The American Legion 
Junior Shooting Sports Program

What is the American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program?

        Its a three part program that combines the Basic Marksmanship Course, Qualification Awards, and Air Rifle Competition.

        During the nine years of this program's continued fast growth, thousands of male and female junior shooters have participated, with a perfect safety record of no reported gun - related injuries.

        Participants in The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program can be of any gender, ages 14 through 20.  Handicapped youth are encouraged to participate.

Basic Marksmanship Course

        The Basic Marksmanship Course is a comprehensive instruction package for the beginning shooter that has little or no marksmanship experience.  The course insures understanding by the student and easy use by the instructor.  Gun safety and marksmanship fundamentals are taught through a balanced mix of short lecture of discussion followed by hands-on activity.  The package of instruction and support materials include:

Qualification awards

        If an effective job is done presenting the Basic Marksmanship Course, most graduates will want to keep improving their marksmanship skills.  The National Rifle Association provides MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION COURSES for AIR RIFLE.  These courses offer a personal skill development ladder where individual shooters work to achieve established performance standards.  For each level of success, a sew-on patch and certificated of achievement are presented.  Marksmanship Qualification Courses offer family fun and enjoyment that can last a lifetime.  Junior shooters may enroll in these programs upon graduation from the Basic Marksmanship Course.

Competitive Shooting

        Is not a sport which gives an advantage to individuals of great size or strength.  Physical fitness and stamina are important, but it is mental toughness and self-discipline which determine success.  Competitive shooting is also one of the few sports where men and women can compete as equals.  It is truly a sport which is OPEN TO ANYONE willing to practice and to test their shooting skills on the firing line.

        THE AMERICAN LEGION JUNIOR POSITION AIR RIFLE TOURNAMENT is an annual tournament that begins with postal matches to determine state and/or regional champions.  The next stage is a Qualification Round (also a postal match) to determine shooters who will earn expense paid trips to compete in the National Championship.  The National Championship is a shoulder-to-shoulder match held during the summer, and is conducted at the Olympic Training Center/USA shooting Range Facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  This is the same facility that our Olympic shooters train and practice on.

        For more information, consult the current American Legion Junior Position Air Rifle Tournament Official Match Program.

The Shooting Sports - A Perspective

        Today, the shooting sports are an important recreational activity in America.  Nearly 70 million people own firearms, with over half of all U.S. households containing at least one firearm.  Tens of thousands of competitors participate in matches from neighborhood tournaments to the Olympic Games.  More than 20 million hunting licenses are issued annually in the United States, generating vast sums for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat.

        Marksmanship is a proud part of our national heritage.  Our forefathers fought the Revolutionary War to gain their freedom as individuals and independence as a nation.  Just a few years later the United States of America was called upon to defend its newly-won independence in the War of 1812.

        In both of these wars, skilled American riflemen played a deciding role.  It is easy to understand why Americans were skilled marksmen during the Revolutionary period.  They had to know how to shoot accurately to put food on the table and for their own protection.  Marksmanship skills have been valuable national assets.

        There is still a need for these skills.  Today there is another call for expert marksmen in the exciting sport of competitive shooting.  In recent years, the United States has been a dominant force in international shooting competition.

        You are starting a sport that can, with study, practice, and hard work lead your junior shooters all the way to the Olympics.

        Competitive marksmanship does not require great physical size or strength.  Even though physical fitness and stamina are important, mental qualities determine whether a shooter will ever become a champion.  Being able to concentrate completely on a task and being able to relax under pressure are two of the mental keys to success.

What is Shooting?

Shooting is a skill sport.

        Skills learned in shooting are valuable in other aspects of life.  Learning to be a safe shooter teaches responsibility.  Learning to hit a difficult target teaches self-discipline and self-control.  Learning to hold a firearm steady and hit the target teaches concentration.  Knowing that the shooter alone is ultimately responsible for his or her performance teaches self-reliance and enhances individual esteem.

        Shooting tests how well one can control his or her body in using a firearm to hit a target.  It's hard to imagine being able to control one-self so well as to almost always hit a target the size of a typed period from 10 meters away, but in shooting that is what your participants will learn to do.

Shooting is a participation sport.

        No one has to sit on the sidelines and watch; everyone can take part.  This active involvements is important because sports are fun when young people can participate personally instead of watching others.  Persons with physical disabilities also can take part in shooting, often right alongside other shooters in matches.

