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Art of the sniper: Hold your breath while shooting. Sniper training - police sniping - WELCOME! - Learn l. Practice in shooting with a small-caliber cartridge while standing

Among all modern soldiers, the sniper is in a special position. The very name of this military profession inspires respect bordering on fear. This man with a gun knows how to do what is inaccessible to others, namely, to hit a target with pinpoint accuracy from a long distance. Sometimes, when the target itself does not even suspect that it was at gunpoint.

And here, I think, it is necessary to make a small reservation. Sniper sniper strife. Who is considered a sniper? For example, in the Soviet army there was a sniper in every motorized infantry unit. That was the name of the position in the staff list. An SVD sniper rifle was assigned to one of the fighters, but, in the future, this fighter did not undergo any special training, except for the firing course. An equally sad situation was observed in the landing, and only in parts of the GRU the situation was better.

Afghanistan, and then Chechnya, made their own adjustments. Now in the Russian army, and after it in some others, they began to approach the training of snipers more responsibly. Allocate separate time at the shooting range, conduct tactical exercises. But, not every one of these "men with a gun" can be called a sniper. Formally, there were many snipers, but in reality, not everyone met the standards. Therefore, in the future, in this article, we will call a sniper a professional who has made sniper craft his profession.

Translated from English, "sniper" means "snipe marksman". In reality, as cruel as it sounds, the sniper is a human hunter, invisible, elusive and merciless. The sniper is a representative of a special breed of people. It does not have that boorish arrogance, ready to turn into a scandal on any occasion, so valued in sergeants and corporals, whose task is to keep soldiers in obedience, every second dripping on their brains. A sniper is a very calm and balanced person, not prone to loss of self-control and the manifestation of negative emotions. Even if a nervous, impulsive, touchy, irritable person, prone to panic and loss of self-control, shoots well and has excellent physical characteristics, he will be eliminated already at the initial stage of selection. It makes no sense to prepare a person who, due to the natural abilities of his character, can allow a nervous breakdown and fail a combat mission. In addition, the sniper must have an above average intelligence level, as well as good physical training, but if physical training can be brought up to the desired level, then the character cannot be corrected. As they say, blood is a great thing.

So, at the initial selection, snipers take people:

  • good at shooting
  • having good eyesight (preferably one hundred percent)
  • responsible, disciplined, emotionally balanced
  • no health contraindications

Snipers are trained both individually and as part of a tactical assault group.

The main required skill is the ability to shoot accurately.

Without this skill, everything else becomes meaningless. First of all, the cadet is taught to shoot from the prone position from the stop. Since in practice the sniper has to shoot from different positions, he is taught to shoot prone without rest, shooting from the knee, shooting while standing and sitting.

The instructors set the technique - they teach the correct aiming, they teach you how to hold your breath correctly and set the correct descent technique. They eliminate technical errors, such as blinking at the time of the shot, delaying aiming (aiming), excessive tension of individual muscle groups and other flaws.

Below we present one of the programs for improving marksmanship.

Accuracy exercises

Exercise 1
Shot from a cold barrel

Shooting is carried out at two head targets at a distance of 100 meters from the prone position / from the stop. The sniper may use a weapon sling, bipod, sandbags, or other equipment he may have during the operation. After the command, the sniper has unlimited time to shoot at the center of the left target, reload and shoot at the right target. During the operation, the sniper does not have the opportunity to fire a sighting or test shot, so a cold shot tests both the shooter and his weapons and their ability to hit the target with the first shot. The second shot is designed to develop the sniper's skill to reload the weapon and fire automatically, in case the target did not fall after the first shot.

Exercise 2
Group

While in the same firing position (prone/upright), the sniper has unlimited time to fire a group of five shots. 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.

A group with a radius of more than 2.5 cm should alarm a good shooter with an excellent weapon, but for a beginner shooter with a medium 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 mounting the sight and mechanisms, unbalanced barrel, malfunctions of the trigger mechanism, and insufficient shooter skills in firing a shot.

Exercise 3
Lying without support

When performing this exercise, snipers must fire five shots from a prone position without support (without bipods and sandbags) at a reduced-size silhouette target. During the exercise, we observe the ability of snipers to fire using a belt. During the operation, the firing position of the sniper may not always allow the use of the stop.

Experienced snipers with properly fitted slings, 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. Comfortable position and breath control play an important role in this exercise.

Exercise 4
Shooting on command

Shooters load five cartridges and fire one shot at the head target for each team. This drill is performed from a prone/supported position, with the sniper firing within a second of the command being given. At the moment the command is given, the sniper is already in position and aiming at his target.

The instructor monitors the stable defeat of the center of the target on command. Again, good shooters should be within a 5 cm circle. At the same time, bullets that hit 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 salvo must sound like one loud shot. The instructor observes the shooting in order to identify shooters who shoot too early or, conversely, too late. Such shooters "don't know their trigger".

Volley fire is important when conducting an ambush and in situations where several terrorists must be eliminated immediately. A premature shot can alert criminals to take cover or start killing hostages.

