Jared

A Question of Balance
Every morning at the CMP Junior Rifle Camps, shooters go through a series of exercises. They include a daily routine to improve physical balance. Camp Instructor and 2000 Olympian Jayme Dickman took The First Shot through a three-step process for improving balance as a means of building a steadier stance for shooting.

To begin, our two models Jared Rinker and Josh Reams take part in two separate categories of marksmanship competition; Jared shoots in the precision class that uses specialized Olympic- class equipment and clothing. Josh shoots in the Jared sporter class where shooting jackets and specialized Josh equipment are not permitted and the rifle may weigh no more than 7.5 pounds.

In the first exercise position (top photos), the shooters are relaxed and let their heads fall forward with their eyes closed. In this position, the shooter feels where his body weight is falling on his feet and then adjusts his feet to control his balance.

Once the shooters find their balance points, they move to the second position (middle photos). "The shooter now pretends that he has his gun in his hands. With his eyes still closed, he finds his balance from the first stage. Now he sees if any changes in his balance are required when he bends and twists his back to hold the imaginary rifle."

A key point: Dickman takes shooters through a series of stretching exercises in the morning prior to the balance routine. This helps avoid "getting tension in their back or having muscle spasms in the legs and arms."

In the third stage (bottom photos), the shooter puts his rifle in his hands and assumes the regular standing position. As Dickman explains to her young charges, "if you're moving before you put your rifle in your hands, then you're obviously going to be moving when it is in your hands. Learning how to properly balance your body first without and then with the rifle is a very effective way to develop the ability to hold the rifle steady and fire high scores.

Josh