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Sniper training. Selection of candidates for sniper groups

Combat psychophysiology is the science of attracting unclaimed potential reserves of the human body to dramatically increase the effectiveness of combat activities. A sniper must have acute vision and hearing, increased level observation and a kind of “animal instinct”, allowing him to predict the enemy’s movements, behavior, movements and tactical plans.

Observation is the same natural psychophysiological ability to perceive information as vision, hearing, and smell. It can and should be developed, and there are no limits to improving this development.

Observation training is carried out very simple methods.

The instructor places several items on the table: cartridges from various weapons, buttons, insignia, camouflage patches, stones, cigarettes of various types and, of course, a compass. The cadet is allowed to look at all this for a few seconds, then the composition is covered with a tarpaulin and the cadet is asked to list everything presented on it.

The cadet, not warned about anything, lists, at best, half of what he saw. Correction from the instructor is required. “You didn’t say what kind of weapon the cartridges were from and how many of them, how many stones, what sizes and what origin they were, how many cigarettes and what types they were, how many spots there were on the camouflage, and you didn’t list what kind of insignia there were.” For slow-wittedness and negligence, the cadet receives an outfit out of turn. Further training progresses a little more progressively. Display time is reduced. The number of items and their range vary. When the cadet begins to accurately describe everything that is shown to him, the lessons are transferred to nature.

At a distance of 100 meters, the cadet is allowed to look at the landscape with the naked eye, then he turns his back and an assistant (the same cadet) makes minor changes near the target field. The cadet is turned to face the targets, and he is commanded to talk about the changes that have occurred there. Gradually, training distances increase to 300 meters. At this distance, the sniper must detect with the naked eye changes in the position of objects - broken branches, trampled grass, swaying bushes, smoke from a cigarette, the appearance and disappearance of small objects (the size of a tin can). Precisely with the naked eye, because during such training, vision becomes noticeably sharper. Then the cadets take turns setting up camouflaged positions and, again with the naked eye at the same distances of up to 300 meters, train in detecting signs of these positions (crushed grass, cleared firing sectors, shaded areas at the edge of the forest, etc.). Then the same thing is done while moving in a car - the cadets determine from a distance places in the landscape of the area suitable for setting up sniper ambushes by the enemy. It is difficult to overestimate snipers trained in this way in mobile operations - in the head marching outpost, when accompanying columns, in a reconnaissance or search-jaeger group. Anyone who has equipped such positions in training will be able to predict where they will be placed in combat conditions. This is quite real - a person who is waiting for an attack while moving has a very heightened sensitivity.

In the above-described training, a psychophysiological technique known to medical practitioners is used to mobilize the reserve of a living organism. During everyday activities, a person needs to constantly receive a certain amount of vital everyday information. It is known that in deaf people who do not receive part of the everyday operational information, this loss is compensated by the increased development of visual observation. Therefore, a knowledgeable instructor will force the cadet to plug his ears tightly under the strict requirement of fulfilling the training task of identifying a target at distances of 300 meters or more. The results progress noticeably, and vision becomes noticeably sharper.

To develop visual observation, in the old days, snipers were forced to spend hours watching... construction workers. In this case, the observer had to be at such a distance that the wind would carry the fragments colloquial speech. The content of the conversation had to be guessed from the articulation of the lips of the speakers and from their gestures. This greatly developed the so-called audiovisual observation and allowed the sniper to study the patterns of human behavior and the system of his movements in a confined space. These were a kind of classes to study human habits. The observer himself, as a training exercise, had to determine how and where this or that builder disappeared in the labyrinth of a building under construction, where, in what place, from what angle and after what period of time he should appear. As floor after floor grew, the architecture of the building appeared to the observer “in cross-section” and it became easier and easier for the observer to predict the movements of possible targets. Then the classes were transferred to the field, to large-scale military exercises. A disguised sniper close to the positions of the mock enemy observed the life of his trenches, dugouts, and communication passages. At the same time, snipers learned to intuitively “turn on” to the target and feel in advance its appearance in some open and unprotected place. When approaching such a place, the enemy had not yet assumed anything, and the sniper already had this place in his sights with the trigger previously “squeezed.” Trained observation allowed the sniper to determine by the slightest signs that the target was approaching dangerous place, and press the trigger before she appears there. As a result, a fascist who moved slightly out of cover immediately received a bullet in the head. Such things were taught at special courses of the NKVD before the war. During the war, snipers learned such combat foresight right in their positions. There was no need to teach such things to snipers recruited from Siberian riflemen and eastern peoples - Nanais, Nivkhs, Yakuts, who sensed nature and sensed changes in it from a distance - they knew how to do this from childhood. At the front, they kept a note of all the artificially made depressions in the parapets of the enemy’s defense, knowing that it was there that sooner or later someone would have to stick his head out to see what was happening at the front line. And whoever stuck his head out received a bullet in the forehead.

A more or less trained sniper always strives to catch the moment when the enemy, crawling on his bellies in shallow folds of the terrain, raises his head. Sooner or later he has to pick it up to look around. After a sniper shot, the one who raised his head lowered it once and for all. Knowledgeable and trained snipers who have learned to feel nature, the slightest changes in it and the slightest, even the most insignificant falsehood in the landscape, will always calculate the open or closed position of the sniper. Moreover, they will figure out in their minds exactly where it is more convenient, advantageous and inconspicuous for the enemy to place an open sniper position, which does not require much time to equip or occupy. A knowledgeable sniper will always determine from what position, at what time of day, under what lighting and position of the sun the enemy will shoot. And a knowledgeable sniper will expect at this very time that it is at this position that the enemy will raise his head to shoot. And with the beginning of this ascent, the sniper will press the descent so that the “raised forehead”, a colleague on the other side, “catch” the sniper bullet. And in no case will a knowledgeable sniper be curious about the results of his shot - he bit and disappeared. It will be more reliable this way. If the enemy is killed, intelligence will report this. If he is not killed, then he will manifest himself.

After the proper level of observation has been developed, the sniper must “open his ears” and train his hearing. On the battlefield, especially in ambushes at night and in operational searches, a sniper must not only see well, but also hear well.

Hearing develops very well when working at night, and in extreme conditions at night it develops even faster.

From time immemorial, there has been a very simple and affordable way to train your hearing using a hand or pocket watch. Lie on your back and place the watch at arm's length from you. Try to hear the mechanism working. Gradually move the clock away from you. Having clearly caught the sounds of a working clock, count its strikes to one hundred - this trains operational attention. If you don’t hear them the next time you move the clock away, don’t strain your ears - sharpen your “auditory attention” and you will soon hear them. There is a direct physiological connection between heightened attention and hearing acuity. Remember! Hearing works at its best when a person is in a calm state. An angry and enraged person hears very poorly.

Start training your hearing at night, when it is sharper in itself, physiologically, and gradually move on to daytime training.

A person hears better when the area is illuminated, even if it is weak and dim. Green color also makes your hearing sharper. This is a feature of the nervous system.

Lying on your back worsens sound orientation, while lying on your stomach, on the contrary, improves it. To improve hearing, a pressing massage of the ears is performed. It is performed as follows: clench your hands into fists and, with the backs of your fists, slowly press on the ears and quickly release. It is important that air passes through the knuckles and there is no “smacking” in the ears. Do 10-15 such presses, and you will feel that your ears have noticeably “cleared up”.

A piece of sugar placed under the tongue significantly increases the effectiveness of night vision and hearing. Chewing sweet and sour tablets increases their severity.

One of the simplest and most accessible remedies in practice is chewing a pinch of tea with a pinch of sugar (but do not swallow it right away!). Theine contained in tea has a tonic effect, and sugar is an energy source for the brain. This method causes a significant increase in vision sensitivity at night and reduces the adaptation time in the dark from 30-40 to 5-7 minutes. When chewing sweet tea, a person’s energy potential sharply increases compared to his normal state. The same effect is achieved by the simplest procedural technique - wiping the forehead, temples, and neck with cold water.

Night vision is enhanced when sitting. Nobody knows why this happens, but this method is effective and proven.

Focused attention increases night vision and hearing by 1.5-2 times.

The eye is the main working organ of a sniper. In shooting sports, shooting with glasses from all types of sporting weapons is allowed. Brutal combat practice places increased demands on the shooter, and therefore the sniper's vision must be impeccable.
To sharpen his vision, a sniper needs a diet, namely, vitamin A, the source of which is carrots, but it must be eaten with something fatty - with any butter or sour cream, because the carotene contained in carrots (provitamin A), from which the vitamin itself is synthesized, It is fat soluble and is absorbed much better in a fatty environment.

This point is well known to practical snipers who nibble carrots at every opportunity and in any quantity. Blueberries in any form are even more useful.

The author still remembers those times when special forces snipers were strictly forbidden to read while lying down and watch TV - from an hour of reading on their back and an hour and a half to two hours of watching TV, their vision noticeably worsens for three days.

As already mentioned, a conventional optical sight makes it possible to see a target in poor lighting conditions, that is, at dawn, in rain, fog, pre-sunset twilight, and even a little in the dark.

In a combat situation, a sniper quite often has to work in precisely such conditions, and this has its own characteristics for the shooter’s vision

When visibility deteriorates (twilight, rain, etc.), one should not concentrate vision on the target in the desire to see it better, in this case excessive tension occurs in the aiming eye and the nervous system is exhausted due to general tension. Tension of the nervous system leads to reflexive uncontrollable tension in almost all the muscles of the shooter , even those that are not usually involved in the shooting process. The pulse reflexively increases, and all this leads to a decrease in the stability of the weapon. If you need to shoot at dusk and the target looks like a gray, half-blurred, shapeless silhouette, there is no need to shoot it strictly at the bridge of the nose - aim somewhere in the middle of the target's silhouette, concentrating your vision on the aiming element - the tip of a stump or aiming square. In this case, your vision does not strain and, accordingly, the body does not strain.

Remember! Usually, when working with an optical sight, the shooter does not notice a deterioration in visibility until it has decreased to a significant level. Looking through the sight, the shooter is sure that he sees normally, and involuntarily strains his vision with the consequences described above, trying to see the target better After the shot, even with Under normal visual load, visual acuity is restored 4-5 times longer than the time spent shooting.

At night, you should not peer long and intently into the darkness, so as not to tire your eyesight. It is recommended to periodically close your eyes for 5-10 seconds. Such a short rest will help you get rid of fatigue.

When working at night, you may need to look at a map, some document, or simply shine a light near you. To do this, you need to use only red light with a narrow beam, covering the aiming eye with your hand so as not to disturb its accommodation.

At night, do not look at the flashes of signal and illumination flares. Look not at the flare, but at what is under it, in the field of its illumination. One beautiful rocket that you admire while it's burning is enough to reduce your ability to see clearly for half an hour. If you need to look at something glowing, take a button and look through its holes, closing the aiming eye. Never look at the fire at night - you still won’t see those who are behind it. Cover your eye from the flame with your hand and look around the periphery of the illuminated area, then you will see what will be there

Try to “put down” a target that appears during the flash of a rocket or other lighting immediately, because a competent target will try to immediately disappear from view after it is illuminated.

With an optical sight you can “see a little” in the dark, and if you develop the acuity of the so-called “night vision”, then you can see even more with the scope. Night vision is not a supernatural phenomenon, but a normal function of the body, inherited from our distant ancestors and remaining in an unclaimed state of dormant atavism. For snipers and scouts of the last war, night vision was an everyday tool for ongoing combat work.

To awaken and develop night vision, look at the stars more often at night. After looking at them for ten minutes without stopping, you notice that there seem to be more of them. This intensified and my night vision “tuned in.”

Excessive “looking” into observation devices significantly reduces visual acuity. Therefore, when working in a sniper pair, the sniper “rests his eyes,” and his partner constantly conducts observation through a periscope or stereo scope, determines distances to targets and performs ballistic calculations.

In the dark, try to enrich your brain with oxygen and take 10-12 deep breaths per minute through your nose for 4-5 minutes. This sharpens the acuity of night vision and hearing. For the same purpose, you can make chewing movements that increase cerebral blood circulation. The same effect is achieved by using a 0.1% solution of atropine. Place a piece of sugar under your tongue and let it gradually dissolve there. Keep it in your mouth longer and do not swallow right away. Night vision and hearing are sharpened by one and a half times.

A sniper who is in a sniper ambush must listen not only to the atmosphere, but also to the ground. Sounds from footsteps, movement of equipment, dropping loads, entrenching work, and in some cases even human speech are well transmitted in the ground. A sniper, forced to be tied to a rifle and visually monitor the situation, can listen to the ground with two in practical ways: stick a small shovel into the ground and listen, pressing your ear to the handle, or bury a bottle or flask in the ground, half filled with water, into the neck of which insert a rubber tube through the hole in the cork. Insert the other end of the tube into your ear and listen.

Remember! A sniper is not allowed to smoke! Nicotine “pinches” blood vessels, reduces visual acuity and increases pulsation. After one cigarette smoked for 2-3 hours, the quality of sniper shooting deteriorates by 15-20%. In addition, constant smoking reduces overall sensitivity and susceptibility.

The sniper has no right to be angry. Anger is useful in a direct attack, but with accurate shooting it only brings harm. Anger increases the pulsation and this significantly worsens the quality of shooting. A sniper has no right to negative emotions at all. Fear “de-energizes” the shooter and deprives him of nervous and physical energy, and excitement causes increased “jitters.” Therefore, professional snipers gradually wean themselves off worry, anger and anxiety in general, introducing themselves into a state of “combat indifference.” It ends with complete insensitivity to stressful situations. And therefore, a sniper shoots at a living target just like at a paper target, without experiencing any emotions. The snipers' composure borders on indifference.

There have been numerous cases where snipers from reconnaissance groups fell asleep on planes before parachute drops, and were woken up just before the drop.

The best sport that promotes shooting is swimming, preferably at a calm pace over long distances. Swimming very well develops the muscle groups necessary for shooting, and effectively and quickly “introduces shooting breathing.” As is already known, the quality of breathing when shooting is difficult to overestimate. Dumbbell gymnastics and training the vestibular apparatus in any available way are very useful.

Running, cross-country, stayer's jerks, and karate classes negatively affect accurate rifle shooting. And therefore, if a sniper works in a reconnaissance and sabotage group, where everything is based on the speed of movement, it is preferable for him to move at a fast athletic pace, and in hand-to-hand combat to work not with his fists, but with a silent pistol, which is good for Russian army They've made enough of them.

Women shoot better than men. It's not even that they don't drink or smoke. Psychophysiologically, women are much more adapted to work in extreme conditions than men. Women's patience threshold is higher than men's. The physiological endurance and adaptability of the female body is not comparable in effectiveness to that of the male. Women have more heightened perception systems, in particular, potentially increased night vision, hearing and smell. Their combat intuition, originally inherent in nature, is instantly triggered. Women are incredibly observant.

A woman who is psychologically prepared in advance for combat operations does not experience a feeling of confusion on the battlefield. When fulfilling the assigned combat mission, women work (they work) collectedly, purposefully and ruthlessly. Combat work is carried out clearly, efficiently and accurately. Women military personnel are very strict about following service instructions, without deviating one step from them. Women treat the process of sniper shooting very carefully and carefully, just like following constant instructions, so they are more trained in shooting than men. Women approach the process of camouflage creatively, with incredible ingenuity; this process is very organic for them. The performance of a female sniper will always be higher than that of a male sniper. In combat practice, women are more careful, and when wounded, they are more tenacious.

Taking these features into account, the Central Women's Sniper School was formed in Moscow in mid-1943. In two years, more than 1,800 female snipers were trained, who by the end of the war had destroyed, according to rough estimates, more than 18,000 Germans, that is, one German division of a full front-line composition.

