In this issue: Re: Optical system Re: Optical system Kneeling Mental topics ******************************************************************** Michael, I got a little confused with Chet's explanation of the sighting procedure. He seems to be mixing Einsteins Relativity Theory and Young's Theory of the Diffraction of light. Lets take Einstein first. He talked about the possibility of light being bent around large masses. Unfortunately he is talking about masses the size of the odd Sun or two!! A black bull has basically no mass and thus does not bend light in that manner. The focusing and fuzzies around apertures are diffraction effects. Not refraction. Vol 2 No 1 talked about mirage which _is_ a refraction effect. Refraction telescopes have lenses as their main focusing mechanism. Light goes _through_ something can get refracted. Diffraction occurs at edges. An aperture can be said to be a circular edge. This 'differential light' or halo I suspect is a result of the shinanigans that are going on inside the eye. The eye gets a large part of its resolving ability (that is the ability to see detail) from a slight shimmering of the whole eye. Secadies or something, but shimmer or shaking is a pretty good description of it. This shaking is happening all the time and what it means is that the eye uses this mechanism to detect edges very precisly. Imagine the black / white edge of our bull on the retina. The image takes up an extremely small part of the retinas vision. The black dot covers maybe 200 or so cells max. As the eye shakes this edge turns on and off cells that are on the edge of the dot very quickly. The visual system picks up these changing signals and converts them to an 'edge' ie the dot. The halo that Chet is seeing is the 'overload' signals that the cells are getting as they are being passed from dark to light and back. It causes a 'reversal' effect. Try looking at a black dot on a white background for about 30secs. Then look at a black background. You will see a white dot at the point of your vision where you were looking at the black dot. The other effect you will see if you look at a black dot on a white background is this halo effect. It is the eye drifting off the dot and leaving the reversal image. It works with colours (yes I know - color!!) as well only the colour that you see is always the complementary colour. Another thing that happens is because of the shaking the eye is unable to focus on a point for a long time (long being 5 to 10's of seconds). Try it. Try focusing on a dot and try and keep the point you are looking at fixed. I swear you can't. The eye verryy slowly justs drifts off. Sight fixation is bad in shooting. The eye loses its ability to pick up the edges very quickly if the sight picture is stared at too long. Watch the classy shooters eyes as they shoot and they are forever flitting sideways, up an down. And then briefly coming back to check the sight picture. The first second or so tells them whether they are lined up or not. If not they reset, flitt the eyes and then get back onto it. The right size aperture front and rear are a book in their own right so I won't even start on my ideas here!! Regards Ross Mason Ross Mason Scientific & Laboratory Instrument Servicing ********************************************************************* >Here is one for you, light travels at the speed of light and when >confronted by a mass, it bends or circles around the mass at a reduced >speed. In my limited studies of the laws of physics, I've read that Albert Einstein's theories predicted that a mass can cause light to bend. I've also read that it was not possible to test this theory until someone figured out how to use the mass of the sun to cause a bend large enough to measure. >Then when past the restricting mass the light beam again regains >light speed. You know this as you know of the laws of physics. What this >comment is failing to inform you is which way does the light travel around >the mass. We assume it travels around the outside of the mass and this is >a fair assumption. What if the mass prevents the light traveling around >the mass and forces it to travel through the mass. This is puzzling - how is this mass supposed to prevent the light from "around" it? Are we talking about a "black hole" here? Apparently the discussion is dealing with the mass of the target and the rifle: >What is the >results...? According to the law, light, traveling at light speed must bend >around the mass and travel through the front sight to the rear sight as a >mass between the front and rear sights. So now we place a black bull in >front of the front sight and because of its distance we (our eyes) have >trouble making it to focus. So what do we do now...? The saturated light >traveling at light speed rams the front sight and bends through the apture >of the sight continuing in a straight line to the rear sight. We now With an aperature less massive than the sun, the bending due to its mass is too small to measure. A refractive aperature (i.e. a lens in the aperature) can easily bend light - due to differences in refractive index, not due to the mass of the lens. >have a black