Lesson 1: 45 minutes, Range

[Steve Swartz]

After some discussion back and forth about the shooters' level and type of interest in the shooting sports, and their goals, many shooters desire a "session at the range to learn some shooting skills." This is natural, that the student wants to immediately begin "capping some rounds" (not training!). Shooting is fun after all- and enthusiasm can easily be killed by boring classroom type lectures. So we agree to go to a nearby shooting range. [note for many initial contacts we either don't get to this point or the student interest level isn't high enough for following up on an offer to go to the range]

On the way to the range, we primarily discuss the shooter's previous experience in shooting, range procedures, and of course range safety practices. Not a lot of "technical" talk at this time.

First see what kind of gun the student brought (if any). Recommend they shoot some .22 (coaches gun) to "warm up."

5 x 2 shots slow fire, 5-7 yards, bullseye target. Observe shooter. Focus on safety and familiarity. Depending on shooter goals/capabilities, use 2 or 1 handed grip/stance. In discussion, "rough out" the fundamentals.

5 x 2 shots slow fire, 5-7 yards, bullseye target. Continue to work on "roughing out" fundamentals. Work toes-nose-out it goes (stance, position, grip, sights, breathing, trigger, follow through). establihs baseline of shooter comfort and skill level.

Introduce the "ALIGN" vs "AIM" discussion.

5 x 2 shots dry fire, 5-7 yards, blank target. Focus on grip, finger position, and trigger control as a prerequisite to maintaining proper sight alignment.

5 x 2 shots slow fire (as ball and dummy), 5-7 yards, blank target. Continue to emphasize fundamentals of trigger control and sight alignment. Discuss the importance of staring at the front sight with laser-beam intensity . . . of course, you have to do that to answer my question "where did the front sight go?" after each dry-fire. This will lead to discussion about follow throuhg.

Student's gun/familiarity. O.k., now go over students gun with them. Supply them with snap caps in the appropriate caliber as required. Re-engage on their shooting needs/objectives/desires. Supervise them as they dry-fire with their gun. Maybe let them fire a 5-10 round target against a bull (assuming the gun is safe, they have the right ammunition, etc.). Keep this baseline target (or have the student keep it).

Student homework: go home and work dry-fire against neutral surface, focusing on trigger control and associated fundamentals (grip, finger position, concentration) that lead to perfect, undisturbed sight alignment before, during, and after the hammer fall.

Coach homework: TBD based on student level and nature of interest and enthusiasm.

[Steve Swartz]

Ask the student how it is going withthe dry-fire practice.

Follow up based on student level of interest with additional "fundamentals" materials.

Follow up with competition shooting introductory materials depending on student interest.

Wait for student to re-engage. Students of low desire/enthusiasm; or those with low performance goals, may not re-engage at all . . .