A. A. Potapov The art of the sniper
(Alexey Andreevich Potapov is a lieutenant colonel, a master of sports in shooting from military weapons, an instructor in the anti-terrorist unit. His military profession is a reconnaissance and sniper. Books by Alexey Potapov are practical aids in combat small arms and shooting techniques. In them, he summarizes the experience of real work and describes in detail the material part, theory and tactics of combat.)

Combat psychophysiology is the science of attracting unclaimed potential reserves of the human body to dramatically increase the effectiveness of combat activities. A sniper must have acute vision and hearing, an increased level of observation and a kind of “animal sense” that allows him to predict the enemy’s movements, behavior, movements and tactical plans.

To complete a combat mission and stay alive, a sniper must detect a target before that target detects him. To detect a lurking distant and camouflaged target, you need to see it, or determine its presence by the smallest signs of the surrounding landscape that indicate the presence of a camouflaged target. This can only be done with trained visual observation. A sniper must notice something that others cannot notice. Observation is the ability to note the natural or unnatural state of objects, phenomena, human and animal behavior. Observation is also the ability to build a logical causal relationship between observed phenomena, the changeable or unchangeable position of objects on the landscape, the behavior of living beings, comparing facts and unraveling possible actions of the enemy. The importance of trained observation, combined with work on the map, is difficult to overestimate. This is the only real way to develop the tactical out-of-the-box thinking that is so necessary for both the sniper and the scout.

Observation training is carried out using very simple methods.

The instructor places several items on the table: cartridges from various weapons, buttons, insignia, camouflage patches, stones, cigarettes of various types and, of course, a compass. The cadet is allowed to look at all this for a few seconds, then the composition is covered with a tarpaulin and the cadet is asked to list everything presented on it.
The cadet, not warned about anything, lists, at best, half of what he saw. Correction from the instructor is required. “You didn’t say what kind of weapon the cartridges were from and how many of them, how many stones, what sizes and what origin they were, how many cigarettes and what types they were, how many spots there were on the camouflage, and you didn’t list what kind of insignia there were.” For slow-wittedness and negligence, the cadet receives an outfit out of turn. Further training progresses a little more progressively. Display time is reduced. The number of items and their range vary. When the cadet begins to accurately describe everything that is shown to him, the lessons are transferred to nature.
At a distance of 100 meters, the cadet is allowed to look at the landscape with the naked eye, then he turns his back and an assistant (the same cadet) makes minor changes near the target field. The cadet is turned to face the targets, and he is commanded to talk about the changes that have occurred there. Gradually, training distances increase to 300 meters. At this distance, the sniper must detect with the naked eye changes in the position of objects - broken branches, trampled grass, swaying bushes, smoke from a cigarette, the appearance and disappearance of small objects (the size of a tin can). Precisely with the naked eye, because during such training, vision becomes noticeably sharper. Then the cadets take turns setting up camouflaged positions and, again with the naked eye at the same distances of up to 300 meters, train in detecting signs of these positions (crushed grass, cleared firing sectors, shaded areas at the edge of the forest, etc.). Then the same thing is done while moving in a car - the cadets determine from a distance places in the landscape of the area suitable for setting up sniper ambushes by the enemy. It is difficult to overestimate snipers trained in this way in mobile operations - in the head marching outpost, when accompanying columns, in a reconnaissance or search-jaeger group. Anyone who has equipped such positions in training will be able to predict where they will be placed in combat conditions. This is quite real - a person who is waiting for an attack while moving has a very heightened sensitivity.

Observation training is transferred to the training ground. At distances of more than 300 meters, sniper observers are forced to use optical devices in any case. At distances of 300, 350, 400 meters, the cadet is tasked with examining the landscape down to every square decimeter for several hours, clearly determining the distances to landmarks, predicting where the enemy will equip sniper positions and drawing up a fire map. At night, covertly advance and set up camouflaged positions. At the same time, instructors encourage the creative initiative of cadets in every possible way. Another group of cadets receives the same task, but “from that front line.” At dawn, both of them train in detecting equipped positions based on changes in terrain and other signs. The first one to discover them receives a reward, the last one receives a penalty. Exactly the same training is then carried out at longer distances - up to 600 and 800 meters.

To develop visual observation, in the old days, snipers were forced to spend hours watching... construction workers. In this case, the observer had to be at such a distance that the wind would carry snatches of spoken language. The content of the conversation had to be guessed from the articulation of the lips of the speakers and from their gestures. This greatly developed the so-called audiovisual observation and allowed the sniper to study the patterns of human behavior and the system of his movements in a confined space. These were a kind of classes to study human habits. The observer himself, as a training exercise, had to determine how and where this or that builder disappeared in the labyrinth of a building under construction, where, in what place, from what angle and after what period of time he should appear. As floor after floor grew, the architecture of the building appeared to the observer “in cross-section” and it became easier and easier for the observer to predict the movements of possible targets. Then the classes were transferred to the field, to large-scale military exercises. A disguised sniper close to the positions of the mock enemy observed the life of his trenches, dugouts, and communication passages. At the same time, snipers learned to intuitively “turn on” to the target and sense in advance its appearance in some open and unprotected place. When approaching such a place, the enemy had not yet assumed anything, and the sniper already had this place in his sights with the trigger previously “squeezed.” Trained observation allowed the sniper to determine at the slightest sign that the target was entering a dangerous place, and to press the trigger even before he appeared there. As a result, a fascist who moved slightly out of cover immediately received a bullet in the head. Such things were taught at special courses of the NKVD before the war. During the war, snipers learned such combat foresight right in their positions. There was no need to teach such things to snipers recruited from Siberian riflemen and eastern peoples - Nanais, Nivkhs, Yakuts, who sensed nature and sensed changes in it from a distance - they knew how to do this from childhood. At the front, they kept a note of all the artificially made depressions in the parapets of the enemy’s defense, knowing that it was there that sooner or later someone would have to stick his head out to see what was happening at the front line. And whoever stuck his head out received a bullet in the forehead.

A more or less trained sniper always strives to catch the moment when the enemy, crawling on his bellies in shallow folds of the terrain, raises his head. Sooner or later he has to pick it up to look around. After a sniper shot, the one who raised his head lowered it once and for all. Knowledgeable and trained snipers who have learned to feel nature, the slightest changes in it and the slightest, even the most insignificant falsehood in the landscape, will always calculate the open or closed position of the sniper. Moreover, they will figure out in their minds exactly where it is more convenient, advantageous and inconspicuous for the enemy to place an open sniper position, which does not require much time to equip or occupy. A knowledgeable sniper will always determine from what position, at what time of day, under what lighting and position of the sun the enemy will shoot. And a knowledgeable sniper will expect at this very time that it is at this position that the enemy will raise his head to shoot. And with the beginning of this ascent, the sniper will press the descent so that the “raised forehead,” a colleague on the other side, “catch” the sniper’s bullet. And in no case will a knowledgeable sniper be curious about the results of his shot - he bit and disappeared. It will be more reliable this way. If the enemy is killed, intelligence will report this. If he is not killed, then he will manifest himself.

These moments are most convincingly presented in the testimony of eyewitnesses:

"...Naumicheva was sent on her first combat mission in tandem with an experienced male shooter. Zinaida was delighted when her partner offered her the same bomb crater for cover, which she had also noticed. He himself settled down a hundred meters to the left. Zina watched carefully , how, having safely reached the place, the sniper began to equip his firing point and then completely disappeared from sight. A little more time passed, and then Zina saw him again. Taking aim, he slightly raised his head, and at the same second an enemy shot rang out. It happened irreparable. “Snipers, like miners, make one mistake,” they said at the school. It turned out to be true.”

(T. Kral. "Right flank")

The aspiring female sniper was lucky. If both she and her mentor noticed a successful position (an aerial bomb crater) at the same time, the German sniper probably also noticed it. Moreover, the German, who had probably studied the area, spotted a convenient sniper position next to this crater and waited for the Russian to raise his head in it. And he waited. Among other things, for some reason this sniper pair entered the position before dark, in violation of all instructions.

"...It happened in the spring, on a clear May day. The girls lay down under a mighty century-old oak tree. They disguised themselves - you couldn’t imagine anything better. In any case, the shelling from the enemy side, which lasted an hour, didn’t even hit the branches near the snipers. Then everything went quiet. Koshevaya looked through the sight of the line of defense. What is it? A small Christmas tree grew from somewhere, it didn’t seem to be there before the shelling. Come on, come on! Komyakova also noticed a new Christmas tree. But, apparently, it moved. Simultaneously, two shots were fired towards each other Koshevaya saw how the fascist sniper dropped his rifle, the tree, not supported by anything, fell on the dead body. She looked back at her friend... Anya Komyakova dropped her head on the butt, a thin, dark stream flowed down into the ground. The enemy's shot was also accurate." .

(G. Evstigneev. “Three Annas”. Collection “Snipers”. Abbreviated)

This episode hardly needs any commentary. The German sniper did the classic thing: he moved forward and camouflaged his position during shelling - an event that distracts attention and does not allow one to raise his head. Russian female snipers acted arrogantly, observing through a telescopic sight rather than a periscope. The fact that we noticed a new Christmas tree, which was not there before, before the shelling, is the merit of the instructor, who had previously trained snipers in observation skills. But the German sniper, apparently, was also trained for increased observation. Otherwise, he would not have noticed the movement that cost the Russian female sniper her life. No matter how camouflaged the sniper is, he must lie motionless in an open position. In a combat situation, everything is noticed and everything becomes obvious, because under severe necessity, perception is heightened.

Hearing develops very well when working at night, and in extreme conditions at night it develops even faster.

Start training your hearing at night, when it is sharper in itself, physiologically, and gradually move on to daytime training.

A person hears better when the area is illuminated, even if it is weak and dim. Green color also makes your hearing sharper. This is a feature of the nervous system.

A piece of sugar placed under the tongue significantly increases the effectiveness of night vision and hearing. Chewing sweet and sour tablets increases their severity.

Night vision is enhanced when sitting. Nobody knows why this happens, but this method is effective and proven.

Focused attention increases night vision and hearing by 1.5-2 times.

“A person with normal vision can clearly see objects 1 millimeter in size at a distance of 4 meters. Also clearly at this distance, shading on a white circle with black lines 1 millimeter thick will be visible (Diagram 102, shown in the original).

As the shaded circle moves away from the subject, the latter will distinguish between black and white lines worse and worse, and at about 8 - 10 meters he will not see them at all. Only the gray circle will be visible.

When testing visual acuity, a circle with shading should be placed 8 meters from the subject and shown to him 4-5 times with the shading in different directions. The candidate, closing one eye, must determine the direction of the hatching each time.

Diagram 102. Shaded circle for checking visual acuity:

For sniper training, it is advisable to enroll only those who, without errors, determine the position of the hatching on a circle from a distance of 8 meters" (F.I. Zhomkov. Manual for instructors).

To sharpen his vision, a sniper needs a diet, namely, vitamin A, the source of which is carrots, but it must be eaten with something fatty - with any butter or sour cream, because the carotene contained in carrots (provitamin A), from which the vitamin itself is synthesized, It is fat soluble and is absorbed much better in a fatty environment.

This point is well known to practical snipers who nibble carrots at every opportunity and in any quantity. Blueberries in any form are even more useful.

As already mentioned, a conventional optical sight makes it possible to see a target in poor lighting conditions, that is, at dawn, in rain, fog, pre-sunset twilight, and even a little in the dark.

In a combat situation, a sniper quite often has to work in precisely such conditions, and this has its own characteristics for the shooter’s vision

Try to “put down” a target that appears during the flash of a rocket or other lighting immediately, because a competent target will try to immediately disappear from view after it is illuminated.

To awaken and develop night vision, look at the stars more often at night. After looking at them for ten minutes without stopping, you notice that there seem to be more of them. This has worsened and night vision has been “tuned”

Excessive “looking” into observation devices noticeably reduces visual acuity. Therefore, when working in a sniper pair, the sniper “rests his eyes,” and his partner constantly monitors through a periscope or stereo scope, determines distances to targets and performs ballistic calculations.

In the dark, try to enrich the brain with oxygen and take 10-12 deep breaths per minute through your nose for 4-5 minutes. This sharpens the acuity of night vision and hearing. For the same purpose, you can make chewing movements that increase cerebral blood circulation. The same effect is achieved by using 0.1 % atropine solution Place a piece of sugar under your tongue and let it gradually dissolve there. Keep it in your mouth longer and do not swallow right away. Night vision and hearing are sharpened by one and a half times.

A sniper who is in a sniper ambush must listen not only to the atmosphere, but also to the ground. Sounds from footsteps, movement of equipment, dropping loads, entrenching work, and in some cases even human speech are well transmitted in the ground. A sniper, forced to be tied to a rifle and visually monitor the situation, can listen to the ground in two practical ways: stick a small shovel into the ground and listen with his ear pressed to the handle, or bury a bottle or flask in the ground, half filled with water, into the neck of which through insert a rubber tube into the hole in the plug. Insert the other end of the tube into your ear and listen.

There have been numerous cases where snipers from reconnaissance groups fell asleep on planes before parachute drops, and were woken up just before the drop.

Running, cross-country, stayer's jerks, and karate classes negatively affect accurate rifle shooting. And therefore, if a sniper works in a reconnaissance and sabotage group, where everything is based on the speed of movement, it is preferable for him to move at a fast athletic pace, and in hand-to-hand combat to work not with his fists, but with a silent pistol, fortunately the Russian army has made enough of them.

Rifle shooters fire while exhaling, using a breathing pause (an interval of 1-2 seconds) between inhalation and exhalation. Why do riflemen do it this way and not otherwise? To better understand this, take a lying position with emphasis. Point the rifle at the target. Breathe in. You will feel that when you inhale, your chest increases in volume and rises. The butt of the weapon rose along with it, and the front sight dropped accordingly. When you exhale, the chest contracts in volume and the front sight rises. This happens both when shooting from a rest and when shooting from a sling. Someone who shoots a pistol can shoot both while inhaling and half-exhaling, but someone shooting while lying down with a rifle can only shoot fully while exhaling. At the moment of a respiratory pause, as you exhale, carbon dioxide begins to accumulate in the body, which has a relaxing effect on the muscles. The pulsation during the respiratory pause is the smallest. With the air exhaled and the chest contracted, the shooter's body is relaxed in the most natural way.

Therefore, the shooter takes the target position in such a way that when exhaling, the front sight or other sighting devices are brought under the target with a natural movement.

Nature has given people different organisms. For some individuals, a full exhalation is precisely what creates a tense state of the body.

This is especially evident in hand-to-hand fighters. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended that after exhaling air from the lungs, inhale slightly (one quarter or half) and hold your breath. You should not hold your breath sharply. Breath-holding is performed by softly stopping breathing on a full exhalation, half-exhalation or half-inhalation.

The shooter can and should train himself to hold his Breath for the 10-15 seconds required to shoot. Before shooting, it is recommended to take several deep, calm breaths in and out to enrich the body with oxygen.

At the moment of the shot, the position of the front sight and other sighting devices relative to the target must be stable, that is, uniform. Such a stable position during sniper shooting can only be achieved during a breathing pause. Therefore, the sometimes used method of clarifying and vertically adjusting aiming by holding your breath at various moments will be erroneous. Let's say that when shooting prone, the front sight is higher or lower relative to the target and the shooter tries to adjust the aiming point higher or lower by inhaling or exhaling. This method is not recommended for beginners. This is sometimes done only by experienced craftsmen who are fluent in shooting techniques.

Beginning shooters have a whole system of mistakes and misses associated with improper breathing when shooting.

If the shooter does not hold his breath at all when firing, contrary to the instructor’s instructions, from the side you can see how the barrel of his rifle “breathes” up and down. In this case, the separations occur vertically with a large magnitude.

