Most all Clay & Wing shooters desire to shoot better. But for many, shooting mistakes create frustration during competition, in the field, and even during practice sessions. Dan Schindler teaches shooters, from all skill levels, a shooting process that creates more consistency and proficiency by eliminating mistakes both before and during the shot. Each month, Dan provides a new shooting tip to help you be more consistent in the shooting box and on your scoresheet.
Here's a fair question. Do you believe a person who trains harder and longer can perform at a level higher than a more talented individual? Statistics repeatedly show talent is highly overrated, and the answer to the question is yes.
After working with many, many students across the US and abroad, it's hard to count all the times I've witnessed incredible talent in the shooting box. There's an enviable swing and an almost supernatural ability to sense the correct forward allowance regardless of target presentation and difficulty level. Good shooting seems to come naturally. Add a little motivation, maybe a passion about shooting and voila, we have a shooter who steps onto the course and frequently leaves his or her mark........... more>>
As we're starting a new year and the tournament season is a few short months away, I thought now would be a good time to look at this in preparation for the season ahead. This is about making sure our gun - choke and barrel - are patterning where they're supposed to. Please don't assume they are. Gun manufacturers do a good job with this - but not always.
POI - point of impact - is where our shot-string lands on the target. Is it high - low - centered? Do your barrels actually send the shot-string on a straight line to the center of the target? From a bench rest, as you would a rifle, does your shot-string hit the bulls-eye dead on, with 50% distribution on the top, bottom, left and right? Or is it slightly high, low or off center? If score is a priority in your game, this is an important piece of information. You barrels should be shooting dead on........... more>>
No doubt, do something long enough and some things become obvious. This is about my number 1 observation in every formal lesson I give, formal meaning the lesson objective is advancing student knowledge and skill development.
Possibly you read some of my articles over the summer of 2011? I felt particularly good about those articles because they covered what I consider to be "the second most important" aspect of becoming a more consistent shooter with a rising score average: gun management. Gun management is all about how - and where - we move our gun during the swing. The goal being to remove as much "random movement" during the swing as we possibly can. And it goes without saying, an incorrect muzzle hold point before the trap fires has already assured the swing will start off badly. Add to that poor foot position and the focal point in the wrong place - the odds are now high the target will be missed and the trap hasn’t fired yet!.......... more>>
In this instance, I think the "disclaimer" should come first because folks enjoy our great sport for different reasons. For many shooters, sporting clays is more a social event, a relaxed round of clays with friends. Skill improvement would of course be nice, but weekly training sessions aren't likely on the priority list. Perfectly understandable. I think the social approach is pretty much where we all started, didn't we?
This tip is dedicated to those who place a higher emphasis on skill improvement, the pursuit of better performances and higher scores.......... more>>
Once the preliminaries are finished in the clubhouse, I'm more comfortable with what lies ahead because I've gotten to know my client and I'm mentally preparing a lesson format that I believe will best meets his or her goals. Arriving on station, I prefer to watch a few shots before giving any advice. How would I know what needs attention if I don't watch first? After 4 to 6 shells, I've learned a lot about my shooter in those first few minutes.
Frequently, my student will be breaking this warm up target fairly consistently. What I've noticed is a rather quick, instinctive "snap shot" with some good success. I change the target presentation a bit and we go from XXX0XX0XXX to 00XX0X00X0X. That's OK, that inconsistency is why he's here. I'm also noticing my student likes to pull the trigger just as the gun touches his cheek.......... more>>
Coupling long years of experience and skill development with advancing age creates the evolution of a wise and formidable competitor.
Forgive me but I've long been loyal, outspoken, and at times a maniac in support of the underdog. My rough count showed 21 of the 59 Master class shooters at the 2011 Turkey Shoot at the Meadows in GA - are classified as Veterans. 6 of those Veterans scored in the top half of all Master class. So much for being over the hill. And sincerest congratulations to Veteran Malcolm Parker for his Master 4th position, breaking 190X200. May you have many more like that Malcolm and you likely will.