bull placed infront of the front sight. This black bull is >also a mass and light traveling at light speed must also bend around the >black bull. We do not think of this because we see the black bull down The mass of the typical paper target is considerably less than that of the sun - at least with the targets I've seen. Perhaps I'm on the wrong wavelength :-) and am missing something? -- --henry schaffer hes@ncsu.edu ******************************************************************** CONSTRUCTION OF THE KNEELING SHOOTING POSITION KNEELING: 1. Preparation: The kneeling position is started by placing the mat on the firing position or point, the mat is placed at an angle facing or pointing 10 to 20 degrees to the right of the target. The upper left corner of the mat will then be pointing to the target center. (a) Place the spotting scope between the firing line and the left shoulder position while in firing position. This will allow the athlete to view the target while charging the rifle. (b) Place the ammo block to the right of the firing position between the right shoulder and hips at a comfortable position. (c) All other items required by the athlete can be placed to the right of the shooting position but not in such a manner as to disrupt the athlete next to your position. NOTE RULE: Do not place any items of equipment on or forward of the firing line during live competitions. 2. Taking the position: KNEELING GENERAL As a general rule, the results of firing from the kneeling position will be as perfect and stable as the prone position. However, untrained athletes will find it very difficult at first to maintain their position during competition. Aching occurs in the foot, leg, and buttocks which sometimes results in reduced concentration and less effective holding-aiming-firing sequence. Provided the position is constructed correctly, problems of this nature can be corrected during training. If the kneeling position is balanced and the neurophysiological system is used by the non-dominant entity, the Quiet Zone will appear for a brief period as the lungs become balanced. This period is normally 1/2 to 3/4 of a second long and then leaves. After a period of time the athlete will have to start the shooting sequence again as the Quiet Zone will not reappear until the athlete has again restarted the shooting position. How can an athlete prepare for the kneeling position? Simple, take the kneeling position in front the television without the rifle. While the athlete watches the TV program the leg muscles will stretch and ease the discomfort to the athlete. About a week of this and the athlete will be ready to shoot the perfect bull's-eye in the kneeling. Remember, the goal is to fire 60 one-shot matches resulting in perfect bull's-eye without a miss. On the range the shooting athlete takes the position pointing 20 to 30 degrees to the right of target. SPINE The spine is slightly inclined forwards, so the full weight of the body rests exactly on the three-point position "left foot - right knee - right foot" and is balanced evenly. The shoulders hang loosely forwards and relaxed in their relationship to the backbone/spine, forming, as in the prone position, the shoulders at right angles to the spine/backbone. NOTE FUNCTION: If the spine and shoulders are not at right angles to one another during the position construction and shooting, considerable lateral instability will have to be expected. The backbone/spine must be relaxed and yet not hunched. It should be slightly bent without the muscles having to be flexed. This is important as the stability of the shooting position is dependent upon the athletes construction of the perfect shooting position and receiving the perfect bull's-eye. The Quiet Zone appears as the lungs approach perfect balance, air neither inhale or exhale. The rifle is perfectly sighted, lungs are in perfect balance, the Quiet Zone arrives, trigger is pulled straight to the rear, validate the shooting process and the perfect bull's-eye. LEFT FOOT The left foot must be directly below the rifle and at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees to the right of target. In this way, the position of the leg is at its most stable. Here, as in standing, the kneeling position requires a good pair of flat sole and ankle supporting shoes to wear during shooting. They are for shooting only and not walking. A second pair of shooting shoes will be used for training and may be scuffed and for walking around the range if the athlete wants. The match shoes must always be protected from damaged. LEFT LEG The left leg must be vertical, or depending upon the body size, inclined slightly forwards below the rifle. No sideways or lateral movement of the leg is permitted RIGHT FOOT The right foot must be straight, or with the heel slightly turned outward, and resting on the tip. The instep is supported by a kneeling roll, the toe presses firmly on the ground and the heel presses directly onto the bone of the right buttock(bone-to-bone support). The sole of the shoe must be firm, as it is only in this way that the body is supported at the ground point of contact, and the weight of the body has three effective and stable supporting points. As with the left foot, a pair of shooting boots must be worn to reinforce the shooting position. KNEELING ROLL Kneeling rolls must be secure. They must not change during the competition, as this can affect the entire stability of the position. The roll should be filled with wood shavings, straw, sawdust, or rug. Never use foam rubber. NOTE RULE: The kneeling roll size is 7 inches in diameter and 9 inches long. While the length of the roll does not influence the position, the diameter is very important. 