Youth 3-P Marksmanship Programs: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The type of rifle marksmanship that is taught and practiced in the JROTC youth marksmanship program is Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting.

► Common aspects of this type of marksmanship include:

      • Use of 4.5 mm (.177 cal.) air rifles

      • Targets placed at a distance of 10 meters

      • Most common air rifle used is the Crosman Challenger PCP air rifle (Model CH2009S) ←Buy Now!

      • These air rifles operate on either CO2 or compressed air 

► Air rifle competition standards are similar to those used during Olympic shooting events.

► Positions used are standing, prone, and kneeling 

     •Standing

        – Easiest shooting position to learn and the most challenging to master

        – The position is challenging because it has a smaller base of support and the body is higher

        – Not as stable as the lower prone and kneeling positions

        – Slings may not be used in standing to stabilize the rifle

        – Most shooters find that it takes more practice to develop the ability to hold the rifle still in standing

        – Body position and head alignment are essential to achieving a stable standing position

     • Prone

        – Prone position has the lowest center of gravity

        – The steadiest of the three target positions

        – Prone has extra stability through the use of a sling in this position

        – A highly trained rifle shooter is capable of holding a rifle steady in the prone position

        – Body position is essential to achieving a stable prone position

     •Kneeling

        – The shooter kneels to sit on the right foot that is supported by a kneeling roll.

        – The rifle is supported by the use of a sling and left arm that rests on the left leg

        – The kneeling position is similar to prone in that the sling is also used in this position

        – It is similar to standing because the body’s center of gravity is higher

        – Precise balance is essential to achieving a stable kneeling position 

 

► Competitions 

    • Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting

    • The most common event for JROTC and high school rifle teams is the 3×10 event

    • A 3×10 means shooters fire ten record shots in each of the three positions (prone, standing and kneeling)

    • Most popular and fastest growing form of shooting sports competition

    • Two different Three-Position Air Rifle events are available

        – Precision Air Rifle – modeled after Olympic-style shooting using specialized target rifles and equipment.

        – Sporter Air Rifle – designed for new competitors or those who desire to compete with minimal equipment and expense 

 

► The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) actively promotes Three-Position Air Rifle shooting as a premier youth marksmanship competition by providing training curriculum materials and competition activities.

    • Download your copy of the current CMP Rulebook (here) →  2018-2020 12th Edition of the National Standard Three Position Air Rifle Rules.