Which of the following is a correct list of the four fundamentals of marksmanship?

• A. Steady Position; Proper Aim (Sight Picture); Breathing; Trigger Squeeze
• B. Steady Position; Breathing; Sight Alignment; Trigger Reset
• C. Proper Aim; Trigger Squeeze; Latent Firing; Breathing
• D. Sight Picture; Trigger Control; Breathing; Steady Hand

Answer: (A)

Shooting accurately rests on four core actions that work together to keep the shot centered on target: establish a steady position, acquire a proper aim with a clear sight picture, control breathing to minimize movement, and apply a smooth trigger squeeze so the shot breaks without disturbing the sights. The steady position provides a stable platform so the rifle doesn’t move as you align the sights. Proper aim, or sight picture, means the front sight is aligned with the rear sight and the target in a consistent way, giving you a repeatable reference for when to fire. Breathing control reduces body sway; most often you breathe, exhale partway, and hold briefly as you gently squeeze the trigger. The trigger squeeze part is about applying continuous, even pressure until the shot fires, rather than jerking or stabbing at the trigger, which would shift the sights.

Other lists introduce terms that aren’t part of the four fundamentals or split essential ideas into nonstandard categories. For example, separating sight alignment from sight picture or including trigger reset introduces concepts not considered one of the four fundamentals here. Likewise, terms like latent firing aren’t recognized fundamentals, and replacing steady position with steady hand changes the emphasis.