Movement Techniques
Stalking a target is a slow affair. Do not feel rushed; your motion should be measured in inches and feet, not in miles. The sniper’s tactical advantage comes from not being seen. This will often require crawling and very slow walking.
When concealment is scarce or very low, the lowest of the crawls, the “sniper crawl” may be necessary. This crawl requires that every part of the body that can be laid flat is laid flat.
The feet are splayed out, the head is turned to the side, the rifle is laid on its side, gripped by its sling. The sniper will push with the toes and pull with the fingers.
The medium crawl is for when concealment is slightly higher or progress needs to be slightly faster. The additional height of the concealment allows the sniper to push with a leg and raise the torso an inch above the ground, but the head should still be as low as possible and the rifle is still dragged by its sling.
The high crawl permits the sniper to cradle the rifle in the crooks of his or her elbows and use the elbows to assist in crawling. The head and torso are off the ground.
If concealment permits, the sniper may move on his or her knees and one hand, the rifle held in the other hand.
Use the various crawls for the final approach to a hide or a firing position. However, most of the ground will be covered by walking. The sniper should take great care to walk softly and slowly. The knees should be bent and the torso slightly crouched.
This ensures that the sniper can very gently place the next foot down, feeling with the foot for any debris that will cause noise when the sniper’s full weight is placed upon it. A snapping twig can alert the enemy to your presence.
Often times, a sniper will find it easiest to move in complete darkness, however the sniper must be prepared to move quietly in complete darkness, another reason why it is important to be able to place a foot down very slowly.
The sniper should also take care not to damage any vegetation as a path of disturbed vegetation will give an alert opponent an important clue as to your presence and direction of travel.
Use “tree stacking” for moving in a wooded area. The sniper employs this movement techniques by making sure that there is always a tree between the sniper and the target.
This ensures that the sniper al- ways knows where the target is and the target has great difficulty in spotting the sniper.
If the sniper is not stalking in a wooded area, he can still use the principles behind tree stacking by keeping cars, rubble, buildings or high ground between the sniper and the target while he approaches the hide.