ted by the left elbow, the right resting lightly
on the floor or ground.

(Two.) Slide the rifle with the right hand through the left hand to
the front until the left hand is a little in front of the trigger
guard; at the same time raise the rifle with both hands and press it
against the hollow of the shoulder.

(Three.) Direct the rifle upon the mark and carry out the further
details of aiming and squeezing the trigger as prescribed in the
trigger-squeeze exercise.

Then resume the position, lying down.

As soon as the men have acquired with accuracy the details of the
position, they will be practiced, without the numbers, in aiming and
squeezing the trigger at will; after which the rapid-fire exercise in
the prone position will be practiced, the necessary skill and
dexterity being acquired by degrees.

To afford the men rest, or on completion of the exercise, the
instructor will command: _Rise_, which is executed as prescribed in
the Drill Regulations.

=1382. Remarks.= The preceding position for firing lying down
possesses in a greater degree than any other position the merit of
adaptability to the configuration of the ground; it enables the
soldier to deliver fire over low parapets or improvised shelters, thus
making the best use of cover. The importance of training the soldier
in firing from the other positions should not, however, be lost sight
of, since from the prone position it will frequently be impossible to
see the objective.

Back positions are not authorized.

In the prone position, when aiming, the left elbow should be well
under the barrel, the other elbow somewhat to the right, but not so
far as to induce any tendency to slip on the floor or ground.

The greater changes in elevation required in first directing the rifle
on the object should be given by altering the position of the left
hand under the barrel, the slighter changes only by advancing or
withdrawing the shoulder.

As the body does not yield to the recoil, as when firing standing or
kneeling, the force of recoil, if the rifle is not properly held, may
severely bruise the soldier. It is one of the objects of this exercise
to so teach him that this will be prevented by assuming a correct
position. Care must be exercised that the butt is not brought against
the collar bone. By moving the shoulder slightly to the front or rear,
and by moving the right elbow from the body or toward it, each soldier
may determine the position in which