Comments on: Body and rifle positioning for prone shooting

By: salam nahdi

salam nahdi — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 22:23:58 +0000

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By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:13:07 +0000

I was commenting based on my own experience and not to be critical. I always get a kick out of walking behind the line and checking other shooters’ prone positions. For every “textbook” position there’ll be at least two or three who seem to be breaking all the “rules.” But if it works for them — and more often than not it does — then frankly there’s nothing “wrong” with it, is there? I think it’s cool that it works for you, ’cause I know it would kill me.

By: kellybachand

kellybachand — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:53:56 +0000

I’m not completely certain why I have the tendency to put such a bend in my torso, but I do try periodically to eliminate it and inevitably it re-appears after a short period. It’s likely in the future I will need to pay it more attention, but the current flexibility of my body allows for a little “wiggle room.”

By: kellybachand

kellybachand — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:51:35 +0000

Thanks Bryan, I am glad to have some of my thoughts confirmed by one of the sports better competitors. I will say though that moderately high position pictured is a relatively new one I began using just in April after asking for a few tips from another great shooter while in Sacramento. What I have found is that it is best to assume there is always something I can make better in my position or my shooting in general and, believing that, I seek advice from other shooters and welcome their input whether it immediately helps or not.

By: kellybachand

kellybachand — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:45:34 +0000

If I may make a few comments….I haven’t ever been in position for 75 minutes at a time, the most was maybe 45 minutes, but I have never felt as if I were in danger of rolling onto my side. I am particularly skinny and my left hip bone actually almost digs itself into my shooting mat and helps to keep me pretty well planted. I feel as though my position manages the recoil pretty efficiently as I have never been sore from recoil and the rifle usually finds it way right back to the target after the small jump when the round goes off. Every shooter and rifle combination is unique, but if good bone support is used in conjunction with a properly placed sling a steady prone position can be had by anyone willing to experiment and accept recommendations from fellow shooters.

By: Bryan Litz

Bryan Litz — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:56:50 +0000

Kelly,

The more I read about you and your shooting, the more I realize how much we have in common!

My position is also relatively high off the ground, elevating my torso and achieving all the benefits you mentioned (reduced pulse & breathing effects).

It wasn’t always like that, I used to be more comfortable in a lower position. But those lower positions seem to be less maintainable; things loosen up and slip more over the 20-25 shots than if everything stays ‘high-and-tight’.
Also, by reducing your torso’s contact with the ground, you minimize your sensitivity to irregularities on the ground (bumps and divots on the firing point).

Thanks for a well written description of your prone position.

-Bryan

By: Ken Littlefield

Ken Littlefield — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:42:22 +0000

Kelly’s bend in his back is not too bad, and his position is obviously working for him. However it is something we revisit from time to time in our practices. The problem with the lumbar bend is not one of stability, but the load your lumbar discs are taking. When you’re shooting with a 223 or 6mm, it is not a big deal, but when you’re shooting a Palma rifle I’d like to see a straight line from the elbow through the hips to left ankle (RH shooter). Another thing we often see is a lumbar bend with younger shooters that are trying to shoot a rifle with too long a length of pull

As someone who has been through multiple neck and back surgeries to repair blown discs, I cringe when I look at a prone position with a big kink in the lumbar area.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:06:43 +0000

Wow! That’s a really narrow position. I only shoot ISSF smallbore, and my left leg is much farther to the left and my right leg is bent at about 45 degrees. It looks to me like he’s in danger of rolling over onto his left side the longer he stays in position. Maybe this isn’t such an issue in fullbore as it is in smallbore where we can be stuck in prone for up to 75 minutes at a time. Everyone is different, of course, but I wonder if this position helps manage recoil better?