Let it be said that we all have our moments when dropping targets. Understandably. But it can be a bit disappointing to watch an up and coming shooter get upset over a frustrating performance on one field, and then carry those visible reactions through the next station and possibly the match. Didn't say competition was easy - but somewhere along the way, it seems some have forgotten what it truly takes to build a complete sporting clays game - and then deliver a solid performance under pressure.......... more>>
About 3 years ago, I was alone, training on a course about 6 hours from home. Halfway around the course, I looked up at the sky. Close my right eye, blue sky. Close my left eye - total, dark, ink black. I called my eye doctor who told me to come to the hospital in Spartanburg SC immediately. Right now. 6 hours later, Michael told me my retina had become partially detached - a very serious situation. The good news was - a laser treatment could reattach it. It did. I have been 100% OK since. Age 65, I still have 20/15 vision. I do not shoot heavy loads. Never have. I’ve been writing about recoil affects and reduction since the early 1990’s. What caused this? Don’t know. But it scared me. Shooting is not a hobby for me. I went looking for all the recoil reduction I could find.
When it comes to my personal shooting, I am a pragmatist. Pragmatists are less concerned with shotgun aesthetics and why things work - just as long as they do work - all the time. That’s important to us because we tend to be a bit more "score" conscious. Long past "fads & notions" we’re more attentive to what really does help us put more X’s on our score sheet.......... more>>
Being a right-brain, artistic soul can also be a curse. It seems I can't touch anything mechanical without it exploding, burning up or just falling apart, never to be assembled again without pieces left over. A rock is a mechanical, engineering genius next to me.
That's why I get so frustrated when I attempt to use a new TV remote, reset the confused DVD player, or use my camera and other mechanical gadgetry. Way - way too many buttons and controls. But I am tenacious and it is with great determination that I am learning to master my "pro model" digital camera. Master might be a bit much but I am gaining ground.
I share this because all too frequently I watch my new student implode after a short series of misses. I say this sincerely, I can empathize with their frustration.......... more>>
Last month we talked about Just Enough, a way of saying we don't want too much or too little gun speed. Establishing a good relationship between the bird and muzzle early in the swing creates the much needed precision to build our X count.
Only occasionally do I have a student with too little gun speed. That is to say, most folks are swinging their gun too fast. This month's Tip revolves around a good way to find the right pace so we can lock up that bird / barrel relationship not late but early in the swing. The earlier the better. This greatly reduces unnecessary movement that compromises the precision in our swing.
Long years of teaching experience have shown me that a swing that starts out fast usually overruns the target. Result? As the swing is coming into the trigger pull, muzzle now ahead of the bird by too much, our shooter throws the brakes on. Now the swing is decelerating instead of smoothly accelerating. Basically, we've got a fast start, then slowing down and stopping the gun, just when we need the opposite.......... more>>
During one of my lessons last week, my student answered my question in a very good way. I thought I would share his answer with you.
I prefer not to reach for my gun during a lesson unless I believe something of real value will come out of the shooting demonstration. And, I’ve learned that almost all of the time, my student actually will pick up on what I am trying to demonstrate and carry those images into the box as he or she resumes the shooting. Set up and executed properly at the right time, a good demonstration can be of real value in a lesson. This was one of those times.
As is so often the case, my student had a lot of excessive gun speed. After a considerable bit of work on this by both of us, he was still struggling to slow down. So I respectfully reached for my gun to demonstrate a smooth and very deliberate swing with a lot of precision in it. I asked that he watch me, not the bird and shot 6 singles. I then asked him what he saw.......... more>>
Sorry - I'm late getting this TIP on line so forgive me if I don't have the exact, very recent issue of Sporting Clays magazine in front of me. There was an article regarding "hard (visual) focus on the target," by one of the regular contributing writers.
