The Covid Clinics – Part 2 – Kneeling
Kneeling may be the most physically demanding position for the body to get into. Anyone with back, knee, hip or ankle issues, may find the kneeling position quite awkward and possibly downright painful. I would recommend doing flexibility exercises for your knees to get to the point where kneeling does not cause any joint pain. For those that are able to assume a kneeling position for shooting, because they are naturally able to do it or they have worked to achieve the ability, this is an endeavor to point out the basics that will lead to the discovery of your most comfortable and accurate way of shooting these challenging shots. Of course, the reality is, that some people will simply be unable to do kneeling shots. If in a class that requires discipline shots, the kneeling lane must be shot standing. However, in Canada, our Open Division does not require kneeling or standing shots, so all shots can be taken from your prefered position.
Any kneeling position must involve three points of balance. If you are right handed, the left leg will be your front leg and only the bottom of the foot can touch the ground. Your right leg will be bent and only the right knee and vertically oriented back foot can touch the ground. Not compulsory, but your right knee can be protected from the ground with a thin pad and the right instep can be supported with a kneeling roll that is no larger than 18 cm in diameter. So basically, one foot ahead and flat on the ground, the back leg with the knee on the ground and the toes of the vertical back foot on the ground. Just reverse direction if left handed. This is just the base.
The front hand must support the gun without aid of the knee or hamster on the gun, with the wrist able to move freely. Your front arm may rest on the knee or thigh, providing that the hand is free to move at the wrist as described above. The more support you can get from that front knee and thigh, the better. The trigger hand holds the grip and pulls the trigger. The gun can be pulled into the back shoulder and this arm may not be supported in any way. A legal shooting sling can be used if one prefers it.
At this point, you will begin trying different kneeling postures, similar to what is done for sitting. Are you going to stay very compact and vertical, spread the position a little or go quite wide? One constant should be that the gun is supported over your center of balance. Having the gun too far left, right, front or back will result in imbalance that requires the muscles to hold it steady; that is never a good idea. Do you like your back arm close to the body or out on an angle away from the body? Do you want your front hand very close to the trigger or do you want it well out front on the front of the stock? I have seen both used very effectively and all the variation in between. With experimentation, your body and the crosshairs will tell you what combination is best for you.
By all means, look at the positions of successful shooters to see what works for them. I have seen videos with compelling arguments for both a tight, close position and a wide, spread out position. Best of all, both of these shooters are very successful at kneeling shots. Some keep their backs very straight and others lean well forward or back. At the extremes or somewhere in between, you will find your preferred position. There is no real magic involved, just the patience and perseverance to continue until you succeed. Even then, you will find a small tweak from time to time that will get you that extra point or two that can make all the difference.
If all else fails, you are in the perfect position to ask for divine intervention. Good luck.
_________________ Tim CAFTA Governor and lifetime learner
|