Exercise 6
Shooting at 200 meters

After moving into the 200m firing range, snipers should prepare positions for prone/support shooting as quickly as possible. Using known sight settings or aiming, snipers fire five rounds at the head target. Shooting can be carried out with a time limit or on command

Center head hits with a dispersion diameter of 7.5 - 10 cm can be considered an acceptable result. Some shooters will be satisfied with just hits to the head, while others may get a scattering group of less than 5 cm 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 at the chest area. Shooting position - prone / from the stop. Snipers must be given sufficient time to fire a well-aimed shot. The firing range of 300 meters is practically the limit for a police sniper due to the fact that target identification by face at long ranges is very difficult.

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. cm from the aiming point when firing at a distance of 300 meters.

Exercise 8
Shooting after loading

A popular exercise is shooting after a load. Shooters at a fast pace run 100-300 meters to the firing line, after which, again, they fire at a target at a fast pace. Push-ups, sit-ups, and rope climbs can also be used to increase breathing and heart rate.

When the shooter is "ripe" to work in difficult conditions, they move on to special types of shooting, such as

  • Shooting in a limited time at a normal pace (high-speed shooting)
  • High-speed shooting with the transfer of fire in depth
  • High-speed shooting with the transfer of fire along the front
  • Rapid shooting with dash
  • High-speed shooting with a dash in an extremely limited time, the so-called "turmoil".

Regardless of shooting experience, every sniper must periodically re-take a marksmanship course. Even experienced snipers sometimes lack the basics of marksmanship as a result of developing other skills and abilities.

Disguise

Another important skill is the ability to camouflage on the ground.

The sniper is a hunter and therefore must be invisible. Working without disguise, the sniper himself becomes a victim from a hunter. Positions often have to be chosen and equipped close to enemy positions. Therefore, the camouflage of the sniper's position should naturally and not stand out from the surrounding landscape.

Occupy and equip the position should only be at night. And you need to crawl into position. When equipping a position, one should not stand not only in full growth, but even on all fours.

In the army in peacetime, snipers sometimes devote more than half of their time to arranging and camouflaging shelters, both primary and secondary. In addition, they must train covertly and imperceptibly to overcome distances of 200-300 meters in a plastunsky manner, pressing into the folds of the terrain. Mandatory training for selection, equipment and camouflage positions at night. During the day, a visual demonstration of the errors, errors and shortcomings of such disguise is made.

Such training takes place in various places - in the field, in the forest, at the intersection of ravines, the outskirts of abandoned villages, landfills, construction sites, in any ruins, at different times of the day and under different weather conditions. Training sniper work in a constantly changing environment with the obligatory receipt of a real result develops a sniper's tactical thinking.

The developed tactical thinking of snipers of all branches of the armed forces - both the military and operational special forces - allows you to quickly navigate in an unfamiliar environment, aggressively take the combat initiative into your own hands and not release it in the most unexpected turns of events.

The work of a sniper as part of a unit

During tactical training, snipers work out actions as part of units, and also learn to perform specific combat missions, such as:

  • destruction of enemy command personnel
  • disruption of the organization of the work of the front line of the enemy
  • sniper terror and demoralization of the enemy
  • observation of events on the side of the enemy, study of the location of his firepower, observation, adjustment and command posts and other tactically important objects.

Snipers can operate alone, in pairs, in small sniper teams, or as part of a squad.

For example, Chechen fighters during the first and second Chechen wars used small tactical groups, which included a sniper, machine gunner or grenade launcher, and several machine gunners. While the submachine gunners and the machine gunner fired heavily, the sniper hit the selected targets, and the grenade launcher hunted for equipment.

During a sniper attack, the enemy sniper is first of all hit, then the officer, signalman and machine gunners. After that, the enemy unit becomes uncontrollable for a while.

As part of the police units, snipers face slightly different tasks than army snipers. The destruction of terrorists, the hunt for terrorist snipers, the operational cover of the police or military, and so on, depending on the operational situation and instructions "from above". In addition, snipers in police units sometimes have to justify their actions in court.

Wherever the sniper serves, he is a special forces fighter by his unique combat profile. A smart commander gives snipers almost complete freedom of action, of course, with careful coordination of tactical moments in solving a common task. And then, in the neutral zone, behind enemy lines or in the city, the sniper acts independently, at his own peril and risk. The cruel necessity of life forces the sniper to work on the principle of "one shot - one dead."

Things to Remember in a Possible Sniper Threat

  • the sniper, as a rule, operates as part of a group
  • at night, snipers use night vision devices that can detect targets up to 500 meters
  • the first stage of the sniper's work is to detect (spot) the target, so equip 2-3 firing positions and change them more often
  • in the city, the sniper occupies the dominant heights, located in the building, chooses a firing position in the depths of the room, which makes it difficult to detect him
  • sniper firing under cover of small arms fire
  • non-aimed shooting from small arms may indicate the beginning of the work of a sniper
  • sniper teams with a cover team provoke return fire, forcing fire weapons to reveal themselves
  • harassing fire can only be fired from camouflaged firing positions
  • the favorite tactic of snipers is to act from an ambush, a secret, at night, on pre-prepared (sighted) areas of the terrain
  • use active night vision devices prudently
  • the sniper often uses the wounded as a "live bait", who will definitely come to the rescue. In such cases, it is necessary to use limited visibility, smoke in the area, armor protection, military equipment
  • when searching for a sniper among the local population, it should be remembered that the distinguishing feature of a sniper is the characteristic bruises on his shoulder
  • in a sniper war there is no rear, flank and front, you can expect the enemy from everywhere (during the day he is a civilian, and at night he is the killer of our soldiers)

Read the continuation in the article

Combat psychophysiology is the science of attracting unclaimed potential reserves of the human body for a sharp increase in the effectiveness of combat activity. The sniper must have sharpened vision and hearing, an increased level of observation and a kind of "animal instinct" that allows him to predict the enemy's movements, his behavior, movements and tactical plans.

