The Position


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The position that is used for shooting air rifle is a standing position. The shooters stand perpendicular to the targets, with their feet approximately a shoulders width apart. The hips and shoulders remain aligned with the feet as the arm closest to the target has its elbow placed on the front hip (or side), and the forearm extends upward to support the fore end of the rifle. The rear of the rifle is supported by the rear shoulder, and the shooter’s cheek is placed on the cheek piece of the rifle to align the eye with the sights. Many looking at shooters in position will not that it looks uncomfortable, and when done wrong it can be.

Air Rifle Position From Rear
Air Rifle Position From Rear

However all of the contortions have a reason, they allow the shooter to create bone on bone contact and lock their skeleton into place. This prevents movement and eliminates shifting and uncertainty caused by squishy skin and muscle. Another key of the position is to have the center of the rifle’s mass in line with the center of the shooter’s balance, or over the middle of their feet. If the rifle is not centered over the shooter then the force of the acceleration of gravity is acting on the rifle out of line with where it is primarily acting on the shooter. With the fine balance required for shooters to be accurate, the force of gravity on an off centered rifle can cause movement in their position referred to as ‘sway’. As its name implies this is an oscillating movement of the shooter’s body that prohibits accuracy.

Air Rifle Shooting Position without Rifle
Air Rifle Shooting Position Without Rifle

Other fine details of the position, like foot placement, can cause sway. The equal and opposite force of firing the rifle also acts on the shooter, which necessitates careful placement of the rifle in the shooter’s shoulder, to keep the rifle stable and cause the force to dissipate throughout the shooter’s comparatively large mass.
Air Rifle from Front
Air Rifle From Front