Page 15 - Intro Booklet 210217

TARGET RIFLE AUSTRALIA LIMITED
ABN 29 143 527 851

COACHING BASICS – TRIGGER CONTROL
Once you are happy with your natural point of aim, breathing cycle and sight picture the shot can be
released by carefully applying pressure to the trigger. Sound easy?!

Target rifle triggers require only a small amount of pressure to release. Light pressure prevents any
unwanted additional force from moving the aim of the rifle whilst squeezing the trigger.
There are two basic types of triggers:

 Single Stage – where one finger movement releases the shot.
 Two Stage – where there is a first lighter movement, and the second heavier movement to release
the shot.

Sensitivity of feel is required for the light-weight trigger and the first pad of the index
finger should be used.

When the rifle settles, pressure is applied to the trigger and the shot is released. As
mentioned earlier the recoil from these rifles is minimal.

Trigger release will become a semi-automatic response to a steady hold and good sight
picture. Be willing to stop and commence your cycle again if it does not feel right.

“Follow through” is a term used to described the two seconds spent after releasing the trigger when an
athlete does not move from their position. This prevents the athlete from disturbing the rifle position too
early in the shot process and also allows the athlete to see where the natural point of aim lies after the
shot has been taken.

Ideally after a shot the aim should return to the centre of the target and anywhere else indicates that the
natural point of aim was not quite correct to begin with.

It is recommended for the beginner that
trigger release should be a surprise!

The purpose of this is to prevent movement
that may occur from either a trigger finger
movement which is too fast or powerful, or
flinching in the anticipation and expectation
of the shot

A target rifle athlete gently squeezing the trigger
(Photo: Petr Kurka)

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Post Office Box 11144, Centenary Heights, QLD 4350
Telephone: 0411 322 926 Email: execofficer@tra.org.au Web www.tra.org.au
Registered office: Suite 505, 55 Grafton Street, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022