Essentials of Good Shooting Charts, School Education

Quick Answer: Essentials of Good Shooting Charts are training wall charts that illustrate the fundamentals of accurate, safe marksmanship, such as firing positions, holding the rifle, aiming, breathing and trigger control. They support supervised NCC cadet and school rifle-club instruction.

Marksmanship Principles on a Training Chart

The essentials of good shooting are the principles cadets and sport shooters learn before firing a shot: a steady, comfortable position; a firm, consistent hold; correct sight alignment and sight picture; controlled breathing; a smooth trigger release that does not disturb the aim; and follow-through. Charts on the subject break these down in drawings, often showing the main firing positions (lying or prone, kneeling, sitting and standing) with body and rifle correctly aligned.

The charts are used in the classroom stage of training, where instructors explain the principles and point out common faults, such as snatching the trigger or tilting the rifle, before cadets move to the range. They also set out the rules every range enforces: treat every weapon as loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep the finger off the trigger until ready to fire, and obey the range officer at all times.

This is a teaching aid for supervised programmes only; all handling and firing takes place under qualified instructors and the rules of the range.

Specifications

Applications

• Classroom lessons before a cadet or air-rifle range session
• Explaining and correcting common aiming and trigger faults
• Reinforcing range safety rules and commands
• Display in an NCC room or shooting club room

Care & Handling

• Keep these charts in the NCC or club room rather than general classrooms, so they are used within supervised training.
• Mount them on a notice board with clips so an instructor can take the relevant sheet to a briefing.
• Store rolled in a labelled tube, protected from damp in store rooms.

Why Choose LabEquip

NCC units and school rifle clubs usually order these alongside the Field Charts used in field craft training. Other training and subject titles are listed in Educational Charts, and unit orders can be placed through the LabEquip contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essentials of good shooting?

A stable position, a firm and consistent hold, correct aim with the sights aligned on the target, controlled breathing, a smooth trigger release and follow-through after the shot. Each depends on the others for shots to group consistently.

Which firing positions are usually shown?

The lying (prone) position, which is the steadiest, followed by kneeling, sitting and standing. Charts show how the body, elbows and rifle are arranged in each.

Why is breathing control important in shooting?

Breathing moves the chest and the rifle with it. Shooters are taught to breathe normally and then pause briefly at the natural respiratory pause before releasing the trigger, which keeps the sights still.

What does trigger control mean?

Squeezing the trigger smoothly and steadily straight back so the shot goes off without jerking the rifle. A sudden pull, often in anticipation of the shot, moves the aim and scatters the shots.

What safety rules do shooting charts emphasise?

Treat every weapon as loaded, never point it at anything you do not intend to shoot, keep the finger off the trigger until ready, keep the muzzle pointed downrange, and follow the range officer’s commands without exception.

Can the chart be used without an instructor?

No. It supports lessons given by qualified instructors within NCC or club training. Handling and firing any rifle, including air rifles, must only take place under supervision on an approved range.

Last Updated: September 2026