"Have Fun! Enjoy!"

As fun and rewarding as officiating and competing are, they can't compare to coaching. Helping a new shooter develop or seeing a top shooter improve is most rewarding.

I have been most fortunate to be able to assist many young athletes including a few of the top junior shooters in the nation. My role with them is primarily as a resource and sounding board to help them grow as competitors and refine all aspects of their game.  Several have gone on (or soon will go on) to NCAA Division 1 rifle teams as top recruits and/or have won or placed very highly in national competitions. I am also priviledged to be able to work with some of the National Team and National Development Team athletes as well. Starting a new shooter out is a lot of fun as well as we watch them discover a fun new sport. Regardless of their level of performance and interest, the most important aspect is seeing the smile on a young athlete's face as they learn and enjoy the sport. The kids deserve ALL the credit for their hard work and should be very proud of themselves.

Current Credentials:

Pending Credentials:

Courses Completed:

The "Kids"

- It has been my priviledge and pleasure to work with a number of very talented young shooters in rifle or pistol. Hard working, fun loving, dedicated, and smart, they are always fun to work with. They range from beginners to National Team and National Development Team members. Hidden in more than one of these athletes is Olympic Gold. Only time will tell if they are able to fully cultivate their potential, talent, and desire and bring it forth in world class performance. In the course of our work, we also introduce many kids to the sport as a fun hobby. Regardless, the kids are learning life skills. Please send me an email for information on rifle or pistol training.

- In the 1999-2000 school year, I worked with the Lassiter/Pope High Schools (Cobb County) Navy JROTC Rifle Team as a volunteer assistant coach under the Georgia Community Coach program. In addition to their NJROTC competitions, the Lassiter team is one of about 100 teams state wide participating in the Georgia High School Athletic Association competition season which culminates in the Air Rifle State Championship held at the Olympic Shooting Complex. New features of the State Championship for the 1999-2000 season were expanded opportunities for top individual shooters to compete (must score 285 in regular season), even if their team does not qualify, and an Olympic style final competition for  individuals. At the end of the team competition, the 8 individuals with the highest scores will immediately compete in the final to determine the individual championship. The State Championship is held in April at the Olympic Shooting Complex.

Computerized Trainers

A tool I have found quite useful is a computerized trainer that shows the competitor's hold, aim, and timing. These systems then can calculate a number of interesting and useful statistics. Shooters are amazed at what they learn and are better able to adjust their technique. As time permits, I will provide details on each system. For now, follow the links found below!

One criticism of these systems is that the shooter "knows" they are dry firing and thus respond differently, even if working hard to use normal technique. Experience has shown this to be an invalid objection from a training point of view. Shooters are aware that the system is going to capture not only their shot placement, but also their "wobbly" hold, and work hard to have good technique. If they just go through the motions... the problem is not with the training device! We have found and solved extremely subtle and difficult problems with these systems.

Of course there will always be at least slight differences between live and dry fire in all athletes. Regardless, there is still a lot to be learned in dry fire that is much less subtle than that! If the coach or athlete is looking for something very subtle that seems to occur only in live fire, then by all means do use live fire with one of the systems that allows it. (Air: Noptel, Scatt, Rika, Sam(?) - Smallbore: Noptel) Just don't discount the value of dry fire training with these units - that's where the most learning and benefits are found.

Note that Noptel also has models intended for military, police, and other high power rifle applications out to 600 yards with live fire; the model desired for international shooting is the ST-2000 Sport which can be used for live fire out to 100m with additional prisms.

Please email me if you are interested in learning more about computerized shooting trainers or wish to know where to purchase one in North America.

Home: http://www.america.net/~jpoc/