From the movie “City Slickers” Curly (Jack Palance) reveals what the secret of life is by holding up 1 finger. Mitch (Billy Crystal) asks, “What is that “one thing?” Curly smiles and says, “That’s what you have to find out.”

Looking at your clays game in general, maybe you already know what that “one thing” is? Social shooting, fun, and entertainment? Or, maybe it’s more about competition and scoring? The differences here matter greatly. One could say the game is the same for everyone but I’m asking you to consider what is most important to you, the “one thing?”

It goes without saying that friendships, good food and breaking clays all go together. If entertainment is your goal when you step onto the shooting ground, savor your time in each shooting box. Targets will break. Maybe not consistently but they will break. Indeed, there’s no reason to question or judge why a shooter participates in the clay target sports for fun and enjoyment. The reason alone is enough. Be safe, be happy.

Then there are those who give X’s, improvement and score a higher priority. It’s likely you may be one such person? Glad to have you here, you are among friends who share those goals. So, what is that “one thing” for you? Score? Understood. A good example and a worthwhile objective.

Let’s put a harder focus on that “one thing,” whatever it is.

What happens at the target

depends on what happens before the trigger pull.

Daniel L. Schindler 

Can we agree that what we do in our swing before the trigger pull (our tasks) will definitely affect what happens out at the target (the outcome)? Yes? If that is true – and it is – wouldn’t our set-up and swing tasks take on new importance? A higher priority? The “one thing?” 

Let’s hold onto that and see how the next logical step so often takes things in the wrong direction.

I believe we would be correct in saying that breaking targets is a universal goal on clays ranges around the world. Right? True! No one likes missing or wants to miss. Folks – it is right here where shooter attention begins to shift towards outcomes and away from tasks. Think about that for a moment. Attention has shifted from our tasks – which we can control – to outcomes (on the other side of our muzzles) – which we cannot control.

Earlier we agreed that score might be that “one thing.” OK. But let’s not forget that a score is an outcome. And the only way to control that outcome is to control our set-up and swing tasks – something I hope we agreed on earlier.

When you stop chasing the wrong things,

you give the right things a chance to find you.

Daniel L. Schindler

As I used to be in that group many years ago, a lot of shooters still believe they can do the same things over and over again in the shooting box and then expect better results. And that a ton of shells downrange will create the hoped-for improvement, both in performances and scores. Being that our set-up and swing inconsistencies are in fact the reasons for our inconsistent (disappointing?) performances and scores, how will the endless repetition of those same inconsistencies yield the improvement and skill advancement we all want?

A major reason capable people fail to advance,

is because they do not focus on what needs changing.

Daniel L. Schindler

I don’t think there’s much to add to the fun and entertainment formula. To raise our skill level and scores, however, I think Curly was right, maybe we should take another look at that “one thing?” Outcomes? Maybe for the social shooter? For those who want to move their skills up? Not so much.

Always good to see you here. Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.

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About Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!  

Here's what Michael Bane (Outdoor Channel Shooting Gallery) had to say about Dan Schindler:

Successful Assault on Wily Clay Pigeons

We were filming a sporting clays episode of SHOOTING GALLERY, something you guys have been asking me about for years. The big delay was finding an instructor I was comfortable with and felt would fit into the SG model, such as it is. I found Dan Schindler through his book, TO THE TARGET, and his work on mental training and was impressed with his holistic view of the shooting sports. He proved to be every bit as good — and better — than we expected. As always, my goal is take-home value, which I think you guys have come to expect. He is truly a world-class instructor capable of taking complex actions and breaking them down into simple, repeatable pieces...and good heavens, doesn't sport shooting need more of that!

Dan Schindler's Books

Take the MYSTERY out of missing targets and help you quickly learn steps to shoot more CONSISTENTLY!  Order Dan's 3 books NOW!

Newest Release...Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer...

and is all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.

To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.

Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan' life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer and much more.

Testimonials

"Take Your Best Shot is the best clay and wingshooting shooting primer on the market that I have ever seen. The brilliance of its simplicity aids in getting across the correct messages for successful shooting for ANY clay/wingshooting shooter, let alone a new shooter. As a master instructor, founder/Head Coach of the Jacksonville University Shooting Team (a national championship program), and JU faculty member, Take Your Best Shot is standard reading for ALL of our varsity shooters. Dan has managed to capture the basics beautifully, and he has placed them in an easy, simple-to-follow, witty presentation. My students love the book and read it time and again. Highly recommend, no matter what your level of shooting experience and expertise."

David T. Dobson, M.B.A.

Paragon Master Instructor

NSCA Instructor, Level III

NSSA Instructor, Level III

Mark Engen These three books are a must-read for all clay target shooters. They are clear, concise, logical instructions on how to shoot clay targets and how to improve your scores. Taking a lesson from Dan would be very advantageous & help hasten the learning process. He has been my instructor for 15 years. With each lesson, I always come away amazed how much I have learned & how my scores improve. 
He also emphasizes how important it is to practice regularly & stay with his advice & recommendations to really learn new skills to improve your scores. He has helped me tremendously & I highly recommend him.

Don N Lisha Sante Got my three-book set. Read Take Your Best Shot (Book I) and can’t put book II down. Can’t wait to apply all I’ve learned tomorrow now that the rains gone.

Steve Powers I got my copy about a month ago. I’ve read it twice, cover to cover & reviewed the sequence of steps multiple times. Good Book.

Jim Butler  I've read my copies twice now and it has absolutely picked up my game. Joined a sporting clays league this spring. Increased my top score by 7. Thought them to be expensive at first, but now find them extremely valuable now. Thank You !!!

Telford Scott Great book !! Simple steps with great results!!

Randall C. Burl Best investment a shooter could make!

David Parks Received mine yesterday and have one chapter left to read. Can’t wait to get to the range and practice the new techniques I have learned. Now I feel like I have a system to work with instead of shoot and hope.

Bill Fibelkorn Called the number on their website, ( leary of ordering through Facebook posts) and Mr. Schlinder himself answered the phone. One of the most pleasant people I have ever talked to about anything. Whenever I get a chance to get down his way, I am going to get in touch with him to shoot. Got my books this weekend, read the first one and it reminded me of the basics. Just started on the second one, going to keep reading them over and over. The best reading you have for shooting clays.