Sight picture explanation

[sjohnny]

I started my 6 year old son shooting right around his 5th birthday. Up to now we've just been working on being safe and having fun. We shoot pretty close so he gets a lot of hits. I'd like to start getting him to work on sight picture but I'm not sure how to explain it to a 6 year old so that he will understand it. I instruct officers how to shoot and can explain it to adults but I don't know if he's comprehending what I'm explaining. My dad taught me to shoot at about the same age but I don't remember how he explained sight picture to me.

Anyone that teaches kids how to shoot have any tips for explaining proper sight picture to a 6 year old (he's a smart 6 year old)?

I've got a 4x scope and a set of rimfire rings ready for his rifle but I want him to learn on the irons first.

Thanks

 

[MTETM]

Re: Sight picture explanation

I draw it out for kids and use visuals.
I do not stress the terminology, I just get them lined up and let them shoot. If you want them to "understand", use a few paper bulls eye target and work on hitting the center with good support. They will grasp the idea!
He will probably have a hard time with the "concept" and won't be able to visualize without the pictures. Most kids have a hard time with "abstract" concepts until they are 10-13.

 

[Platypus]

Re: Sight picture explanation

sjohnny,
One of the hardest things for them to understand is the single focal plane. A way to demonstrate this to them is get three easy reader books and place them almost in line with each other but at three different distances. First one real close to their face, second at a comfortable reading distance for him then the third across the room This will demonstrate that he can only focus on one thing at a time. Once he has that figured out introduce sight alignment. Depending on what sight system peep or blade and grove, draw this out big on paper representing front sight centered in the rear appeture again emphasis on clear and sharp front sight. Shade around the rear sight to represent it being out of focus. Then have him draw the sight picture out as it has been described and shown. Take a piece of paper and draw a couple vertical lines on the paper and have him draw a line in the middle of the two other lines, he can the fold the paper matching up the two outside lines and see how close to the middle that the eye naturally tries to line things up. Do this a couple of times with lines at different distances from each other. Once you think he has that figured out then you can introduce the target image and discuss sight picture. I will dig up the classroom material I have on sight alignment / sight picture and post it here for you when I get to the house. If you need anything else do not hesitate to let me know.

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: Sight picture explanation

+1 on drawing it out. Just draw a circle for the target and then the rear and front sight. Sit him down and show him a apple or something round as the target. Then show him the rear sight and how it looks then the front sight sitting down into the notch and let him try and hit the target.

I learned all the basics on a pump up air rifle. And man I wish I could still hit things like I could back then with that little pump master. If I could see it I could hit it persay. LOL

 

[sjohnny]

Re: Sight picture explanation

Thanks a lot! This is what I was looking for. His rifle has blade and notch sights. I don't know why I hadn't thought of drawing a picture - that's what I do for adults.

Platypus: The focal plane demonstration sounds outstanding. I'll definitely try that when we get another chance (hopefully get some more trigger time in the next two weekends, I'm afraid this one is already shot).

MTETM, I was thinking along the same lines but it's hard to tell if he's actually lining them up or if he's just hitting because we're so close to the target. I may try moving us back a little bit and see if he's still on.

KHOOKS, I wish I could shoot like I could when I was in my teens and pre-teens. I never missed (well, rarely). I did a lot more shooting back then too. It's harder to find time these days.

Thanks again, guys.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Sight picture explanation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sjohnny</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I started my 6 year old son shooting right around his 5th birthday. Up to now we've just been working on being safe and having fun. We shoot pretty close so he gets a lot of hits. I'd like to start getting him to work on sight picture but I'm not sure how to explain it to a 6 year old so that he will understand it. I instruct officers how to shoot and can explain it to adults but I don't know if he's comprehending what I'm explaining. My dad taught me to shoot at about the same age but I don't remember how he explained sight picture to me.

Anyone that teaches kids how to shoot have any tips for explaining proper sight picture to a 6 year old (he's a smart 6 year old)?

I've got a 4x scope and a set of rimfire rings ready for his rifle but I want him to learn on the irons first.

Thanks</div></div>

Show him pictures of what proper sight alignment looks like, as well as what the "hold" should look like.

 

[762slinger]

Re: Sight picture explanation

Johnny, I'll get some stuff together and mail it to you.

 

[sjohnny]

Re: Sight picture explanation

Sweet. Thanks.

 

[Some_guy]

Re: Sight picture explanation

after you show him the pics, stand behind him and shoot with/for him for a few rounds, lining up the sights for him, talking him through it the whole way. Sorta like guys teach women to play pool if that makes sense, let them do it but do it for them at the same time...that is how i was taught with my crossman BB gun.

 

[biner626]

Re: Sight picture explanation

You might try a laser bore sight to help him line up on target.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Sight picture explanation

take two index cards, or cardboard, and cut out a rear notch site and a front site post, that way you can put the rear over the front and be able to slide it around and show him what looks right and what is wrong, color them two different colors so he can make out the two better. Also while I was a Drill Sergeant nwe used a device that clipped on to the rear sight that had a glass window and a angled piece of glass that was polished, essentially a mirror, cant recall the nomenclature of the device, but the shooter aimed as usual(through a clear pane) and the instructor could look at the angled pane and see down the shooters sight picture. Let me see if I can look through my garage archives and find one. If so i will send it to ya. It's designed for an m16 but sure you could just hold it and work the same

 

[lexluther]

Re: Sight picture explanation

Post a few of his targets so we might see the improvements in his shooting after training with these suggestions.