I read that article with special interest because - at Paragon - we wholeheartedly agree with the author and most of the article's contents. For a very long time - I was taught, and I taught - a hard visual focus on the bird. This 100% hard focus actually has its advantages in that we can visually slow the bird down considerably and that's a good thing. But - like most things - there are tradeoffs and too much of a good thing can be costly. So, years ago, I changed our teaching philosophy and methodology at Paragon.
Our visual "focus" moves and we decide where to put it. You can stare at the hood of your car in 5 O'clock traffic - but I wouldn't recommend it - everything in front of your car visually disappears. NOT good.......... more>>
I just got a call from one of my students who lives on the Western side of the US. She had just returned from the gun club and was badly shaken.
She and a few of her friends decided to shoot a round together at the club. One of her friends, let's call her Cathy (not her real name), asked her husband to come along and shoot with them, which he did. Cathy likes shooting her 20 gauge but shoots her 12 gauge better. The group of 6 left, Cathy bringing her 20 gauge.
By the 5th station, Cathy was discouraged and shooting poorly. Her husband asked her to switch to her 12 gauge and Cathy agreed. He asked Cathy to empty her pockets and shooting bag of all 20 gauge shells, which she did. He left with the cart, gun and 20 gauge ammunition.......... more>>
There are many important elements to the Paragon Instructor certification class and I'd like to share with you one of the most important. You being the shooter reading this, possibly considering instruction.
Obviously, the instructor candidates in the class share a desire "to help." That's one of the reasons why they come to this class, to learn how to assist you competently when called upon. On day 1 of the class - the candidates are inclined to believe (once trained) that they can provide what the student is "missing." That's partially correct with one small clarification. Let's start with what an instructor can add, can contribute: a safe working environment, usable information, clear communication and support........... more>>
Happy New Year Everyone.
Since our sport's gone into it's usual short hibernation this time of the year, I thought we could spend a minute thinking about the upcoming season.
Folks in general seem to approach the upcoming season with the same hope they had at this time the year before. There's nothing wrong with good intentions mind you but what are we changing in our approach to this season? Realistically, can we expect to see some measurable gains in our skills and performances if we're coming into the new year counting on the status quo? I submit this to you respectfully, but that just seems unlikely........... more>>
Please place one hand under your gun's receiver - balancing the barrel on one side, stock on the other. Now gently push the stock UP and watch what happens to the muzzle. It, of course, goes DOWN. During your gun mount - this is exactly what happens if your trigger hand goes UP faster than the fore-end hand in charge of the swing. In slow motion - if the trigger hand snatches the gun to the face - the muzzle does a "dirt dive." So - early in the swing - if the muzzle is going down and the bird's flying across the sky at 60 mph - are the bird and barrel aligned? Are they together? No. MOUNTING the gun to the face too quickly has pushed the barrel down, well off the target line. The muzzle will now have to be pulled up, then chase after the escaping target. All of this is called MOUNT - then move and shoot - a costly, time consuming, 2 piece gun mount. Friends will happily tell you "where" you just missed - but the real reason "why" you missed took place way over there at the start of your swing........... more>>
Once we decide to get serious about building a complete shooting game, we quickly begin to learn just how many different ways there are to present targets.
Once a target leaves the machine, there are usually multiple breakpoints available to us. Which one is best? That depends on many, many different factors. Shooting style is one example, an important consideration when choosing a breakpoint that favors that style. A fast shooter might pick an earlier breakpoint - a more methodical shooter would likely shoot this same target a bit later........... more>>
000000. As the empty shells pile up in the trashcan beside the shooting box, do you ever feel "lost?" Can’t find the problem? Why isn’t that target breaking? Here’s what I believe is the # 1 most common problem and cause of missing. Chances are very good this particular detail could well be the starting point, the primary reason why your scores and performances may be sputtering. In Latin, it’s called "anxious-erratica." I’m pretty sure that means "lost birds senor."