Shooting is an Olympic sport.

        The summer Olympics have rifle, pistol, running game target and shotgun shooting events.  The winter Olympics have a biathlon event that combines cross-country skiing and shooting.  Shooting is the third most popular Olympic sport.  Only two sports - track and boxing - regularly have more participating nations.

        Shooting also offers international championship events in the Pan American Games, World Shooting Championships and Shooting Championships of the Americas.

Shooting is a safe sport.

        Injuries are so rare in target shooting that accident records are not even kept.  Shooting is safe because it has a strict code of safety that all shooters follow.  Like water safety training, the firearm safety training associated with a shooting activity is of lasting value, even if the young people don't develop and ongoing interest in the shooting sports.

Shooting is a lifetime sport.

        Persons of all ages participate successfully in shooting.  Children as young as eight or nine can learn to shoot using BB guns and lightweight air rifles.

Shooting is an exciting sport.

There's special thrill in being able to hit a target the shooter isn't sure can be hit.  It is fun to see shooters' abilities improve.  The challenges of preparing shooters in your club to compete against other shooters throughout the nation makes every practice session an exciting event.

Shooting is a sport for girls and boys.

        Boys and girls compete equally in shooting.  Recent national junior championships and The American Legion junior Air Rifle National Championships have been won both by girls and boys.

Getting Started - A 10 Step Checklist

1. Determine Your Goals.

            You may already have some goals in mind.  Here are some suggestions:

1. To provide an opportunity for young people to learn firearm safety and basic marksmanship.

2. To introduce the shooting sports to community members and to educate them about shooting.

3. To provide participants in an existing youth organization and opportunity to achieve objectives related to the shooting sports, e.g. Boy Scout merit badges, 4-H awards, the Law Enforcement Venturing qualification program.

4. To use the shooting sports as a vehicle to help young people develop leadership, discipline, concentration, sportsmanship, and responsibility.

2. Identify Your Leadership.

        Your Post probably already has a structure set up to develop committees for special projects.  It is probably a good idea to appoint such a committee made up of interested members who will (if necessary) identify an individual or individuals in your community who are knowledgeable and interested in running a program for your Post.

        The shooting club leader should be qualified to instruct basics of gun safety and marksmanship.  Other volunteers from the Post should be encouraged to take part as assistant instructors in what is generally a once a week session.  It is strongly recommended that at least one of your instructors complete an NRA certification course if he or she is not already certified.

        If your club becomes involved with competitive shooting, in addition to your gun safety instruction it is recommended that at least one of your instructors take a NRA Coach certification course.

        Keep in mind that club is a great way to get Post members involved in a Post activity regardless of age or physical ability.

        A shooting club can also be a great Post membership recruiting tool!!

3. Affiliate with The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program.

        This is probably the easiest part.  Simply complete the application form and return it to the address found on the form.

        After receipt of your form, you will automatically be sent (at no charge) the Junior Club Leader's Administrative Manual complete with the Basic Marksmanship Course.  The manual will also include the Shooter's Guide to Position Air Rifle and a form for ordering additional guides and other program clothing and materials.

        Enrollment in the program automatically puts you on the program mailing list and you will periodically receive information including the target set order form for each year's American Legion Junior Air Rifle National Championship tournament.

4. Check on Your Insurance Coverage.

        It is critically important that you make certain that you have liability coverage.  Many existing Post insurance policies will cover most activities you hold in your Post home.  If you plan on locating the operation of your club in some other facility, you will need to check their insurance coverage.  If your Post coverage is not adequate, you may wish to look into an additional rider to your own policy or investigate some specific shooter's coverage. 

        There are several companies that offer shooter's insurance:

        Please be advised that the National Headquarters of The American Legion does not endorse either company.  We are providing this information to assist you in your efforts to obtain proper coverage.

5. Selecting Your Facilities.

        One of the great advantages of firing air guns is that a range can be set up just about anywhere.  Most meeting areas in most Post homes can serve as an air gun range.  Depending on the number of firing points you wish to have, there are some minimum requirements.

