stability.
    • Wear a sweatshirt to pad and protect your elbows.
    • Attach your sling to the sweatshirt with a pin (in the same spot each time).
    • Use the sling correctly. (Click here to read an article on this topic from U.S. Olympian Bob Foth)
    • Wear a shooting glove.
    • Use a real kneeling roll filled with small pellets/beads.

  2. Shoot your hold
    • Work on refining your hold to a small area.
    • Develop a steady trigger "squeeze," don't "jump" on shots
    • In standing, accept solid nines rather than trying to force tens.
    • Use the time available on the clock, don't rush.
    • Reject bad or questionable shots ,do NOT force them.

  3. Work on your equipment
    • Keep everything clean and lubed
    • Rework your trigger as appropriate and keep it adjusted.
    • Check the function of your rear sight.
    • Try different sizes of front apertures (often larger)
    • Shorten the stock to fit YOU.
    • Test pellets for each rifle.

Progressive Position Pistol (PPP)

  1. The goal of Progressive Position Pistol (PPP) is to develop good habits and avoid injuries in young shooters. Work on stable positions so that you can learn good sight alignment and trigger control. Even older, stronger athletes may start with the most stable positions in training, even though they may not be legal in a match.

  2. FOCUS ON THE FRONT SIGHT!

  3. Find a good quality, light weight junior size pistol with the correct grip for YOUR hand.

  4. Lift through the center of the target, align your sights above it, slowly lower it to the aiming area.

  5. Take up initial trigger pressure before stopping the approach.

  6. Accept and shoot YOUR hold (if you have an 8 ring hold, 8s are "good" shots for you).

  7. Dry fire after taking a break.

  8. Work on your hold almost every day.

General Pistol Tips

  1. Consistent grip pressure is important. Maintain grip pressure consistency through the shot.

  2. Align the sights at the top of your lift, focus on the front sight before starting the approach into the aiming area.

  3. Use approach for taking up most of the trigger pressure.

  4. Shoot through your normal hold.

  5. Learn, choose, and accept the size of the shot braking area.

  6. Know your shot timing, and abort when it has passed.

  7. Following through is preparing for the next shot.

Shotgun Tips

  1. When training, set a goal or goals for that day or session. The training goal should be to accomplish a fundamental task on each of the 25 (50 for double trap) targets.

    The goal should be something like this: I will have proper foot position for each target. Or I will see the target as it leaves the house (bunker) very clearly each time for the complete training session or round. Or I will have good follow through for the entire training session. This is only three examples of setting the right goals for training. At the end of the training session you must ask yourself did I accomplish my set goal/goals for to day.

  2. When practicing, the goal should be to shoot the round just like you would in a match. No repeat targets, no talking, just shoot the round and accept the results. From this you now know what needs work. But you must be honest with yourself.

  3. Look for a target with your eyes and not with you ears.

  4. Mount the gun to your face in the same spot each and every time.

  5. Before you call for the target make sure you are set. With no body movement, eyes in the right spot, your mind saying "see the target." Then make your call.

  6. For trap, be smooth with your swing through the target. Not fast or slow but smooth.

  7. For skeet, make your gun mount to the front edge of each and every target.

  8. For double, mark the first target of the pair as other shooters are shooting

  9. Leave all hit and missed targets behind you, look only at the next target, that is the only one you have control of.

  10. Set your foot position to break the target along your natural point of aim. Give your body a chance.

Rifle Tips

1. Learn and pay attention to NPA: Natural Point of Aim--both vertical and horizontal. Many athletes only correct the left and right axis--the up and down is as important.

2. Learn and pay strict attention to proper Sight Alignment. Supplemental training with a pistol will build your rifle sight alignment skills.

3. Be Fit! Core strength training and endurance work will allow you to shoot better! Good fitness increases endurance, mental sharpness, and increases your ability to relax and hold still.

4. Simplify Training: focus on one skill or skill area at a time. Take a moment to write down what you are about to do before training begins.

5. Create variety in your training: do not simply shoot a course of fire every time you go to the range. Mix in group shooting, time drills/challenges, Finals competitions or "guts" matches, and other drills that focus on specific skills.