What are the shooting positions in biathlon?
B · Beginner · Shooting and skiing · 5 of 6In the prone position the rifle may touch only the hands, shoulder and cheek; the wrist of the supporting arm must be raised well off the snow. Standing, the biathlete has no support, though the supporting arm may rest on the chest or hip. Skis stay on throughout, and slings and arm cuffs are allowed.
How it works
- Prone: rifle touches only hands, shoulder and cheek; supporting wrist raised off the snow.
- Standing: no support; rifle touches hands, shoulder, cheek and the chest near the shoulder.
- Supporting arm: may rest on the chest or hip when standing.
- Skis: must stay on; nothing may be put under them.
- Aids: a sling and arm cuff in both positions.
- Neighbours: a skier may not obstruct the next lane.
- Warnings: a range official warns, and the skier must correct at once.
- Wrong position: hits do not count, and a 30-second penalty is added.
The glossary has the prone position, the standing position, the rifle sling, the shooting mat, the thirty-second penalty and the trigger discipline.
Tricky cases
A biathlete shoots prone in a standing bout. Do the hits count?
No. They count as misses, with penalty loops or minutes, plus a 30-second penalty.
Can a biathlete take a ski off to steady themselves?
No. Removing a ski on the mat is a disqualification.
Can the supporting elbow touch the hip standing?
Yes. The arm may rest on the chest or prop against the hip.
Is the sling allowed standing?
Yes, in both positions.
Why the rule exists
Strict positions keep shooting a test of skill rather than of props. Keeping skis on means the time spent at the range is part of the race.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prone | Wrist off the ground | IBU 8.3.1 |
| Standing | No support | IBU 8.3.2 |
| Wrong position | Not scored plus 30 seconds | IBU 8.3.5 |
From the rule book
International Biathlon Union, Event and Competition Rules (version 2026), Articles 8.3, 8.4.1, 11.3.1 and 11.3.4 (s). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBU Event and Competition Rules, amended by the IBU Congress every two years.