Observation is the same natural psycho-physiological ability to perceive information as vision, hearing, smell. It can and should be developed, and there are no limits to the improvement of this development.

Observation training is carried out by very simple methods.

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

An unwarned cadet lists, at best, half of what he saw. The instructor needs to be corrected. “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 sorts they were, how many spots were on the camouflage, and you didn’t list what kind of insignia they were.” For slow-wittedness and negligence, the cadet receives an outfit out of turn. Further training progresses a little more progressively. Show times are reduced. The number of items and their range are subject to change. When the cadet begins to accurately describe everything that is shown to him, the classes 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 the assistant (the same cadet) makes minor changes near the target field. The cadet is turned to face the targets, and he is instructed to tell about the changes that have taken place there. Gradually, training distances increase to 300 meters. At this distance, the sniper should detect with the naked eye changes in the position of objects - broken branches, trampled grass, swaying bushes, cigarette smoke, the appearance and disappearance of small objects (the size of a tin can). It is with the naked eye, because in the process of such training, vision is noticeably sharpened. Then the cadets alternately equip camouflaged positions and, again, with the naked eye, at the same distances up to 300 meters, they train in detecting signs of these positions (compressed grass, cleared shelling sectors, shaded places on the edge of the forest, etc.). Then the same thing is done in motion by car - the cadets determine at a distance places suitable for setting up sniper ambushes by the enemy according to the landscape of the area. It is difficult to overestimate snipers trained in this way in mobile actions - in the head marching outpost, when escorting columns, in a reconnaissance sabotage or search and jaeger group. The one who equipped such positions in training will be able to predict the places of their setting in combat conditions. This is quite real - a person who is waiting for an attack on the move has a very aggravated susceptibility.

During the trainings described above, the psychophysiological method of mobilizing the reserve of a living organism, known to practical physicians, is used. In daily activities, a person needs to constantly receive some amount of vital everyday information. It is known that in deaf people who do not receive part of everyday operational information, this loss is compensated by an increased development of visual observation. Therefore, a knowledgeable instructor will force the cadet to tightly plug his ears when he is strictly required to complete the training task of identifying a target at distances of 300 meters or more. At the same time, the results are noticeably progressing, and vision is noticeably sharpened.

To develop visual observation in the old days, snipers were forced to watch ... construction workers for hours. In this case, the observer had to be at such a distance that the wind carried fragments of 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 colossally 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. It was a kind of study of human habits. The observer himself, in a training manner, 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 before the observer “in a 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 camouflaged sniper, close to the positions of a mock enemy, observed the life of his trenches, dugouts, and communications. At the same time, snipers learned to intuitively "turn on" the target and sense its appearance in advance in some open and unprotected place. When approaching such a place, the enemy still did not assume anything, and the sniper already kept this place on sight with the trigger previously “squeezed out”. Trained observation allowed the sniper to determine at the slightest sign that the target was entering a dangerous place, and to squeeze the descent even before it appeared there. As a result, the fascist, who moved a little from the shelter, immediately received a bullet in the head. Such things were taught in the special courses of the NKVD before the war. During the war, snipers learned such combat foresight right on the positions. There was no need to teach such things to snipers recruited from Siberian shooters and eastern peoples - Nanais, Nivkhs, Yakuts, who felt nature and from a distance felt changes in it, there was no need to teach such things - they knew how to do it from childhood. At the front, they kept a note of all artificial depressions in the parapets of the enemy defenses, knowing that it was there that sooner or later someone would have to lean out to see what was being done on the front line. And who leaned out, received a bullet in the forehead.

A more or less trained sniper always strives to catch the moment when the enemy, crawling like a bellows in shallow terrain, raises his head. Sooner or later he must 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 change in it and the slightest, even the most insignificant falseness 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, profitable and discreet for the enemy to place an open sniper position, which does not take much time to equip or occupy. A knowledgeable sniper will always determine from what position, at what time of day, in what light and position of the sun, the enemy will shoot. And a knowledgeable sniper will expect at this time that it is at this position that the enemy will raise his head for a shot. And with the beginning of this ascent, the sniper will squeeze the descent so that the "raised forehead", a colleague from the other side, "caught" a sniper bullet. And in no case will a knowledgeable sniper be curious about the results of his shot - he bit and disappeared. So it will be more reliable. If the enemy is killed, intelligence will report about it. If not killed, then he will manifest.

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 search, a sniper must not only see well, but also hear well.

Hearing develops very well during night work, 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 wrist or pocket watch. Lie on your back and put the watch at arm's length from you. Try to hear the mechanism work. Gradually move the clock away from you. Having clearly caught the sounds of a running clock, count their strokes up to a hundred - this trains operational attention. If you do not hear them when you move the clock back again, do not strain your hearing - 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 with full dedication when a person is in a calm state. An angry and enraged person hears very badly.

Start training your hearing at night, when it is sharper in itself, in a physiological way, 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 hearing sharper. This is the nature of the nervous system.

