(viii) The grenade is thrown by means of the cane D. The latter is grasped between the end furthest from the grenade itself and the attached point of the tail--_i.e._, on the grooved portion. The grenade is thrown in the required direction either under or over hand, care being taken that the tail cannot entangle itself with the thrower or with any object near him. (ix) When throwing, the following points should be remembered: (_a_) The grenade should be thrown well upwards at not less than an angle of about 35 degrees. This, besides assisting in increasing the range to which the grenade can be thrown, renders its action more absolutely certain by causing it to strike the ground nearly vertically. This is especially important when throwing with a following wind. (_b_) Any obstacle lying between the thrower and the objective must be cleared, as the grenade will almost certainly act on anything it strikes during any part of its flight. (x) =Caution.=--(i) Should the hand grenade not be used, the cap is to be turned back to “travel” from “fire,” the safety-pin (which must be retained) is to be replaced in position, care being taken that the pin passes through the cap, and is secured by passing the whipcord becket over the cap, and by replacing the leather strip _d_ through the slot in the end of the safety-pin Z, and the tail rolled up and secured. (ii) Immediately the grenade has left the hand, the thrower should lie down or get behind cover to reduce the chances of being hit by a splinter, as, of course, the explosion sends these in all directions. Dummy grenades are supplied for practice in throwing. =9. Use of Grenades.=--In addition to the hand grenade, grenades may be improvised by filling tins with explosive for throwing by hand. Grenades are also constructed so that they can be fired from rifles. Grenades can be used with effect against sap-heads in siege warfare and in trench fighting at close range. Section =69=.--Competitions. =1. Object of Competitions.=--The principles governing competitions are laid down in para. 102, _Musketry Regulations_. The object of competitions is to encourage proficiency in service shooting under practical conditions. This object must not be confined to a few champion shots, but must include every man in each fire-unit. _A good average standard of marksmanship, especially in shooting at service targets at unknown ranges, is the ideal to be aimed at._ Team competitions in which fire-unit commanders are exercised in their duties, and in which they work together with their units, are the most practical and valuable form of competition. The various instructional practices, together with individual and collective field practices in Chapters VIII and X of this book, are suitable for competitions.