ISSF National Coach Course: Pistol Shooting Position

Practice flashcards covering the ISSF National Coach Course for Pistol Shooting, including stance requirements, biomechanics, specific pistol disciplines, and methodology for beginners.

Natural/Comfortable

One of the five key requirements for a precision shooting position, allowing the shooter to obtain a posture that secures maximum comfort based on their individual anatomical build and personal feeling.

Effective

A requirement for shooting position demanding minimum effort to maintain optimal posture with maximum energy saving, preventing fatigue and ensuring faster physical and mental recovery.

Stability

The requirement of maximizing the ability to hold the pistol with a minimum arc of movement, determined by the kinetic chains of the body.

Alignment

Ensuring that stability is used to point the aiming elements of the pistol directly into the center of the aiming area on the target.

Consistency

The ability to take or re-take the shooting position in a correct manner at any given moment while maintaining stability and alignment throughout the entire event.

Trapezium surface

The shape of the support foundation for the body formed by naturally spreading the feet sideways rather than placing them parallel.

Aiming line angle

The specific angle ($22^\text{o}$) at which the visual line (eye, sighting elements, center of target) passes through the middle of both feet in the general frame model.

Heel balls

The specific area of the feet where body weight should be distributed to meet the requirement of being effective and minimizing fatigue.

Right foot alignment

In the standard model, this foot is turned approximately $8^\text{o}$ toward the target to release rotation pressure in the knee and avoid injury to cross ligaments.

Core stability

The strength of the lower/lateral abdominal and lower back muscles necessary to bridge the weakest part of the human body (between the last rib and pelvis) for stable gun control.

Stretched right arm

The required position for the shooting arm to ensure the distance between the eye and sights remains constant, supports stability, and better absorbs recoil.

The 'Open' position model

A right arm position where the arm forms a small angle with the shoulder line (from $-3^\text{o}$ to $+7^\text{o}$), requiring a sharp head turn that can compress the right carotid artery.

The 'Zero Point' position model

A right arm position where the arm forms an angle of approximately $22.5^\text{o}$ with the shoulder line, providing balanced chest and back muscle activity.

The 'Closed' position model

A right arm position style with an angle between $32^\text{o}$ and $45^\text{o}$, providing optimal head position for visual function but less effective recoil absorption.

Three-point grip triangle

The specific points on the hand used to hold the pistol: the space between thumb and index finger, the lower hand near the wrist (art. ulnaris), and the upper part of the middle finger joint.

Trigger resistance pressure

The suggested pressure for the middle, ring, and little fingers on the grip, which for an Air Pistol should match the trigger weight (minimum $500\text{\thinspace g}$).

Posturology

A multidisciplinary medical discipline that examines the major plumb lines in the human body; postural pathology involves an imbalance of these lines.

Postural Deficiency Syndrome (P.D.S.)

A clinical picture characterized by staggering or pain when standing, abnormal postural oscillations, and abnormal symmetry of postural muscle tone.

Vestibular system

The organ of balance found inside the inner ear, composed of three semicircular canals and two otolith organs (utricle and saccule).

Otoliths

Also known as 'ear rocks,' these small crystals found on hair cells within the inner ear detect acceleration and body position.

Flexibility (Dynamic Position)

The sixth requirement specific to Sport Pistol Rapid Stage, necessary for the repetitive vertical movement of lifting and lowering the gun five times.

Unlocked hips

A requirement for Rapid Fire Pistol achieved by spreading the feet wider than shoulder width to provide greater flexibility for horizontal rotation.

Ankle joint 'slack'

The maximum rotational limit ($5^\text{o}$) of the ankle joint, proving that actual rotation in Rapid Fire Pistol must come from lower leg muscles pivoting at the hip.

Middle line of position

The primary technical reference line established by the athlete following the middle of the target.

Zero Point

The point where sighting elements are aiming when the shooter is in the correct position; it should be maintained in the middle of the target after recoil.

Pedagogy

Derived from the Greek 'Paidagogos,' widely defined as 'The Science of Education' involving the purposeful and intentional transfer of knowledge.

Dry Firing

A superior training method performed with the front sight $10\text{\thinspace cm}$ from a white background, used to improve technical skills without the distraction of a score.