"Anxious" describes the approach to the shot - "erratic" is the swing result. When the trap fires, overcome by the feeling "the target is getting away," the shot is rushed unnecessarily, causing even more unwanted barrel movement during the swing. Just a thought,..... the shell speed is about 750 mph. Target speed is about 55 mph. You win. Why the rush?.......... more>>
Learning a new skill can be fun. And it should be. And once all the equipment has been purchased - ready or not - it's finally time to step into the box and meet the clay target. While no doubt exciting - it may be a bit humbling as well. Not only do the targets provide all the challenge we want and more, we quickly learn the target doesn't always break just because we want it to.
Don't get me wrong - I applaud determination. But I also know that repetition in the box without the basics - without proper technique - is practice built more on hope than a well thought out plan. It seems, good shooting can be here today - then gone tomorrow. Consistently good shooting, on the other hand, is built on a strategy that includes the basics.......... more>>
Being a pragmatic person, I am usually more inclined to look at things from a practical perspective. What follows is something that I've learned is best for me. YMMV. Here's what I've discovered.
I have a drawer full of shooting glasses, some dating all the way back to 1979. If you need a particular color, call me.
When I am teaching in really bright sunlight, I greatly appreciate my Randolph Engineering CMT's. The glare reduction features in these lenses are a Godsend and crystal clarity isn't compromised at all. On a grey, overcast day - I reach for my light yellow tint. It brightens my surroundings and seems to add appreciably more light making this color very useful in subdued light conditions.......... more>>
OK, I understand this,.......sort of. Many folks put shotgun aesthetics at the top of their list. No arguments from me. A beautiful shotgun is a joy to behold, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, function and form, making it a delight to hold. Few "tools" deliver anywhere near this level of pride of ownership. I own one for upland hunting. So I do understand,......right up until all those "dynamite" loads take a trap, skeet or sporting clays shooter down with flinching, head lifting, debilitating neck and shoulder problems.
The affects of recoil are cumulative. It's a price we all pay, some more than others by the choices we make. So it's in our own best interests to mitigate recoil every chance we have. First are ammunition choices. Here, Lite loads get it done,....all day,....every day. 2 3/4 dram loads will help you shoot better and do it more consistently.......... more>>
Sunday evenings and Mondays can be busy answering calls and emails from my students around the US. Typically, we're discussing this week-end's tournament - play by play - and results. Listening, I hear a Field by Field account of what happened and why.
It is worthwhile to do a post-game review of stations - provided we don't get caught up in replaying certain misses too many times and reinforcing those particular images - which we really don't want to do.......... more>>
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."......... more>>
Last month we took a look at "the hard part." In that discussion, I mentioned the "1" change. Let's talk about that a bit further.
First, it's human nature to be in a hurry to get somewhere. I get that. Guilty myself. But in skill development, it just doesn't work that way. Ain't goin' to happen. Like it or not, learning a new language, a new software program, shooting skills, let's face it, some time and effort will have to be invested. So we head out to the range, fully determined to accomplish something good today. Here's how......... more>>
When people ask what I do and I explain, their eyes light up and they say "Wow,"..... or "Cool,"..... or something to that affect. Understandably, this reaction overlooks the everyday challenges of being a Coach. Standing inside the clubhouse, 2,000 miles from home with my disgruntled students looking out the window as the snow piles up and the wind howls, is nobody's idea of a good time. Tomorrow's forecast is the same and day 3 is their flight home. This we can't control.
Fortunately, there are some things we can control......... more>>
A good teacher/instructor can't just be a lecturer. There's more to good teaching than just dispensing advice and information. When you register for a private lesson or a class with your friendly, local instructor, it is reasonable to expect your "mentor for the day" to be organized, look the part, and be truly attentive to what you have to say. It is also fair to anticipate that your instructor will take the time to ask why you are here today. He or she will listen to your specific questions and concerns - then tailor your lesson around those topics. Isn't that why you signed up in the first place? Yes it is. A competent instructor will want to have this conversation with you in order to formulate the best lesson for you.