1. The angle of the foot and the sole of the shoe to the ground. If the roll is too thick, it is subject to the entire body weight and additionally the required support is not given by the sole. 2. If the roll is too thick, the sighting, provided that the body position is correct, will be below the target, and if the roll is too thin, the sight will be above the target. The position or body weight is placed upon the sole heel and not on the ankle. 3. The even weight distribution on three supporting points. If the filling is too thick, the left foot will he subjected to stress and will give to impression of falling forward in the position. It can be seen from the three examples that the fit of the roll is very important. The correct diameter can be worked out from the length of the limbs and the shoe size of the athletes. NOTE RULE: The left elbow will not protrude over 3 1/2 inches beyond the left knee while shooting from the kneeling position. RIGHT LEG The position of the right leg in relation to the left leg should form an angle of about 30 to 40 degrees. This angle may be difficult for some athletes and it can be reduced. If the angle of 40 degrees is exceeded, excessive weight is transferred to the front and onto the left leg. Each athlete must experiment and find out which is the ideal angle for the athlete. BUTTOCKS As already indicated, the bone-to-bone of the right buttock should rest on the heel of the right shoe. This makes a stable connection between the bone structure and the ground through the foot. LEFT ARM The left elbow is placed in the hollow between the kneecap and the femur. The left forearm rest on the extension of the femur. The weight of the rifle is therefore transmitted directly to a stable base, the thigh. LEFT HAND The rifle stock rest on the ball of the thumb. The fingers are completely relaxed and do not touch the stock. All flexing of the hand muscles is to be avoided, as it can affect the steadiness of the position. RIGHT ARM/SHOULDER It is the right arm, and thereby the right hand, that has the ultimate responsibility for firing and also for ensuring a proper shoulder contact. The shoulder contact must be made without muscles being flexed. The necessary pressure on shoulder is brought about by the weight of a completely relaxed right arm; the right hand holds securely onto the front stock with two middle fingers. The majority of the mistakes occur in the kneeling position because the shoulders are too high and in a cramp position. The reason for this is to be found in shoulder position adjustment during the construction of the shooting position. RIGHT HAND The thumb of the right hand, without pressure being applied, rest on the rifle stock. The index finger is on the trigger, has no contact with the stock. The rifle is only drawn into the shoulder by the middle two fingers. The right wrist is extended and acts as a direct extension of the lower arm. The hand grasps the grip of the stock and the trigger finger pulls directly backwards. As in the other positions, the two inner fingers are pulled against the grip to firm or lock the wrist during the firing sequence. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF BODY The weight of the body and the rifle is distributed evenly between the three bearing points `left foot, right knee, right foot tip or instep with roll'. As a result of the space between these points, the main weight lies within the triangle. In this way, the position has maximum stability. We acknowledge that every athlete varies a little. This is not a problem as the athlete must adjust the rifle until the sighting path is clear through the rear sights. The athlete must remember the rifle movement (cant) cannot exceed 3 degrees without the movement changing the sights and sight zero. Normally, a cant is not required if the position is correctly established. In the standing position the rifle is pointed at 5 to 15 degrees away from the left shoulder. Because of the nature of the kneeling position rifle orientation occurs naturally, however, if the sight does not fall on the target bull naturally, the whole shooting position must be reconstructed. A straight line from the right shoulder through the left hand, left elbow and left knee to the target. SLING Place the sling in the high sling position on the upper left arm. Attach the sling to the rifle allowing adequate length for a loose sling fit. Tighten the sling until the rifle is supported totally by the sling without muscle tension. Move the forehand stop against the left hand and secure the forehand stop locking nut to the riflestock