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SHOOTING
Pentathletes fire air pistols at center fire at a range of 10 meters. In competition, they fire 20 shots, each on separate targets. The target (155 mm in diameter) is made up of concentric rings ranging from one point on the outside to 10 points for a bulls-eye.
Rings 1 to 6 are on a white background, and rings 7 to 10 are on a black background. Targets are changed after each shot and a score of 172 out of a possible 200 is worth 1,000 Pentathlon points. Every target point above or below 172 is worth plus or minus 12 Pentathlon points.
Run/Shoot Combination
In 2007, the UIPM (the international governing body for Modern Pentathlon) voted to institute a run/shoot combination at its competitions. At the moment, this program is still exploratory. At most international competitons, the first day's competition will follow the traditional format of separate run and shoot competitions.
However, on the second day, the pentathletes participate in the run/shoot combination. That means that they each fire five shots at a special trap. Then they run 1,000 meters, followed by five shots, followed by 1,000 meters. Plus, for every shot they miss, they must run a penalty lap.
As you can imagine, this new development has added a new kink to the already difficult pentathlon training. We'll learn more about this combination as the year goes on.
Pistol Choice, Care and Handling Tips
Air pistols can range in cost from less than $100 to $1,000 or more. Before you invest in any air pistol, consult with a shooting coach. The right pistol will depend on your age, ability and strength. Sometimes you can buy a good used gun from a team mate.
No matter what gun you select, however, you must take care of it and handle it properly. Eventually, you will take a clinic with Cliff Halenar who will go over these topics in detail. Until then, here are the essentials:
• Keep your air pistol clean. Before you take out your pistol, lay a towel on the bench, then place your pistol on the towel.
• Use only good pellets. If you spill your pellets on the floor, throw them away. Why? Because grit on the pellets can damage the bore (inside) of your pistol. Then your pistol will not fire correctly (and you won’t shoot straight).
• Always keep your gun case locked. Keep a key and give a key to your parents.
• In the state of California, minors who have an air pistol must have a permission note from their parents. Get your parents to write and sign a note saying that it’s OK for you to have the pistol. Then keep the note in your gun case.
• Always wash your hands after firing. Pellets are made of lead and lead residue on your hands could be poisonous.
• Always point your pistol down range and away from others. NEVER point a pistol (loaded or unloaded) at another living creature.
• Try to dry fire every day. Many believe that dry firing (firing without ammunition) is more beneficial than target shooting. (It’s also easier to find a place to do it.) Watch your form in the mirror to make sure you are standing properly.
Traveling with an Air Pistol
Flying with air pistols can be problematic as airlines have different rules. None, however, will allow you to take an air pistol in carry-on luggage. Here is what has worked for us in the past:
• Go online and print out the airline’s guidelines for transporting firearms and follow those instructions to the letter. Take the printout with you to the airport to show airline and TAA employees that you have complied with their guidelines.
• Usually, you will need to declare the air pistol at the check in counter. A TAA official will inspect the gun and put an inspection sticker on it. Then you simply place it (unlocked) so that it’s well cushioned within a large piece piece of luggage.
• DO NOT take it out of the case at the airport. That would cause all kinds of commotion. Upon arrival, if you want to check and make sure the gun is OK (and still there), wait until you get to your car to open the case.
Recommended Instruction
Cliff Halenar is a certified shooting instructor based in Los Angeles but often gives shooting seminars at West Coast Pentathlon. Don’t miss an opportunity to take one of his clinics.
Shooting Training Plan
Here is an outline for shooting training in first year of athlete's pentathlon life written by Janusz Peciak, Barry Matchett and Elaine Cheris.
Program One
This program is designed for athletes over age 13 who have a swimming background. (This regimen is not suitable for those under 14, unless they have shown strong willingness to work in the past.)
Sport priorities: 1) Fencing 2) Shooting 3) Running and lifting 4) Swimming 5) Riding
Month 1-2: Shoot five times a week (either dry or normal firing with beginner’s gun on mainly white targets for group); Lift weights one time a week (working on legs, abs and back)
Month 3: Shoot five times a week (start to shoot on normal targets more regularly on 50 percent of shots); Lift weights - same as Month 1.
Months 4-6: Shoot five times a week (introduction of more complicated drills and emphasis on consistent groups); Lift weights two times a week (emphasis on abs and back muscles [pillar strength] with some shooting lifts).
Competition: There should be a four-sport competition at the end of Month 6, with parents invited. Lots of analysis and feedback necessary to detect training weaknesses and to determine where training needs for the next six-month period.
Months 7-12: Shoot five to six times a week (purchase a high-quality pistol, probably the one the athlete will have throughout his or her career)
Lift weights three times a week
Program Two
Athletes over age 13 who come from a non-swimming background should follow this program.
Sport priority list: 1) Swim 2) Fence 3) Shoot and weight lift 4) Run 5) Ride
Month 1-2: Shoot 5 times a week (either dry or normal firing with beginners gun on mainly white targets for group); Lift weights three times a week (heavy emphasis on shoulders and back muscles.
Month 3: Shoot five times a week (start to shoot on normal targets more regularly on 50 percent of shots); Lift weights three times a week (heavy emphasis on shoulders and back muscles).
Months 4-6: Shoot five times a week (introduction of more complicated drills and emphasis on consistent groups); Lift weights three times a week (heavy emphasis on shoulders and back muscles).
Competition: Same event as in Program One, with closer attention paid to the swimming.
Months 7-12: Shoot five to six times a week; Lift weights three times a week.
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