When the early Q&A portion of your lesson is concluded in the clubhouse, priorities shift. Headed out to your first shooting field, you become the listener. It is because your approach to your shooting is not working - you will be asked to do things differently in the shooting box than you are accustomed to......... more>>
That I do work with a lot of students in a year's time grants me an experienced opinion. And I am privileged to be included in each and every lesson. With one exception (Gunny) - I have never learned more from anyone than my students.
So I find it interesting to watch how many shooters are romanced and seduced by all the tangibles. Holding it in your hands, surely there's something magical about it, surely there can be no doubt - this is THE one that will work better than any other. And it may. But down the road, many find this revelation: look not at what you have or where you are – but to step-by-step, consistent improvements......... more>>
Think about it. Balance a shotgun on a pin. Move the back end à the front end moves. Hold that thought please.
First -- I ask that we mentally focus on a specific block of time -- when your gun starts moving -- all the way to the trigger pull. During that specific block of time -- using the second hand on your watch -- notice how long 2 seconds is. Now 3 seconds. Now 4. Can we agree that this block of "swing and shot time" usually takes place somewhere between 2 to 4 seconds and -- quite often - sooner? Seems right......... more>>
Where do our shooting skills come from? How are they developed and acquired?
With each trip to the course, each of us is building an inventory, or database, of muscle movements and sight pictures necessary to successfully complete a particular shot. At Paragon we call that,.....Familiarity. It is a mental inventory or database of sight pictures and swing movements - based on the target presentation in front of us. A presentation we will see again. And again......... more>>
It's not uncommon to load up our gear, head to the range, stand in the first box and ask ourselves, "What do I want to work on today?" Consider a more productive approach.
To get us on the same page - 2 definitions: "Practice" is more about reinforcing and strengthening a skill already learned. "Training" is all about learning and building an undeveloped skill........ more>>
Seriously now, take about 10 long seconds and do this. Slow down and think about what it feels like to paddle a canoe upstream. Against the current. Go ahead. Please. I'll wait. 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, 4.........................
OK, it's nice to be on the water and the view is beautiful but if you're going to make it back to the cabin before dark, the paddling takes some work. Right?
Let's do the exercise again. This time paddling downstream. No worries, just go with the flow............................ The cabin is about 5 miles from where you sit, paddle's at your feet, just gliding, no worries, no falls in sight. Much better,........yes?
Which one best describes how you feel in the box on tournament day? 1 or 2?........ more>>
Any of this sound familiar? You lifted your head. You should be shooting a tighter choke. Less choke. You missed behind. Over. Too much in front. You haven't been practicing enough. You should have shot #8's here. You need to slow down. Swing faster. You need to trust yourself more. Give the target more. Less. And the list goes on
I respectfully propose to you that the above suspected reasons-likely didn't cause the miss. I ask you to consider that your swing-from the first 3 inches of muzzle movement went unseen in an errant direction. Muzzle chasing or hunting for the target-in the time you have left before the trigger pull-it will be difficult if not impossible to get the muzzle into the right place. Lost bird, and the inconsistency on your score sheet-X0X0000X........ more>>
This gets overlooked so much it justifies why we should take a minute to review. While there are some times when this isn't all that critical, there are more times when it is.
Please stand up and extend your arms out to each side, parallel to the floor. Gently turn your body clockwise-now counter-clockwise. No surprise-your body rotates-but only to a point and then comes to a stop.
The target is a crosser, 90 degree angle, left to right and moderately fast. The trap fires and your swing begins. Remember now, your body is rotating but can only rotate to the right just so far. How far it can rotate will depend on where your feet are set........ more>>
No doubt, shotgun shooting is an art, not a science. Swing pace and rhythm, timing of the trigger pull, eye-hand coordination, triangulating compound leads, these would indeed be hard to measure and quantify. Logic does not always apply and slide rule calculations to explain what happened will likely be impossible.
