Just a reminder on shooting tests–as described below–send me the results and I will post them, periodically ranking them and sending them around to this email list in xcel format. Kind of fun, and a great way to structure your practices this time of year when you should be working on accuracy foremost, and range procedure a close second.
Always come out of position and off the firing line after each magazine–and for one shot drills–after each shot.
Always send me the breakdown of the score: prone, standing= total. Also please note if shot in an indoor range. I will then post, but will note the type of range.
40 shot test–this is a tough measure of grouping–specifically good for biathlon. Use a row of 5 paper targets–need an x ring and a standing scoring ring. Use the alpha target to zero with up to 10 rds–then put 10 each on bravo and charlie prone–and 10 each on delta and echo standing.
Score–if it breaks the line it counts as good. Complete prone misses and complete standing misses [normal] count 2 against; prone hits but x ring misses count 1 against–same with standing hits but scoring ring misses. So top score is 0, worst possible is 80 points.
50 shot test–on metal–score misses– 25 prone and 25 standing. Top score is 0 worst would be 50.. we have some 2′s floating around locally.
60 shot test–on 10 ring standard paper. Use upper alpha for zero. Then 10 on each lower target [3 x 10] prone and 15 standing on each of the remaining upper targets [2 x 15]. Scope as much as the athlete wants to. Break the line to count up. All scoring rings count– both prone and standing. [Even biathlon misses]. Top score is 600–worst score 0.
50 shot standing. 5 target strip. Shoot across. All standing– 10 x 5. Score 2 points against for a total miss, 1 point against for a biathlon hit, but scoring ring miss. Top score 0, worst score 100.
20 x 1 shot. For novices–use ammo off the shooting point mat. For advanced athletes only, under coaches supervision–use two magazines and fire a shot from one, don’t bolt, next time change magazines to the other one.
On metal. Coach clears target. 15 sec penalty per miss. 10 individual shots prone and 10 individual shots standing. Start 3 meters behind firing line. Return to that line after each shot and at end. Total time plus 15 sec per miss.
4 x 5 shot on Metal, coach clears target. Normal shooting with a full magazine so 2 mags prone, 2 mags standing. 10 sec per missed shot penalty. Start 3 meters behind the firing line and return to 3 meter line between magazines and at end. Total time plus 10 sec per missed shot.
Notes: The 20 x 1 shot test and the 4 x 5 shot test are range procedure tests and thus you need to use ski poles–and have the straps on when circling behind the 3 meter line. Coaches–to put more emphasis on accuracy during these timed range procedure drills–double the time penalty for misses. Don’t send those to me, however.
The Game- Put 10 loose rounds on mat. Shooting on metal. Start 3 meters behind firing line. Shoot one full magazine in prone. Then if any misses must get out of position–go back to 3 meter line, back to mat–hand load one round..return to 3 meter line. Continue that until all targets are down..then shooter changes target to standing [don't need to go back to 3 meter line] and uses one full magazine standing. Then back behind the 3 meter line and back into position using one handloaded round, and etc. Total time.
So the penalty for misses after using the full magazine is to get out of position, go to 3 meter line, and back in for each followup shot. [one shot drills]. This continues until all targets are down, or the 10 spare rounds are gone. It makes no difference where the 10 rds are used–prone or standing. All prone targets must be down before the shooter starts on standing. Cleaning with the mag is golden (:-)
There are other similar tests. These are all good and I am tracking all of these. Some for many years.
In addition there is a good test to find the optimum shooting HR–[may be different HR prone and standing]. For good, experienced shooters only. Use a strip of 5 paper for prone and at least 4 for standing.
Zero on other paper. With no raised HR “cold zero” [CZ] 10 shots on alpha prone. This is for comparison only. Then use HR goals like 160,170,180,190 or similar for goals. Athlete runs or roller skis sufficiently to get HR up and steady [0.5km minimum] and gives HR to coach as he hits the shooting point..picks up rifle–goes into position and fires a magazine immediately on say Bravo at 160 HR. Then repeats that at 160 goal on Bravo again. Then 2 times at 170 on Charlie. Then 2 x 180 on Delta, and 2 x 190 on Echo. Either same day or later–repeat in standing on fresh paper.
Now look at the groups–avg the two actual HRs for that target–and probably ignore 1 or 2 fliers. Especially if shooter knew they were fliers. Measure the group and look at the shape.
Find the smallest group–usually around the lactate threshold [LT]. Now look at the group shape. If strung out vertically–athlete has a breathing problem. If horizontally… a position instability. But around that HR will be their best race shooting as to the effect of heartrate and throbbing during the shooting. Normally we find the area 15-30 beats below LT is the poorest along with the group when the athlete is way over LT. Good to train a lot with combos in the optimum zone or just above it to bring the group even tighter.
So have fun… send me results. Click here to email Bill.
Bill Meyer
