鉄砲道 — teppoudo

Followthrough is often described as the process of holding the trigger to the rear (for some time) after breaking a shot, i.e., it is described as a mechanical process.

Since mechanics are a component of technique and technique is dependent on context, the holding the trigger to the rear for 3 seconds (as described by bullseye shooters at my local club), wasn’t going to work well in the context of IPSC. It would certainly hurt my split times

What was essentially being described by the bullseye folks was a means of execution of the third fundamental, i.e., discharging the shot without disturbing the alignment. I’m assuming that the technique described was for the benefit of new shooters who hadn’t developed the ability to call the shot.

Looking beyond mechanics, followthrough is essentially what you do during the time between the hammer drop and the time that the bullet leaves the barrel. The point is to do nothing that would disturb the alignment until the bullet has left the barrel.

The bullet leaving the barrel is indicated by the sights lifting in recoil allowing you to call the shot. Followthrough is a process of visual patience that facilitates calling the shot.

In his article Shot Call and Followthrough, David Tubb describes followthrough as simply a technical process supporting the call of the shot.

Taken by itself, though, followthrough is probably most simply defined as holding on to a shot long enough to call it accurately. It is primarily a visual confirmation process in this function. Part of the technical value (specifically, value to the technique) of calling shots is its help in developing followthrough. Good followthrough is also a certain amount physical, and that sense is maintaining the shooting position and hold through recoil.

Followthrough is improved by being aware of what you see during the firing of the shot. In retrospect, the post on Mastering Fundamental #3 is essentially talking about followthrough.

Followthrough is a visual process that holds your attention and is independent of mechanics.