Section 24.—Hints to Instructors.
1. Instructors will teach by force of example rather than by word of mouth, and be careful to refrain from any form of comment which may discourage young soldiers. Words of command are seldom required except in collective firing instruction, all motions of firing being performed independently, and each man being required to use his own judgment as much as possible. Faults must not, however, be overlooked or allowed to become formed habits. The essential points of the firing positions are to be insisted upon from the beginning, as the foundation of fire discipline.
2. In the early part of training squads will not as a rule consist of more than seven men, who will be assembled round the instructor in a semicircle. The instructor will explain the uses of the different firing positions and illustrate them to the squad. Recruits will practise the motions separately until able to combine them, and assume each position rapidly and without constraint.
3. The position of each individual will be corrected in turn. The regulation positions may be varied if physical characteristics render them unsuitable in any case, but awkwardness in the first stages of instruction will not be accepted as an indication that the regulation position requires modification. The instructor should stand about five paces from the recruit and to his right front while correcting his faults.
4. The firing-rest will be employed frequently in early instruction to enable the recruit to support the rifle and rest his muscles, whilst the instructor modifies, or corrects, his position. An incorrect position, however, usually arises from want of accuracy in the preliminary actions which lead to it, and it is to these that attention must be given, for a faulty position once acquired cannot easily be corrected.
5. With regard to the firing positions, the standing position is a convenient one to commence elementary instruction. When recruits have acquired facility in handling the rifle, they will be trained for the most part in the lying position, either in the open or behind cover, and occasionally in the kneeling position behind cover.
6. Progression of Training.—Elementary instruction in firing will be divided into the following stages:
(i) Trigger-pressing from aiming-rest.
(ii) Snapping from aiming-rest.
(iii) Assuming the various firing positions.
(iv) Loading and unloading in the various firing positions.
(v) Aiming and firing in the various firing positions in the open, including loading, adjusting sights, and unloading.
(vi) As in (v), with the various firing positions adapted to different forms of cover.
(vii) Muscle exercises.
Section 25.—Trigger-Pressing and Snapping.
1. Importance of Trigger-Pressing.—(i) Instruction in firing will commence with training in pressing the trigger. The vital importance of performing this action correctly must be impressed upon recruits. They must understand that, however carefully and accurately the rifle is aimed, accurate shooting is impossible if trigger-pressing is faulty, as aim will be disturbed at the moment of discharge. Faultless trigger-pressing is absolutely essential for accurate firing.