I always like sniping when playing games. But when playing games, there aren't really any skills involve (at least for Counter Strike). I am currently watching a sniping movie and was curious. Before you pull the trigger do you:
Inhale --> while exhaling --> pull trigger
Inhale -->hold breath --> pull trigger --> exhale
Inhale --> exhale --> hold breath --> pull trigger
Which is the right method?
The last option is closest, traditionally speaking.
Many teach not to exhale fully, but enough to be comfortable and "neutral".
That would be for a long range shot, requireing your best accuracy.
"Adequate marksmanship" is a function os distance.
For a 10' shot with my pistol, I don't use the sights. I draw and fire instinctively, and it's accurate "enough". At that range a threat is very imminent. For a 75' shot, I use the sights and practive the "fundamentals of marksmanship" (google).
With a rifle, I take a 100' shot differently than a 500'.
I'm not a sniper. I'm a patrol cop and the closest I've come is being on perimeter, for hours, holding a rifle in the heat. I have a certain area/zone I need to hit on a suspect that represents the target. MY goal is to deliver any shot I take to that zone, 100% of the time, as fast as possible. I'm not looking for pinpoint accuracy, I'm looking for a decent hit, fast, to end the violence ASAP.
For shots reaching the max of my ability, I worry about breathing. For the routine shots, I worry about sight alignment and trigger pull - only. Generally you have to shoot from less than ideal angles or scenarios, so stance and breathing, etc. aren't incorporated as much.
You don't need a bullseye on a guy at arm's length with a knife, but you do need to send rounds *now*.
Sight alignment, and trigger pull. Do whatever you need to, to keep those adequate enough to hit your target.