History Main / InstantMarksmanJustSqueezeTrigger

* ''Film/BangkokDangerous'', or at least the [[CulturalTranslation American version]] of the movie, has a scene in which Joe gives this advice to his student Kang.

(It is worth noting, without *some* form of coaching, most people will copy their shooting style from what they see in film and TV. The problem with that is that ACTORS certainly don't need to be carefully aiming when they pull the trigger, and may in fact be hamming up things like recoil for [[RuleOfCool dramatic effect]])

A subtrope of InstantExpert.

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* 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 [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome misses his target]] and ends up shooting Fort Max's hostage instead. He survives, but is in a coma for the next few issues.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{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]].

* 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.
** Little Rock, a 12 year old, had brandished firearms before this, but had not fired except into the air while brandishing. 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.
** Also, Tallahassee's advice is more focused on having her relax, calm down, and take her time while aiming down the sights. And she never displays any amazing feats of marksmanship, so this makes for a comparatively realistic example.
* ''Film/BangkokDangerous'', or, at least, the [[CulturalTranslation American version]] of the movie, has a scene in which Joe (Creator/NicolasCage) gives this advice to his student Kang.
* TheMovie version of ''Film/TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen'' shows Quartermain giving this advice to Tom Sawyer.
** Quartermain has ImprobableAimingSkills in this film (he can fire an ordinary rifle at a great distance without aiming for the center of mass), which he passes to Sawyer after one session (in which the latter ''fails'' to hit the target).
* In ''Film/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.

* ''Film/CowboysAndAliens'' had a similar line from Meacham when he teaches the shopkeeper how to shoot.
--> ''"Don't yank it, now, it ain't your pecker."''
* From Creator/WoodyAllen's ''Film/LoveAndDeath'':

* PlayedWith in ''Film/TheMagnificentSeven''. O'Reilly (Creator/CharlesBronson) is training a farmer to shoot a rifle, giving the same "squeeze, not pull" advice. But when the farmer ''still'' keeps pulling it (and missing wide), O'Reilly exasperatedly tells him to just use the butt of the rifle as a club.
** A similar scene occurs in [[Film/TheMagnificentSeven2016 the 2016 version]] as well, this time with Robicheaux giving the advice to take it slow ("you can't pull it slow enough!") to an entire line of townsfolk, who promptly [[EpicFail continue to miss every single target]]. This time, Faraday suggests they should polish their rifles in the hopes the glint will scare off the enemy forces.
* This happens in ''Film/TheMountie'' when Grayling is teaching Cleora how to shoot. Her first shot misses the target by about a foot. After showing her how to squeeze, her next shot hits.
* ''Film/PunisherWarZone''. Frank Castle mistakenly shoots an undercover Fed, and finds himself at gunpoint from the distraught widow. He advises her to aim at his heart and squeeze the trigger--in this case they're at point blank range so it's done to show Castle's willingness to [[PleaseKillMeIfItSatisfiesYou face death for what he has done]].

* ''[[Literature/CiaphasCain Duty Calls]]'': Early in the novel, Cain, Jurgen, and snack-seller Zemelda Cleat are pinned down by ambushers. When Zemelda picks up a fallen weapon, Cain gives her a one-sentence lesson in weapon handling.

* Used in the ''Series/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 ''Series/MastersOfHorror'' episode "The Screwfly Solution", this advice is given from mother to daughter, with the usual effect.

* In one episode of ''Series/{{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 ''Series/{{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.
** Possibly justified in that we're never really sure how long the session goes on for (possibly hours), and some people ''do'' have a natural gift.

* [[ZigzaggedTrope Zigzagged]] In ''TabletopGame/DarkHeresy'':

* 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:
-->''And all you have to do is squeeze your little finger''\\
''Ease your little finger back''\\
* ClickHello*\\
''You can change the world . . .''

* Inverted in the video game ''VideoGame/UnchartedDrakesFortune'', right in the beginning when Drake hands Elena [[IntrepidReporter (a journalist)]] a pistol. His advice is "Just point...and shoot," which is something one would only expect to hear from somebody who's never, ever held a gun in their life.
* Averted in the first ''[[VideoGame/SilentHill1 Silent Hill]]'' game. Harry, who's never handled a gun before, is given one by policewoman Cybil Bennett. Her instructions are pretty terrible and do not include this advice. She even says, "Before you pull the trigger..." which of course is the wrong way to manipulate a trigger. Calling Harry a mediocre shot is being charitable. The scene can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAGZx9M4Iro here]], where Cybil dives pretty deep into ArtisticLicenseGunSafety.

* 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...

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--> Tuck that into your shoulder, pull the trigger gently, and Emperor guide your aim.

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--> My cans! My precious antique cans! Aw, look what ya done to 'em...

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:

Sometimes this particular {{stock phrase|s}} 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.]]

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.]]

* 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 shooting Fort Max's hostage instead. He survives, but is in a coma for the next few issues.]]