History Main / InstantMarksmanJustSqueezeTrigger

* In the ''MastersOfHorror'' episode titled "Joe Dante's The Screwfly Solution", this advice is given from mother to daughter, with the usual effect.

* Horrifically averted in ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye''. Swerve is told that he must take down a crazed [[spoiler: Fortress Maximus]] with the large riveter gun he has. Swerve freaks out and explains that he's not trained in weapon combat and is a horrible shot. Rodimus tells him to do it anyway (apparently being a firm believer in this trope). [[spoiler: Swerve [[RealityEnsues misses his target]] and ends up blowing poor [[DistressedDude Rung's]] brains out, killing him instantly.]]

* From WoodyAllen's ''LoveAndDeath'':

The use of guns is, of course, a standard of certain genres, and [[GunsAndGunplayTropes many a trope has been dedicated to analyzing their use]] and the various [[StockPhrases stock phrases]] that they bring.

In this case, you have two characters: one is an experienced marksman, and one is inexperienced. At some point in the story, the need for the inexperienced individual to use a gun comes along. Sometimes the training takes place on a simplified ShootingGallery, perhaps during a [[HardWorkMontage montage]] of some type. It may also work as a moment for the relationship between the two characters to be showcased: sometimes as parent and offspring, sometimes as mentor and student.

During this scene, the inexperienced shooter is having difficulty hitting his or her targets. At this point, the experienced marksman approaches, and gives one piece of advice:

"Don't pull the trigger. ''Squeeze'' the trigger."

Sometimes this particular [[StockPhrases stock phrase]] is followed up by further advice, the most common being a breathing method (such as "take a deep breath"). Often, this advice is shown as the only thing the novice needed, as he or she [[InstantExpert now hits the targets with relative ease.]]

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!!Examples:

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* In ''Film/{{Zombieland}}'', Tallahassee gives this bit of advice to Little Rock, something that comes in handy later when she and Wichita are under attack by a horde of zombies.

* ''BangkokDangerous'', or, at least, the [[CulturalTranslation American version]] of the movie, has a scene in which Joe (NicolasCage) gives this advice to his student Kang.
* TheMovie version of ''Film/TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen'' shows Quartermain giving this advice to Tom Sawyer.

* In ''HarleyDavidsonAndTheMarlboroMan,'' the Marlboro Man says "Squeeze the trigger, Harley. Don't yank it, it's not your dick. ''Squeeze'' it." In this case, however, there's no training taking place; the Marlboro Man is making a [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] comment on Harley's piss-poor shooting skills.
** Later, when the two eponymous heroes are facing the BigBad and his legion of bulletproof henchmen, Marlboro Man says it again as sort of crash course training: "Don't yank. Don't pull. Squeeze." The trope is partially averted in this case, though, because no matter how many times he hears this advice, Harley Davidson's gun skills never get better.
* From [[WoodyAllen Woody Allen's]] ''{{Love and Death}}'':

* Leon gives this advice to Mathilda in ''TheProfessional'', allowing her to hit her target on the first try.

[[AC:Theatre]]
* Stephen Sondheim's ''{{Theatre/Assassins}}'' sets this to music in "The Gun Song", which, apart from [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin doing exactly what it says on the tin]], contains the line:

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[[AC:Webcomics]]

[[AC:Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', Marge is shown how to shoot by former neighbor Ruth Powers in ''Marge on the Lam.'' Ruth tells Marge to squeeze the trigger, although she does not mention the part about not pulling the trigger. Marge does show immediate skill as a marksman.
--> My cans! My precious antique cans! Aw, look what ya done to 'em...

* Horrifically averted in ''Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye''. Swerve is told that he must take down a crazed [[spoiler: Fortress Maximus]] with the large riveter gun he has. Swerve freaks out and explains that he's not trained in weapon combat and is a horrible shot. Rodimus tells him to do it anyway (apparentlly being a firm believer in this trope). [[spoiler: Swerve [[RealityEnsues misses his target]] and ends up blowing poor [[DistressedDude Rung's]] brains out, killing him instantly.]]

* Used in the ''CriminalMinds'' episode "L.D.S.K.", wherein resident geekboy Reid is trying to pass his firearms qualification test, and resident sharpshooter Hotch is giving him lessons, telling him "front sight, trigger press, follow through". Hotch also mentions the "squeeze, don't pull" advice. Reid fails his test twice, even with Hotch's help, but proves his competence in the climax of the episode, where he gets a perfect [[BoomHeadshot headshot]] to the [=UnSub=] via Hotch's distraction gambit and his spare gun. He went on to joke that [[DeadpanSnarker he was actually aiming for the leg]] (or at least, we think it was a joke).
* In the ''MastersOfHorror'' episode titled ''Joe Dante's The Screwfly Solution'', this advice is given from mother to daughter, with the usual effect.

* In one episode of {{Numb3rs}}, Charlie, in order to understand how a criminal sniper operates in the field, tries to learn what shooting a gun feels like because his usual [[AwesomenessByAnalysis math-heavy approach]] was failing to give him the whole picture. After struggling with a rifle in the shooting range, Don gives Charlie a few pointers; relax his hands, fire the shot in-between breaths, etc. It works; [[DownplayedTrope Charlie's next shot is a lot closer to the bullseye, and his prediction on where the suspect will set up his sniper nest is off by only one window.]]
* Jack teaches Gwen how to fire a gun in the second episode of ''{{Torchwood}}''. She becomes an expert after that one session. Oh, and Gwen is a cop who has never handled a firearm. Justified, as she was only a PC (constable), who are not issued guns.

