Shooting Fundamentals: Breath
Author: Graham Dunne
Controlling breathing is especially important during long range rifle, but even when shooting a pistol at distance. Typically, when shooters do not consider breathing, we see hits up and down the target, similar to buttons on a shirt. The shooter is firing during different stages of breath, during the rise or fall of the muzzle.
One goal of long-range shooting is to take all the muscles out of the equation. In other words, removing as much human error as possible. We strive for bone support, rather than muscle support. Bones don’t move; muscles do.
In a perfect world, we find our “natural point of aim,” which is a state in which the body is supported by bones and/or rests, rather than muscles. To find your natural point of aim, first get on target behind your rifle. When you think you’re there, close your eyes, take a breath and relax, then open them again. If you’re still there your rifle was supported by bones and/or rests. If you’re off target, then you were supporting your rifle with muscle. Muscles fail, even on the strongest and fittest they move ever so slightly, which can magnify error as a bullet travels over hundreds of yards.
When we discuss the shooting fundamental of breath, we need to understand our natural respiratory cycle and respiratory pause.
The respiratory cycle, (inhaling and exhaling), takes 4 to 5 seconds on the average person. The average respiratory pause lasts 2 to 3 seconds. The respiratory pause is a window, in which the muscles are relaxed and there is minimal movement on the weapon. This average depends on lots of factors, such as: age, sex, (women have higher on average heart rates than men,) physical condition, and hereditary factors. This average respiratory pause is also based on resting heart rate. True resting heart rate is during sleep. We are talking about during our routine day, not during a workout, or a high physical or mental stress episode, which elevates the heart rate dramatically.
So what does this mean to us as shooters? You’re at the range. You’ve had a little caffeine this morning but no strenuous physical activity. You’re lying behind your rifle in a prone position ready to fire. You inhale, then deflate your lungs. You now have roughly a 2 second window to press the trigger before your body will potentially move. If you have time, check your natural point of aim.
I believe in completely deflating your lungs before firing. There are those who teach to deflate your lungs half way then stop before shooting. My problem with this thinking is I’m not sure what 50% is. I could be at 60% deflated one shot, 50% the next, and 40% the one after that? Hard to tell. Consistency is very important for tight groups.
What if I’m breathing hard because I had to first run to take a rifle shot, or physically fight an attacker, then draw my EDC pistol to shoot? Suck in your breath, take the shot, then go back to breathing hard. The better shape you’re in, the lower your heart rate will be, the slower it will climb, and the faster it will fall. As snipers we would run “stress drills,” strenuous physical activity and then take quick shots. An example would be to complete 15 bends and thrusts, quickly drop down behind your rifle, and take a shot at a target hundreds of yards away, in a 3 second time frame.
Next time you’re at the range try a stress drill. If you’re not in the greatest condition, try something moderate such as 10 jumping jacks before you fire. If you’re fit, you can run gassers, do bends and thrusts, push-ups, mountain climbers…. Suck in your breath and press the trigger.
Let the fun begin!
About the author:
Sergeant Dunne is a former Marine and police officer, with 30 years of service. He has served as a SWAT operator and sniper, and was a full time academy instructor for 8 years. A police Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross recipient, he is founder and lead instructor for Ragnar Tactical.