Beginner Shooting Mistakes: How to Avoid Them

Skills in marksmanship do not appear immediately. In order to learn to shoot well, you need regular training with experienced instructors at shooting courses in Kyiv.

But often after the first lessons, the zeal and excitement of most beginner shooters fade away. It's all about the apparent difficulty of hitting the target and the inconvenience of the weapon. But in practice, we are talking about typical mistakes that all beginners make when shooting: incorrect body position, aiming, working with the trigger. This is a normal stage of training, and the most important thing is to have an experienced trainer at hand who will notice and correct mistakes in time, and also help develop the correct shooting skills.

From this material you will learn about the most common shooting mistakes, and how to shoot correctly for a beginner.

Many beginner shooters ask: how to avoid mistakes when shooting? We answer: it is almost impossible, since such situations are an integral part of training.

Often, during the very first lessons, common mistakes in the shooting range are made due to underestimation of the correct technique. The desire to hit the target switches beginners from the process itself to the result. When pressing the trigger, such important parameters of accurate shooting as body position, correct grip and breathing, finger placement are beyond attention. The result can be disastrous: the wrong technique will be formed at the level of motor memory, and it is much more difficult to correct it later than at the initial stage of training.

In addition to the help of an experienced shooting coach who will teach you to think and not make mistakes, we recommend trying to analyze your actions: what erroneous actions were made, why the bullet did not reach the target, whether the weapon was held correctly. As a result, you will take a responsible approach to the process and master the skill of accurate shooting much faster.

So, as we have already determined, in order to avoid mistakes when mastering shooting skills, it is best for beginners to practice at a shooting range, for example, at the Darwin club.

In addition, when you first visit a shooting club, pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Choosing a weapon. For starters, a short-barreled weapon, such as a pistol, is suitable. Small dimensions and ease of use allow you to quickly develop basic skills. At the same time, the model of the weapon is important. Key features of choice:
   • the larger the pistol, the more accurately it will allow you to shoot;
   • small-sized pistols are not as comfortable to hold as large ones;
   • the longer the barrel, the faster it flies bullet;
   • pistols with a smaller caliber have less recoil.
2. Correct grip. The weapon should be held in the dominant hand. The thumb lies along the grip. The second hand is placed on the opposite side of the grip and grips it tightly. Do not put your finger on the trigger before the shot is fired - remember this basic safety rule.
3. Body position. The body position is straight. Feet are shoulder-width apart, one leg is slightly forward, knees are slightly bent for balance. It is important to remain calm and distribute the load evenly on both legs. Keep the weapon at eye level and point it directly at the target when firing.
4. Aiming process and firing. During We recommend keeping both eyes open while aiming. If you feel some discomfort, then leave the eye that sees better open. Align the front sight with the rear sight to form a single line. Focus only on the front sight, while the target itself will be somewhat blurry - this is how it should be. As soon as the target is selected, you need to concentrate and take a deep breath. Do not rush the shot: it should be done smoothly, without changing the stable position of your hands. After the shot, keep the sight on the target to reinforce the habit of controlling it.

Some of the most common shooting range mistakes made by both beginners and experienced shooters include:

• Wrong choice of weapon. A weapon that is too big or too small for your hands will be uncomfortable to use. In addition, it will affect your shooting accuracy.
• Incorrect stance. If you are standing incorrectly - unstable or aggressively - you will not be able to effectively absorb recoil and restore your aim. It is important to adopt a position in which your feet are shoulder-width apart, slightly bent at the knees, and your dominant leg is forward.
• Too low elbows. When firing, lowered elbows cause the weapon to be thrown up, which means it will be more difficult to take the starting position. Point your elbows slightly to the sides and constantly monitor their position.
• Unreliable grip of the weapon. A weapon that is poorly fixed in your hands will move from side to side, which has a negative effect on the accuracy of shooting. Do not cross your thumbs on the slide, so that the slide casing does not injure you during shooting. Both fingers should be located on the sides of the weapon frame and lie forward, towards the target.
• Incorrect finger position on the trigger. If the finger is incorrectly positioned, the shots will be inaccurate.
• Long aiming. Do not focus on the mouse for too long, as this will cause your eyes to get tired, your attention to wander and your shot to be inaccurate. Aim for no more than 10 seconds. If you fail to shoot, take a break and try again.
• Moving your head while aiming. You do not need to move your head to catch the target. This will change the aiming device relative to the target. Only your hands should work, while your head and body remain motionless.

As we have already noted, it is normal for beginners to make mistakes during their first shooting training sessions at the shooting range. The most important thing is to pay attention to developing the correct technique from the very beginning.

Basic tips for beginners in shooting:

• Start with basic skills. Practice the correct stance, weapon grip, hand position when shooting and aiming, and trigger control. The further result of shooting will depend on how well you learn them.
• Contact experienced instructors. In shooting clubs, specialists will point out mistakes and help you practice the correct technique.
• Make shots slowly, without haste and fuss. At the initial stages, it is technique and accuracy that matter, not speed.
• Try not to consolidate the mistakes made. It is better to stop, analyze what you are doing wrong and draw conclusions.
• Make an effective training plan. Decide on the number of workouts per week and the goals you want to achieve in a certain period of time. Such a systematic approach will allow you to see progress and maintain the zeal to learn to shoot accurately.

And most importantly - do not rush! Do not set the bar too high and strive to get the perfect result in the first workouts. You will definitely achieve the desired result if you do everything gradually and systematically.