** Little Rock, a 12 year old, had brandished firearms before this, but had not fired. She was unable to hit a large vase with a long arm at twenty yards, a feat which would be considered laughably easy by most youth shooting programs. As soon as she hears Tallahassee's advice, she hits the target, playing this trope straight.

** Little Rock had brandished firearms before this, but had not fired. She was unable to hit a large vase with a long arm at twenty yards, a feat which would be considered laughably easy by most youth shooting programs. As soon as she hears Tallahassee's advice, she hits the target, playing this trope straight. A vase-size target at twenty yards would not be a hard challenge for a pistol.

** Admittedly, she was already an experienced shooter, his advice just helped her aim plus it still took her a couple of tries to hit a small stationary target at a long range.

* Stephen Sondheim's ''{{Assassins}}'' sets this to music in "The Gun Song", which, apart from [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin doing exactly what it says on the tin]], contains the line:

** Admittedly, she was already an experienced shooter, his advice just helped her aim.

* Used in the ''CriminalMinds'' episode "L.D.S.K.", wherein resident geekboy Reid is trying to pass his firearms qualification test, and resident sharpshooter Hotch is giving him lessons, telling him "front sight, trigger press, follow through". Hotch also mentions the "squeeze, don't pull" advice. Reid fails his test twice, even with Hotch's help, but proves his competence in the climax of the episode, where he gets a perfect [[BoomHeadshot headshot]] to the [=UnSub=] via Hotch's distraction gambit and his spare gun. He went on to joke that {{DeadpanSnarker he was actually aiming for the leg}} (or at least, we think it was a joke).

* Used in the ''CriminalMinds'' episode "L.D.S.K.", wherein resident geekboy Reid is trying to pass his firearms qualification test, and resident sharpshooter Hotch is giving him lessons, telling him "front sight, trigger press, follow through". Hotch also mentions the "squeeze, don't pull" advice. Reid fails his test twice, even with Hotch's help, but proves his competence in the climax of the episode, where he gets a perfect [[BoomHeadshot headshot]] to the [=UnSub=] via Hotch's distraction gambit and his spare gun.
** Actually, Reid admitted he was aiming for the unsub's leg.

* From [[WoodyAllen Woody Allen's]] ''Love and Death'':

* TheMovie version of ''TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen'' shows Quartermain giving this advice to Tom Sawyer.

[[AC:Film]]

* [[TheSimpsons Marge Simpson]] is shown how to shoot by former neighbor Ruth Powers in ''Marge on the Lam.'' Ruth tells Marge to squeeze the trigger, although she does not mention the part about not pulling the trigger. Marge does show immediate skill as a marksman.

* In ''Pocahontas'', John Smith gives the inexperienced Thomas advice on how to handle his gun, including a gentle reminder to "keep both eyes open". This becomes an IronicEcho when [[spoiler: Thomas shoots Kocoum]].

* ''BangkokDangerous'', or, at least, the [[{{Americanitis}} American version]] of the movie, has a scene in which Joe (NicolasCage) gives this advice to his student Kang.

Real expertise in this field, of course, can take years of training and practice. Plus, it may not be clear to an amateur gun user what, specifically, the distinction between "pulling" and "squeezing" a trigger may be. These are issues that are generally not addressed when these scenes take place, but this is somewhat justified in that a [[TheLawOfConservationOfDetail lengthy scene featuring detailed instructions on how to fire a gun might be boring.]]

It is also fair to note that this ''is'' useful advice, making it, to a certain extent, TruthInTelevision. First-time shooters tend to pull the front of the gun up, trying to replicate the "kick" that occurs naturally when the gun is fired (because that's the way it looks on TV). If you "squeeze" the trigger all you're moving is your finger.

A subtrope of InstantExpert, although it has little, if anything, to do with a MarySue.

* Stephen Sondheim's ''{{Assassins}}'' sets this to music in "The Gun Song", which, apart from [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin doing exactly what it says on the tin]], contains the line:
-->''And all you have to do is squeeze your little finger''\\
''Ease your little finger back''\\
* ClickHello*\\
''You can change the world . . .''

* [[TheSimpsons Marge Simpson]] is shown how to shoot by former neighbor Ruth Powers in ''Marge on the Lam.'' Ruth tells Marge to squeeze the trigger, although she does not mention the part about not pulling the trigger. Marge does show immediate skill as a marksman.
--> My cans! My precious antique cans! Aw, look what ya done to 'em...

* Played with in an episode of UltimateForce when Henno gives a pistol to an ambassador he is protecting with the titular instructions. However, he then reveals he was actually suggesting a suicide method.

* The episode of ''{{Masters of Horror}}'': ''Joe Dante's The Screwfly Solution'', this advice is given from mother to daughter, with the usual effect.

* In ''{{Zombieland}}'', Tallahassee gives this bit of advice to Little Rock, something that comes in handy later when she and Wichita are under attack by a horde of zombies.

* Leon gives this advice to Mathilda in ''TheProfessional''. In fact, IIRC, she hits her target the first try, too!

* In ''Pocahontas'', John Smith gives the inexperienced Thomas advice on how to handle his gun, including a gentle reminder to "keep both eyes open". This becomes an IronicEcho when [[spoiler: Thomas shoots Kocoum]].