All of that said, certain part of the shooting equation can be articulated with specifics. For example, this particular part of the shooting equation must be clearly understood to gain any real consistency in Sporting Clays.
When you hit-or miss a target-do you know why?........ more>>
First, let me say that I don't like missing a target any more than you do. Watching a target sail to it's final resting place intact and untouched is always a bit unnerving and too often gives rise to thoughts of some personal shortcoming. Not my idea of fun and I doubt yours as well.
Most commonly, I see this phenomenon when I am teaching. Missed targets are the catalyst for a host of negative emotions and reactions from my student, none of which by the way are conducive to breaking the next target.
The key problem here is that we judge each success-or failure (a word I don't like)-by whether the bird breaks or not. That's understandable but counterproductive and completely missing the point in terms of building skills.
Here are a few simple suggestions to accelerate your progress and enhance your shooting enjoyment........ more>>
Sorry. Couldn't help myself with that title.
Hardly a week goes by that someone doesn't ask me which shotgun to purchase. Nice to be asked.
Shotgun quality costs and better quality costs more. So a moment or two pondering what you like and what you will use your shotgun for makes good sense. There are already a zillion words in print on the pros and cons of the over/under versus semi-auto's, so let's review two other considerations often overlooked, and one I feel crucial to we sporting clays shooters........ more>>
We've come to the end of our shooting method series. I hope you've enjoyed your time here as much as I have. I've purposely saved for last what I consider to be the best, most reliable, all around shooting method,...Pull-Away.
The pull-away method is a superb foundation method for multiple reasons. First, it starts the muzzle on the target. That's a great reference point. Being on the target puts the gun on the line and matches the target speed. Those 2 results equate to gun control, a fundamental requisite and primary objective in our game........ more>>
Welcome Back!
We're here again, talking about shooting methods. We've previously covered Maintained Lead and Swing-Through. This month we'll cover Churchill, an old and controversial shooting method.
Few have been able to accurately describe this method and how it works. But it does work and it has its advantages........ more>>
Happy New Year everyone!!
Last month we discussed the first of the 4 primary shooting methods: Maintained Lead. This month I thought we could talk about Swing Through. While more than a few good shooters favor swing-through as a base method, I personally see it as a specialized shooting method.
Let's look at its primary weakness. And it's strength. Ample gun speed. When gun speed picks up, it's exponentially harder to control. The higher the rate of speed, the higher the risk of compromising precision in the swing. Many who employ swing-through simply cannot control the gun, their sight picture or the shot. It's a dicey affair, with success hinging mightily on timing of the trigger pull. Get the timing right,...X. Get it wrong,...0. And the higher gun speed makes it increasingly difficult to time that trigger pull correctly, and consistently........ more>>
Last month we talked about the advisability of you having more than one shooting method available when facing so many sporting clays target presentations. I thought, over the next few months, each month we could focus on one method, why and where you might want to use it.
Before we begin, I'd like to say that this is a hotly debated topic. Many will argue that this method or that method is best for a particular presentation. Will that method work on that presentation? Sure! Consistently? Ahhh,......now there's the real question. Every shooting method has its strengths and weaknesses. It's up to us to match a method's strength to a presentation difficulty. That gives us the advantage, not the target!
I believe each of the methods we'll discuss will put the odds in our favor when applied correctly and matched correctly with a presentation. Method # 1 will be Maintained Lead or Sustained Lead........ more>>
As you would expect, I field a lot of questions about shooting methods. Which is best, where and why. 30 years of sporting and watching literally millions of targets from behind the trigger has taught me this.
No one shooting method is best for all targets. The wide diversity of target presentations in sporting clays strongly suggests we have more than one shooting method in our skill inventory.
