{"id":1524,"date":"2024-06-12T21:04:26","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T21:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=1524&#038;fishpig=1620849704&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","slug":"key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/","title":{"rendered":"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Rifle_Marksmanship_Part_5_Key_Elements_of_Good_Shooting_Positions\" >Rifle Marksmanship Part 5: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Good_Shooting_Positions_for_Rifle_Marksmanship\" >Good Shooting Positions for Rifle Marksmanship<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Bone_Support\" >Bone Support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Muscular_Relaxation\" >Muscular Relaxation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Natural_Point_of_Aim\" >Natural Point of Aim<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Rifle_Butt_in_the_Pocket_of_the_Shoulder\" >Rifle Butt in the Pocket of the Shoulder<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Grip_of_the_Shooting_Hand\" >Grip of the Shooting Hand<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Spot_Weld\" >Spot Weld<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/#Read_the_entire_Rifle_Marksmanship_Series\" >Read the entire Rifle Marksmanship Series:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rifle_Marksmanship_Part_5_Key_Elements_of_Good_Shooting_Positions\"><\/span>Rifle Marksmanship Part 5: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-372\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image69-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>There are key elements of good <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Scope Fundamentals\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1398\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting positions that are fundamental<\/a> and consistent regardless of which particular position you use.\u00a0\u00a0There are of course limitations like difficult terrain or limited time. But knowing what makes a good position will help you deal with each situation you face.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Good_Shooting_Positions_for_Rifle_Marksmanship\"><\/span>Good Shooting Positions for Rifle Marksmanship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>According to William &#8220;Bart&#8221; Bartholomew Instructor of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergara.online\/us\/the-bergara-academy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bergara Academy<\/a>, the fundamental attributes of a \u201cgood <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/various-rifle-rests-and-when-to-use-each\/\">shooting<\/a> position\u201d as they relate to accuracy, or the ability to place shots on a target are as follows:<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bone_Support\"><\/span><strong>Bone Support<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>As you get behind the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-scope-accessories-you-might-consider\/\">rifle<\/a>, make sure the weight of the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship Supported Shooting Positions\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1715\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle is supported<\/a> by bone rather than muscle. As you know, &#8220;your muscles will fatigue and eventually cause movement of the rifle&#8221; explains Bart. It\u2019s important that you learn positions that offer good bone support to avoid &#8220;muscling&#8221; the weapon.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1525\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-1024x637.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" width=\"686\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-1536x955.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-483x300.jpg 483w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Logan-6.jpg 1903w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 686px) 100vw, 686px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center\">Relaxation with good bone support is the key to maintaining a good position.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Muscular_Relaxation\"><\/span><strong>Muscular Relaxation <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>Muscular relaxation helps you hold steady and increase the ability to aim. Do this by maximizing bone support to achieve a minimum amount of movement and consistency in resistance to recoil. Tense muscles will cause excessive movement of the rifle and make it very difficult to stay on the target. Without the combination of bone support and muscular relaxation the rifle will never settle into an aiming point, thereby making it impossible for the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/shooter\/\">shooter<\/a> to apply good trigger control and place a well-aimed shot. Only through practice and achieving a natural point of aim will you be able to apply muscular relaxation.<\/p><p>The weapon will pick up any tension or fatigue in the muscles. Undue strain indicates that muscles are doing the work that bones or other support should be doing. The proper <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship : Trigger Control Equals Success\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1420\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting position<\/a> should allow for a natural point of aim where the rifle is held on the target by the relaxed, natural body position. Aim in on your target, close your eyes, and then open your eyes to ensure natural point of aim. If the rifle is still on target, you have a good natural point of aim and a good position. Natural, slow breathing prior to the respiratory pause will help with your relaxation.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Natural_Point_of_Aim\"><\/span><strong>Natural Point of Aim<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>Natural point of aim is where the rifle naturally rests in relation to the target. Once you\u2019re in position and aimed in on the target, the method of checking for natural point of aim is for you to close your eyes, take a couple of breathes, and relax as much as possible. Upon opening your eyes you should see the crosshairs resting on the desired aiming point. The rifle is an extension of your body and the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/what-you-need-for-an-air-rifle-competition\/\" title=\"Air Rifle Competition What You Need?