Squatting Position

[CarrollMS]

I recently came across a challenge match that includes squatting as one of five positions. I cannot recall being trained in this position back in 69, but evidently it was in the manuals then-dropped for decades, and is now in a 2106 marksmanship TC.  There was an old thread on it here. - evidently Fred had mentioned it https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=97.0

Here is the link to the 20-round five position challenge "postal" match. https://www.everydaymarksman.co/marksmanship/postal-match-five-position/

Here is a good description and discussion on it with the TC embedded
https://www.everydaymarksman.co/marksmanship/squatting-position-rifle/

[Captain]

That looks like a fun challenge - thanks for posting!

[colonial shooter]

The practice of "rice patty prone: was banned many many years ago due to safety issues. I would refrain from teaching/ mentioning it.

[Guntuckian]

The practice of "rice patty prone: was banned many many years ago due to safety issues. I would refrain from teaching/ mentioning it.

What were the safety issues?

[colonial shooter]

Mildly... No stability while firing the rifle

[ItsanSKS]

The shooters stability depends on muscle tone, and flexibility.  Is it as stable as seated?  No.  Is it more stable than standing?  It can be.

[TimOren]

To do rice paddy prone successfully, you've got to base it on the Asian squat, rather than a US style weight lifter's squat.  All the way down on your heels, index 45-60 degrees off the target, elbows forward of the knees, put as much of the load as possible through the calves into the feet.

I used this successfully in a number of tactical rifle matches.  Quick in and out, stability between kneeling and crossed ankle, and could solve a few tactical problems without going prone or full cross-legged sitting..  Never had any safety issues.  Then I messed up the mortise in my right ankle in an accident in '08, and I can't quite do it anymore, unless I prestage a wedge to support the right side, which sort of misses the point.

[malabar]

I don't teach it in Appleseed, but I have in tactical classes. Very few people have the flexibility or lower leg strength to do it. But it has many advantages -- it's as mobile as kneeling; more steady than kneeling; transitions almost instantly into kneeling, allowing you to cover almost 360 degrees. And while it is not as stable s cross-legged seated, it's more stable than open-legged or crossed-ankles.

tk