Breathing should be held immediately before the shot, 5-6 seconds before it, after the position has been adjusted, the shooter has “settled down”, first pointed the weapon at the target and peered at it. A mistake that novice shooters often make is that they hold their breath without “looking” at the target, and sometimes without even “settling down.” At the very end of the shot, they run out of air, the beginner begins to choke and quickly presses the trigger. This leads to inevitable mistakes. For an instructor, a sign of early holding of breath by a cadet is that the barrel of a rifle, which during normal breathing also “breathes” up and down, and then stops for 5-6 seconds to fire, does not “breathe” from the very beginning, and before the shot, signs of small convulsive vibrations of the trunk.

Beginners also have the other extreme: they hold their breath too late, just before the shot, when the weapon has not yet “leveled” and “settled” properly for the shot. In this case, separations are observed vertically, most often upward. The instructor notices such a mistake by the cadet, paying attention to the lack of stopping the oscillations of the barrel up and down before the shot, or to a very slight stop.

A widespread vice of novice shooters is holding their breath for a long time when firing. When a shooter holds his breath for a very long time, delaying the shot, he eventually runs out of air, oxygen starvation sets in, and the shooter tries to quickly pull the trigger and finish the shot. The result is most often a miss. At the same time, the shooter tenses up unnoticed, which causes increased fatigue.

For a normal shot you need no more than 5-6, maximum 8 seconds. If the shooter cannot meet this time, it means that something is stopping him. First of all, the instructor must check the correctness of the position: with the correct “settled down” and trained, practiced position, when everything that could have been ill has been ill and does not hurt on any side, does not pull or press, nothing should interfere with the shooter. In this case, the instructor uses a strobe light or clamps the rifle into a sighting machine with control aiming to check the correct aiming of a particular shooter.

Such checks sometimes reveal very interesting “surprises”. In the author’s memory, one of the shooters stubbornly aimed the front sight level with the shoulders of the chest target. It turned out that his rear sight mane was too blurry, and that’s why he always took a large front sight. In another case, the shooter was working on a large target with a gap and took a very large gap. With a large gap it is much more difficult to maintain its uniform size, and therefore this shooter all the time, as they say, “played with the gap”, scattering bullets vertically.

The shooter is assigned additional exercises to develop stability and balance (see earlier). Swimming is very useful for increased nervous excitability: it calms a person like no other procedure and increases lung capacity.

Pay attention to the work of the finger on the trigger. Holding your breath for a long time may be due to the fact that your finger simply does not “pull” the trigger (see further section “Technique for releasing the trigger”).

For beginners, the most common reason for holding their breath for a long time is low shooting stability due to insufficient training. Therefore, the novice shooter is forced to take a prone position with a rifle and, observing all the rules of aiming, maintain the front sight at the designated aiming point, without looking up from the weapon and without lifting the butt from the shoulder for an hour. All this happens without idle clicks. The shooter trains only breath-holding, performing it at the moment of aligning the front sight with the desired aiming point. At the same time, the workpiece is refined and straightened. The shooter gets used to the increased loads and determines what he did correctly in the preparation, what he did incorrectly and what clearly hindered him. It is very important for the instructor that the cadet understands the need for all this and does it all consciously. The conscious enthusiasm of the shooter “from the inside” in such cases is more important than the commander’s corrections “from the outside.”

Some shooters, especially when shooting while standing, when holding their breath, involuntarily tense the muscles of the shoulder girdle, abdomen, abdominals, neck and even face. As has already been indicated, when shooting while standing, you must apply calm force, but you cannot strain. Tension of one muscle group reflexively entails unnecessary and senseless tension of other muscles. This negates the coordination of movements when aiming and pulling the trigger. Excessive tension causes increased fatigue of the shooter.

When a shooter is stressed, he usually takes a quick, deep breath before firing and a quick exhale after firing. And even the expression on the face of such a shooter is tense and preoccupied.

To relieve tension, there is a very good practical technique: “while sitting, while inhaling, raise your arms from the sides upward with your palms facing inward, at the same time stretch your legs forward. Holding your breath for 2-3 seconds, stretch strongly. Then, turning your palms forward and relaxing your muscles, exhale lower your arms down and pull your legs to the starting position" (F.I. Zhamkov. Initial training of an athlete shooter).

Combat psychophysiology is the science of attracting unclaimed potential reserves of the human body to dramatically increase the effectiveness of combat activities. A sniper must have acute vision and hearing, an increased level of observation and a kind of “animal sense” that allows him to predict the enemy’s movements, behavior, movements and tactical plans.

This can only be done with trained visual observation. A sniper must notice something that others cannot notice. Observation is the ability to note the natural or unnatural state of objects, phenomena, human and animal behavior. Observation is also the ability to build a logical causal relationship between observed phenomena, the changeable or unchangeable position of objects on the landscape, the behavior of living beings, comparing facts and unraveling possible actions of the enemy. The importance of trained observation, combined with work on the map, is difficult to overestimate. This is the only real way to develop the tactical out-of-the-box thinking that is so necessary for both the sniper and the scout.

Observation training is carried out using very simple methods.

Gradually, training distances increase to 300 meters. At this distance, the sniper must detect with the naked eye changes in the position of objects - broken branches, trampled grass, swaying bushes, smoke from a cigarette, the appearance and disappearance of small objects (the size of a tin can). Precisely with the naked eye, because during such training, vision becomes noticeably sharper. Then the cadets take turns setting up camouflaged positions and, again with the naked eye at the same distances of up to 300 meters, train in detecting signs of these positions (crushed grass, cleared firing sectors, shaded areas at the edge of the forest, etc.). Then the same thing is done while moving in a car - the cadets determine from a distance places in the landscape of the area suitable for setting up sniper ambushes by the enemy. It is difficult to overestimate snipers trained in this way in mobile operations - in the head marching outpost, when accompanying columns, in a reconnaissance or search-jaeger group. Anyone who has equipped such positions in training will be able to predict where they will be placed in combat conditions. This is quite real - a person who is waiting for an attack while moving has a very heightened sensitivity.

The first one to discover them receives a reward, the last one receives a penalty. Exactly the same training is then carried out at longer distances - up to 600 and 800 meters.

Trained observation allowed the sniper to determine at the slightest sign that the target was entering a dangerous place, and to press the trigger even before he appeared there. As a result, a fascist who moved slightly out of cover immediately received a bullet in the head. Such things were taught at special courses of the NKVD before the war. During the war, snipers learned such combat foresight right in their positions. There was no need to teach such things to snipers recruited from Siberian riflemen and eastern peoples - Nanais, Nivkhs, Yakuts, who sensed nature and sensed changes in it from a distance - they knew how to do this from childhood. At the front, they kept a note of all the artificially made depressions in the parapets of the enemy’s defense, knowing that it was there that sooner or later someone would have to stick his head out to see what was happening at the front line. And whoever stuck his head out received a bullet in the forehead.

A more or less trained sniper always strives to catch the moment when the enemy, crawling on his bellies in shallow folds of the terrain, raises his head. Sooner or later he has to pick it up to look around. After a sniper shot, the one who raised his head lowered it once and for all. Knowledgeable and trained snipers who have learned to feel nature, the slightest changes in it and the slightest, even the most insignificant falsehood in the landscape, will always calculate the open or closed position of the sniper. Moreover, they will figure out in their minds exactly where it is more convenient, advantageous and inconspicuous for the enemy to place an open sniper position, which does not require much time to equip or occupy. A knowledgeable sniper will always determine from what position, at what time of day, under what lighting and position of the sun the enemy will shoot. And a knowledgeable sniper will expect at this very time that it is at this position that the enemy will raise his head to shoot. And with the beginning of this ascent, the sniper will press the descent so that the “raised forehead,” a colleague on the other side, “catch” the sniper’s bullet. And in no case will a knowledgeable sniper be curious about the results of his shot - he bit and disappeared. It will be more reliable this way. If the enemy is killed, intelligence will report this. If he is not killed, then he will manifest himself.

Hearing develops very well when working at night, and in extreme conditions at night it develops even faster.

Start training your hearing at night, when it is sharper in itself, physiologically, and gradually move on to daytime training.

A person hears better when the area is illuminated, even if it is weak and dim. Green color also makes your hearing sharper. This is a feature of the nervous system. Lying on your back worsens sound orientation, while lying on your stomach, on the contrary, improves it. To improve hearing, a pressing massage of the ears is performed. It is performed as follows: clench your hands into fists and, with the backs of your fists, slowly press on the ears and quickly release. It is important that air passes through the knuckles and there is no “smacking” in the ears. Do 10-15 such presses, and you will feel that your ears have noticeably “cleared up”.

Despite trained vision and hearing, scouts and snipers necessarily use additional techniques to increase visual and hearing acuity. It is known that sugar and glucose are energy substances necessary for the functioning of the heart, brain and nervous system as a whole, and therefore the senses. A piece of sugar placed under the tongue significantly increases the effectiveness of night vision and hearing. Chewing sweet and sour tablets increases their severity.

Night vision is enhanced when sitting. Nobody knows why this happens, but this method is effective and proven.

Focused attention increases night vision and hearing by 1.5-2 times.

Diagram 102. Shaded circle for testing visual acuity

For sniper training, it is advisable to enroll only those who, without errors, determine the position of the hatching on a circle from a distance of 8 meters" (F.I. Zhomkov. Manual for instructors).

This point is well known to practical snipers who nibble carrots at every opportunity and in any quantity. Blueberries in any form are even more useful.

As already mentioned, a conventional optical sight makes it possible to see a target in poor lighting conditions, that is, at dawn, in rain, fog, pre-sunset twilight, and even a little in the dark.

In a combat situation, a sniper quite often has to work in precisely such conditions, and this has its own characteristics for the shooter’s vision.

If visual fatigue occurs after a shot in the dark or at dusk, you need to “rest your eyes” until visual acuity is completely restored and the discomfort in the eyes disappears. Otherwise, your vision can simply be “damaged.” At night, you should not peer long and intently into the darkness, so as not to tire your eyesight. It is recommended to periodically close your eyes for 5-10 seconds. Such a short rest will help you get rid of fatigue.

Try to “put down” a target that appears during the flash of a rocket or other lighting immediately, because a competent target will try to immediately disappear from view after it is illuminated.

A sniper who is in a sniper ambush must listen not only to the atmosphere, but also to the ground. Sounds from footsteps, movement of equipment, dropping loads, entrenching work, and in some cases even human speech are well transmitted in the ground. A sniper, forced to be tied to a rifle and visually monitor the situation, can listen to the ground in two practical ways: stick a small shovel into the ground and listen with his ear pressed to the handle, or bury a bottle or flask in the ground, half filled with water, into the neck of which through insert a rubber tube into the hole in the plug. Insert the other end of the tube into your ear and listen.

Running, cross-country, stayer's jerks, and karate classes negatively affect accurate rifle shooting. And therefore, if a sniper works in a reconnaissance and sabotage group, where everything is based on the speed of movement, it is preferable for him to move at a fast athletic pace, and in hand-to-hand combat to work not with his fists, but with a silent pistol, fortunately the Russian army has made enough of them.

A woman who is psychologically prepared in advance for combat operations does not experience a feeling of confusion on the battlefield. When fulfilling the assigned combat mission, women work (they work) collectedly, purposefully and ruthlessly. Combat work is carried out clearly, efficiently and accurately. Women military personnel are very strict about following service instructions, without deviating a single step from them. Women treat the process of sniper shooting very carefully and carefully, just like following constant instructions, so they are more trained in shooting than men. Women approach the process of camouflage creatively, with incredible ingenuity; this process is very organic for them. The performance of a female sniper will always be higher than that of a male sniper. In combat practice, women are more careful, and when wounded, they are more tenacious.

General provisions

Sniper training (full course)

1. General Provisions.

A. To become a sniper, you must know and be able to practice the basic principles of marksmanship, which include aiming, shooting position, trigger pull, sight alignment, weather conditions, and conditioning the weapon for normal combat.

The purpose of studying these principles is to develop stable and correct shooting skills and consolidate them at the level of instinctive actions. Sniper marksmanship training is a continuation of basic marksman training. It teaches the sniper how to hit a target with the first shot at various, mostly long, ranges.

b. The marksmanship fundamentals taught to a sniper range from those taught to the average soldier to those required to perform sniper missions. To train at the expert level, a sniper must be equipped with the best weapons and the best ammunition. He also arms himself additional knowledge and skills in the field of survival on the battlefield, which allow him to engage in a duel with the enemy and emerge victorious.

V. Every sniper must periodically retake a course in the basics of marksmanship, regardless of shooting experience. Even an experienced sniper from time to time experiences a deficiency in the correct application of the basics of marksmanship, which is a consequence of the development of other skills and abilities. The basics of sniper marksmanship should be practiced in the sequence given in the following sections.

2. Aiming.

The first skill a sniper develops is proper aiming. The importance of proper aiming cannot be overstated. Not only because it is a fundamental skill, but because it provides a means by which the sniper can check for proper shooting position and trigger pull. The aiming process includes the following phases: the relationship between the eye and the sights, the "flat front sight", the aiming point, the breathing and aiming process, and exercises to develop correct aiming.

A. The relationship between the eye and the sights.

To understand what is required in the aiming process, the shooter must know how to use his eye. The variety in the position of the eye in relation to the aiming bar results in a variety of images perceived by the eye. The appropriate positioning of the eye is called "de-pupilling." Correct eye relief, allowing for minor variations, is approximately 7.5 cm. The best way Observing correct eye relief is the use of a butt pad (the so-called “cheek”) or the thumb of the shooting hand.

For a clearer understanding of the use of the eye in the process of aiming, it is necessary to remember that the eye is capable of instantly focusing when moving from one range to another. It cannot be focused simultaneously on two objects located at different distances.

To achieve an undistorted image when aiming, the shooter’s head should take a position in which he looks straight, and not sideways or from under his brows. If the head is in a position that forces the shooter to aim through the nose or under the eyebrow, the eye muscles tense and cause involuntary eye movements that reduce the accuracy of the image. This not only affects vision characteristics, but at the same time has a negative psychological impact on the shooter. The eye functions better when it is in a natural position, that is, when the gaze is directed straight ahead.

Do not concentrate your vision on the aiming point for more than a few seconds. When the eyes are focused on a single image for a certain time, it is imprinted in the perception zone. This effect can be illustrated with the following example. For 20 to 30 seconds, look at a black dot drawn on a piece of paper and then look at a white wall or ceiling. You will see a faint image of a dot on the wall, but the sharpness of the image in the area of the image will be lost. This effect is very important for the shooter. The captured image dulls the sharpness of the image in the perception zone and can be mistaken for the true image of the target.

Many shooters with bushy eyebrows have difficulty aiming, which leads to a distorted image of the target. In such cases, it is recommended to shave or tape the eyebrows.

b. "Smooth fly."

“Even front sight” is the relationship of the front sight and rear sight in relation to the eye. This is the most important element of aiming, since errors in its implementation lead to a change in the position of the axis of the weapon bore.

Using open sight“flat front sight” means such a position of the front sight in the slot of the sighting bar, in which it is located in the center of the slot in direction and in line with the mane of the sighting bar in height.

V. Aiming point.

After the shooter has been trained to take " straight front sight", you need to start studying the choice of the aiming point. This element differs from the "flat front sight" only in that a point on the target is added to it, to which the front sight is brought.

The aiming point used by the sniper is the center of the target. All novice shooters should know this, as it is the most commonly used and more understandable, unlike others.

d. The process of breathing and aiming.

Breath control is very important for the aiming process. If the shooter breathes while aiming, his movements chest up and down cause the weapon to move in a vertical plane. The "straight sight" is taken while breathing, but the shooter must hold his breath to complete the aiming process. To hold your breath correctly, you need to inhale, then exhale and hold your breath during the natural respiratory pause. If the “straight front sight” is not on the target, it is necessary to change the position of the body.

