I need help holding a gun! Rifle team tryouts in one week!?

Question

I have been practicing for my high school rifle team tryouts. I am excellent in the kneeling and prone (lying down) position, but when I am standing up, I cannot stop my left arm (I am right handed) from shaking! Anything that can help? Diet? Weights? Help! Help! Help! Thanks.

Question Details: I have been practicing for my high school rifle team tryouts. I am excellent in the kneeling and prone (lying down) position, but when I am standing up, I cannot stop my left arm (I am right handed) from shaking! Anything that can help? Diet? Weights? Help! Help! Help! Thanks.

I already know that I need to tuck my arm on the side of my body! But it only helps a little bit!

Answer 1

Try to strengthen your left arm. I don't know if 1 week is enough time but I would start lifting weights, work on your biceps and triceps, and focus on the left arm. Good luck :)

Answer 2

You should work out a bit to improve the
tone in both arms and shoulders.
Unless the rules hve changed, you will be
permitted to use a sling in offhand.
Practice with one.
In offhand, don't be afraid to shift your whole body
and the stock on your shoulder until the rifle falls
most naturally on target with the least effort.
It's muscle tension the gives you the shakes.
Remember that you've got 60 sec. per shot.
Take your time doing this. It does help and with
practice you adjust your stance pretty well before
you even mount the rifle.
You might find 'anschutz` position helpful.
(You tuck that left elbow agains your side,
like a brace, and build a bridge with your
fingers and thumb for the support of the
rifle just under the floor plate.)

Answer 3

yeah, i totally know what you mean. I help teach at a firearm safety course, and I know a few tips. Well, try to keep that arm strong, weights will probably help with that. And yeah, If you're a girl, then you probably have some hips! try to rest your elbow on your hip until your arm is strong enough to hold it out. Maybe try a youth rifle, they are generally lighter and easier to hold. Just relax a little, and try to do some strength exercises to help strengthen up the arm.

Answer 4

Besides whats already been stated..

Lean back a little, and relax. If you have any issues of "American Rifleman" magazine from this year, take a look at the summer issue about the M14/M1A, and find the picture of the Marine shooting one off-hand. You want to centralize all the weight onto your body...also, make sure your right elbow is up (horizontal)..brace the rifle against your body.

Answer 5

When I was in basic training what we did when a Drill Sergeant caught someone with shaky arms was we all got a full canteen, put it on the end of our rifle, and then held them pointed at the same spot on the wall for about an hour. It was painful, but it did help. Doing some push-ups(inclined as well as flat), and(sounds weird, but helps, as well) jumping jacks should help you strengthen up the proper muscle groups, and from there just keep exercising those muscles in order to keep your strength and endurance up.

Answer 6

Tuck your left arm in against your body like a game bird.* You can also just support it by using just your finger tips of your left hand.* Try both together. Keep using the rifle & practicing with it while actually shooting it & also when not shooting it.*

Answer 7

No NFL teams since the early 90s have held open tryouts. The only football teams that hold open tryouts nowadays are Arena Football.

Answer 8

Pull your left arm closer to your body. Your arm should rest on the side of your body as you are standing. This will help to steady your shot.

Answer 9

Someone mentioned the sling, do you use one? I bet you do, but make sure it's tight enough. When I shoot standing, I make the sling tight so it hurts just a little. Not so tight it cuts off circulation though! I read in a shooting manual that the proper use of a sling is 80% of accuracy!