A WINNING MIND
09/22/2023 | By: Daniel Schindler, Master Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap and Wingshooting Instructor
In the shooting box…
if you don’t plan on failing…
don’t fail to plan.
XOXOOX vs XXXXXX. The obvious difference? The number of targets broken. What’s not so obvious is why. And by “why,” I’m not referring to skill level or swing mistakes. In my experienced opinion, the important difference began long before the shooter stepped into the shooting box. Meaning…how does HOA create XXXXXX consistently?
Having been out here for a very long time, as a national and international competitor and full-time dedicated instructor, I have an advantage. That advantage is…I can look back and see some rather obvious patterns. One pattern is a longstanding separation between the two basic groups of shooters. One group is the Big Dawg shooters. The other group is the rest of us.
The primary difference between the two groups? Scores? Yeah, OK, but let’s take a few minutes to explore a) why they have more Xs than we do and b) how and why that matters to our shooting.
For this article, I’m asking the casual shooter who primarily shoots for entertainment purposes to please excuse us. This discussion is more focused on the shooter who makes “score” a much higher priority. The question here is: why are the Bid Dawgs so successful?
Two terms that jump to the front of this discussion are…”part-time” and “full-time.” There’s a key difference in how “scoring” is approached. And by approach, I’m not implying success in the box isn’t important to everyone. It certainly is, so let’s get that out of the way. My definition of approach, in this case, refers to the amount of time spent advancing a skill level and the mental approach specifically applied to create that performance…in the shooting box…and on the scorecard. Again, in my experienced opinion, said respectfully, these are key differences between our two groups and why those differences are important to our group.
The ability to learn is a gift.
The willingness to learn is a choice…
an admirable choice of immeasurable value.
A friendly reminder here: precision in the swing mechanics is King. Cheat a fundamental…a set-up and/or swing basic…one swing mistake…the target will be missed. That goes for both genders, all ages and all skill levels. Luck can and will break targets. But never consistently. Consistency on the target requires consistency behind the muzzle.
That level of consistency will depend on the amount of time spent on developing that critical skill for scoring purposes. Part-time versus full-time. The hard truth is the Big Dawgs are full-time honing and perfecting that consistency. For them…while shooting methods may differ…the dedication remains the same. It’s constant. Aside from family and work, it’s non-stop. That we can’t spend that time for a myriad of very good reasons…is completely understandable. However, how often is this forgotten when scores are compared? And shouldn’t be. Because Joe Nevermiss has the time (we don’t have), coupled with a tenacious hunger and focus to put more Xs on a scorecard. We may very well have that same hunger, but their hard-earned skill trumps our commendable desire.
None of this is meant to criticize how or why our group does what we do. I’m simply sharing that upper skill levels don’t come easy…there are no shortcuts. Rather than fault ourselves for a score that fell below expectations, maybe we can forgive ourselves and give a little credit to HOA and how he/she got there.
More on skill levels…
If I may…a tough-love observation on “practice.” Those who practice to improve and don’t. They often speak of their countless shells practicing. Sincerest congratulations and Kudos for the effort. The question is: during a practice session, what is being practiced? To discover, evaluate, adjust and correct what’s not working…or pulling the trigger to break targets? Only one approach touches the improvement goal. Big Dawgs tirelessly, relentlessly focus on the former. That singular focus…that training…that patience and tenacity…isn’t detoured by weather, a bad day or shell count.
On concentration in the shooting box…
When score matters…concentration matters. Socializing and jocularity between Stations? If you can step into the box and leave that outside of the box…seriously… good on you. Some can. Most can’t. I can’t. Meaning? Do what you have to do between Stations to minimize distractions once inside the box. Between Stations…relax, breathe, hide…do whatever it takes. Stepping into the shooting box, it can only be you and the target in front of you. The first target to last. Exceptions will be costly. Those exceptions are another skill difference between our groups.
Once in the shooting box…
A target missed without forgiveness…
is a shooter living in history…
with a score doomed to fall below expectations.
Big Dawg shooters deliberately create an emotional, almost spiritual steadiness. Highs and lows…Xs or Os…composure doesn’t waiver. It can’t. It isn’t allowed to waiver. Why? Wavering…for any reason…looks like this: OO. A-N-Y negative/emotional reaction is a distraction…opening the door to inevitable consequences…which impede our personal score expectations and goals.
In closing…a long run of Xs takes more than raw skill…more than sheer determination. The score each of us seek asks for both our body and mind control. Tenacious patience and focus. In my professional opinion, the best shooting skills in the world will be challenged without the mental discipline to execute those skills correctly…every shell…every target…first to last. For long runs…no exceptions, please.
Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan Schindler's 3 books: Take Your Best Shot, To The Target and Beyond The Target. These simple, easy-to-understand books are your road map to consistently and dependably shooting higher scores. They are written for shooters of all skill levels. More information on the Paragon School of Sporting website, along with dozens of blog posts.
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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!
Testimonials
"Folks fly from around the world to take lessons with Schindler at River Bend Sportsman’s Resort, his home course in Inman, South Carolina. Clients have included Bush staffers to NASCAR drivers to the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. The approachable teacher has spent 25 years on “gentleman’s coaching” (with social and corporate shooters) and formal instruction (with individuals, groups, and competitors). Schindler has even certified more than 230 instructors using his handcrafted curriculum—a system that signaled his qualification as the first American admitted to the British Guild of Shooting Instructors... “Shooting, like golf, or anything like that, is a mental sport, and he has the mental game down so well.” To find out how he calibrated mind with metal, we head to Japan."
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.
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