The respiratory cycle lasts 4 - 5 seconds. Inhalation and exhalation take approximately 2 seconds. Thus, between cycles there is a pause lasting 2 - 3 seconds. It can be increased to 12 - 15 seconds without much effort or discomfort. It is during this extended pause that the sniper must fire the shot. Arguments in favor of this: during a respiratory pause, the respiratory muscles are relaxed; thus, the shooter avoids stressing the diaphragm.

The shooter must assume a shooting position and breathe normally until the "flat sight" begins to approach the desired aiming point on the target. Many shooters then take a deeper breath, exhale, pause, and fire the shot during the pause. If the sighting devices do not take the desired position on the target, the shooter resumes breathing and repeats the process.

A respiratory pause should not cause discomfort. If the pause is prolonged, the body begins to lack oxygen and sends a signal to the brain to resume breathing. These signals cause slight involuntary contractions of the diaphragm and affect the shooter's ability to concentrate. In general, the safest possible period for a respiratory pause is 8 - 10 seconds.

As mentioned above, the eye plays very important role during the aiming process. While exhaling and moving the front sight up towards the target, the focus should alternately move from the front sight to the target until the shooter determines that the sights are in the correct position on the target. Once the correct aiming pattern is achieved, focus must be on the front sight to accurately determine the position of the sights relative to the aiming point at the time of the shot and to identify variations in aiming.

Some inexperienced shooters fail to understand that the final focus should be on the front sight; In poor lighting conditions, when the target is not clearly visible, an inexperienced shooter tends to focus his eye on the target. Shooting at a "blank" target (a target that does not have any outline or a regular target with the white side facing the shooter) can prove to the shooter the need to concentrate his vision on the front sight.

d. Exercises to develop correct aiming.

e. Using an optical sight

The optical sight device allows you to aim without using an open sight. The aiming line is the optical axis passing through the centers of the lens and the crosshair of the sight. The crosshair of the sight plays the role of the front sight. The crosshair and target image are in the focal plane of the lens (the plane that passes through the focus of the lens perpendicular to the optical axis). The sniper's eye perceives the crosshair and the target image with equal clarity. To aim with an optical sight, the sniper's head must be positioned at the exit pupil of the eyepiece so that the line of sight of the eye coincides with the optical axis of the sight. The sniper then moves the crosshair to the aiming point on the target.

1) Removal of the eye. When aiming, the eye should be at a distance of 7.5 - 9.5 cm from the exit pupil of the eyepiece. This distance - the removal of the eye - is quite large, but it must be maintained to ensure safety during recoil and to obtain a full field of view.

(a) Shadow effect. While aiming, the sniper must ensure that there is no shadow in the sight's field of view; it must be completely clean. If the sniper's eye is not located far enough from the scope, a concentric shadow appears in the field of view, which reduces the size of the field of view, worsens observation conditions through the scope, and makes aiming difficult. If the eye is positioned incorrectly in relation to the optical axis of the sight, crescent-shaped shadows appear at the edges of the field of view; they can form on any side, depending on the position of the axis of vision relative to the optical axis of the sight. In the presence of such a shadow, the bullets are deflected to the side, the opposite side her appearance.
(b) Adjusting head position. If the sniper observes shadows at the edges of the field of view while aiming, he must find a head position that allows his eye to see the entire field of view. Therefore, for accurate aiming, the sniper must fully concentrate his attention on keeping his eye on the optical axis of the sight and on the exact location of the crosshairs at the aiming point.

2) Advantages of an optical sight.
The optical sight provides:

(a) Increased aiming accuracy, which allows the sniper to fire at distant, subtle and camouflaged targets that are invisible to the naked eye.
(b) Speed in aiming due to the fact that the sniper sees the crosshair and the target image with the same clarity, in the same focal plane.
(c) Fire accuracy in conditions of limited visibility (at sunset, twilight, fog, moonlight, etc.)
(G) Better conditions observations, more accurate determination of ranges and fire adjustments.

3) Lateral tilt of the weapon. Represents the deviation of the weapon’s position to one side relative to vertical axis. In Fig. 3A shows the correct aiming picture, in which the optical sight and rifle barrel are positioned exactly in a vertical plane. Rice. 3B shows the relationship between the aiming line and the throwing line. At the moment the bullet leaves the barrel, it is directed to point A, but under the influence of gravity, the trajectory of its flight decreases and the bullet hits point A1, i.e. to the desired impact point. Rice. 3B illustrates the lateral tilt of the weapon; sights are slightly tilted to the right. In this case, the line of sight also ends at point A1 on the target, but the throwing line now passes through point B instead of point A. The bullet is lowered in the same way as in the first shot, its lowering occurs from point B and the point of impact is point B1. A greater inclination will lead to a greater deflection of the bullet to the right - down, as shown in the inset of Fig. 3.

3. Shooting position

A. The sniper must choose a position that provides him with greater stability along with the ability to observe the target and cover from enemy observation. The sniper must be able to fire from all of the standard and supported positions discussed in this section. To hit the target with the first shot, it must have a stable shooting position. The shooting position can be improved by using a sling. Although the use of a belt when shooting in combat is not recommended, the choice should be left to the sniper, depending on the situation. It is recommended that you practice the same amount of training when shooting using a sling as when shooting using a rest.

b. The shooting positions below should be considered as guidelines and not as the only possible shooting positions for each individual. Each of the above positions is an excellent “platform” for a weapon and should be used taking into account the structural features of each person’s body.

V. The three components of proper shooting position are bone rigidity, muscle relaxation, and a natural point of aim.

Rigidity of the bone apparatus. The shooting positions are designed to be used as a "mount" for the rifle. The rigidity of such a “machine” is very important. If a house is built on a weak foundation, it will not stand upright. The same is true for a sniper using a weak rifle "mount" (position). It will not be able to withstand the repeated recoil of the weapon at a rapid rate of fire. Consequently, the shooter will not be able to use his shooting skills properly.

Muscle relaxation. The sniper must be able to relax his muscles as much as possible while using different shooting positions. Excessive muscle tension causes trembling, which is transmitted to the weapon. However, in any position a certain, controlled muscle tension is necessary. For example, when firing at a fast pace, it is necessary to apply pressure with the thumb of the shooting hand on the neck of the butt. Only through practice and use of the natural point of aim will the sniper learn to relax his muscles.

Natural aiming point. Since the rifle becomes an extension of the body, it is necessary to adopt a position in which the rifle will naturally be aimed at the target. When the sniper gets into a shooting position, he should close his eyes, relax, and then open his eyes. Once the front sight is aligned in the rib slot, it will take the position of the natural aiming point. By moving the feet or body, and using breath control, the sniper can move the natural point of aim to the desired point on the target.

d. Belt adjustment serves two purposes. It allows you to maximally stabilize the position of the weapon when correct use and helps reduce some recoil factors.

d. Proper contact between the cheek and thumb of the shooting hand or the cheek and butt of the weapon plays an important role in the aiming process.

As stated above, the distance between the eye and the sights must be constant. This consistency is achieved through cheek contact. Proper contact involves the shooter's cheek contacting the butt of the weapon in the same place with each shot, which promotes uniformity of aim and correct eye position at the appropriate distance from the sight.

To ensure better contact when aiming with open sights, press the fleshy part of your cheek against the top of your thumb. right hand, covering the neck of the butt.

When aiming with an optical sight, it is necessary to press your cheek against the butt in such a way as to ensure the correct distance of the eye from the sight. Using your thumb is not possible in this case. A very important point is to firmly press the cheek so that the head and weapon work as a single unit during recoil, which ensures quick recovery of aiming after a shot.

Once the correct cheek position is determined, it must be adopted with each shot. In the initial period, the cheek may hurt. To prevent this, you need to press your cheek firmly against the butt.

Prone shooting positions:

Standard shooting position is prone. This position is very stable and easy to assume. It provides a low silhouette and meets the requirements of shelter from enemy fire and surveillance. To assume a prone shooting position, the sniper first adjusts the belt and faces the target. The left hand is on the fore-end near the swivel, the right hand is on the stock, near the heel of the butt. Then he spreads his legs to a comfortable width for him, shifts his body weight slightly back and lowers himself to his knees. The toe of the stock is lowered to the ground in front, in a line between the shooter's right knee and the target, the shooter lowers to his left side, placing his left elbow in front, on the same line (the weapon is lowered carefully so as not to throw off the aim). With his right hand, the shooter rests the butt plate of the butt on his right shoulder. Then the right hand wraps around the neck of the stock and the right elbow is lowered to the ground so that the shoulders are approximately at the same level. The sniper then ensures proper cheek-to-stock contact and releases the sling tension. To move the natural point of aim onto the target, the sniper uses the left elbow as a pivot point. The position is well balanced if, when the sniper breathes, the crosshairs of the scope move in a vertical plane without tilting.

Prone shooting position. To assume this position, the sniper first selects a firing position that provides the best view, firing range, and cover from observation. He then takes a comfortable position for prone shooting and prepares a platform (rest) for the rifle. The emphasis should be as low as possible. The rifle should rest firmly on the rest with the part of the stock between the front swivel and the magazine. Care must be taken to ensure that moving parts and the barrel do not touch the stop, as this may lead to a miss. The sniper then forms a bipod with his elbows. At the same time, he covers the neck of the butt with his right hand, the thumb is on top of the neck, the index finger is on the trigger; then rests the buttplate of the butt against the right shoulder. The left hand is also placed on the neck; the thumb covers the neck from below, and the remaining fingers from above. The fingers of the left hand are involved in ensuring proper contact of the cheek with the butt and the necessary removal of the eye. The sniper then relaxes and uses his left hand (if necessary) to change the scope settings. To adjust the shooting position vertically, he simply moves his elbows, and horizontally, he moves the body to the right or left. The store can be changed with either hand; Single reloading is done with the right hand, while the left one supports the neck of the butt. When shooting from this position, it is very important that the firing sector is clear. If the bullet hits a branch, leaf or grass, the shot may fail.

Checking the correct standard shooting position includes the following elements:

b) The left hand is in the area of the front swivel.
c) The forend lies in the fork formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, supported by the palm (but not the fingers).
d) The left elbow is directly under the receiver (as far as the shooter’s body structure allows).
e) The belt is located high on the left hand.
f) The butt plate is located in the shoulder “pocket”, close to the neck.
g) The shoulders are located approximately at the same level (to prevent lateral tilt).
h) The body is in line with the rifle (to absorb recoil energy).

Seated shooting positions:

Standard position. There are three standard seated shooting positions: spread-legged, crossed-legged, and crossed-ankled. These positions are equally good, depending on the shooter's body characteristics. He must choose one of them, the most stable and comfortable.
a) Cross-legged shooting position. For this position, the belt adjusted for prone shooting is reduced by 5 - 7 cm. Then the sniper turns half a turn to the right, crosses his left leg over his right and sits down. Leaning forward, the sniper moves his left hand behind his left knee and slides it down his left shin. With his right hand, the sniper rests the butt against his shoulder, grasps the neck of the butt and places the elbow of his right hand on the inside of his right knee.
b) Shooting position with legs apart. To achieve this position, the sniper proceeds in the same way as for the crossed-legged position, except that after squatting, he leaves his legs in place without crossing them and places his elbows on the inside of his knees. He extends his legs into a comfortable position and spreads his feet about 90 cm. By turning the soles of his feet slightly inward, the sniper prevents his knees from moving apart and maintains pressure on his hands. Accepting the position is completed by transferring the weight of the body forward, relaxing and correctly pressing the cheek to the butt. Many snipers use this position because it is very quick to assume.
c) Shooting position with ankles crossed. To achieve this position, the sniper crosses his ankles, sits down, and moves his feet slightly forward. Leaning forward, he places his hands between his knees. As in other positions, it is imperative to regulate the natural point of aim with body movement, but not muscle tension. In a sitting position, this is achieved by moving the foot, both feet or buttocks until the sights are aligned with the target.

Seated Shooting Position This position requires the sniper to be in an area or position where he can or must assume a modified seated position to provide an observation and firing range. To assume the position, you need to prepare a platform for the rifle or use natural cover as a rest. In this case, you must make sure that the barrel or moving parts do not touch the stop. Then the shooter takes a comfortable sitting position, grasps the neck of the butt with his right hand and rests the butt plate against his shoulder. The left hand is also placed on the neck to ensure proper contact between the cheek and butt and necessary removal of the eye. The shooter then places his elbows on internal sides knees, as in the standard cross-legged position. Position adjustment is made by changing the position of the elbows or body. Because this position is tiring, it is necessary to rotate sniper duties between team members.

Checking the correct standard seated shooting position includes the following elements:
a) There is no lateral tilt of the weapon.

d) The left elbow is approximately under the receiver.
e) The right shoulder is fixed in front of the right knee.
f) The belt is located high on the left hand.
g) Shoulders are approximately at the same level to prevent lateral tilt.
h) The butt plate is located in the shoulder pocket, close to the neck.
i) The cheek is pressed firmly against the butt at a point that ensures proper removal of the eye.
j) There is space between the index finger and the stock.
l) The distance between the knees is less than the distance between the heels (with legs apart).
l) The index finger of the right hand presses the trigger straight back.

Kneeling shooting positions.

Like the seated shooting position, the kneeling position has three options: low, medium and high. The sniper uses the one that suits him best.

1) Standard kneeling position.

a) Any kneeling position requires level terrain. To assume the standard position, the sniper lowers himself to his right knee so that his right shin is parallel to the target. The right foot can take one of three positions described below. For a low position, the foot is tucked under and the sniper sits on the inside of the ankle. For the middle position, the ankle remains straight and the foot touches the ground with the instep of the leg. The sniper sits on the heel. In the high position, the ankle is also straight, but the foot rests on the ground with the toe of the boot. The right buttock is on the right heel. When using these positions, balance may be compromised if the body is too far back.
b) The left leg is in a vertical position, the foot is on the ground. For greater stability, your toes should be pointed approximately toward the target. To prevent lateral movement, the toes of the left foot should be turned slightly inward by rotating the foot around the heel. Once in position, the left leg can be pushed forward or pulled back to lower or raise the barrel of the weapon.
c) The shin of the right leg should be in a position that would ensure stability when pointing the weapon at the target. When viewed from the front, the lower leg should be approximately vertical. In this position, the left leg acts as a support to support the body weight.
d) The right elbow is usually at shoulder level to form a “pocket” into which the butt plate rests. The elbow can be positioned lower if the butt plate does not slide off the shoulder. The left hand supports the rifle, so it is very important to know the placement of its various parts in relation to other parts of the body. The shoulder has a flat part located on the back surface, above the elbow. With this part, the hand is placed on the same flat part of the knee of the left leg. In this case, the elbow of the left hand is in front of the knee and the weight of the body is transferred forward to the left leg. The left foot should be under the rifle for maximum stability. There should be a gap between the elbow bend and the belt, which indicates that the forearm is supported by the shoulder using the belt. The sling supports the bones and in turn the bones support the rifle. Approximately 60% of the body's weight is transferred to the left leg, reducing stress on the right foot and leg, promoting a relaxed posture.

2) Position for shooting from a kneeling position with a rest.

a) This position is used in cases where it is necessary to quickly assume a shooting position, and there is not enough time to assume a prone position. It is often used on level ground or when there is a parapet in front of a position when other provisions are not possible.
b) The position is adopted in the same manner as the standard one, except that the rifle is supported by a tree or other fixed object that is used for support, shelter from fire or observation. Support is provided by the contact of the shin and knee of the left leg, forearm, shoulder or rifle lying on the palm with a support. As in other cases, care must be taken to ensure that moving parts and the barrel do not come into contact with the stop. Otherwise, it may result in a failed shot.

