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.
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 ΰ 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 groups 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>>
