Being at the position of Guard. Thrust the point of the bayonet vigorously towards the point of the objective, to the full extent of the left arm, the stock running along side of and kept close to the right inner fore arm. The body is inclined forward; left knee well bent; right leg braced, and weight of body pressed well forward with the sole of the right foot, heel raised. The chief power in the Point is derived from the right arm with the weight of the body behind it, the left arm and hand being employed to direct the point of the bayonet at the objective.
The eyes must be fixed on the objective. In making the point other than straight to the front the left foot will be moved laterally in the direction to which the point is made. After progress has been made in the execution of the simple point as indicated above, practice should include stepping forward with the rear foot when the assault is delivered.
The common faults in the execution of the Long Point will be noted as follows:
1. The rifle is drawn back slightly before delivering the point, which makes for a momentary loss of time that may give an opponent the advantage and should be assiduously guarded against.
2. The stock of the piece is held too high, which makes the guiding of the point of the bayonet with the left hand more difficult, and reduces accuracy in delivering the point at the exact spot intended.
POSITION OF GUARD
3. The eyes are not directed on the point of the attack. This is an error. One that may cause a man to miss his mark. The soldier must realize what this means in hand to hand fighting. The opponent will get him.
4. The left knee is not sufficiently bent, which does not allow the point to be made with the force intended.
5. The body is not thrust sufficiently forward, which reduces just that much the force of the attack.