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

Despite trained vision and hearing, scouts and snipers always use additional techniques to improve visual acuity and hearing. 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, consequently, the sense organs.

A piece of sugar placed under the tongue significantly improves the efficiency of night vision and hearing. Their sharpness is increased by chewing sweet and sour tablets.

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

Night vision is enhanced when sitting. No one knows why this happens, but this method is effective and proven.

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

The eye is the main working body of the sniper. In shooting sports, it is allowed to shoot with glasses from all types of sporting weapons. 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 carotene (provitamin A) contained in carrots, from which the vitamin itself is synthesized, fat-soluble and in a fatty environment is absorbed much better.

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

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

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

In a combat situation, a sniper often has to work in such conditions, and for the shooter's eyesight this has its own characteristics.

When visibility deteriorates (twilight, rain, etc.), one should not focus on the target in the desire to see it better, while excessive tension of the aiming eye occurs and the nervous system is depleted due to general tension. Tension of the nervous system leads to reflex uncontrolled tension of almost all the muscles of the shooter , even those that are not usually involved in the shot process. The pulse rises reflexively, 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, focusing your eyesight on the aiming element - the tip of a stump or aiming square. At the same time, your eyesight is not strained and, accordingly, body is not stressed.

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

In case of visual fatigue that arose after a shot in the dark or at dusk, you need to “rest with your eyes” until visual acuity is fully restored and discomfort in the eyes disappears. Otherwise, vision can be simply "tear".

At night, you should not peer into the darkness for a long time, 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 get rid of fatigue.

When working at night, it may be necessary to look at a map, at some document, or simply shine a light near you. To do this, 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 lighting rockets. Look not at the rocket, but at what is under it, in the field of its illumination. One beautiful rocket that you admire while it burns will be enough to reduce your ability to see clearly for half an hour. If you need to look at something luminous, take a button and look through its holes, closing your aiming eye. Never look at a 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 place, then you will see what will be there.

Try to "place" the target immediately, which has arisen during the flash of a rocket or under other lighting, because a competent target, after its illumination, will immediately try to disappear from the field of view.

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

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

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

In the dark, try to enrich the brain with oxygen and take 10-12 deep breaths per minute with your nose for 4-5 minutes. This sharpens the sharpness of night vision and hearing. For the same purpose, you can make chewing movements that increase cerebral circulation. The same effect is achieved by using a 0.1% solution of atropine. Put a piece of sugar under your tongue and let it gradually dissolve there. Keep it in your mouth longer and do not swallow immediately. Night vision and hearing are aggravated at the same time 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 steps, movement of equipment, dropping loads, trenching, and in some cases even human speech are well transmitted in the ground. A sniper, forced to be tied to a rifle and visually control 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 half-filled with water into the ground, into the neck of which through insert the rubber tube into the hole in the plug. Insert the other end of the tube into your ear and listen.

Remember! Snipers can't smoke! Nicotine "clamps" 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 good in a direct attack, but in accurate shooting it only brings harm. Anger increases the pulsation and thus noticeably worsens the quality of shooting. The 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 to worry, get angry and worry in general, introducing themselves into a state of “combat indifference”. It ends with complete immunity to stressful situations. And so the sniper shoots at a live target in the same way as at a paper target, without experiencing any emotions. The composure of snipers borders on indifference.

Cases have been repeatedly noted when snipers of reconnaissance and sabotage groups fell asleep in aircraft before parachute landing, and woke them up immediately before being thrown out.

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

Running, cross-country, stayer jerks, 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 with a quick athletic step, and in hand-to-hand combat, work not with his fists, but with a silent pistol, since they have done enough for the Russian army.

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. The threshold of patience for women is higher than for men. The physiological endurance and adaptability of the female body is not comparable in efficiency to the male one. Women have more acute perception systems, in particular, increased potential for night vision, hearing and smell. Their combat intuition, originally laid down by nature, instantly works. Women are incredibly observant.

A woman, psychologically prepared in advance for the conduct of hostilities, does not experience a feeling of confusion on the battlefield. When fulfilling the assigned combat mission, women work (namely work) in a collected, purposeful and ruthless manner. Combat work is carried out clearly, diligently and accurately. Military women are very clear about the implementation of official instructions, not deviating from them even a step. Women treat the process of sniper shooting very carefully and carefully, just like following a constant instruction, so they are more trained in shooting than men. The process of disguise women are creative, 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, when injured, they are more tenacious.

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

A. A. Potapov The Art of the Sniper
(Aleksey Andreevich Potapov - lieutenant colonel, master of sports in shooting from military weapons, instructor of the anti-terrorist unit. His military profession is a reconnaissance and sniper. Alexey Potapov's books are practical manuals on military 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 warfare.)

Closed shooting club "Sniper" invites everyone to professional training in shooting from a sniper rifle. With us you will be able to quickly and effectively zero in weapons with optics: all conditions have been created for this and the services of experienced instructors have been provided. You will be able to comfortably adjust the sight and work out the skills of marksmanship at the target.

If you have long wanted to learn how to shoot weapons with an optical sight or your profession requires it, then here you can do it in the most comfortable and fruitful conditions. Our shooting range is equipped with modern multimedia equipment, which simplifies and makes the shooting process more convenient. This means that your training will take a minimum of effort and give maximum pleasure.

