Sniper Training Matrix
Content and Hours
After graduating from a comprehensive police sniper school, sniper team members must receive
ongoing training year-round to maintain their operational readiness. This document is a framework of
necessary annual content, hours and justification for a police sniper skills maintenance program. The
justification is based on the ASA’s Police Sniper Essential Skills List, which was created to give form and
purpose to sniper training. Note that by necessity and the unique nature of the competencies covered,
much of this training will have to be conducted by, and administered to the sniper team, independent of
other team elements.
Some areas of instruction should be addressed as a SWAT team at the beginning of the training year.
Others should be scheduled quarterly, and others must be part of the monthly training evolution. Some
topics will overlap synergistically with others, diminishing the need to train each area separately, and to
avoid redundancy. The goal is to make sure all topics and skills are addressed with the frequency and
duration necessary for snipers to learn them, master them, and maintain operational readiness at all
times.
Operational Skills:
Team Review
Annual policy review (state use of force statutes, department deadly force policy, SWAT and
sniper team SOP, officer-involved shooting policy). This should be conducted with the entire
SWAT Team – 4 Hours
Annual equipment inventory and detailed inspection – 4 Hours
Annual equipment review and testing (function, nomenclature) – 4 Hours
Total Annual Review Hours 12
Classroom Instruction Frequency Duration Total Hours
Ballistics (external and terminal) 1x 2hr 2
Intermediate barriers 1x 2hr 2
Special shooting conditions (high angle, wind, low light) 1x 2hr 2
Hide construction (interior, exterior and vehicle) 1x 2hr 2
Observation 1x 4hr 4
Tactical Vision exercises 12x .5hr 6
Reporting and communications 1x 2hr 2
Camouflage 1x 2hr 2
Counter-sniper operations 1x 2hr 2
Sniper Survival Skills 1x 2hr 2
Target Assessment Program 1x 2hr 2
Case studies 12x 1hr 12
Practical Exercises
Full team scenario training 2x 4hr 8
Site diagramming (Range Cards) 4x 1hr 4
Distance estimation 2x 1hr 2
Observation exercises 4x 1hr 4
Concealment exercises 4x 1hr 4
Movement skills 4x 1hr 4
Hide construction 4x 2hr 8
Target Assessment 2x 4hr 8
Sniper Cover 2x 1hr 2
Sniper-initiated assaults 2x 1hr 2
Total Annual Academic Hours 82
FIREARMS
This section of the matrix is meant to organize the overall training goals. The design of the
courses of fire is left to the individual training officer.
In some instances, one range exercise may encompass several individual skill sets.
The scheduling of range training must take into account the need to practice all of these listed
skills in all seasons, and in both daylight and low light conditions. ALL of the listed firearms skills
have to be duplicated and mastered in low light training conditions.
If the team has night vision sighting equipment, additional training hours may be needed for
both classroom instruction and live fire exercises.
Range exercises take into account time to set up, execute and then evaluate each course of fire.
Firearms Skills Frequency Duration Total Hours
Cold Shot 12x .25hr 3
Zero confirmation 12x .5hr 6
Fundamental drills 12x .5hr 6
Cover Safe drill 12x .5hr 6
Position work (Standing, Sitting, Kneeling) 12x .5hr 6
Stress shooting 12x .5hr 6
Simultaneous shooting 4x .5hr 2
Rollover prone 4x .5hr 2
Weak shoulder 4x .5hr 2
Hawkins position 4x .5hr 2
Partner supported shooting 4x .5hr 2
Improvised positions 4x 1hr 4
Gas mask 4x .5hr 2
Hostage-rescue 4x .5hr 2
Sniper-initiated techniques 4x .5hr 2
Vehicle hides 4x 1hr 4
Moving targets 4x 2hr 8
Target ID/discretionary shooting 4x .5hr 2
Extended distance shooting (2 – 300 yards) 2x 4hr 8
Defensive handgun drills 6x 1hr 6
Secondary rifle drills 6x 2hr 12
Weapon maintenance 12x 1hr 12
Total Annual Firearms Hours 105
Testing and Evaluation
Sniper Functional Fitness Test 2x 1hr 2
Qualifications (All carried weapon systems) 4x 1hr 4
Total Annual Testing Hours 6
Cumulative Annual Sniper Training Hours 205
Supporting Documents and Publications
ASA Training Position Paper
ASA Police Sniper Essential Skills List
ASA Police Sniper Utilization Survey Reports, 2005 – 2013 inclusive
ASA Police Sniper Training and Operations Manual – WIISAD Books
Sniper Resource Manual - Snipercraft
100+ Sniper Exercises – Paladin Press
Snipercraft: Laying the Groundwork for a Career as a Sniper – Paladin Press
SWAT Standard for Law Enforcement Agencies – National Tactical Officers Association
