What makes a legal rifle position?
I · Intermediate · Events and scoring · 3 of 5A rifle is shot from three positions, each defined by what may touch the ground and what may support the rifle. Kneeling allows three points of contact and an elbow on the knee. Prone is lying flat with both forearms clear of the ground. Standing is free, with no sling and no support.
How it works
Kneeling:
- On the ground: the toe of the right foot, the right knee and the left foot may touch the firing point.
- The elbow: the left elbow must be supported on the left knee. Its point may be no more than 100 mm over the point of the knee and no more than 150 mm behind it.
- The roll: one soft cylinder, at most 25 cm long and 18 cm across, may go under the right foot or ankle. With the roll, the foot may not be turned more than 45 degrees.
- Not sitting: no part of the upper leg or buttocks may touch the firing point or the mat.
Prone:
- Lying down: on the firing point or a mat, with the body stretched out and the head towards the target.
- Holding the rifle: with both hands and one shoulder only.
- The forearms: both forearms, and the jacket sleeves forward of the elbow, must be visibly raised from the surface.
- The angle: the forearm with the sling must make an angle of at least 30 degrees with the horizontal.
Standing:
- Standing free: on both feet, "without any artificial or other support".
- Holding the rifle: with both hands and the shoulder or the upper arm near the shoulder.
- The supporting arm: the left upper arm and elbow may rest on the chest or on the hip.
- No sling: "In this position, the use of the sling is prohibited."
- Palm rest: allowed on a 50 m rifle. Not allowed on an air rifle.
In every position:
- The rifle "must not touch or rest against any other point or object".
- The cheek may rest on the stock.
- A sling may be no more than 40 mm wide. It is worn on the upper left arm only and joins the rifle at one point on the fore-end.
- Rules written for right-handed athletes apply in reverse to left-handed athletes.
The glossary entries are kneeling position, prone position and standing position.
Tricky cases
Can a kneeling athlete sit back on the ground?
No. No part of the upper leg or buttocks may touch the firing point or the mat. The athlete may sit on the heel, with a pad of at most 20 cm by 20 cm between seat and heel.
Can a prone athlete rest a forearm or the rifle on the mat?
No. Both forearms must be visibly clear of the surface and the rifle may not touch or rest against any object.
Can the athlete rest the rifle on a stand between shots?
Yes. A rest may be used between shots if no part of it is higher than the athlete's shoulder, and the athlete must keep a hand on the rifle while it is there.
Does a left-handed athlete follow different rules?
No. The same rules apply in mirror image.
Why the rule exists
Without limits a position could turn into a rest, with the ground, the body or the clothing holding the rifle still. The rules keep the weight of the rifle on the athlete's bones and muscles, so the steadiness seen on the target is the athlete's own.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 7.6.1; ISSF 7.5.8.2; ISSF 7.5.8.5 |
| 10 m air rifle and 300 m standard rifle | No palm rest and no hand stop in the standing position | ISSF 7.6.1.3 (g, h) |
| Without the kneeling roll | The foot may be placed at any angle, and the side of the foot and lower leg may lie on the ground | ISSF 7.6.1.1 (j) |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), Rifle Rules 7.1.3, 7.5.8.2, 7.5.8.3, 7.5.8.5, 7.5.8.7 and 7.6.1. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).