3) Checking the correctness of the standard kneeling position includes the following elements:

a) There is no lateral tilt.
b) The left hand is on the forend in the area of the front swivel.
c) The forend lies in the fork formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, supported by the palm; the fingers are relaxed.
d) The left leg, when viewed from the front, is approximately vertical.
e) The elbow of the right hand is approximately at shoulder height.
f) Body weight is transferred to the left leg.
g) The cheek is pressed firmly against the buttstock at a point that ensures proper removal of the eye.
h) There is a gap between the index finger of the right hand and the forend.
i) The index finger presses the trigger in a direction strictly back.
j) The belt is high on the left hand.
k) There is a gap between the belt and the elbow bend of the left arm.

BOOK II. Initial training

The police sniper training school uses a one-week program that includes the following subjects:

the role and place of the sniper;

selection of rifle and equipment;

preparing and bringing the rifle to normal combat;

ballistics: internal, external and at the final part of the trajectory;

marksmanship basics;
shooting in low light conditions;
sniper tactics and field skills;
reconnaissance and target selection;
aiming point and fire on command;
simultaneous fire/sniper ambush;
assault with the support of snipers;
observation and collection of information;
record keeping;
storage and conservation of weapons.

All of these items and some more are covered in Sniper vs. Sniper, so we'll look at one - and two - day programs, used by us. These programs are designed for experienced snipers who need to hone their skills.

Sniper exercises

Snipers train both as a separate, independent element and as part of a tactical assault team. First, we will reveal the features of training specifically for snipers.
From the moment snipers arrive on the range, a realistic approach is taken to their training. We start from the 100 meter direction, where they take positions in a line. For each sniper in the field are installed some targets.
Instructors evaluate how quickly, silently and efficiently a sniper prepares for the first shot - shot from a cold barrel- the most important shot of the day. Each shot is carefully analyzed, evaluated and entered into the sniper book. Targets can be signed and kept by snipers for reporting upon arrival at their units.

Exercise 1
Shot from a cold barrel

Shooting is carried out at two head targets at a distance of 100 meters from a prone position/from a rest position. The sniper may use a weapon sling, bipod, sandbags, or other equipment he may have during surgery. After the command, the sniper has unlimited time to fire a shot at the center of the left target (See picture), reload and shoot at the right target. During an operation, the sniper does not have the opportunity to fire a sighting or test shot, so a shot from a cold barrel tests both the shooter and his weapon and their ability to hit the target with the first shot. The second shot is intended to develop the sniper's ability to reload the weapon and fire the shot automatically in the event that the target does not fall after the first shot.
A shot from a cold barrel should not deviate from the aiming point by more than 2.5 cm. This requirement is not unrealistic for modern sniper systems and ammunition. The shooter is stress-free, has unlimited time and ideal conditions.

Exercise 2
Group

Being in the same shooting position (prone/from rest), the sniper has unlimited time to shoot five shot groups. The target should have a small but clearly visible point of aim when performing this exercise. It is designed to test the stability of the rifle, scope, ammunition, and shooter. Remember the aphorism: "Accuracy results from uniformity."
A group with a radius of more than 2.5 cm should alarm a good shooter with an excellent weapon, but for a beginning shooter with an average weapon, a result of less than 5 cm is quite satisfactory. It is necessary to strive to ensure that the radius of the group is less than 2.5 cm.
Common causes of scatter are loose screws in the sight and mechanism mounts, unbalanced barrels, malfunctions of the trigger mechanism and insufficient shooting skills of the shooter.

Exercise 3
Lying without support

During this exercise, snipers must fire five shots from a prone position without support (without a bipod or sandbags) at a reduced-size silhouette target. During the exercise, we observe the ability of snipers to fire using a belt. During an operation, the sniper's firing position may not always allow the use of a rest.
Experienced snipers with properly fitted belts, gloves and shooting jackets are able to shoot a group with an accuracy of less than 7.5 cm. Less experienced shooters may be satisfied with a result of less than 15 cm. Comfort of position and breathing control play an important role in this exercise.

Exercise 4
Shooting on command

The shooters load five rounds and fire one shot at the head target for each command. This drill is performed from a prone/rest position, and the sniper must fire within a second of the command being given. At the moment the command is given, the sniper is already in position and aims at his target
The instructor ensures that the center of the target is consistently hit on command. Again, good shooters should stay within a 5 cm circle. At the same time, bullets hitting a 10 cm circle will result in the “death” of the enemy.

Exercise 5
Shooting in one gulp

Each shooter in the line is assigned a target (paper or 3D head target). A countdown is given from 5 to 1. On the count of 1, all snipers must simultaneously fire one shot. This exercise is repeated five times.
All targets must be hit with five shots to the center and each volley must sound like one loud shot. The instructor observes the shooting to identify shooters who shoot too early or, conversely, too late. Such shooters “don’t know their trigger.”
Volley shooting is important when conducting ambushes and in situations where several terrorists must be eliminated immediately. A premature shot can warn the criminals and they will have time to take cover or start killing hostages.
The exercises “command shooting” and “volley shooting” must be given additional attention and training time if we want to prepare professionals.

Exercise 6
Shooting at 200 meters

After moving to the 200 meter range, snipers should prepare positions for prone/rest shooting as quickly as possible. Using known sight settings or aiming distances, snipers fire five shots at the head target. Shooting can be carried out under a time limit or by command (See Above).
It is not surprising that most police snipers have never shot at ranges greater than 100 meters. Therefore, this exercise gives them some experience.
An acceptable result would be a center head hit with a scattering diameter of 7.5 - 10cm. Some shooters will be satisfied with just headshots, while others may get a scattering group less than 5cm in diameter.

Exercise 7
Shooting at 300 meters

After moving to the shooting area at a range of 300 meters, snipers fire five shots, aiming for the chest area. The shooting position is prone/rest position. Snipers must be given sufficient time to make a well-aimed shot. The firing range of 300 meters is practically the maximum for a police sniper due to the fact that identifying a target by face at long ranges is very difficult.
The trajectory of a .308 Win bullet passes 38 - 43 cm below the aiming line when shooting at 300 meters, if the rifle was brought to normal combat at 100 meters. The sniper must firmly know the values of the corrections entered into the sight or the location of the aiming point when shooting at a distance of 200 and 300 meters.
When shooting under ideal conditions at a range of 300 meters, the standard is a group of hits in the center of the chest with a diameter of 12 - 15 cm. A wind speed of 18 km/h (5 m/s), blowing at an angle of 90 degrees to the shooting plane, deflects the bullet by 12 - 17 cm from the aiming point when shooting at a distance of 300 meters.

Exercise 9
Shooting after load

Snipers run from the 200-meter line to the 100-meter line and fire at the target with five shots at a fast pace from any position using a rest. The instructor evaluates the effects of stress and heavy breathing on shooting performance.
Push-ups, sit-ups, or cable climbs can also be used to increase your breathing and heart rate.

Tactical training

These classes are a series of exercises involving 1-2 shots each, fired at different and unknown ranges. Shooting at unknown ranges is an integral part of sniper training. He will constantly have to determine ranges both to determine sight settings and for reconnaissance reports.
The instructor must show maximum imagination when preparing such exercises, at the same time they must include: shooting at targets located near hostages, shooting at high elevation angles of the target, shooting through open windows, shooting at targets located in cars, at moving targets, turning targets and shooting in a crowd of people. Every situation should require the sniper to select a position, identify a target, relay information, and then fire only on command.
Tactical exercises can be performed by a single sniper, a pair, or a squad of snipers. Strive to keep classes interesting, varied and realistic.

Experimental Exercises

The purpose of such exercises is to give the sniper information about the behavior of the bullet under various conditions.
This may include: shooting through different types of glass and obstacles at different angles to determine the deflection of bullets. As well as tests of the penetration ability of bullets when firing at barricades, gelatin blocks, car doors and windshields, etc. Shooting in windy conditions at long ranges can also be classified as such exercises.
All results of such exercises must be documented and videotaped for future generations of snipers who may not have the time or necessary materials to conduct your own experiments.

Exercises within the unit

Since the sniper is an integral part of the acquisition team, unit training must be included in the sniper training program.
The scenario for such an exercise could be as follows: the sniper attends a preliminary briefing, selects a position, identifies possible targets, transmits information to the command post and awaits the command to open fire. A sniper's shot can serve as a signal to begin an assault, or he is simply required to provide fire cover for the advancing capture group and continue transmitting information.
The capture team must have full confidence in the sniper's ability to fire at targets located in close proximity to the team's fighters. This confidence can only arise when team members see the high degree of accuracy and professionalism that the sniper possesses.
It is always necessary to assign at least two snipers to each terrorist, and this in turn means that great attention must be paid to developing the ability to fire simultaneously.

BOOK III. Special types of shooting

Special types of shooting include:

A) Shooting in a limited time at a moderately fast pace.
B) Shooting in a limited time at a normal pace (rapid shooting).
B) High-speed shooting with transfer of fire into depth.
D) Rapid fire with fire moving along the front.
D) Rapid shooting with dashing.

When starting to present the features of these shootings, first of all, it must be emphasized that from a methodological point of view, the transition to them is possible no earlier than the shooter has thoroughly mastered the basics of shooting techniques.
By the time you become familiar with special types of shooting, all actions necessary to fire a shot should already turn into a mechanical habit.
Only under these conditions can one count on success. On the contrary, a premature transition to complicated shooting, especially shooting in a very limited time, usually entails the worst consequences: the shooter acquires many harmful skills, which can then be very difficult to get rid of.
Even isolated, unorganized attempts by a shooter who, out of curiosity, tries out special types of shooting when he is not ready for them, should be inexorably suppressed.
The only reliable indicator that the shooter is ready to work in difficult conditions is good accuracy (without separation) and the ability to confidently align the midpoint of impact with the center of the target when shooting for an unlimited time.
From the point of view of shooter training, the concept of “shooting in unlimited time” combines such training exercises when the shooter has time to fire a shot solely at his own discretion, as well as those when, according to the conditions, the rate of fire is only formally somewhat limited (1-2-3 minutes per every bullet).
Methodologically and technically, a line must be drawn between unlimited-time and high-speed shooting.

A) Shooting in a limited time at a moderately fast pace- on average about 5 rounds per minute - serves as a transitional step from unlimited-time shooting to high-speed shooting. From the point of view of methodology, it is still closer to the latter than to the former, so we begin this section by analyzing it.
A moderately fast pace does not require any other skills than those already well known to everyone who has undergone initial training.
The shooter can take careful aim and carefully pull the trigger; he has every opportunity after each shot, as usual, to rest a little; in some cases, by raising his hand, he can even allow himself to abandon the next quick shot that has not gone well and take a short break for a few seconds. Only wasteful use of time is unacceptable; You must not hesitate or be distracted by foreign objects.
But a firmly established deadline always has great moral significance.
The shooter's sense of time becomes more acute, he masters the pace and, while working, gets used to accurately placing both individual shots and the entire series within the prescribed number of seconds.

The main thing that a shooter should learn during training for this period It's about taking your time and making full use of your time. Every shooting range should have a slogan: “Haste is the main enemy of a speedster.”
The shooter must check the correct positioning, good fit of the weapon in the hand and comfortable positioning of the legs even before the “fire” command; There’s no time to think about it while shooting. After the signal, slowly, but without wasting time, the shooter begins to act; his movements must be measured and methodical; raising the hand, cocking the hammer (for a revolver), aiming and firing in the right combination replace each other. The hammer, as a rule, must be cocked without the use of the left hand. All unnecessary movements must be eliminated; Due to this, as well as due to the precise execution of individual techniques, the necessary time savings are achieved.

Whenever shooting in a limited time, the latter should be saved through secondary auxiliary actions. This is necessary so that the shooter has the opportunity to carefully aim, slowly and smoothly releasing the trigger, just as he does when shooting at a slow, calm pace. The statement that the secret of high-speed shooting lies in the slow release of the trigger may seem somewhat paradoxical at first glance. Meanwhile, in reality it is completely fair: this is the main guarantee of success.
B) Rapid fire at a normal pace(4-5 seconds per shot) is the main element in all complicated exercises, in all combat shooting; Therefore, the most serious attention should be paid to its careful development.

Moving on to high-speed shooting, the shooter only continues the work started at the previous stage. Numerous training without firing will help him achieve extreme speed of movement and thus achieve further savings in time on minor details.
But the old rule about releasing the trigger slowly and smoothly still applies here. The whole point of persistently refining the dexterity of movement is simply to enable the shooter to leisurely aim and pull the trigger.

Since high-speed shooting should not be based on haste, but on the shooter’s confidence in his technique, long and persistent preparatory exercises without firing a shot are beneficial for it. special meaning. Accurate timing and observations from an instructor or an experienced comrade from the outside are highly desirable here. During training, the shooter must be informed of the time every 5 seconds, especially noting at what second he fired the first shot, and how much time he has remaining at the end of the entire series. It is not good to delay the first shot too much, but it is even worse to fire it hastily and carelessly, thereby “frustrating” yourself at the very beginning of the series. The shooter must meet the deadline with almost no reserve. When calculating your time during training, you need to remember that an exercise in vain, without ammunition, requires slightly less time than a series of actual shots.

Breathing during rapid fire is of great importance; therefore, special attention should be paid to it during training. Always experiencing nervous tension before the “Fire” command, the shooter tends to forget about the correct breathing pattern during high-speed shooting. The shooter must remember to empty the chest of air before he fires the first shot; he must use the intervals between subsequent shots while cocking the hammer and restoring the aiming line for a deep breath. This must become a habit and is achieved through training. During the competition shooting you will no longer have to think about breathing.

Thus, the shooter’s work during high-speed shooting occurs at two paces, sharply replacing each other: a very fast pace - preparing for a shot; slow - releasing the trigger and aiming.

Moving on to the system of training a speed shooter, it should be noted, first of all, that a beginner should not strive to immediately, at any cost, meet the time allotted for the test series or set according to the rules of the competition. Harmful haste would only lead to negative results. It is always difficult to keep time in the beginning. Therefore, you should not rush the shooter if he is somewhat late with the last shot. On the contrary, the shooter must be placed in such training conditions in which he could freely observe, study and polish his achievements without any panic, without false fear of the second hand.

B) Complicated high-speed shooting, which primarily includes shooting with fire transferred into depth, differ from ordinary ones, primarily in that they have relatively little time left for the actual shooting. Since the rate of fire is usually no more than 3-4 seconds per shot, and sometimes even less, the speed and automaticity of the shooter’s work during preparatory training must be brought to the possible limit. As a rule, these exercises are performed only with automatic (self-loading) pistols, which do not require an unnecessary operation - cocking the hammer.

Since time is short, you have to save even on what you didn’t save on during normal high-speed shooting: aiming. Strictly speaking, here too the task is not so much saving as correct distribution. This is favored by relatively large figured targets, without glasses or with large circles. If there is a target without circles, only the defeat of the figure is counted; Thus, the shooter has the opportunity, without losing points, to only approximately aim near, relatively easy to hit targets, saving time for distant, more difficult ones.

The size and shape of sights are of particular importance for such shooting. In order not to waste a lot of time searching for the front sight, the sight slot should be very wide; It is also obvious that against the background of a large, monochromatic dark figure, a thick, rough front sight is clearly visible. For such shooting, the sighting devices of the "TT" pistol mod. 1930; pistols of later releases are worse in this regard. For shooting at defensive targets, a black rib and front sight are good; For shooting at black figures or silhouettes, it is better to smear the front sight with chalk or colored pencil. For large figured targets, the weapon, as a rule, is sighted “aiming point - point of impact”, with aiming when shooting at the center of the figure.