Sighting optical weapons

We organize training in shooting from a rifle with a telescopic sight based on the characteristics of this weapon and the initial skills of the student. You can come to us to learn from scratch or improve your skills - for everyone there is an individual program that is successfully implemented and guarantees a high level of mastering practical techniques.

The use of sniper equipment on military weapons allows you to increase its effectiveness and increase the level of professional skill. For the same purpose, our training programs are conducted for employees of private security companies, military personnel and professional athletes.

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This word comes from the English army of the 18th century. The name from the snipe bird is snipe, extremely small and brisk, with a chaotic flight path, the direction of which is simply impossible to guess. Shooting at it is done "offhand". Only the master could hit the bird during air traffic. Let's talk about how to become a sniper.

Is there a craft

The versatile marksman is a legendary profession in the war. The effectiveness of ruthless work is terrifying, it appears and disappears without a trace after a single merciless shot. It is deadly to underestimate him. Nothing will save: numerous guards, bulletproof vest and range to the target. If a professional took up the matter, the enemy is doomed. The sniper is able to influence the outcome of the battle, destroy the terrorist in the crowd with a jewelry hit. All these skills are developed through practice. Many people know how to pull the trigger, but only a few can become a professional sniper. You can't miss. This is the lot of amateurs and the result of poor preparation. It is deadly dangerous for an arrow to make mistakes. Therefore, any of his actions implies impeccability and professionalism. He has a large amount of special knowledge and developments, and much is perceived on a subconscious and reflex level. This allows you to respond immediately after a long wait. There are techniques that allow you to renounce feelings and focus on the main thing. The main task is to detect and destroy the enemy before the enemy opens the shooter. Moreover, "detection" is not to see the enemy himself, but to recognize the signs of his presence. In this case, one must proceed from the fact that the enemy is also a professional.

Profile requirements

Excellent health is needed here, this is not shooting at a shooting range. Cold, precipitation - try to lie on the ground for hours without moving. In a sniper duel, whoever moves is not a tenant. But there are still natural needs. The appearance of diapers has significantly changed the situation, but more often they do without them. You have to be brave, knowing that if you get captured, you will definitely be killed.

The ability to keep the target up to three days. These qualities determine whether it is possible to become a sniper. He doesn't think about who he shoots. It's just a goal, no remorse. Not taking into account the experience, state of health and sustainable results shown in the shooting, endurance and nerves of steel are needed. The life of a sniper depends on self-control and calmness. Professionals say that shooters at maximum distances are specialists with an analytical mindset who can endure indefinitely.

Ordinary people who also have emotions, but they have learned to hide them and control themselves.

What you need to know about this profession

Training allows the sniper to lie still for a long time in ambush in any weather, waiting for an opportunity to fire. These are the profile specific requirements. It is rare for any candidate to pass the aptitude test. No less biased is the intelligence test in the scope of the school curriculum. And one more thing, the future of such a specialist is very vague. This is not the cinematic assassin in glasses on his nose and in black lycra gloves, after the shot flies off in a Ferrari. If at the end of the service such a specialist goes into crime, he will not live long. And if he devotes many years to serving the Motherland in this position, he will remain an invalid. Such specificity will definitely affect health, many shooters are written off from this work with various cold-related diseases. You can become a sniper, but you have to think carefully.

If there is a dream

How to become a sniper in the army? It is necessary to have combat experience, constant good performance in firing practice, strong nerves and self-control. Unshakable calm.

There are restrictions:

Called up to the troops and expressing a desire to be a sniper, he cannot become one until he has served one year.

Those who perform the duty of conscription in the special forces of the Airborne Forces, the Marine Corps, in the brigades of the deployed composition of the ground forces, the chances of being enrolled in the position of a unique shooter increase, since there is good initial training.

How to become a sniper in the army for a contract soldier? A re-enlisted person who has expressed such a desire must have combat experience or experience in participating in local conflicts.

A girl is allowed to apply for this specialty if she is a member of the military and has experience in a combat position. The applicant must clearly understand that no indulgence should be expected. All hardships will have to endure on an equal footing with men.

Selection of candidates

To learn how to become a sniper in the Russian army, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements:

35 years old - extreme age;

Excellent vision (without glasses, lenses);

The presence of a category, not lower than the second (a sport related to sniper activity);

Not married (not married);

Must be Orthodox or even an atheist (Muslims are denied);

Absence of bad habits;

Not the only breadwinner in the family;

Military experience is required.

Everyone goes through a special selection. Due to its complexity and specificity, few people overcome it. Carefully checked:

Personal moral qualities, punctuality and desire to perform difficult tasks;

Diligence, sense of responsibility, general education;

The correctness of decision-making, reasonable self-confidence, the ability to hold accountability for committed actions;

Self-control in stressful situations.

Exam exercises

Testing professional qualities is the most problematic stage of selection. How to become a sniper in Russia? After all, not everyone is suitable for such a service. For this, there is a profile selection. Representatives of certain psychotypes are suitable as applicants: phlegmatic or melancholic. Diligent, restrained in emotions, a little "inhibited", can be out of society for a long time.

By nature, loners, especially hunters for specialists like themselves (elite). They also try to keep apart in the team. Slowness and not verbosity are their hallmarks.

