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.
Fred is a AA shooter seeking to move his performance to a higher, more consistent level, and his scores as well. With those goals in mind, we're on Field 3. While Fred is understandably concentrating on X's (results), I'm instead looking for the set-up and/or swing inconsistencies - the errors in his swing process holding him back. Fred's happy because we've got XXXXX0XXX0. That's because Fred believes - if the target breaks - that's a good thing. THE END! After all, it got him this far, didn't it? Let's definitely do that again! On the surface, this makes good sense. The problem is, his current thinking and swing hasn't, and can't, take Fred to his goals.
2 or 3 shells quickly reveal the inconsistencies in Fred's set up and swing. But moving Fred's attention away from 8 out of 10 X's will likely be a challenge. When I point out the inconsistencies - and he definitely sees them - he slips back to 5 or 6 out of 10. This is improvement? Well, yes it is and very much so. If 80% was the goal - no changes were needed. But, the real goal was improvement. Repeating the same set up and swing errors may break targets but also assures the same results. No changes, no improvements. If Fred continues to focus on the X, his swing inconsistencies will no doubt remain, guaranteeing his current plateau. He can always go back to old habits and get an X. But, to reach his goal of more X's - consistently - will require change. That's why I'm asking him to move his attention to the set-up and swing changes - to move his game to the next level.
By the way, Fred's performance and score - temporarily - might not show it. That's OK, because building a better swing is now the # 1 objective - not just focusing on the X. When Fred moves his attention - and makes the necessary changes - his consistency, performances and scores can only move up. Goals accomplished.
Breaking the target is a good thing. However, if the goal is skill improvement, shifting our attention to the swing basics, gun management, should be our first step.