If shooting conditions place particularly stringent demands on the shooter in terms of time (1-1.5 seconds per shot), time savings have to be extended to pulling the trigger; it must be done evenly and smoothly, but relatively quickly. A smooth but fast descent requires a lot of practice. The shooter must repeatedly and constantly rehearse the entire shooting process of this exercise, ensuring that the movement of the index finger occurs strictly parallel to the axis of the bore of the weapon. It is especially important that the second and third phalanges of the index finger are far from the weapon and do not touch its side surfaces. Checking the trigger release without firing, subject to all conditions of the qualifying exercise, will immediately show whether the finger is working correctly. If, when pressed, the weapon “pecks” to the right, left, up or down, this means that the descent is not carried out correctly. You need to somehow grip the handle in your palm differently or change the position of your fingers on the weapon. If the handle is not held loosely, but firmly, then the inevitable shock during a rapid descent is not so easily transferred to the weapon. Therefore, in withdrawal from general rules, complicated high-speed shooting with a very limited time is carried out with a fairly tight grip on the weapon. For these shootings, it is especially convenient to use the American position (the shooter is sideways to the target, the weapon is on an outstretched arm like a stick) with light tension in all the muscles of the body.

Shooting at figured targets located in depth should begin by hitting the nearest target. Starting with distant goals is inconvenient; in this case, the shooter would cover the nearest targets with his hand with the weapon; it would be difficult to find one after the shot. Moreover, the first shot, which occurs immediately after a quick raise of the arm, is usually the least accurate of all; thus, the closest and therefore easiest target is the most suitable object.

Finally, the farthest target (most often a tall target at a distance of 75 meters) is at the same time the most difficult to hit; it requires careful aiming and flawless trigger pull. One careless movement, and the bullet will pass by the narrow figure, which from a distance seems thin, like a knife blade. If the shooter knows that he can save time by firing at nearby targets, he can take his time aiming at the last figure.

D) Olympic shooting. According to the conditions, the shooter must hit six appearing figures in 8 seconds; this is repeated three times. The signal to open fire is the appearance of targets; before this, the weapon must be pointed at the ground.
The features of the Olympic shooting technique include almost everything that was said above in paragraph “B” about complicated shooting. There is little left to add.

Before declaring readiness, the shooter must check his position. The American preparation is preferable, with orientation towards the first right target. The shoulder and arm up to and including the hand are in a tense state; the hand firmly holds (squeezes) the handle of the weapon. The movement of the hand with the weapon, both for the first shot and for subsequent ones, is carried out only by the shoulder joint. After checking the aim on the right target and lowering the weapon straight down, straight as a stick, and slightly tense, the shooter declares “ready.” Under such conditions, after the targets appear, he will not have to waste time preparing or searching for the aiming line; he only raises the weapon to its previous height and opens fire from right to left.

The choice of direction is not accidental; it is dictated by a number of common-sense considerations. Firstly, when shooting from right to left, the next targets are in the field of view of the shooter; secondly, with the American position it is much easier to make movements in this direction; thirdly, due to the fact that the center of gravity of the system, consisting of a weapon and a hand, is located significantly to the right of the axis of the barrel bore, the weapon itself, under the influence of recoil, deviates slightly to the left with each shot.

Preliminary training without ammunition in Olympic shooting is especially necessary for both the acquisition of relevant skills and self-control; in the latter case, it gives even more than shooting itself.
Keeping in mind that there are always possible unforeseen delays when quickly transferring fire along the front from one target to another, training in Olympic shooting should be carried out with some time reserve. This may be all the more useful since at the competition the shooting is repeated with equal scores for different persons (shootout) is carried out in a reduced time; the first time - 6 seconds, the second time - 4 seconds.
Technically, the most expedient way to reduce training time is to shoot in eight seconds at not six, but seven targets; such training gives the shooter visual evidence for self-confidence. Breathing in Olympic shooting requires special skills; you need to be able to exhale at the moment the targets appear. In fact, it already begins with the word “ready”; then the shooter fires all six shots without taking a breath.

D) One of the most popular exercises in dash shooting is the so-called “fuss”. Under this funny name, high-speed shooting with dashing in an extremely limited time is known in wide sports shooting circles. Its conditions are well known. Starting position - 60 m from the target; target No. 10 - full-length, black with circles or the so-called dash No. 14. Before the “fire” command, the shooter is in the “at attention” position, the weapon is in a buttoned holster. On command, the shooter runs to the firing line 50 m and fires two rounds; then independently moves to 40 m, 30 m and 20 m, firing two, two and one cartridge, respectively. You have 35 seconds to shoot and move. For safety and better control purposes, participants are always admitted to competitions one at a time. During competitions, the judge always follows closely behind the shooter with a stopwatch in his hand.

The difference between “fuss” and the shooting described above is the dash and the need to change the aiming point as you approach the target. After the “fire” command, the shooter immediately makes a quick dash forward, simultaneously opening the holster and taking out the weapon. Approaching the next firing line, he must calculate his movement in such a way that at the last step he pushes off with his left foot, turns around and immediately stands in a normal and correct position, with his right side to the target; two shots follow - and a new push to the next milestone. For this shooting, during training it is very important to learn how to stop in a timely manner in a position convenient for firing.
35 seconds is generally quite enough time, and if it has to be saved on movement, it is only because the presence of circles (ellipses) obliges the shooter to take rather careful aim and leisurely release of the trigger. In this regard, the production is normal; the hand is not tense, the position of the hand in it is free.

Shooting for points, or rather the need to make as many tens as possible, forces you to choose in the “turmoil” for different distances different points aiming. Knowing the trajectory of your weapon, this is not so difficult to do.

BOOK IV. Sniper/counter-sniper operations and marksmanship basics

Introduction

Trained and used primarily by various military formations, the sniper plays a key role in demoralizing and incapacitating enemy personnel. There are many publications devoted to the history of the sniper movement and their use in various military conflicts. The evolution of police snipers owes much to the enormous amount of information and data on tactics and technology of use gleaned from the military. However, this chapter is limited to the use of police snipers and the very specific responsibilities and parameters within which they must operate.
The role of snipers in crisis resolution is vital, so special attention must be paid to their selection and training. The terms sniper/counter-sniper are interrelated. Counter sniper simply means an extra step along the way effective application techniques and methods of action in cases where suspects may have experience in sniper operations, gained during military service or from other sources. The sniper must remain undetected by people in the area of the crisis, and also be aware that someone else may be doing the same thing as him, but on the other side of the barricade. The sniper team consists of a shooter and an observer. Very often the role of the observer is not given importance, but it plays a very important role. And while we adhere to the sniper/sniper concept pioneered by the US Marines, each sniper pair has specific responsibilities. Everyone must be fully prepared to perform the primary task of a sniper and everyone must have their own weapon. During long operations, it may be necessary for the number one to change weapons. In addition to pistols, it is recommended to have a compact melee weapon, for example, MP - 5, CAR - 15, etc. It must be used alternately by both numbers when performing observer duties (whose duties include ensuring the safety of the sniper).
Although the situation has changed recently, in the past it was very common for some agencies or departments to assign less experienced or undesirable people to sniper positions in order to “keep them out.” This is tantamount to shooting yourself in the foot. No person should be assigned to operations until he or she has achieved the minimum qualifications, regardless of what training he or she received prior to joining the unit.
The main responsibilities of sniper team members are:

Sniper:

Provides security and fire cover for the unit. Note: Remember that a riflescope or spotting scope has a limited field of view. And when a sniper reports, “The left side of the building is under control,” he usually only sees a few windows.

Collects information within his sector and transmits it to the command post and unit commander.

Destroys the suspect on command or in the event of (in his opinion) a real threat to life.

Covers approaches and escape routes.

Observer:

Provides cover for the sniper.

Conducts observation of the operation area and surrounding terrain, reports the results of observation to the sniper.

The observer determines the corrections by weather or into the wind and helps the sniper adjust fire.

Replaces the sniper when he needs a break or rest due to fatigue.

Ensures that the sniper is not distracted unnecessarily.

The sniper team is the eyes and ears of the command post and the capture team. Report the suspects' position and movements. Also report places where you don't see anyone. If you have a good view of the room, it is very important for the capture team to know where the criminals are, as well as where they are.

Selection of candidates

A candidate selected for a sniper team must have certain qualities:

Accuracy: a sniper must be excellent with weapons. The possibility of hostages and a crowd of onlookers may require a shot with an accuracy of less than one arc minute in the absence of time for preparation.

U mental abilities: Despite the fact that the personnel of the capture group must be well trained in conducting accurate fire, there are situations when you have to shoot reflexively, in an excited state, in order to save your own or someone else’s life. A sniper must kill calmly and selectively, hitting carefully selected targets if necessary. During a long operation, the sniper may become familiar with the suspect - observing how he moves, eats, etc., and then either receives a green light based on the threat to the life of the hostages or observes him preparing to kill the hostage. after which he must shoot him.

Patience: the sniper may be required to remain in position for extended periods of time in cold weather conditions.

Movement Skills: the sniper must be quite experienced in matters of covert movement and camouflage.

Intelligence: the sniper must have a broad knowledge of various areas, including ballistics, scope alignment, weather factors, etc. Additionally, he must be very observant in order to gather information in the area of the operation. He must have determination, be self-confident, have sound judgment and be reasonable.

Note: the observer must have the same qualities.

Deployment

Snipers must take up their positions immediately upon arrival in the area of operation after the readiness report and after briefing the commander/command post. This is done in order to begin collecting information and contain suspects as quickly as possible.

Weapons and equipment

The following weapons and equipment are offered as the required minimum.
Weapon. The rifle is an integral part of the sniper, directly enhancing the capabilities of the unit. This is a precision surgical instrument. Regardless of a sniper's ability, lack of proper equipment is a weak link in the chain. Particular attention should be paid to selecting a suitable weapon. The standard is .308 caliber, for which a lot of data has been accumulated as a result of many years of testing. However, there are other calibers, the use of which is determined by firing ranges. For a unit that expects situations to arise. When you need to fire at long ranges, the 7mm Magnum and 300 Winchester Magnum are excellent choices. McMillan also makes excellent sniper systems, including the 12.7mm, which are quite simple and easy to use. A trained shooter can easily achieve stability in firing from such a system at a range of up to 1300 meters. As additional tasks, such systems can be used to stop cars or destroy explosive devices at a safe distance. The most important requirement is a thorough knowledge of your own weapon and its capabilities.
At a minimum, a sniper system must have:

A stock made of fiberglass or composite material.

Heavy barrel (reduces vibration that affects bullet flight).

Adjustable hook release.

Quickly adjustable strap.

A bolt with a high degree of surface treatment and polished parts of the trigger mechanism.
Non-shiny surface.
Optical sight with variable magnification. Many scopes with 4X - 20X magnification use 6X magnification. High magnification is used for observation. It is not recommended to use a magnification greater than 9X for shooting. With higher magnification, the problem of stability of the field of view of the sight arises and the effect of mirage increases. The optics must be coated (a double reticle is recommended), resistant to fogging, have a device for determining the range and mechanisms for introducing corrections for various shooting conditions. The sight must have good light-gathering characteristics. The rifle mounting device must be designed to withstand harsh conditions.

Equipment. In addition to the normal tactical equipment worn by all members of the unit, the sniper and observer must have the following equipment:

A heavy-duty cover for each system that can be placed on the back when climbing a rope or wall, and has straps to hold it in when crawling. It must be waterproof and protect the weapon from impacts. It should also have compartments for ammunition, accessories, etc.

Warm, waterproof clothing, boots and a heat-insulating mat, which is used when the team is forced to remain practically motionless in a firing position for a long time in the cold season. Remember that the sniper team must be autonomous.

A reliable, high-power spotting scope or binoculars.

Quick-to-apply camouflage items for self and equipment, including burlap capes, face veils, makeup, etc. Many agencies use ghillie suits.

Devices for climbing onto roofs, trees, etc.

A compact, concentrated diet with a high protein content.

Compact, multifunctional tool with a wire cutting device.
Some kind of bag for general needs (carrying uniforms, coffee, etc.).
Consider using different types of uniforms. The fact is that there is no universal form for various terrain conditions, lighting, etc. It is recommended to have one set of uniforms for operations in the city, forest and desert. This way, you'll be ready to take action in almost any environment.

* As stated, the above equipment is in addition to the regular set (body armor, radio, flask, etc.). Careful consideration must be given to the size and weight of additional equipment so that it does not hinder the unit's operations. Each situation will determine what property is required. However, be sure that you have everything you need.

Storage. Proper storage of weapons requires constant attention. Weapons storage pyramids should not be exposed to moisture. Do not store firearms in carrying cases for extended periods of time. This is especially important for rifles with free-floating barrels.

Workout

The main requirement for training is that it be as realistic as possible. Below are some key points used in organizing and conducting training.

Although training in several specialties is very important, snipers must have sufficient training time to practice in their specialty;

do not forget to allocate space for snipers in accordance with their specifics during tactical training (surveillance, fire support, etc.);

practice conducting training on the evacuation of a wounded employee, on actions when meeting the enemy and on storming a building in combination with live sniper shooting; in real life, you may encounter similar situations and use a technique that you have never practiced before - not the best option.

practice doing exercises to develop visual memory; Variants of such exercises include observing a certain number of objects for a certain time and then restoring them from memory on paper, as well as asking the unit commander to survey employees on the distinctive qualities of key objects and local objects encountered by the unit during the training day.

The following exercise helps in developing hand-eye coordination and helps the eyes “see faster”; This exercise uses two balls (or other suitable objects) colored different colors. One color corresponds to the left hand, the other to the right. The balls are placed in a container and thrown to the student one at a time. The latter must catch the ball with the appropriate hand. As you gain experience, the pace and speed of the ball increase.

Practice conducting classes on camouflage and covert movement under supervision. This also applies to city divisions.

Conduct observational information gathering activities. At the same time, designate an enemy and draw up a plan for his actions. This is a good test of the sniper's ability to notice key points during an observation. Demand that he report by radio details relevant to the case.

During training, use situations in which the lives of hostages or employees are threatened and the sniper is required to make a decision to shoot or not. Evaluate his reaction as you summarize the lesson.

strive to ensure that training time is used both for teaching marksmanship, recording results, and for practicing methods of movement, equipment of positions and tactical actions. Remember that the main thing for a sniper is the ability to use his weapon effectively. The weapon must meet the requirements and the sniper must be able to shoot accurately from it. Insufficient attention paid to this leads to the fact that the sniper becomes a professional in performing this or that technique incorrectly. After the sniper has learned to wield the weapon satisfactorily, it is necessary to move on to shooting from various positions, after loads, under limited time conditions and under the influence of other stress factors that may be encountered in a real situation.

check that the sniper is pressing the trigger correctly using a coin placed on the barrel and firing a blank shot; after the shot, the coin should remain on the barrel. It is very useful to equip the magazine with a training cartridge during shooting. This technique can also be used to teach what to do when delays occur.

Conduct training with sniper teams from other units with which there is an agreement on mutual support. During long operations, especially in the cold season, snipers will have to be changed. If such a situation arises, it is very important that the new sniper shift is aware of the situation (range cards, observation log, briefing, etc.) and is able to carry out the replacement smoothly.

when advancing to the object, correctly use methods and techniques of movement (using routes sheltered from fire and with fire support).

Note: The use of sporting air rifles can significantly improve the professional level of a sniper. They can be used in almost any situation and can significantly reduce ammunition consumption. Targets used for shooting must be reduced to sizes appropriate to the ranges.

Sniper book

Both during training and during operations, it is strongly recommended to keep notes in a sniper book. The main sections of the book are:

Number of shots.

Type of ammunition, bullet weight, etc.

Visibility and weather conditions at the time of shooting (fog, rain, sun, temperature, humidity, wind, etc.).

Any problems with weapons or ammunition.

Each target must be confirmed by the signatures of the shooter and the senior commander and filed in the file. The book may also contain precise diagrams of targets and the distribution of bullets among them.

The sniper book is designed for three main purposes: it allows the sniper to adapt the rifle to specific conditions and ranges in the area of the incident in real time; it allows you to more thoroughly study your weapon and its capabilities, and also serves as proof of professionalism in court.

