TEAM SHOOTING AND COACHING

When you are a member of a team, do exactly what the captain of the team directs you. Never mind if you think that he is wrong, and that you could do better work in your own way. It is “his show,” and he alone is responsible; merely shoot as well as you can in his way. Of course, if he should ask your advice, that is a different thing. Should another member of your team ask your advice, refer him to your captain.

If you are captain of a team, and have the choice of men, select, preferably, men whose nerve can be relied upon; a veteran who does not get “rattled,” even if only a moderate shot, is preferable to a brilliant beginner who may go all to pieces at a critical moment.

The man I prefer in a team is one who always shoots a good consistent score,—never brilliantly, yet never badly; you can always rely upon him to shoot up to his form. If you have two such men, let one of them shoot the first score,—if possible against your adversaries’ best man,—so as to give your team confidence that they are likely to hold their own.

Reserve yourself—or your most reliable shot, who can be trusted not to lose his head—for emergencies, such as these: to shoot last, when everything depends upon making a good score; when the light is bad and likely to improve later; if there is a wind that may drop later; for pulling up a score when the other team is leading; for getting the sighting when you retire to the fifty-yards range; to shoot, “turn and turn about,” against the most nervous or dangerous man of the other team, etc.

You should specially notice if any of your team are getting nervous; prevent their watching good shooting by their adversaries, or looking at and comparing scores. Encourage them to think that their own team is so strong that their own individual shortcomings do not matter. You can, in this way, “nurse” a man along who is on the verge of “going to pieces.”

If possible, do not let your men know how the scores stand. If there is a wind, rain, or bad light, consult with your most “weather-wise” man, and decide how to “place” your bad shots so as to give them the easiest “shoot.” That is to say, if the wind is likely to drop later, shoot your strong shots when the weather is unfavourable.It is also a good thing to have a reliable member of the team stand behind each one who is shooting, to “spot” for him, keep time for him, and otherwise coach him, watching the time constantly, so as to let his man know instantly—if he asks—how much longer the time-limit allows him. Coaching is allowed in team shooting, but not in ordinary individual competitions.

Do not let any member of your team leave the range on any account till the competition is over.

Have a man or two extra, in case of anything disabling or preventing one of your team from shooting.

Do not let two men shoot with the same revolver, as both men may be wanted to shoot at the same time.

Do not scold a man, however badly he may be doing; you only flurry him, and it does no good.

Do not have any refreshments for your team until the competition is over.