Good sportsmanship is essential. Regular fitness checks accustom candidates to daily training. How to become a sniper in the Russian army and what standards do you need to pass for this? Three main exercises are an indicator of the level of compliance with the requirements for physical fitness:

100 m sprint distance (you need not to leave in 13 seconds);

Pull-ups on the crossbar with an average grip (from 17 times);

Running 3000 m, field uniform (must be completed in twelve and a half minutes).

What tests need to be passed

Checking shooting qualities is a difficult and necessary exam. This is the answer to the question of what it takes to become a sniper. Six hours without rest and three tasks:

1. Shooting from a prone position with a hand without a fulcrum, a chaotic transfer of fire to other targets. Shooting from a waiting state at different intervals.

2. Walking movement in order to develop endurance for twenty kilometers in full-time armor protection. Along the way, various introductions to the development of professional developments.

There are only three five-minute stops along the entire route to map the section. The same amount will have to show the skill of disguise.

3. Repetition of task No. 1.

Preference for those who have shown persistence. After that, everyone will understand how to become a good sniper. Obviously it's not easy.

In addition to this exam, there are additional exercises to develop special qualities in applicants. Allocate those who do not respond to the sound of a shot and the recoil of a weapon. Another test is attention to the specified object for 12 hours without stopping.

Only one in a thousand is capable of becoming an ace of shooting. Exercises are used that can shock the faint of heart: at night, the candidate is lifted out of bed, taken to an open area and suddenly pointed to the target (human), the shooter does not know that it is a dummy. Five seconds are given. This is the minimum time for aiming and pulling the trigger.

Training of snipers in Russia

Each brigade of the Russian Armed Forces is equipped with a company of universal shooters. These units are needed in the conduct of active military operations. The need for well-aimed fighters is urgent, so the question of how to become a sniper in the Russian army is acute.

There are two types of marksman.

1. Saboteur. An all-rounder, the preparation of which takes years of hard training. The shooter works alone or in pairs in isolation from the main forces. The main task is the incessant impact on the psyche of the enemy, the destruction of the will, the suppression of the desire to stick out, the creation of an atmosphere of panic horror. Such fire impact is called "sniper terror". The pair destroy commanders, observers and other targets. These specialists are extremely careful, they observe complete disguise even when a shot is fired against the background of a different sound: a thunderstorm, explosions, the rumble of equipment.

Targets are destroyed at a distance of 500 meters and beyond. The saboteur sniper is equipped with high-precision small arms with optics and a silencer. If teammates are armed with a 12.7mm rifle, the target destruction range is increased to two kilometers. The assistant provides cover and is responsible for reconnaissance and the search for a new victim.

2. Infantry shooter. Here is the answer to the question of how to become a sniper for a girl. Universal for work at small and medium distances. In the old days, there were quite talented soldiers who were perfectly able to handle the Dragunov rifle. The difference from the classic station wagon is that it acts in the interests of and as part of a platoon or company. The master of fire covers the unit with well-aimed shots, destroying firing points, grenade launchers and enemy fighters. Armed with a reliable SVD. Time to choose the object of destruction is limited. Therefore, it hits any target. Range no more than 400 meters. For the enemy, the universal shooter is a priority target.

Armament

The professional is provided with advanced shooting innovations and equipment. The universal pair of shooters has a compact quantum rangefinder, binoculars and means for preparing initial data. They are marked 6S8 and a product from Kalashnikov 12.7x108 mm, which allows hitting targets at a distance of 2 km. But with a classic rifle for a professional master, the troops have not yet decided. The debate that the copies in service are hopelessly old has been going on for a long time. Their classic representative SVD (Dragunov rifle) has been in operation for more than 50 years, but it has not yet been possible to replace it with something improved, here's how. Becoming a sniper is prestigious, but I want new weapons.

Despite its venerable age, the SVD, according to experts, is still a first-class rifle in terms of its defining parameters.

Russian gunsmiths have made several promising samples of unique items. The latest concept of the Kalashnikov concern - the SV-98 - and the secret development of the ORSIS T-5000 amaze with their capabilities. The novelties will be put into service with special universal units of the Russian army.

Girls are no exception

I remember enough rumors about recent local conflicts: Transnistria, Karabakh, Ossetia, Chechnya, etc. The war gave a woman a reason to become a sniper. And let the legends go for a walk!

From school, everyone knows about the heroic shooter girls of the WWII period. At that time, the younger generation was well prepared: "Voroshilovsky shooter", passing the TRP standards. The great practice our youth received before the war gave the expected result. Then the school of snipers in the army and, finally, combat work.

Women make good shooters. They are good at hiding. The instinct of self-preservation and attention to detail often saved their lives. The ability to hold urination for a long time makes them universal. They shoot better than men, because in extreme situations they are much more stable, they approach the matter in detail, and not somehow. It was not difficult for a girl to become a sniper in those years. A high threshold of patience, sensitive perception, endurance - here they have an advantage over men. In a combat situation, they are careful, when wounded, they are tenacious. Incredibly observant and intuitive.

However, there are serious drawbacks.

Nature: the monthly physiological cycle interferes constantly, prolonged work in unsanitary conditions and as part of a sniper group is not possible.

Psychology: long-term long-term stressful loads are difficult to endure, there is a danger of a breakdown.