Ballistics

As stated earlier, there is a wealth of information available regarding the capabilities of the .308 caliber cartridge. The main recommended bullet type is a hole-in-the-head, jacketed, tapered-tail bullet weighing 168 - 175 grains (10.7 - 11.2 grams). The 7mm Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum and .50 gauge are also good choices. Talking about ballistics is like arguing about religion, especially since there are a huge number of excellent books and tables describing this subject in detail. We're not going to talk about ballistics to that extent. The most important thing is to use quality weapon systems that you have confidence in and practical work with them until you become a professional. Experiment with different ammo to determine what works best in your rifle and for different situations (eg through glass, long range, etc.). Once you have decided on the manufacturer and series of ammunition, it is highly recommended that you purchase a large quantity of such ammunition and store it in a hermetically sealed container. Even from the same manufacturer, cartridges from different series differ in their characteristics, although only slightly.

Weather

Military snipers are well aware of how weather conditions affect the flight of a bullet. Although they are trained to engage targets at ranges of up to 1,500 meters, the same principles apply to police snipers. Despite the fact that in most cases it is necessary to fire at ranges not exceeding 70 meters, it is necessary to remember about the possibility of firing at longer ranges. In addition, I would like to say that snipers of police units must be prepared for high-precision shots, especially in hostage-taking situations, when, in order to save their lives, the sniper has to fire at the terrorist’s head, which is partially covered by the hostage. The small effect that certain weather conditions have on shooting accuracy may not be taken into account in cases where it is necessary to neutralize a single criminal or provide fire support for a capture team. But when sub-arcmin accuracy is required, this effect can be critical. Below are some thoughts on key weather conditions.

Note: Although most police snipers do not engage in long-range shooting, we train snipers to engage at ranges up to 1,004 meters using both telescopic and open sights. the fact is that long ranges require the sniper to carefully adhere to the principles of marksmanship. The influence of wind, hook press, even heartbeat significantly increase errors when shooting at long ranges. If a sniper gets into the habit of applying the same principles when shooting at 70 meters as when shooting at 1004 meters, then absolutely accurate shooting will become the standard.

Wind has a significant effect on the bullet, increasing in proportion to range due to the increase in air resistance as the bullet's speed decreases, which ultimately leads to loss of stability.

Wind also has a significant effect on the sniper. The stronger the wind, the more difficult it is to maintain a stable position of the weapon.

To introduce wind correction into the scope, it is necessary to determine its speed and direction. There are several ways to do this:

A. Flag. The angle in degrees between the flag and the staff is divided by a constant number of 4. The result gives an approximate speed expressed in miles per hour. If there is no flag, some light object (a bunch of dry grass, a wad of paper, etc.) can be thrown from shoulder height. By pointing to the place of fall with our hand, we get the angle between the hand and the body, which we also divide by 4 and get the approximate speed.
b. Wind drift and senses may be used if other methods are not applicable. Winds of 3-5 mph are felt lightly on the face; 5-8 miles per hour - the leaves on the trees are in constant motion; 12-15 mph - small trees begin to sway.
V. Mirage (waves of vapor or reflection of light from layers of air with different temperatures and densities, visible to the naked eye on a warm sunny day). With the help of an optical sight, the mirage is also visible on colder days. The higher the magnification of the scope, the easier it is to observe the mirage. Although some practice is required, proper mirage assessment allows the sniper to accurately assess and make appropriate adjustments to the scope. Another side of the mirage effect is the diffraction of light, which is caused by the non-uniform density of air. Depending on atmospheric conditions, diffraction can cause the target contour to shift in the direction of the mirage. For example, if a mirage moves from right to left, the target will appear slightly to the left of its actual position. The shooter can only aim at the outline of the target as perceived by his eye, so he needs to aim at a point slightly away from the center of the target (the effect of wind on the bullet must also be taken into account).

The generally accepted method for classifying the influence of wind is the method using a clock dial (See diagram). It is believed that an oblique wind deflects a bullet half as much as a side wind of the same strength.
The next point is the change in wind direction at different distances. For example, at a range of 1,000 feet, the wind may be blowing from left to right at 5 mph, while at the same time it may be blowing from right to left at 10 mph at the point of impact of the bullet. The shooter must be able to distribute the difference when determining the influence of the wind.
An area that is easily overlooked is the significant change in wind speed within settlement. You may be in a place sheltered from the wind and not feel its presence, while the target may be on the street or in an open area where the wind blows. strong wind. Especially difficult situation This is the case when the sniper is located on a multi-story building. The wind force on earth may have a value of zero at that time. how on the roof of a 25-story building the wind can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour.
Temperature has a certain effect on the bullet's point of impact. Thus, an increase in air temperature of 20 degrees F (6°C) increases the muzzle velocity of a bullet by approximately 15 m/s. Regardless of range, the sniper must make an adjustment of one minute of arc for every 20 degrees F (6°C) temperature deviation from normal. As the temperature rises, the sight setting decreases, and as the temperature decreases, it increases.
Question: How many of you reading this book have conducted sniper training during the spring-summer-fall period when temperatures are moderate? How many of you have trained in temperatures below zero degrees, with wind chills reaching 100°F below zero? As can be seen from the tables, ballistic characteristics are radically different for temperatures 85° F (30 C°) above zero and for temperatures 35° F (5 C°) below zero. Remember, your cold bore shot is the most important. How many of you know where your bullet will go at different temperatures? This once again refers us to the previous pages, which indicate the need for the sniper unit to be autonomous, capable of performing missions in harsh weather conditions. Many of you may say, "We can't operate efficiently in such extreme temperatures." Never say "Never". In contrast to this statement, many examples from life can be cited. Just ask snipers in places where temperatures of 40° F (4 C°) below zero are common.

The Effect of Temperature on the Muzzle Velocity of a .308 Caliber Bullet

Note: A change in bullet speed by 15 m/s corresponds to a deviation of the impact point by 1 arc minute in height.

THE ART OF MARK SHOOTING

The process of training a sniper includes various stages, however, first of all, it is necessary to instill in candidates the principles of marksmanship and ensure required amount ammunition and training time. Until the sniper reaches an acceptable level of shooting accuracy, training other skills and abilities does not make sense. There is little value in a sniper who can successfully perform all the required tasks, but is unable to hit the target when necessary. The following are some basic principles of marksmanship that also apply to training other long gun professionals.

Components of a well-aimed shot

Stable position

Non-firing hand position: The forend of the weapon rests in the “V” formed by the thumb and other fingers. The grip should be light, with slight pressure towards the butt.

Butt position: Positioned in the socket of the shooting shoulder, which prevents its movement as a result of recoil and helps maintain a stable position.

Shooting Hand Position: The pistol grip is positioned in a "V". Place your index finger on the trigger so that it does not affect the position of the weapon when pulled. The remaining three fingers apply light pressure in the direction of the butt to ensure that the latter remains in the socket of the shoulder, thus reducing the effect of recoil.

Shooting Elbow Position: Important for balance. The exact position is determined by the shooting position used (kneeling, standing, prone, etc.) and should ensure that the shoulders are level.

Non-firing elbow position: Positioned directly under the weapon for a comfortable and stable position. In cases where it is necessary to fire in wide sectors, at moving targets or at targets with different target elevation angles, the elbow should not be on the rest.

Cheek to butt contact: By maintaining a consistent weapon hold and position each time, the shooter's neck relaxes; the cheek should return to the same position each time. This position should ensure natural preservation of the line of sight and the necessary distance of the eye from the sight. This ensures uniformity of aiming. Apply the same pressure to grip the weapon, cheek each time.

Stop: Use an artificial stop if available. If there is no rest, the weapon is held by bones, not muscles. When using a rest, do not place the weapon directly on a hard surface. The non-shooting hand should be positioned between the fore-end and the rest surface. This is necessary to absorb vibration caused by the movement of the bullet along the bore, which leads to significant deflection of bullets from the target.

Muscle Relaxation: A properly used rest allows the shooter to relax most muscles. This occurs when using an artificial stop or a bone stop. The emphasis due to the muscles leads to vibrations of the weapon.

Natural point of aim: When you take your shooting position, point the weapon in the direction of the target. Then position yourself so that the weapon and sights are in line with your aiming point. By properly using the rest and making contact between the cheek and the butt, the sights will naturally align with the target. To keep the front sight on the target, you must use force and muscle support. After the shot, the muscles relax, causing the front sight to deflect to the natural point of aim. Align this point with the desired aiming point on the target to prevent movement. The shooter must be completely relaxed while in position and after each shot, the sights must return to the target, provided that all requirements are met.

Aiming

Smooth front sight. For an open sight, this position is achieved by aligning the front sight in the slot of the sighting bar in height and direction. The front sight is on the target. When aiming, you should clearly see the front sight. The sight slot should be somewhat blurry.

With proper positioning and cheek-to-butt contact, the shooter will eventually find that a level front sight position will be achieved automatically.

Holding your breath

There are two ways to hold your breath:
A. Natural respiratory pause. Occurs after air is exhaled from the lungs just before inhalation. It should be natural. This method is most suitable for conditions where the sniper has enough time to fire a shot.
b. At a rapid rate of fire or when firing at multiple targets, the shooter simply holds his breath before pulling the trigger.

Regardless of which method is used, holding your breath is a very important element of marksmanship. The up and down movements of the chest during breathing cause the weapon to move in a vertical plane.
3. The breathing cycle lasts approximately 4 - 5 seconds. There is a pause of 2 - 3 seconds between cycles. This pause can be extended to 5 seconds. A respiratory pause is a more acceptable method, since the muscles involved in the respiratory process are relaxed during the pause and the diaphragm is not tense. The respiratory pause should be natural and should not be artificially delayed. If the pause is too long, the body suffers from a lack of oxygen and sends signals to the brain to resume breathing. In addition, lack of oxygen causes the eyes to lose focus. 8 - 10 seconds is the maximum acceptable period for a respiratory pause.

Descent

The trigger is the independent action of the index finger on the trigger, accompanied by constantly increasing pressure directed strictly back until the moment of the shot. There are two types of descent: smooth and interrupted.

Any unexpected movement, uneven hook press, etc. may cause the bullet to deviate from the target.

The descent must be practiced until the skills in its implementation are consolidated in the subconscious. The moment of the shot should be unexpected for the shooter. If the moment of the shot is known, a natural reflex is triggered, aimed at compensating for the sound and recoil of the shot.

Check that your weapon is not tilted. This flaw is very common and causes bullets to deviate to the left - down or to the right - down. Make it a habit to check the position of your weapon before each shot.
In conclusion, we can say that the whole process as a whole includes a number of special techniques that, with sufficient practice, are performed reflexively. The basic formula is very simple: get into the correct shooting position, aim and pull the trigger. It is very important to understand that neglecting the basic principles of marksmanship leads to misses. For example, when shooting with a .223 caliber cartridge, any error in aiming leads to an increase in bullet deflection by 50 times (an error of 2.5 mm at a range of 25 meters leads to a bullet deflection of 152 cm when shooting at a range of 300 meters).

Weapons with optical sights

When using optical sights, all the above principles are observed. However, the clarity and magnification of the image achieved with the help of optics makes the shooter’s work easier. When using an optic, the shooter must use a different technique using cheek-to-stock contact due to the fact that the head position when shooting with an optic is slightly higher than when shooting without it. This is very important for weapons with a Monte Carlo type stock. If the rifle does not have such a stock, then you can make a pad from durable foam and tape or something similar. It is very important that the weapon is comfortable for the shooter. Below are some differences in the use of open sights and telescopic sights:

Pupil removal. The eye should be at a distance of 7.5-9.5 cm from the sight eyepiece to ensure safety when shooting and a full field of view.

Shadow effect. When aiming, it is necessary to ensure that the field of view is completely clear, without shadows. Improper removal of the eye results in the appearance of a circle-shaped shadow in the field of view, which interferes with observation and reduces the field of view. If the eye is positioned incorrectly in relation to the main optical axis of the scope, it will result in a crescent-shaped shadow appearing on the sides of the scope's field of view. As a result, the bullets are deflected in the direction opposite to the shadow.

Parallax. This is an optical distortion that occurs when the axes of the lenses of an optical instrument do not match. Parallax causes the point of impact to deviate significantly from the point of aim. To determine parallax, place the weapon in the machine and aim the crosshair at a distant point. Without losing sight, move away from the weapon for a short period of time. Then take the same position and look through the scope. If the crosshair is in the same position, then everything is fine. If there is a deviation, this means that the phenomenon of parallax is taking place.

Ranging

Even with a rangefinder and a scope equipped with a compensator, the ability to determine range is a very important issue in sniper training. There are several ways to determine range, such as determination from a map, using a range card, using a range finder, by observing the deflections of bullets, determination using an eye and the size of an object. The main points related to police snipers are discussed below.

Determining ranges by eye

This method is the most accessible and appropriate. The range is determined by laying out segments of 100 meters on the ground. At a range of up to 500 meters, you can accurately divide the distance into 100-meter segments (for longer ranges, determine the middle of the distance, calculate how many 100-meter segments fit before it, and then multiply the result by 2 times). Interconnected with this method is the method of determining range by the size of objects, which can clarify your calculations. This method requires knowledge of the size of an object at a certain range. Objects such as a deer, a cow, a certain type of tree, a window, and especially a human figure look different at different distances. The sniper must improve his skills in determining ranges and develop his own formulas and methods. For example, by measuring the parameters of building windows or the distance between the headlights of various cars, etc., and calculating the number of centimeters between them at known ranges, we get an excellent way to determine ranges. Using the method of determining ranges by the relative sizes and degree of visibility of individual elements of objects characteristic of the area of operation, you can double-check yourself using the method of setting aside 100-meter segments. The ideal time to acquire these skills is at a shooting range with known ranges. Typically, each firing line is marked on the ground at 100 meter intervals. Use personnel targets (the average human figure is approximately 75 cm from the waist to the top of the head). If possible, use different methods to double-check your results.

Range cards

The use of range cards is very effective when time and situation permit. An example would be a raid on a specified object that was under surveillance for a certain time. The cards reflect characteristic landmarks that allow the sniper to quickly and accurately estimate the range to targets. The range card is drawn up relative to the sniper's firing position and the target. The card indicates the distance to easily identifiable local objects such as individual trees and lamp posts. entrance doors of buildings, etc. When a target appears, its location relative to the nearest local object marked on the range card will immediately indicate to the sniper the exact range.

Factors affecting range determination

Objects with straight, clear outlines appear closer than objects with blurry, indistinct outlines, such as a group of trees or bushes.

A target that has a sharp contrast to the background appears to be closer than it actually is.

Terrain significantly affects ranging accuracy. When observed uphill, the ranges appear larger and, conversely, when observed downhill, they appear shorter than they actually are. A smooth, flat surface (sand, water) brings targets closer. Conversely, rough terrain creates the illusion that targets are further away. When observing through a valley or large depression that is completely visible, the ranges appear greater. A narrow field of view also removes objects (alleys, winding streets, paths in wooded areas, etc.).

Lighting conditions also create the illusion that objects appear closer or further away than they actually are. The better the target is illuminated, the closer it appears. A target seen in daylight appears closer than one seen in fog, dust or rain. The position of the sun in relation to the target is also important. If the sun is behind you, the target appears closer. When the sun is positioned behind the target, the distance to it appears greater than it actually is.

A completely open target will appear closer than the same target that is partially open.

Target reconnaissance

1. Preliminary search: quick inspection of specific areas (without constantly combing the eyes of the entire observation sector).
2. Detailed search: systematic study. Use the method of sequentially inspecting one lane after another. Start from the nearest area (the most dangerous) on any side, sector - 180(, 50 meters deep, then inspect subsequent areas sequentially.
3. Difference between INTEREST and ATTENTION:

INTEREST: feeling involved in a current or potential process.

ATTENTION: actions in response to some stimulus.

Attention without interest cannot be maintained for a long time. Stimulate your interest to maintain attention in case of a long period of unsuccessful observation (be creative).

