I see time and again pictures and videos of players either posing with their marker (pretending to be shooting) or at a target range shooting. And more times than not, what is shown is poor shooting form and bad habits.

I have in the past pointed these things out to players online and the typical response has been:
“I don’t shoot like that in a game.” Or “That was just posing, I don’t do that in a game.”

But I have to ask the following question…… Are you sure?

I am a former fire arms instructor (was part of my job, not an actual full time occupation) and time after time what people thought they were doing was not really what they were doing when actually shooting the weapon (both pistol and long arm). How they gripped the weapon was NOT how they thought they were doing it. How they squeezed the trigger and what part of their finger actually touched the trigger was NOT what they thought was happening. How their bodies and breathing were when firing was NOT what they thought it was. And so on…..

Good habits should be automatic and created by hours and hours of repetitive practice. And that takes more time than most people think. It is also far easier to fall into BAD habits than people realize. And those bad habits get snuck in by seemingly innocuous things such as playing around at a target range or posing for pictures.

Just some things to think about the next time you are “playing around”.

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“It is easier to blow out a match than it is to control a forest fire.” - Me
NE OSF COMMANDER / OPERATOR STRIKE FORCE
POG #934 / CPPA #2157 / LPPC #1 / BLACKLEAF OUTFITTERS / UMS / My MySpace Account

Do you have a write-up or a link I could look at? I'm always open to tweaking things about my game.

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Definately agree with shartley. I think someone should post pictures of the proper/professional way of shooting/aim or positioning, with stocks and tanks on their marker . There are pictures here in this forums but a number of them are not proper.

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_-='A5RFORCE'=-_

I don't have a writeup...yet. I was hoping the other members would take the topic and run with it.

I am in the middle of moving lots of tires right now so don't have time (I am taking a break and getting something to eat). My private field is no more..... got to love landlords that listen to their real estate agents more than common sense. Oh well.

__________________
“It is easier to blow out a match than it is to control a forest fire.” - Me
NE OSF COMMANDER / OPERATOR STRIKE FORCE
POG #934 / CPPA #2157 / LPPC #1 / BLACKLEAF OUTFITTERS / UMS / My MySpace Account

O.K. then guys, let's critique this photo...



What comments or suggestions do you have to help my stance?

And, I encourage you to not only offer suggestions, but also a picture of yourself that can be commented on as well. Remember we are helping, not bashing each other, so be upstanding in your comments.

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There is nothing that jumps right out as being "wrong". You look to have a solid footing, body at a slight angle to your target (allowing for less of a target but not so extreme that your pack will stick out from your general silhouette), your head is in good position for the type of sighting you are doing (you can not get a cheek to stock weld because of your mask so it looks like you are "shotgun" shooting and adjusting your rounds accordingly), your arms are NOT "chicken winged" but tucked in comfortably to your sides (also reducing your silhouette), and you look solid yet not rigid.

I can't tell a whole lot more from this picture, but that is what I see with a quick look at the picture.

Here is one of me....

__________________
“It is easier to blow out a match than it is to control a forest fire.” - Me
NE OSF COMMANDER / OPERATOR STRIKE FORCE
POG #934 / CPPA #2157 / LPPC #1 / BLACKLEAF OUTFITTERS / UMS / My MySpace Account

It doesn't surprise me to constantly see such things. After all, they're just civvies with no training. I'm no expert, so I could be wrong, but remember than not all firearms practices are applicable to paintball marker handling. E.g. There is comparatively no recoil in markers and the weight is probably much lower too on average. Both of these can be seen the photos submitted so far. The fellow standing up has a loose grip in both hands and so does the fellow below with one. It also depends on fitness. The average civvy will be tired at the 2nd half of the day with maybe an ache here or there. They will show this through how they are handling their marker.

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You bring up some valid points. However, good form is good form. Good shooting habits are good shooting habits. And contrary to how the picture I posted may look, I do not have a loose grip with both hands. I have a controlling grip with the front hand which cradles the marker but applies backward pressure into my shoulder and gently squeezes the marker between my thumb and first finger while the others rest against the marker.

This is not a loose grip, but one that is typical for actual firearm use. The recoil should be controlled but not fought against. If you try to totally control the weapon you can actually reduce your accuracy because you will cause the weapon to actually move in the opposite way you are trying to prevent it from moving.

As for my shooting hand... because of the double trigger the hand position will not follow classic firearm shooting form. So for me I try to actually put as little pressure on the grip frame as I can while activating the trigger. I let my front hand and the stock into my shoulder to do all the supporting of the marker. This is similar to firearm use but just a lot lighter and hand position is WAY different.

You are very correct about fitness though. It matters. And it matters even more for those who use Milsim setups that have weights more comparable to standard firearms than spacegun markers.

I hope this post helps nail home the point I was also trying to make about things not always being the way people think they are.... even in a picture. I am glad however that it LOOKS as if I had a loose grip with both hands. Good form and shooting styles should always look effortless and not forced. It will give the impression of being loose and not forced.... while the truth of the matter is that the shooter is in just the right amount of control for an accurate shot.

__________________
“It is easier to blow out a match than it is to control a forest fire.” - Me
NE OSF COMMANDER / OPERATOR STRIKE FORCE
POG #934 / CPPA #2157 / LPPC #1 / BLACKLEAF OUTFITTERS / UMS / My MySpace Account

True the double trigger does make it look like I have a loose grip, but it's pretty firm.

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Some pix of me playing:

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~Govinda T.
The UBER Milsim Tippmann A-5 Sisters

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