Action tactics

If you are interested in how to become a sniper, you should get acquainted with the methods of combat work. Arrows work one by one and two. Under certain circumstances, it is advisable to simultaneously involve a company of well-aimed fighters, this convincingly increases fire pressure in a problem area. In the deuce, the first works as a shooter, the second as a scout. Responsibilities change periodically. This technique helps to maintain a cheerful state for a long time and eliminates the decrease in the quality of vision during exploration. If there is an exceptional situation, then both fire at the same time. You need to be prepared for the unexpected.

The flank defeat was sudden, ruthless. For such an impact, sniper groups with cover are created.

In the offensive, the arrows take up places in the center of the combat position or on the flanks and destroy the enemy. Gradually move, hiding.

When fighting in the depths of the enemy's defense, fire is fired to destroy the means of support that counteract the offensive of our troops. At the same time cover the flanks.

During the Second World War, it was often practiced to sortie a pair of snipers into the neutral zone for free hunting. The danger did not stop. The thought of how to become a sniper faster was spurred on, so they were not afraid to take risks.

Disguise Features

Before the offensive:

Destroy targets that are inaccessible to weapons without optics;

They watch the enemy so as not to miss the signs of the beginning of the attack (sappers remove mines);

They pinpoint the firing points of the enemy.

With the transition of the enemy to the offensive, part of the snipers transfers fire on the manpower that has rushed forward. Others hit firepower that supports the attack of the enemy.

In defensive combat, snipers are used to control the seams on the flanks.

If necessary, they remain to work behind enemy lines. In addition to manpower, they destroy helicopters on jump sites, creating the illusion that a ruthless killer is firing from everywhere. A terrible premonition of death is traumatic, which leads to psychological disorders.

The sniper disguises himself as the area where he works: in the forest - trees, in the swamp - reeds and sedge, in the stubble - unharvested bread. There are other features in the city limits: houses, buildings, nooks and crannies. Even the bare steppe helps to hide: tumbleweed bushes, protruding rocks and stones sprinkled with sand.

These features are used by arrows, lives are at stake. If the hunter sees that the game is alert, it turns into a petrified object until the trophy ceases to feel the danger. The sniper does the same. Close attention to movement. Swarming instantly unmasks, attracts the enemy's eye like a magnet.

Grass and dense thickets will not help a sniper who moves carelessly.

To survive, you need to work hard on yourself and train.

The art of being invincible

An experienced sniper is not interested in the result of the shot. His task is to accurately send a bullet. The inquisitive lives little. And if the shooter hesitated and fired another shot, thereby violating the disguise, he is definitely not a tenant. Improving visual observation, you need to simultaneously hone your auditory skill. In the dead of night, you can rely solely on hearing. Experts confirm that in reality a person hears better than he sometimes thinks.

Psychological filters interfere with this. This can be eliminated by training and the ability to focus on what is heard.

The shooter knows how to calmly cope with the feeling of hunger, everyday inconveniences through long training sessions, through I don’t want to. To become a sniper means to become an invisible, invulnerable, secretive and patient hunter. This demoralizes the enemy and allows you to destroy the enemy everywhere, even in his deep rear. The enemy should not be underestimated - it is a strong, hardy and insidious predator. He must be lured out and then be merciless.

From an admonition to snipers during the war: “Become a good sniper. You can do what others can't. Behind the back of the Motherland, justify the trust. Be ruthless. Destroy manpower, teach the enemy to crawl. Create panic. The enemy must constantly experience a feeling of wild horror. Unfortunately, and now restless, this instruction has not lost its topicality.

The direct commanders are preparing a universal shooter in our army. He is trained in his department. The fighter is handed a standard rifle, an entry is made in a military ID, the position is a sniper. The fighter receives the necessary training. In other countries, shooters study at training centers for up to six months. There is a competitive selection among graduates. Of the 25-30 applicants, one passes a severe examination. Only then is he a sniper.

If you decide for yourself that you want to learn the basics of marksmanship, then you have at least two options: join the army or enroll in a sniper rifle shooting course. But not everyone has the opportunity to serve in the army. Also, if you have your own weapons, it is quite possible to learn how to shoot from a sniper rifle. The purpose of this process is to teach you how to position yourself correctly, how to aim and shoot. After some time, with desire and perseverance, you will be able to successfully hit any target in the "bull's eye".

Required accessories

Before starting sniper rifle training you need to decide on the place where you will practice. In the presence of firearms, shooting is allowed only in areas equipped for this purpose. See photo.

If you have an air rifle, then it will be enough to retire to some deserted area, for example, a forest. The main thing you should have with you is, of course, a weapon, ammunition for it and a few targets.

Sniping means use of an optical sight, with which the weapon must be equipped. Therefore, this is another device that is indispensable for training. Also, the weapon can be equipped with bipods of your choice, which have the purpose of increasing the stability of the weapon and minimizing wobble.

In this video you will be told the basics of shooting from a SVD rifle.

For convenience, it does not hurt to take a tourist rug, since the main posture when shooting will be the prone position. When using a combat rifle, it is worth having special ear protection - headphones. Tools for cleaning / lubricating weapons after firing will not be superfluous. For shooting, you can choose Gamo products, see prices for Gamo rifles. In addition, popular models are , and .

Safety

The main safety requirement is prevention of harm to the life and health of people, animals, as well as the safety of other people's property in the target field area.