4. Four types of target attributes:

olfactory (smell);

tactile (touch);

auditory (sound/audibility);

visual (view).

Note: one sign enhances the perception of other signs.

5. Main unmasking signs:

contrast;
movement.

Note: the enemy is trying to find the same signs in order to detect you that you are looking for in order to detect him.

Checklist before and during shooting

Once the team has taken a position, the following must be checked:

Are there any obstacles in front of the trunk?

Availability of appropriate support. The bipod must be on a stable surface, shooting bags or socks must be in place, nothing is in contact with the barrel, etc.;

Natural aiming point and lack of lateral tilt of the weapon;

General condition of the weapon (sight mount, etc.);

Make sure that the protective covers of the sight are removed, there is no obstruction in front of the sight, and the focus of the sight is set correctly. Make sure that the settings of the sight and adjustment mechanisms correspond to the range and shooting conditions;

Make sure the shooting position is comfortable;

Equipment or straps should not be placed between the stock and the shoulder;

Record the weather conditions in the sniper book;

Take every minute to check old records of similar conditions and ranges, check the range card, etc.

Before and after each shot, a well-trained shooter will automatically mentally check the following points:

Correct body position;

Proper holding of the weapon for convenience, compensation of recoil and prevention of lateral tilt;

Breath control;

Pupil removal;

Correct field of view of the sight;

Descent control;

Continuation of mental and physical application basic marksmanship skills after each shot;

Waiting and planning for the next shot;

Record the shot in the sniper book as quickly as possible (especially important for legal proceedings).

Hit group analysis

Analyzing the nature and grouping of each group, the shooter determines the causes of deviations and eliminates them. Typically errors are the result of the following factors:

Correct aiming;

Sight field of view;

Focusing the eye on the target;

Pupil removal;
Incorrect sight settings;
Unstable shooting position;
Natural aiming point;
Waiting for the shot;
Holding a weapon;
Inability to judge range and weather conditions;
Emotional state, concentration or distraction.

Shot from a cold barrel

As you practice, create a database for cold-bore shots. Pay special attention to the first shot after uncovering. A hot barrel affects the bullet's point of impact. Remember, in a real-life situation, a shot from a cold barrel is a valid shot. If conditions permit at the time of the call, each team must take turns conducting a cold barrel check at the nearest range to double check the weapon.
Note: Many shooters coat the bore with a medium layer of lubricant during storage. There is nothing wrong with this, but remember to wipe the barrel dry before performing the task. The oil in the barrel affects the first shot.

Position selection

In most cases, time constraints during an incident or its location (especially in a populated area) prevent the sniper team from selecting the most appropriate location for a position. However, you should use as many factors as possible to your advantage. Camouflage and modes of movement are covered in Chapter 2. Below are some considerations for choosing a position in a populated area:

When taking a position in a building, choose it to the right or left of a window or doorway to avoid projecting into it;

Take a position as deep inside the room as possible so as not to be in the light, but remember that the further you are from the firing opening, the smaller your observation sector;

When you open a window, be sure to secure the curtains so that their movement does not reveal your presence. Instead of opening a window, you can pull out one glass. If the window doesn't open, you can knock it out or move to another position. Many modern high-rise buildings have highly durable window glass, which you cannot break;

Wet the area immediately adjacent to your position with water if you are in a dusty room. This is done so that when firing, the enemy does not detect your position and the rising dust does not obscure your view when shooting;

If necessary, construct a firing position. Use tables and other furniture to create a stable platform;

Make sure you are protected from fire and observation;

Think through the ways of approaching and retreating to the position. You must occupy it unnoticed and quickly leave when you discover it;

Do not choose a place for a position where the enemy can expect your appearance;

When choosing a position, take into account changing conditions during the day and night in case the operation is delayed. Remember that a location that is relatively sheltered at night may not provide concealment during daylight.

Route selection

Below are the main issues to be considered when choosing a route.

1. Camouflage during movement and in position.
2. The route must provide cover from enemy fire and observation and be, if possible, the shortest.

Avoid places where the enemy may be waiting for you (possible routes of approach);

Compress your time (it should work for you if possible);

If detected, choose cover in accordance with the enemy's weapon. For example, for a .308 caliber bullet, the shelter should have a thickness: made of pine - 127 cm; made of sand - 25 cm; made of concrete - 7.5 cm.

3. Study and choose a route:

Target location;

Shelter from fire and surveillance;

The most advantageous positions for the team;

Obstacles in the way of movement (natural or artificial);

Known or probable enemy locations;

Methods of movement through various terrain (obstacles, dangerous areas, open areas, etc.);

Escape routes (to move to another area or escape if detected);

Mark and remember characteristic landmarks near the route and on the route;

Be aware of animals that may give away your presence (dogs, birds, livestock);

Target area: Identify key control points (doors, streets, etc.).

Note: If you are detected, the enemy may not be able to fire at you, but from now on they will be aware of your presence.

4. Characteristics of settlements:

The predominance of artificial local objects;

Availability of shelters from fire and observation (for both sides);

Limited observation and firing sectors;

Traffic is mainly along the streets (for both sides);

Overcoming obstacles is difficult due to limited access routes;

The presence of hidden routes of approach and escape through underground communications (sewage, metro, utility networks, etc.);

Presence of civilians;

The advantages are on the side of the defender;

Radio communications are deteriorating.

5. Sources of information:

Civil defense plans;
Fire stations;
Local military units;
Urban engineers.

Firing order

This order or a similar one should become part of the sniper's automatic actions - a kind of subconscious list.

Define the purpose (details and importance);

Stable position;

Identify the main danger areas;

Determine whether it will be necessary to fire at a moving or fleeing target (in case of criminals escaping, coming out to attack the capture team, moving through windows or doorways, etc.) Determine lead in advance for possible situations.

Open fire (guided by the principles of using weapons).

Storming a building under the cover of a sniper

The unit commander may decide to use the sniper's shot as a signal to begin an assault on command or wait for him to fire at an emerging target. This method is very effective, but requires careful organization of interaction. Use it during your classes.

Evacuation of a wounded employee under the cover of a sniper

Snipers can be used to cover the evacuation of a wounded employee or during suddenly threatening situations (sudden meeting with the enemy, unexpected opening of fire by the enemy, etc.). These situations should also be worked out during training.

Cooperation between multiple sniper teams

To effectively cover the area of operation in a 360° sector, at least two sniper teams must be used. Whether you choose to use coordinated fires or other actions, it is a non-negotiable rule that each sniper knows his responsibilities and where other personnel are located. Sometimes the capture group may find itself in a position from which the object is not visible. In such cases, a team of snipers can direct their movement. Remember that you must report what you see from your position and angle so that those in other positions can understand you correctly. It is very easy under stress to give the command to someone to move to the left, not suspecting that for him this may be a completely different direction. Be sure to practice this question during class.

Use of snipers during civil disobedience

The sniper can play a key role in supporting police forces during mass disturbances of public order, riots, etc. They can be used for counter-sniper operations and to ensure the general safety of police officers, as well as for collecting and reporting information. This became clear after the riots in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in 1992, when police forces were faced with pre-arranged ambushes of rioters that have become commonplace these days.

Use of snipers in red-handed arrests

A team of snipers can provide cover during drug seizure operations that involve some risk to life. They can also provide cover for red-handed arrests in buildings or parking lots, etc.

Actions of snipers as part of a capture group

At first glance, this task may seem unusual for snipers or as an improper use of them. At the same time in major cities there are a lot of industrial zones and large shopping centers. You can measure the distances in them and you will be surprised. An example is one of these buildings in Seattle, which has an internal length of 700 meters.

Surgical shooting

This shooting is especially important during a hostage rescue operation where the perpetrator is holding a gun pointed at them. A person has only two places, when damaged, instant paralysis occurs and the reflexive execution of the command of the brain centers does not occur:

Base of the brain: Located at the point where the spinal cord attaches to the brain. You can feel this area by placing your hand on the hollow at the base of the skull. To hit this point, the target must have its back to you.

Motor nerves: Pass through the top of the head down to the upper tips of the ears. Vulnerable when fired from the left or right.

If you can only fire from the enemy's front, aim for the eye socket or mouth. A shot to the forehead can cause a ricochet and cause a reflex muscle contraction.

Note: There is an opinion among experienced professionals that it is not necessary to strive to hit the above vulnerable points. They claim that with a direct hit to the head from a bullet of .308 caliber or higher, death occurs instantly. You can bring your own ideas.

Object designation

There are various options for naming or identifying objects. To organize effective communication when providing mutual assistance or conducting joint operations with other agencies, it is very important that all participants use the same designation of object elements and its identification. This is another area where standardization is vital.

EXAMPLE: Side 1 of 4

Here is one of the widely used methods. Please note that the building is numbered from top to bottom, not from bottom to top (as civilians imagine). This is done because team members or snipers can only see the upper floors of the building. If you start the designation from bottom to top, it can be confusing to those who cannot see the lower floors and therefore do not know how many floors the building has. As a result, they may misunderstand which window and on which floor they should control. This unfortunate situation could result in a sniper taking out the janitor on the 13th floor with surgical precision instead of the terrorist on the 14th.
Also note that the designation of the sides of the building begins with the side on which the main entrance is located and is always numbered 1. The sides are numbered clockwise when viewed from above. Each side is assigned a number, regardless of wall configuration or other structural features. Some agencies use letter designations for this. It is recommended to establish your notation system once and for all and not change it to avoid confusion.

Snipers should try to position themselves on opposite corners so that everyone can see two sides of the building. Although each sniper has a limited view and makes a diagram of what he sees, at the command post all the diagrams received from all teams must be placed in order, one side at a time, to obtain a complete picture.
Note: The sniper must maintain contact with the command post to verify that the side visible to the sniper matches the assigned number or letter.

EXERCISE #1:
Shooting at targets located at unknown ranges.

Purpose: To train the sniper in determining ranges to targets and firing.
Execution order:

a) Each pair is assigned 5 targets located at ranges unknown to the snipers.
b) Each couple is given 10 cartridges, 5 for each.
c) Each pair must hit 5 targets at ranges up to 900 meters. Each target is marked with a sniper team number.
d) At the command of the leader, snipers fire at their targets without a time limit.
e) At the end of shooting, targets are inspected and hits are scored as follows:

5 points are awarded for each hit;

the maximum number of points per team is 50;

The credit score is 80% of the maximum.

EXERCISE #2:
Sniper shooting during a counter-terrorist/counter-guerrilla operation.

Goal: To develop snipers’ skills in conducting accurate fire at a point target under specified conditions.
Description of the exercise: This exercise is performed for 2 days, half a day every day. Number of ammunition - 30 pcs. for each one for one day. Shooting is carried out at silhouette targets located at 100, 200 and 300 meters each. Positions used for firing: - on the first day - lying down, on the second day - using various covers and lying down using a belt.
Snipers work in pairs, taking turns, and radio communication must be established with them.
Procedure: Before performing the exercise, snipers are instructed on the following issues:

Purpose of the exercise;

Distribution of goals;

Types of targets used;

Quantity of ammunition;

Temporary restrictions;

Expected results.

After briefing, snipers move to the specified positions.
Every day, shooting is carried out with 10 shots at 3 silhouette targets located at ranges of 100, 200 and 300 meters. The silhouette target is complemented by blackening the area 2.5 cm above and 2.5 cm below a line drawn through the centers of the eyes and limited by the contours of the head in width. Only hits in this zone count. On sights, values are set according to the distance to the target; Aiming using a remote aiming point is not permitted.
On the first day, snipers fire only at single targets.
On the second day, the first five shots are fired at a double target (for example, the “terrorist” is half covered by the “hostage”). The second series of five shots is fired at a group target (for example, a “terrorist” is partially covered by two “hostages”. Due to the fact that hits only in the blackened area of the head are counted, it is necessary to fire only at that part of this zone that is not covered by the head of the “hostage” ".

Additional requirements for shooting positions on the second day:

The first and second shots are fired from behind the wall;

The third and fourth shots are fired from the roof;

The fifth and sixth shots are fired from around the corner;

The seventh and eighth shots are fired from the window;

The ninth and tenth shots are fired using a prone belt.

These positions are used to shoot at each target at ranges of 100, 200 and 300 meters.
Score: The exercise is considered failed if the sniper makes 7 or more misses each day or hits the hostage target on any day.

EXERCISE #3:
Test for the title of marksman.

Purpose: To evaluate a sniper's ability to fire at 25 specific targets at various ranges.
The exercise consists of two stages:

firing at stationary targets;

firing at moving targets.

Requirements for a sniper: The sniper must be dressed in a camouflage suit and move tactically correctly during the test. Movement during the test is carried out over a distance of 5 - 10 meters from the starting position to the firing position.
Execution order:

1. Firing at stationary targets at a range of 300 - 800 meters.

A. Each pair of snipers is assigned a target group consisting of 8 targets.
Stationary targets are placed in the center of the target group. The right and left boundaries of the target group must be marked.
b. The first stage of the exercise at each range (300, 500, 600, 700 and 800 meters) is to fire at stationary targets from a prone position or using the Hawkins position. In this case, the rifle must be aligned to 600 meters. The command is given to load three cartridges. The sniper and observer are given three minutes to determine the wind correction, assess the lighting conditions, determine the amount of elevation of the aiming point and fire three shots at the targets. After three minutes, all stationary targets in that range are lowered or moved to the firing range for inspection and scoring. The sniper and observer are not swapped until the sniper shoots at moving targets at this line.

2. Firing at moving targets at a range of 300 - 800 meters.

A. All teams remain in their positions to fire at moving targets within their respective groups of 8 targets.
b. The second stage of the exercise at each level (300, 500, 600, 700 and 800 meters) is firing at moving targets. The command is given to load two cartridges.

After everyone is ready, a command is given to start moving the target, which appears on the left border of the group target and moves from left to right. The sniper has 15 - 20 seconds to fire one shot. The next target starts moving from right to left. It also takes 15 - 20 seconds and one shot to defeat her.

3. Evaluation of the exercise.

Each hit is worth one point with a maximum score of 25 points. Misses are scored 0 points. The qualifying result is a number of points equal to 80% of the maximum.

4. Qualification table.

Note:
N - stationary target;
D - moving target;
LSU - supine position;
X - Hawkins position.

EXERCISE #4:
Sniper position equipment.

Goal: To develop the sniper's ability to set up a semi-stationary position that provides cover from fire, observation and has an appropriate field of fire.
Description of the exercise: Having studied the terrain, the sniper must choose a place to hide within the specified area of the terrain and equip a firing position that is invisible to an observer from a distance of 25 meters.
Recommendations for the leader: The area of the terrain on which the exercise will be performed must be selected with the utmost care. At a minimum, the number of places suitable for shelters must be 1.5 times the number of teams involved in the exercise. Snipers must have adequate time to set up positions before instructors begin observing. The boundaries of the area where the exercise is carried out must be clearly marked using local objects or using poles.
Execution order:

A. Briefing. Before the start of the training, snipers are instructed on the following issues:

purpose of the lesson;

time to complete the exercise (usually 9 hours);
the direction from which observation and deployment of the observer will be carried out.

b. After briefing, the teams depart to the shelter installation sites and begin work.
V. During the observation phase, the observer maintains radio contact with two assistants. Assistants are located within the training area and move to the detected positions at the command of the observer.
d. At the same time, an assistant observer moves around the field, holding cards with various signs that must be written down by snipers.
d. If the observer cannot detect shelter using binoculars and a spotting scope from a distance of 600 meters, he successively moves to distances of 500, 300, 100 and 25 meters. At all these lines he has unlimited time for observation, with the exception of the line of 25 meters, from which he has the right to observe within 1 minute.
e. Evaluation The exercise is considered failed if the sniper is detected at any time or has drawn all the sign cards incorrectly.

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