LE1-C5S8T1pg The History of Marksmanship

Purpose This lesson introduces you to the historic applications of marksmanship and its current application as a sport.

1. Identify different marksmanship skills and recognize their historic applications. 2. Discover how human marksmanship endeavors have evolved from martial/survival skills to sports skills. 3. Report on important sports competitions that involve rifle shooting. 4. Describe the basic rules of target shooting as a sport.

CPS Lesson Questions (1-2)

Which sentence describes your knowledge of marksmanship? A.I have never heard of marksmanship. B.I am familiar with the marksmanship program. C.I have qualified in a marksmanship program. D.I was on a marksmanship competition team.

Which of the following is an Olympic sport that does not involve marksmanship? A.Biathlon B.Cross-country skiing C.Archery D.All of these involve marksmanship

List 2-3 tests or games that requires skills similar to those for marksmanship. (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question.)

 There are several sports classified as marksmanship or target sports.  Guns and bows, which originated as weapons of war are now sports equipment.  In target shooting competitions the object is to see how close competitors can place shots in the center of target.

 When stones were weapons, humans practiced throwing them at designated marks to improve their accuracy or to enjoy games of skill.  From slings and spears to bow and arrows, all lead to the creation of precision target sports.

Four Olympic sports involve marksmanship.  Biathlon (a winter sport that combines cross-country & rifle shooting)  Pentathlon (shooting, swimming, fencing, equestrian, running)  Archery  Shooting

 Some of the greatest Olympic competitors are rifle shooters from the United States trained by the Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Two of those shooters, Gary Anderson (1964, 1968) and Lones Wigger (1964, 1972) are two time Olympic gold medalist.  One other U.S. rifle shooter, Morris Fisher (1920, 1924) a U.S. Marine also won two gold medals.

 Since 1948, six others have won Olympic gold.  In 1976 Lanny Brassham won gold and Nancy Napolski- Johnson became the first woman to win a medal (silver) in Olympic shooting history.

CPS Lesson Question (3-4)

Which of the following would have been used as the first game to test one’s marksmanship skill? A.Guns B.Fire C.Rocks D.Arrows

Which one of the following is not one of the five pentathlon sports? A.Archery B.Air pistol C.Swimming D.Fencing

 The earliest targets were cylinders of boxes with central marks that were used by archers.  The earliest rifle targets were large wooden discs.  Large steel plates were used for early rifle targets, which gave audible signals when hit.  Paper targets came into use in the late 19 th century and continue to be used today.

 Targets used today have concentric scoring rings.  Target sports have a strong military heritage and are part of modern military and police training.  Today, target rifle shooting is primarily practiced as a sport, like basketball and track.

Lones Wigger  Target shooting is a sport of ______, discipline, and __________.  Target shooting enjoys worldwide popularity. control concentration

The type of riflery that is taught and practiced in the MCJROTC program is three- position rifle shooting that is primarily done with 4.5 mm (.177 cal.) rifle with targets placed at a distance of 10 meters.

CPS Lesson Question (5)

Which of the following is not a major factor to become proficient at target shooting? A.Muscle Control B.Proper Weight C.Intense Concentration D.Emotional Control

(Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question.) List 2-3 skills you should develop if you want to be good at target shooting.

Images in this lesson were taken from:  Microsoft © Clip Art Gallery  Marine Corps Combat Camera  MCJROTC Student Text