rail. Check the natural point of aim an make any adjustments necessary. Shooting across the position is caused by sling that is too tight. The shooting athlete must shoot out of the position not across the position. The One-Shot match was won not by a superior score, but, by the athletes own superior mental performance. THE MENTAL ART OF WORLD CLASS COMPETITIVE SHOOTING, Copyrighted 1972-1997, Mr. Chet Skinner, Entity Sports International Chet Skinner Coach meecin@tnproweb.com ****************************************************************** Mental shooting procedures... The last few UIT lists have had a couple of reader comments which must be answered as the failure to do so would generate and therewith communicate misinformation to the list readers around the world. First of all we will consider Vol. 1, #39 item 1 calling-the-shot written by Mr. Patrick Rowling. The referenced article gives information about accepting mediocrity in shooting scores and performance. It is also suggested that the winning scores of the current Champions can only be classified as mediocre. In psychology we find this to be fact as by our own insight or with the help of others we discover that we have been the architects of our own sufferings including mediocre scores and performance, we are extremely loath to admit so humiliating a truth as is Patrick Rowling in defense of the World Class Elite shooters...The text is not Mr. Skinner's opinion but fact and text from research of many noted Psychologist and researchers around the world. Pictorial representation in its spontaneous form, is a natural phenomenon of our mental domain, as natural as the phenomenon termed emotion, or the phenomenon termed idea. Moreover, the former phenomenon occurs just as frequently as either of the two later. In the article I have attempted to show how, by simple process of education, a latent power may be made kinetic. It is this transformation, above all, that is important. As in Calling-the-shot two phases can be distinguished: 1. An idea or thought, proposed or imposed is accepted by the non-dominant pictorial representation of the subject. 2. This idea or thought undergoes transformation into an action, so that the object of the idea or thought is externally realized. During the analysis of the above two phases it is noted that when the shooting athlete calls-the-shot they are viewing what they perceive the point of impact should be according to the imperfect information gained from external sources. This is incorrect procedure. If we on the other hand recall our perfect shooting position from memory and we use it as the model then phase 2 will accomplish the externalization of the pictorial representation presented at trigger pull time. Mr. Skinner's "perfect world" mental training does work for shooting athletes at all levels and ages. The reason is the rules and guide lines are designed by God and Mother Nature as that is how the cognitive brain works. We as athletes must comply with the working rules of the mind instead of fighting them. By learning how they work we can use them to our advantage during our shooting development. This can be proved and revealed by use of Chevreul's pendulum, the law in accordance with the idea or thought as presented by pictorial representation, tends to realize itself spontaneously. Thus an idea or thought which has been introduced into the mind, or one which we have ourselves voluntarily introduced, will produce its effect as the sequel of non-dominant activities and at the close of a shorter or longer period. If you still believe that Calling-the-shot is not depredation to the shooting athlete, then close your eyes and think about this for a second. "Think of a piece of chalk squeaking upon a slate board." Just by thinking about it your teeth are set on edge just as if you actually heard the sound. Or for that matter your finger nails scraping upon the black board. Is that enough for you to get the point to understanding...? RE: References to the above text. Condillac, Trait des sensations, Amsterdam, Paris, and London 1754 Paul Sourian of Nancy University. La suggestion dans part, Alcan, Paris Coue, De la suggestion et de ses applications. Barbier, Nancy, 1915. M.E. Chevreul, Se la baguette divinatorie, du pendule dit explorateur et des tables tournantes, Paris, 1854. Paul Emile Levy's l'Education reational de la volonte' London 1913. What is defined as an idea or thought...? The term IDEA or THOUGHT will be used in the widest sense of "mental representation," and we will denote the pictorial representation as well as the concept. Questions....? Of course if Mr. Rowling can give us some indication of which of the US shooters are in the top 8 of international competitions, other than the shotgunners, I will be happy to reconsider his comments in a more favorable light. And, I am not a toothpaste salesman either.... Chet Skinner Coach meecin@tnproweb.com ****************************************************************** End of UIT Mailing List #2 Michael Ray - Systems Engineer Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach UIT Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/index.htm