The ISSF Academy has opened applications for its first education courses designed specifically for athletes. The new online programmes — the Air Rifle Course and the Small-bore Rifle Course — mark the first time the Academy is offering structured learning opportunities aimed directly at supporting athlete development.
Both courses are open to a global audience and provide an advanced level of knowledge and skills for ISSF shooting athletes. Over four weeks, participants will follow online lectures combined with simple assignments, focusing on technical aspects of the discipline as well as key areas that support training and competition preparation.
Air Rifle Course
The Air Rifle Course focuses on shooting technique in the air rifle discipline and covers the main technical foundations required for athletes at an introductory level. Alongside technical work, the course also introduces areas that contribute to overall athlete development.
Topics include:
- Safety, anti-doping and history of the sport
- Air rifle technique and standing position
- Preparation for competitions
- Introduction to sport training
- Introduction to sport psychology and mental training
- Introduction to anatomy, physiology and physical training
The course is intended to help athletes improve the quality of their preparation and better understand the training process. As with all technical learning, daily practice remains essential to transfer theoretical knowledge into practical skills. The course also encourages interaction between participants, helping to build connections within the shooting sport community.
Small-bore Rifle Course
The Small-bore Rifle Course focuses on shooting techniques in the 50m rifle discipline, with particular attention to prone, kneeling and standing positions. The programme introduces the technical principles behind shooting in three positions and supports athletes in developing a clearer understanding of correct technique and competition preparation.
Topics include:
- Safety and anti-doping
- Small-bore rifle technique: prone, kneeling and standing
- Understanding correct technique in three positions at 50m
- Introduction to sport training
- Introduction to sport psychology and mental training
- Introduction to anatomy, physiology and physical training
- Introduction to preparation for competitions
The course aims to support athletes in improving their preparation while also creating an environment where participants can exchange experiences with coaches, experts and fellow athletes.
Course structure
Both courses are delivered fully online over a four-week period. Each week includes two lecture sessions followed by assignments. Lectures last approximately two hours, including a short break, with a total weekly workload of around three to five hours.
More information and application details are available in the ISSF Academy Course calendar
Photo: ISSF Media
