| | Breathing Techniques for Snipers | Snipers are specially trained marksmen who are able to
shoot their targets from long distances. Although
snipers have inherent shooting powers before they
undergo training, many skills must be learned to make
a marksman into a sniper. Training in subtlety and
camouflage are, of course, very important for a
sniper. If a sniper breathes during his shot, his
movement may move the gun and throw off the shot.
Breathing techniques are an important, yet often
overlooked, part of a sniper's skill.
Breath control is of the utmost importance for the
sniper. The movement made by the expansion and
contraction of the chest cavity during a shot could
easily throw a snipers aim off. In order for a sniper
to make his shot, he is required to stop breathing for
during the natural pause between inhalation and
exhalation and make his shot. The natural pause
between breaths is usually two or three seconds long.
By extending this pause to ten seconds, a sniper has
the window he needs to make his shot. Firing should
always occur during this forced pause, when the
diaphragm and breathing muscles are relaxed. If the
sniper does not settle enough to make his shot, the
relaxation process is repeated.
This respiratory pause should not be forced or too
long. Holding your breath too long results in
involuntary movement of the body. Ten seconds is the
assumed time limit to make a good shot while holding
your breath during the natural pause between breaths.
Even after the shot is made, breathing is still
important during the follow through. Snipers are
trained to keep their muscles relaxed and their
breathing regular and steady after the shot. |
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