For instance, what method would you use on a fast, left to right, 40 yard crossing target off a tower? Well for starters, what breakpoint have you chosen on this bird? An early breakpoint will likely mean the speed of the bird is up, requiring a suitable lead. Midway through the flight the bird speed has slowed, changing the lead. Eventually running out of speed the bird is still a crosser, but the lead has again changed....... more>>
I hear this frequently when my student first calls to inquire about taking lessons with me at his club or River Bend. My caller is (understandably?) disappointed over breaking fewer of his or her targets than the group‘s 70% or 80%, maybe a 90%.
When I ask how long he's been in sporting clays, the answer is usually less than a year or two. We can all relate, it's human nature to compare ourselves to those ahead of us, sometimes forgetting they've been shooting 4, 8, maybe 15 years or more........ more>>
Have you noticed how the really good ones make it look so easy? Gymnasts, skateboarders, cyclists, runners, shooters-the ones in the lead-all have an easy, rhythmic stride or stroke.
Too many shooters approach the shot anxiously, the swing is much too fast and the shot is launched, more with hope than confidence. Their tempo-the first T-is too fast, putting the gun out of control. Contrast that with the advanced, experienced shooter who has this almost "syrupy" swing, a slow, fluid, graceful swing that delivers the XX. Why is this slower tempo so effective?........ more>>
What if I told you I had the "secret" to advanced shooting skills-an irrefutable truth. Before you say, "Yeah, sure you do Dan," take a minute to consider this.
The road to advancement has to 2 toll booths. No one advances without paying the 2 tolls.
The 1st toll is that we search and find what needs changing in our game. We must first learn-specifically-what is holding us back, causing our inconsistencies and current plateau........ more>>
Sporting clays is the ultimate test, pitting ourselves against targets down gullies and through trees at countless unknown speeds, angles and distances. We spend thousands of dollars on equipment, books, videos and training all to master basic, rudimentary skills. Some shooters do, and they have the skills to show for it. But why is it that skills don't always match scores?........ more>>
In late 2007 I made some important changes to my shooting. That meant I was putting my attention on those changes during practice. Early this year I was still working diligently on those changes, even during my tournaments. As a result of that, my attention riveted on specific parts of my shooting, I slipped and made errors I don't usually make........ more>>
Preparing for competition ahead of time puts your mind at ease, knowing that what you need will be there when you need it. That includes your attention, which you can now put on the target in front of you, unnecessary distractions eliminated because you prepared ahead of time. Here's a short list of things I ask my students to do as they prepare for competition........ more>>
What is POI? It's Point of Impact and there are multiple ways to look at POI. The first is the nature of your barrels to shoot straight and a second refers to proper gun fit.
Do your barrels actually send the shotstring on a straight line to the target? From a bench rest, as you would a rifle, does your shotstring hit the bulls-eye dead on, with 50% distribution on the top, bottom, left and right? Or is it slightly high, low or off center? If score is a priority in your game, this is an important piece of information........ more>>
The fastest way to take random gun movement (RGM) out of your swing is to pre-mount your gun. As sporting clays shooters - when shooting gun up - it's important that we not forget to raise our head and relax the shoulders. Head up allows us to see - and shoulders down keeps much needed body movement in the swing. Gun up works in sporting clays........ more>>
I commonly hear stories of my student shooting a station very well, or a course very well, and suddenly concentration is gone. Result: 00 or worse. It is frustrating and usually occurs without notice. Why does this happen?........ more>>
As you would expect, the "best" shooting method is and always has been a hotly debated topic. Shooters who frequent the tournament circuit are always looking for that "1 thing" that might give them more X's, hence the "best" shooting method invariably rises to the top of the discussion checklist........ more>>
As you would expect, the "best" shooting method is and always has been a hotly debated topic. Shooters who frequent the tournament circuit are always looking for that "1 thing" that might give them more X's, hence the "best" shooting method invariably rises to the top of the discussion checklist........ more>>
Surely you've noticed. On game day, the rivals clash on the field as we watch. It won't be long before one team gets momentum on their side. This can also apply to a player in tennis, golf and shooting. More than just an energy, momentum can be a force....... more>>
Because I see this counterproductive habit everywhere, I feel it deserves our attention. How many times have you seen a shooter get upset over a miss? There are two reasons for getting upset, one valid, one not. Let's first talk about the one that's valid........ more>>
Well, 2, of course. Right? That depends. If we're counting, 2 is the right number. And that's why, when 2 shells go into the gun, the trouble begins.
