3 Invaluable Lessons

Greetings. I appreciate your being here with me. As we begin the new year, I thought the following would be useful to you. Here are a few thoughts on how to make real, measurable progress in your shooting this year, based on decades of teaching, first-hand learning and hard-earned experiences. Not just X’s here and there sometimes…all the time. An important distinction.

“People are very open minded about new things,

as long as they’re exactly like the old ones.”

Charles F. Kettering  

A new year’s resolution involves time spent reflecting on our choices. Just as importantly, the question is…what will it take to follow up on the choices we make? 

“If we’re tired of inconsistent performances

 and wish to move our game up,

can we do so by repeating the same inconsistent methods?”

The first understanding about improving is the easy one, but not always easy to do. The word for this step is change. Meaning, a willingness and dedication to change what’s not working to shooting steps that do work. Because repeating what sometimes works only promises the continuation of sometimes.

Here’s where good intentions get sidetracked.

In the shooting box with every good intention to change…to execute the new method…right on schedule…missing will occur. For everyone. And when misses begin to outnumber breaks, our shooter’s attention gradually begins to move away from implementing the new method…away from making the needed change(s)…just to get an X. Now. As previously discussed over the last few weeks, this is outcome thinking. The X has now become the priority, moving attention away from what’s necessary to improve. After OXOOXOOO, our shooter abandons the much-needed change(s). The more the missing, the more intense the desire to run back to the old habit, all for the comforting reassurance of an X. An X that for too long has only occurred sometimes. Our shooter has now come full circle, back to old habits, all for a few Xs. Pushed aside by expectations, gone are the changes needed to develop more dependable, repeatable Xs! Shooter expectations? Please have a seat. Because change and improvement are inseparable.

With the very best of intentions, some folks seek improvement from an instructor. Kudos given. However, what must be realized is that an instructor can only give a student knowledge, not improvement. Real improvement… measurably advancing one’s skill level…is now on the student’s capable shoulders. The student must now begin to replace old habits that don’t work with ones that do. Regardless of sport (or any endeavor), my friends, that step can’t be skipped. And, when it is…

Frequently, some seek an instructor fully expecting a quick fix to end their shooting woes. An example of this is the shooters who jump into lessons a day or two before the big tournament… genuinely hoping to see their scores go up in the match. A hope compounded by expectations. When it doesn’t happen (and it won’t because it takes time to implement the new training into their game)…when expectations are not met…our shooter is understandably disappointed. An understatement. What’s hopefully learned is…shortcuts sought to create immediate improvement inevitably prove to be costly, dead-end detours. Bypassing the time, work and patience required to advance a skill never work. Any instructor who promises he/she can “fix” what ails you is being less than truthful. While instructor recommendations might (?) be helpful, creating change and improvement in the shooting box belongs to the shooter.

“If we don’t change what is not working…

realistically…can we expect it to start working?”

In closing, here are three respectful recommendations.

First…while the X is important…that X is always an outcome, not the process that created that outcome. Placing our attention on the correct set-up and swing process is what generates improvement. Which reinforces the necessity of changing what needs changing. Our diligently holding our attention on the process…correctly executing our steps…will create the X. Count on it! And not just sometimes but X’s intentionally, repeatedly and predictably…XXXXXX.  

Second…should you decide to seek instruction, please beware of the instructor who places great emphasis on your breaking targets. Again, the X is not your goal. Very specifically…step-by-step…HOW to dependably break each target presentation…I suggest THAT process be the #1 priority for you and your instructor. Should you be that student, here’s the question to keep uppermost in your mind. As you and your instructor gather your gear and move to the next field, what new information / knowledge from this field are you bringing with you to benefit you on the upcoming field? Specifically? Or, now, are you left with starting all over on the new Field hoping to break more targets? 

Which asks, in your lesson, are you learning what to change, the very changes that work far more dependably than a current method, which is only working sometimes? Are those steps being taught and patiently reinforced? While breaking targets can be fun and entertaining, they are secondary to your learning what changes to make…the process…and how to correctly execute those changes. Please keep all this in mind when inquiring about instruction or while standing with an instructor behind you. Helped, so you can break targets here and there…that’s called entertainment, not schooling. And schooling is what you signed up for. A competent instructor knows how to provide you with the specific, step-by-step knowledge and methods, the process you will need to improve.

Third…breaking targets can be immensely rewarding. For all of us. There is, however, another, much more gratifying reward, and that is breaking targets on purpose. Again and again, intentionally. With confidence. That satisfaction is immeasurable. It comes from practice dedicated to…not only making the necessary changes to develop error-free gun management…but also overcoming the constant temptation to fall back into outcome thinking. This skill may not be easy but is literally THE successful game changer for the individual seeking to improve his/her shooting.

Again, we appreciate you being here. Be safe, God bless and let’s all be grateful for the fellowship so prevalent throughout our shooting community.

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XXXX

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, Skeet, Trap & 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 making their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!  

Dan Schindler's Books

"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors

and parents of youth shooters."

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's 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's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.

Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition

To The Target (Book II)

Beyond The Target (Book III)