Excessive gun speed, swinging the gun too fast is all too common in my lessons. It's the opposite of gun control. Russ Vowell called it, "blazing barrels." There are a hundred reasons for this, mostly having to do with wanting to break the target--with a fierce determination. Going too fast though has a price.
After the first 5 minutes of the lesson on the course, we've got 0000 and a well-intentioned swing out of control. To slow my student's swing down, drastically, I ask if he's ever driven a tractor. Ever heard of granny gear? He says yes. Granny gear speed is a crawl. At this point my student is thinking, "This ain't going to work. Not happening. I'll end up shooting way over there." Despite some serious doubts, he cuts his swing speed by at least 50%, maybe more. Swing speed now matches the bird speed. This is real – effective - target crushing gun control. XXXXXX. Nope, he isn't breaking it way over there. He's breaking this crosser right out in front of the box.
Not only that, but more successful repetitions actually begin to move the break point back, closer to the trap, not further away. Illogical as it sounds, that's a fact. Gun control does that. Guaranteed.
Granny gear is a mental image that creates a hugely improved pace in the swing, putting the control of the shot in your hands, not the target. For those of you who hate our rabbit presentations, put your swing in super slow-motion and watch the magic trick, the disappearing rabbit.
3 things to remember:
The X is your destination.
Your swing is the trip.
There are penalties for going too fast.