2 birds and 2 shells equals 2 shots. Sounds right. But here's the problem. When the first trap fires, your eyes lock on one bird. When you pull the trigger one shell fires. You then move your eyes to the one remaining bird. When you pull the trigger, one shell fires. Regardless of how many traps fire, or quail take wing, one bird requires one shell, one shot........ more>>
Though I can't really say this is common, it does happen enough times during my lessons that I feel it's worth mentioning here. And, it does happen at all skill levels.
Here,...my student and I are primarily working on getting his set-up correct before each shot. Doing so correctly eliminates wasted time and wasted gun movements........ more>>
Here's another small step in our set-up that's often forgotten, then costs us a target. Or more.
Before the target leaves the trap, hopefully your muzzle is very still, motionless before you call for the bird. When the trap fires, your muzzle begins to move. It slowly accelerates, building speed to match the target's speed and possibly accelerating even further to create forward allowance........ more>>
His name is Jerry Meyers and he was one of my Examiners at my NSCA Level I instructors certification class many long years ago. Wise and reassuringly competent, he provided our class with a pearl of information that has served me, and my students, very well over the years. It's such a little pearl in the overall scheme of things, but can literally keep that long run going or maybe pick your chin up on this field after a rough performance on the last field........ more>>
All of you who know what self-talk is, raise your hand. That's right, it's that little voice in our head,...carrying on a dialogue with us. More specifically, that voice is you,...speaking to yourself. All too often, that little voice is saying something negative. It's chastising us, maybe even criticizing. While self-talk can be positive and uplifting, many times the dialogue is negative and can be harmful to our performance in the shooting box........ more>>
It was a bright, sunny day in early 2006 and my practice session was going exceptionally well. Looking into the sky I was startled to see a very large, black, shadowy mass,...which disappeared when I closed my left eye. I stopped shooting and called my eye doctor, Michael Holmes who said come in now. Immediately........ more>>
While certainly not easy by any means, sporting clays is not a complex sport. But we can make it harder than it really is. If you were to ask me to give you one tip that could drastically improve your performance in the box, starting tomorrow, it would be this........ more>>
Teal shots are not overly difficult, and, like every other shot, they require planning. The shooting method you choose on a teal should be determined by the breakpoint you choose........ more>>
Try as we might to score X's, those O's do add up on the score sheet.
We constantly battle misses with equipment, strategies, equipment, practice, tournaments, physical and mental preparation. And still, at times, it seems the misses are winning. We just can't get our scores up to where we believe they should be. Here's one way you can - quickly........ more>>
I'm frequently asked, "Should I change chokes or stay with my favorite?" There are 2 schools of thought on this........ more>>
A coach can help you accelerate your progress. How? By providing information. Useful information. Your processing this information into advanced skills, however, takes more than a little time and effort....... more>>
We're on the last station at the Open in Minnesota, shooting the Prelim. A fur and feather, right to left, downhill. Confident, I scored a convincing, no doubt about it 8. As we all examined our scorecards I see a 5 on this field........ more>>
I've just returned from the Meadows near Atlanta, attending the "Turkey" shoot. We had max attendance with registration held to 550. Though misses can arrive at any random spot around the target, watching competitors at every tournament, I see 80% of misses falling behind. That's a huge number........ more>>
Your muzzle-hold-point, or MHP, is very important in your set-up before calling for the target........ more>>
Tournament pressure is real but doesn't have to be debilitating. Acknowledge its presence first then understand that what you are feeling is normal. These feelings are part of you and not the enemy........ more>>
