Breath Control

In order to achieve maximum accuracy, a shooter must learn to hold his breath properly.  The procedure is simple but requires practice.

Take a breath, and then exhale.  Right after you exhale, do you have to take another breath right away?  This momentary stop in breathing is called the natural respiratory pause.

Do the following to adapt this knowledge to shooting.  Take aim at your target, breathing as normal.  When you are ready to take the shot, wait for the natural respiratory pause and then hold your breath.  When you start holding your breath, you will also start squeezing the trigger.  The shot must then be fired before you feel any discomfort from not breathing.

When multiple targets are presented, you will have to hold your breath at any part of the breathing cycle.  Breath control can be practiced using dry-fire exercises until it becomes second-natured.

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