Our Pillars
The Pillars of our Program
Great achievement begins with a strong foundation. The same is true in youth shooting sports. The
Central Arkansas Hawkeyes is committed to building that foundation through sound instruction, disciplined practice, strong character, and a commitment to excellence—preparing young athletes for lasting success both on and off the range.
central arkansas hawkeyes
The Foundations of our success
No matter what we seek to accomplish, lasting success depends on the foundation beneath it. The success of the Central Arkansas Hawkeyes has been built on two essential principles: character and marksmanship.
We believe both are necessary for meaningful success in the shooting sports. From the first-time beginner to the Olympic-caliber athlete, technical skill must be matched by discipline, integrity, perseverance, responsibility, humility, and respect.
Our goal is not simply to develop better shooters, but to build strong competitors and strong young people—because excellence on the range begins with the character brought to it.
Pillars of Principle
Character is shaped by the principles we choose to live by—at home, at work, in competition, and in our communities. The Central Arkansas Hawkeyes strives to develop members who are known for integrity, responsibility, respect, and positive influence.
Our
7 Pillars of Principle provide the foundation for the character we seek to build in every Hawkeye athlete, coach, volunteer, and leader.
Focus
- Give your full attention to what matters.
Success requires the ability to eliminate distractions, remain present, and concentrate on the task at hand. We teach our athletes to focus not only on the target, but also on the process required to reach it.
Discipline
- Do what needs to be done, even when it is difficult.
Improvement comes through preparation, practice, consistency, and a willingness to put in the work. Discipline means developing good habits and choosing what is right over what is easy.
Patience
- Understand that meaningful growth takes time.
Marksmanship cannot be mastered overnight. We encourage athletes to trust the process, learn from setbacks, remain steady under pressure, and allow consistent effort to produce results.
Responsibility
- Take ownership of your choices, actions, and obligations.
Every Hawkeye is expected to be accountable for their equipment, preparation, conduct, safety, and decisions. Responsible athletes do not look for excuses—they learn, adjust, and move forward.
Self-Control
- Learn to control yourself before trying to control the outcome.
Competition brings pressure, frustration, excitement, and disappointment. Strong competitors learn to manage their emotions, actions, and reactions so that circumstances do not determine their behavior.
Humility
- Remain teachable in both victory and defeat.
There is always more to learn. We encourage athletes to accept instruction, respect their competitors, recognize the contributions of others, celebrate success without arrogance, and face disappointment without bitterness.
Integrity
- Do what is right, even when no one is watching.
Integrity is the foundation upon which every other principle rests. A Hawkeye should strive to be honest, trustworthy, ethical, and consistent in both words and actions—on the range and everywhere else.
Pillars of Performance
The fundamentals of marksmanship are the foundation of every shooting discipline. By learning, practicing, and refining these core skills, athletes build the consistency and confidence necessary for continued improvement.
The
Central Arkansas Hawkeyes develops competitive performance by building upon these fundamentals with purpose and discipline. Mastery of the basics is not simply where success begins—it is what allows success to continue.
Stance & Body Positioning
- Build stability from the ground up.
A consistent shooting position provides the balance, support, and control needed for repeatable performance. Proper body alignment helps the athlete manage the firearm naturally and efficiently.
Proper Grip & Shouldering
- Create a secure and repeatable connection with the firearm.
Whether using a rifle or pistol, a proper grip and consistent contact with the firearm help improve stability, control, comfort, and shot-to-shot consistency.
Sight Alignment
- Align the sights correctly and consistently.
Accurate shooting begins with establishing the proper relationship between the front and rear sights. Even small inconsistencies in alignment can create significant changes at the target.
Sight Picture
- Place properly aligned sights precisely on the target.
Sight picture combines correct sight alignment with the desired aiming point. Developing a consistent visual reference helps athletes execute each shot with greater precision.
Breathing Control
- Use breathing to support stability and shot execution.
Proper breathing techniques help reduce unnecessary movement, maintain composure, and create the stable moment needed to execute a controlled shot.
Trigger Squeeze
- Operate the trigger smoothly without disturbing the sights.
The trigger should be activated with steady, controlled pressure while maintaining proper position and sight alignment. Good trigger technique allows the shot to break without unnecessary movement.
Follow Through
- Finish every shot with the same discipline used to begin it.
A shot does not end when the trigger breaks. Maintaining position, sight awareness, and control through the completion of the shot helps reinforce consistency and provides valuable feedback for the next one.