        The range itself will need to be at least 10 meters (33 feet) deep.  You will, of course, need some additional room for shooter's position and some space behind the targets for backstops and pellet traps.  You should protect the walls with some type of covering (many Posts have used a canvas tarp or furniture moving quilts).  You should allow about 4 feet of width for each shooter

        Other equipment you will need includes safety glasses for each shooter, pellets, targets traps (which can usually be made cheaply) and rifles.  You may also want to have mats for shooters to use for prone firing.  Spotting scopes are another popular accessory.

6. Obtaining Equipment.

        Rifles are, of course, your primary concern with regards to equipment.  At the moment the Daisy models 753; 853; or 953 are the recommended rifle for use in the Basic Marksmanship Course.  These are match grade training air rifles that sell for around $200 - $235.  You can contact Daisy Manufacturing at P.O. Box 220, Rogers,  AR 72757 for further information and a product catalog.

        Pellets can usually be purchased at any sporting goods store including most of the large discount chains.

        Order forms and catalogs for most equipment are included in the Junior Club Leader's Administrative Manual that is sent to you when you affiliate.

7. Funding Your Program.

        Each Post has a different situation with regards to their available funds.  You may already have funds set aside for the Post's youth activities.  Most Posts need to come up with additional ways to raise money for club operations.  There are several options.

        At least in the beginning, you may wish to have participants pay some of the cost in the form of a registration fee or club member fee.  You may ask the shooters to purchase their own targets and pellets.  Many times local businesses or local shooting clubs may wish to make donations to the good of the club.  Local community leaders can be very helpful in soliciting funds.  Many Posts dedicate proceeds from specific Post functions to raise money for the club.  Once you have your club established you might want to hold an "adult" match with entry fees going to the club operating fund.

8. Promoting Your Program.

        The fist audience you will want to interest will be your participants.  The second group will be the parents of the these potential shooters.  Still a third group will be made up of individuals who are in a position to provide assistance and support for the program, such as business people, community leaders, and school officials.  A fourth audience is the general public of your community.  Even though the majority of the community may not be involved with your program, their goodwill is important to the success of your efforts.

        You will need to determine the most effective way of promoting your program.  Posters on school bulletin boards or items in the school newspaper are a good way to communicate your message to the young people.  The Internet and Post website are other potential sources to make contact with potential participants.

        For raising money, a letter to local businesses or a presentation before local community groups would be appropriate.

        The general public can generally be reached through newspaper articles, radio announcements, or  Internet WebPages.  This type of publicity is frequently the result of news releases (sample news releases as well as other promotional ideas are included in your administrative manual).

9. Recruiting Participants.

        Numerous groups have existing youth programs which can provide you with a readily accessible pool of potential recruits.  Examples of some of these groups are school athletic departments, police athletic leagues, Boy Scouts Councils, 4-H clubs, S.A.L. Squadrons or simply the children and grandchildren of your Post and Unit membership.

        Remember that you can be more successful in your recruiting efforts if you explain that gun safety is the foundation of your program, and that shooting activities complement many other youth activities.

        Keep in mind that in order to have a successful program, you must constantly seek new members.  In addition, you must ensure that the program can be adapted to meet the various needs of its young participants.

10. Optional Suggestions.

        Included in your Junior Club Leader's Administrative Manual will be applications for affiliation as an NRA Junior Club.  You may wish to take advantage of some of the opportunities offered by the NRA, in both gun safety and competition as an affiliated club.

        The NRA provides Marksmanship Qualification Courses for Air Rifle.  These courses offer a personal skill development ladder where individual shooters work to achieve established performance standards.  For each level of success, a sew-on patch and certificate of achievement are presented.

        Marksmanship Qualification Courses offer family fun and enjoyment that can last a lifetime.

A program of the 
National Americanism Commission

Yes

We want to affiliate with The American Legion

Junior Shooting Sports Program.

There is NO affiliation fee.  Complete and return this form.

Adult Leader:_______________________________________
Team Name:________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________
City:___________________ State:_______ Zip:___________
Home Telephone:____________________________________
Work Telephone:____________________________________
E-mail address:______________________________________
Sponsoring American Legion Post:______________________
Address:___________________________________________
City:___________________ State:_______ Zip:___________
Signature of Adult Leader:____________________________
Date:______________________________________________
Signature of Post Commander:_________________________
Date:______________________________________________

Return to:
The American Legion 
Junior Shooting Sports Program
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206

Virginia Junior Shooting Sports Chairman:
Bob Brady 540-347-7431