A posting on the SASS Wire led me to write this article. The post was
about how to get faster. In part of my response I mentioned a "proper
platform." I'm not sure I defined this very well in Breaking the Shot (ordering info elsewhere on the web site, click Home to the
left to find out about it), so I decided to write an article on the
topic. I'll keep it short and to the point.
Why is the platform important? You always lead with your eyes. If you
are addressing a target on the left (let's call it 2 targets,
alternating, 45 degree separation), after breaking the shot you'll move
your eyes to the center of the next target, with your body and gun
following. If you maintain a proper platform, by the time the gun
arrives you will be lined up on the target and ready to break the shot.
You won't have to spend any time adjusting to get a sight picture.
This concept works equally well for duelists, gunfighters, and those
shooting with a 2-hand grip. It also applies to the long guns.
This technique is critical for shooting fast and accurately.
Neutral Position
If you look at the picture to the right, I'm in what I call the Neutral position. My body is relaxed, weight slightly forward, focus
on the front sight, and aimed at a specific target on the wall. If I
were preparing to shoot a sweep of 5 targets, this is how I would be
lined up at the middle target. If you'd like a bigger view of the
picture, just click on it. Use the back button on your browser to return
to this article.
One last word about the neutral position. This is your natural point
of aim. If you were standing at the line and addressing the targets,
this is where you should be.
To the Right
 Here
I am in the next position. My feet have not moved. If the lighting for
the picture had been a little better (click on the picture for a larger
view), you'd be able to see that I twisted to this position in the legs.
The triangle that is formed by my arms and chest is exactly the
same as in the neutral position.
Again, all of the rotation is done low, in the knees. None of it is
done at the waist.
The point of having your neutral position be in the middle of the
target array (as mentioned above) is so that you are never rotated very
far in either direction. Rotating too far will put you off balance and
result in more tension in your legs. Tension will make it harder to
remain relaxed and maintain your platform.
 To
the Left
This is the 3rd position in the series. Click on the picture for a
larger view.
Again, I am balanced and relaxed. I am maintaining a firm grip. I
rotated to this position in the legs in order to maintain the triangle
that I mentioned in the 2nd section above. My platform is solid.
Drill
I can't stress this enough. Rotate with your legs, not at the waist
and not by moving your arms.
Here are two dry fire drills that you can do at home to try it out
and see if you are doing it correctly.
Find your neutral stance and get a solid focus on the front sight.
While maintaining that focus, rotate to the right and the left as far as
you can. You should never lose that perfect sight picture. If you do,
you are moving your arms and not maintaining your platform. Do it
slowly, do it quickly. Don't lose the sight picture. Don't make
adjustments with your hands or arms. All of your motions should be from
mid thigh down.
Once you have a good feel on that, progress to this next drill.
Set up 2 targets on opposite walls so that there is a really good
spread between them. Find your neutral stance centered between the 2
targets. Now rotate to the target on the left. You should not have lost
the sight picture. Now move your head (by rotating at the neck) so that
you are looking at the center of the left target. Rotate your platform
to bring the sights in line with your eyes. You should now be focused on
the sights and have a perfect sight picture on the target and ready to
break the shot. If you have to make adjustments, you aren't just
rotating at the legs - you are also moving your arms and breaking that
platform. The repeat to the target on the left. Repeat until you have it
down. Then practice it again later on.
Hope this helps! |
