Ed Hall wrote:Although "shooting" on the move sounds like trying to pick off the bull, I don't believe that is what was meant, and starting the trigger while on the move to the center is not a bad idea. In fact, it's better to have the shot go off when you reach center, than to reach center, start the shot and have it fire when you move off center. This is not trying to hit center as you swing through. This is starting the trigger and then settling into your hover within your aiming area.
Readers might be interested in my "
2006 New Year's Training Exercise."
Ed,
You nailed it! Thanks for coming to my rescue. :-)
Such is the technique that I use to better results overall - on both "steady as a rock" days as well as "2 hours night sleep graveyard-shift/coffee-shaky" days, than the typical "settle in aiming area, let it wander a bit, then start pressing" method.
I noticed the side-to-side oscillation in my hold is much less, or even non-existent, as the arm/gun is moving on its way down.
There's something about your arms in straight line motion that the horizontal movement is somehow canceled out. If you just throw your arm out there trying to steady it the harder you try the more oscillation you get.
With this technique, when done right - paired with perfect trigger timing, the bullet holes literally pile up on top of the other. I have fired 8-9 shot free pistol groups that can be covered with a dime. Wish I can do that as often as I like. Wish I can train as much as I like to (excuses, excuses....). HA!
I favored this technique because I can't seem to hold my breath any longer than 5 sec. without feeling the ill effects of oxygen-deprivation, esp. at Colorado Springs where the air is thin....
I discovered this back in the early 90's when the Germans release a "how-to" video on Olympic Pistol technique, with English narrative. I believe it was (and still is??) the preferred technique of Soviet/Eastern Bloc shooters specializing in FP/AP.
I believe they call it the "double breathing" technique.
Technique goes like this:
First breath inhale/raise gun, exhale/lower gun.....
Stop gun movement as 1st breathing cycle comes to end....by now the gun should be, say 6" on top of the bull.
Then take a second breath...inhale/move gun slightly up, not moving the arm in relation to torso, but by rib cage expansion alone...
exhale/come down to the proper aiming area below bull (rib cage contracting/lowering the arm) at same time begin trigger movement.
shot should fire at end of 2nd breathing cycle as the gun settles in aiming area. Let subconscious dictate trigger timing, straight back unchanging pressure. The sights aren't there in the aiming area long enough for it to oscillate much before shot breaks.
If shot not fired at end of 2nd exhale, then put gun down, start whole process again.....
OR....
Triple breathing (my technique) - repeating 2nd breathing cycle aiming/firing process, keeping the gun raised....
**I do this because it takes me longer to steady myself.....**
If I can't get shot off by 3rd breath, I abort.
During the firing process no breaths are held in. Shots are fired during 2nd or 3rd exhale cycle, usually at the end.
There's a mild euphoria when exhale begins.....tension tends to melt away, and your subconscious does the shooting for you.
Try it, may work for you. :-)
-Bill
