This book was translated from Russian using Google Translate. NRA did a proper translation to english that was published in 1985. It’s been long out of print, but you can find a copy online on eBay.

Competive shooting was written by Dr. Aleksandr A. Yur’yev and this third edition was published in 1973.

Competitive Shooting by A.A. Yuryev is a classic foundational work in the theory and methodology of sport shooting. Written from the Soviet high-performance coaching tradition, the book presents shooting as a systematic interaction of technique, physiology, psychology, and training structure. Its tone is analytical and instructional rather than motivational, emphasizing disciplined preparation, technical repeatability, and long-term athlete development. While some terminology reflects its era, the principles remain highly relevant—especially for coaches and serious athletes seeking a deep, methodical understanding of performance shooting.

Main Sections of the Book

• Foundations of Sport Shooting – Nature and demands of the discipline
• Technical Shooting Model – Position, aiming, triggering, stability
• Physiological & Biomechanical Principles – Body control and endurance
• Psychology of Performance – Focus, stress management, consistency
• Training Methodology – Planning, repetition, and progression
• Competition Strategy – Execution under match conditions

Why This Book Still Matters

• Provides a holistic model of shooting performance
• Strong emphasis on systematic training and discipline
• Excellent reference for coaches and advanced athletes
• Forms the theoretical backbone of many modern ISSF coaching approaches

From a modern coaching perspective, Competitive Shooting pairs exceptionally well with contemporary mental-training books: Yuryev explains what must be trained and why, while newer works explain how athletes experience and manage pressure today.

A. A. Yur’yev’s book is a unique encyclopedia of competitive rifle and pistol shooting.

Competitive Shooting - Yuryev A.A