\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1760\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">position<\/a> needs adjusting until the rifle points naturally at the preferred aiming point on the target. Continual checking of the position and natural point of aim will keep you on target.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rifle_Butt_in_the_Pocket_of_the_Shoulder\"><\/span><strong>Rifle Butt in the Pocket of the Shoulder<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>Your rifle should be placed firmly into the pocket of your shoulder. This will steady the rifle and prevent slipping on the shoulder and lessens the effects of recoil. In addition, the position of your rear elbow is important as it gives you balance and helps form the shoulder pocket.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1528\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-924x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" width=\"499\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture1-924x1024.jpg 924w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture1-271x300.jpg 271w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture1-768x851.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture1-150x166.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture1.jpg 967w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center\">Bart demonstrates the importance keeping the rifle in the pocket of your shoulder.<\/p><h3><\/h3><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Grip_of_the_Shooting_Hand\"><\/span>Grip of the Shooting Hand<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>Bart teaches that you should grip the small of the stock firmly, but do not white knuckle it. A firm rearward pressure is exerted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/reloading-rifle-ammo-for-beginners\/\" title=\"Reloading Rifle Ammo for Beginners\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1830\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting hand to keep the rifle<\/a> butt in its proper position in the pocket of the shoulder. The thumb should extend over the small of the stock. This will enable you to get a good spot weld. However, it is acceptable to lay the thumb parallel along the outside of the rifle if it&#8217;s more comfortable. The trigger finger is positioned on the trigger so there is no contact between the finger and the side of the stock. This permits the trigger to be pressed straight to the rear without disturbing your aim.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1529 aligncenter\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" width=\"492\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture2.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture2-300x283.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture2-768x725.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture2-318x300.jpg 318w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Picture2-150x142.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px\" \/><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spot_Weld\"><\/span>Spot Weld<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>The spot weld is the point of firm contact between the shooters cheek and his thumb on the small of the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-6-5mm-creedmoor-rifle-round\/\">rifle stock<\/a>. It marks the point for proper <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/toric-riflescope-takes-2nd-overall-in-outdoor-life-optics-test\/\">eye relief<\/a> and a firm contact of the shooter&#8217;s head and hand. The rifle enables the head and rifle to recoil as one unit.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p class=\"team-member-name\"><strong>William &#8220;Bart&#8221; Bartholomew currently instructs a 2-Day 1,000 yard Precision Rifle Course with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guntry.com\/training\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guntry Gun Club of MD<\/a> as well a 3-Day Long Range Precision School hosted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergara.online\/us\/the-bergara-academy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bergara Academy<\/a> in MT.\u00a0 <\/strong>Bart is a retired Baltimore County SWAT Sniper Team Leader and has 46 years of long rifle experience\u201420 years as a Counter Sniper and is the recipient of the prestigious Carlos Hathcock Jr. Award.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/r2.dotdigital-pages.com\/p\/5GBO-4VS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1531\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1.png\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions\" width=\"547\" height=\"141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1.png 970w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1-300x77.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1-768x198.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1-960x250.png 960w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1-600x155.png 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/05\/Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-970x250-1-150x39.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px\" \/><\/a><\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_the_entire_Rifle_Marksmanship_Series\"><\/span><strong>Read the entire Rifle Marksmanship Series:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 1 &#8211; Scope Fundamentals<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 2 &#8211; Trigger Control Equals Success<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-follow-through\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 3 &#8211; Follow Through<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-breathing-control-techniques\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 4 &#8211; Breathing Control Techniques<\/a><\/li><li>Part 5 &#8211; Key Elements of a Good Shooting Position<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 6 &#8211; Supported Shooting Positions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 7 &#8211; Shot Analysis<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rifle Marksmanship: Key Elements of Good Shooting Positions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12017,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2265],"tags":[2906,2958,3004,3032],"class_list":["post-1524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rifle-scope","tag-long-range-shooting","tag-optics","tag-rifle","tag-rifle-scope"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1524"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11299,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1524\/revisions\/11299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}