The use of a specialized shooting range/shooting range makes it easier to comply with this rule, as the shooting range has well-defined boundaries. When shooting from airguns, you need to be no less careful.

The main rules for handling any type of weapon are:

  1. Regardless of whether the weapon is loaded or not, hold the rifle only in the direction of fire.
  2. Shooting is prohibited when people/animals are on the firing line.
  3. The inadmissibility of firing from a faulty rifle.
  4. Use only approved ammunition for this type of weapon.
  5. Do not remove a loaded combat rifle from the firing line.
  6. If there is an instructor, clearly follow his commands to open and cease fire.
  7. At the end of the shooting, inspect the weapon, put the safety on.

Both athletes and army snipers use almost the same rules for shooting, which allow them to hit targets at any distance with a guarantee. The differences are only in the type of target.

About the training of army snipers, see the following video:

The main stages of the production of a shot are: adopting a shooting position, aiming and pulling the trigger. This will be enough for a beginner shooter.

Military snipers also learn camouflage and stealth and many other disciplines that are not needed for a civilian.

Therefore, we will analyze only the basics of marksmanship and the technical part directly related to it. Let's leave the rest to the professionals.

Rules

shooting position

The posture for firing a shot must provide an arrow stability for successful hitting the target. The main way to achieve this is to adopt a prone position, in which the weapon is placed on some kind of support.

This position allows you to almost completely eliminate barrel vibrations, which is important for an accurate shot. It is important to achieve full contact of the body with the ground, which increases the area of ​​\u200b\u200bsupport. The legs must be spread apart by 1.5 shoulder widths, the heels should be pressed firmly to the ground.

To avoid accidents, follow the safety measures when firing from the PM, about them at:

The right leg and the barrel of the weapon should ideally form a straight line. At the initial stage, this should be monitored. The position of the body should be without tension, the muscles, if possible, relaxed. Correction of the direction for shooting is carried out by moving the legs left and right.

For beginners, the preferred method of shooting from the stop, in which the left hand supports the butt at the right shoulder, and the elbow is pressed into the ground. Also, something soft must be placed on the stop to prevent the barrel from bouncing when fired.

Successful shooting from a sniper rifle is unthinkable without the right stock. A competent butt rest on the shoulder is able to eliminate discomfort during recoil when firing large-caliber weapons. The attachment also affects the accuracy of the shots fired, so it should not be neglected.

The butt is pressed tightly against the shoulder and is neither too low nor too high. When carrying out a series of shots, it is necessary to observe the uniformity of the application, which will increase the average accuracy.

Aiming

One of the most important moments in the production of a shot. It depends on him what position the barrel will take and, accordingly, where the bullet will fly. An important rule to remember is to keep both eyes open.

When closing the left eye, muscle tension is transmitted to the right eye, which causes rapid fatigue, which directly affects the effectiveness of shooting. In a combat situation, this is especially important, since binocular vision makes it easier to determine distances “by eye”.

In addition, the viewing angle is increased. When using an optical sight, aiming is achieved by moving the aiming mark to the aiming point, taking into account external factors (distance, wind speed). The eye must be kept on the optical line of sight.

One of the most important rules is to prevent the weapon from falling over when the reticle is not in a horizontal position. The aiming itself is divided into two periods. The first is to check the workmanship, to eliminate inconveniences in position.

The second is holding the breath, increasing the pressure on the trigger, intensive observation of the reticle relative to the target, up to the moment of the shot. It is important not to forget to rest your eyes between shots.

If you are unable to keep your left eye open, you can use a piece of cloth or paper that is used as a shield.

No less important than aiming is the process. Mistakes in trigger release can negate even excellent aiming of the barrel on the target. For sports systems, the downhill force is from 50 to 150 grams, while for combat systems it is at least 1.5 kg.

To overcome this moment, the shooter must create a similar force in the index finger. But, since it is forbidden to strain the muscles of the right hand, the shooter more energetically clings to the neck of the butt of the rifle with the rest of the fingers of the right hand. So those same 1.5 kg are evenly distributed on the fingers holding the brush on the butt.

After the shot, 1.5 kg, which held the trigger, go away, but the tension in the hand remains, as a result of which it twitches along with the rifle. At this point, the weapon moves away from the line of sight, sending the bullet in the wrong direction.

This is called "failure" of the descent with the "pull" of the weapon. The above problem is “treated” as follows: only the index finger presses the trigger, and all the rest only hold their hand on the butt.

The finger is placed on the hook with a fold between the first and second phalanges. This is a rule that has been proven over the years. If the finger is not applied correctly, the rifle will make small oscillations from side to side, which threatens to seriously miss when shooting at long distances.

Breath

Experienced shooters tend to shoot during the interval between exhalation and inhalation, since the chest, when it is completely filled with air, raises the body of the shooter, and with it the butt. The trunk goes down.

Shooting on a pause between exhalations allows you to hold a weapon aimed right at the target. Also, during breath holding, carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood, dilating blood vessels and relieving muscle tension.

With proper preparation and compliance with all the rules of the shot, it should not take more than 8 seconds to hold your breath.

Conclusion

Now you know how to shoot with a sniper rifle. Equally important is the practice and conscious control of their actions at the initial stage. Pass. If the rifle breaks down, then read the material about the repair of pneumatic weapons.