Advanced Marksmanship Breathing in the Offhand

[Trapshooter12]

I didn't want to re direct the other Breathing thread, but I have been wondering about this one for a few days as I dryfire.

How does one control the breathing in the Offhand. I find I am all over the place as I am breathing and trying to control the Rifle on the Target. It becomes more controlable if I hold my breath long enough to break the Trigger.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Breathing in the Offhand

Lots of BS about breath control while shooting. It's natural, you'll loose more points worrying about it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">breaht control involves normal breathing before and after the shot, stop breathing during the six or ten seconds it takes to fire the shot in offhand, or the three or four seconds it takes to fire the shot in rapid fire</div></div>

Nothing exotic just stop as you fire the shots. This is the method taught by Gary Anderson at the CMP GSM & Rimfire Sporter Master Instructor Course.

If one doesn't know who Gary Anderson is, he's an Olympic Gold Medalist who still holds the International Record for Offhand he set in the 70s. He kind of knows what he's talking about.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Breathing in the Offhand

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lots of BS about breath control while shooting. It's natural, you'll loose more points worrying about it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">breaht control involves normal breathing before and after the shot, stop breathing during the six or ten seconds it takes to fire the shot in offhand, or the three or four seconds it takes to fire the shot in rapid fire</div></div>

Nothing exotic just stop as you fire the shots. This is the method taught by Gary Anderson at the CMP GSM & Rimfire Sporter Master Instructor Course.

If one doesn't know who Gary Anderson is, he's an Olympic Gold Medalist who still holds the International Record for Offhand he set in the 70s. He kind of knows what he's talking about.

</div></div>

When I first got into HP, my first 200 rapid got me a 196 and something. I shot better my second match posting a 199 and something, but, of course, I was looking to clean this target. A "professional" coach said I needed to watch my breathing. Accepting his advice, my rapid 200 began to look worse than 200 standing. In other words, contemplation of my breathing really screwed me up; and, it took what seemed like an eternity to fix the problem. Today, when coaching/mentoring new shooters, I don't discuss breathing unless the student does, and then, I dispatch the subject as quickly as possible.

 

[sinister]

Re: Breathing in the Offhand

Gary's achievement is even more impressive when you look into the details.

300-Meter International is (or was) shot standing, kneeling, and prone. I believe it is the format still used for the International Military Sports Council (CISM).

The standing phase is 10 shots in sixty seconds, no sling.

Slight detour -- "Mexican Match" ammunition was conceived by the military teams to squeeze out the best performance they could from their 30-06 and 7.62mm ammo. The teams pulled the GI projos from Lake City Match 7.62 and replaced them with Sierra 168 Match Kings for the Mexico City Pan Am Games and the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Guys like Gary, Mo Fisher, and Jack Writer took the marbles shooting 06s.

So back to the original point, a minute, standing, shooting, and working the bolt is the penultimate test of your ability to master your nerves, breathe, shoot, and work the gun. It will come with practice.

During the winter months I cut out the center of an air rifle target and put it on the wall about 10 feet away. To practice off-hand I would dry-fire (in sweatshirt, coat, and glove) a string of ten or twenty, calling the break, then put the gun away and go play with the family or do something else. Come back in an hour or two and do it again.

It will improve your off-hand performance without firing a single round.

 

[Trapshooter12]

Re: Breathing in the Offhand

I can honestly say that when the Adrenaline is pumping and shooting at a live Target I have not even thought about my breathing.... I can't tell you if I hold my breath or not.

With all the talk about breath control I was beginning to feel like I was missing something. Maybe those old WWII shooters that taught their nephew how to shoot forgot to teach me something.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Breathing in the Offhand

Offhand is a position that I find is best achieved with a more relaxed approach.

For breathing I rely on the Natural Respiratory Pause. When you breathe naturally there is, or should be, a momentary pause after a natural exhalation. By doing some deep breathing, we can oxygenate the blood more and that pause can be stretched. With practice, considerably. But the key is to keep relaxation foremost.

"Controlling the rifle on target..."

NO!

The proper physical position allows the rifle to settle on target when fully relaxed. If not, adjust the position until it is as close as you can get it. When you can settle on target, close eyes for a count of 20 and open them to find the sights still on target, you're there.

The rifle will wobble around. We call this the Natural Wobble Zone. With relaxation and practice it will shrink, by itself.

Anybody who thinks that they can muscle the sights onto target and keep them there is deluded. There is NO way we can avoid over correcting. All we do is make it worse, and tire ourselves unnecessarily, making it even worse again.

Work so the physical position centers the wobble zone on target. Relax, and trust the body to keep things fairly well on target. With time, the wobble zone will shrink, and scores will soar.

...And about the trigger. Don't try and "catch the bull" as the sights swing though it. Rely on maintaining the wobble zone and a steady trigger squeeze. Some will miss. Soon less will miss; and if you look around, you'll soon recognize that none of this is easy, even for the best.

Oh and the other stuff, like "Sniper Breathing" and shooting between heartbeats? Far as I can tell, complete and utter BS dreamed up to make History Channel appear more competent, which it isn't. Fageddaboudit.

Greg