Give It More Lead!

Let those words never be heard again. OK…maybe. And the target breaks. Now what? Another guess…or an actual plan with specific set-up and swing steps that work? XX XX XX…on time, consistently. Dependably.

Contrary to popular opinion, our game is incredibly simple. It is not as complicated as many believe and teach. Yes, good shooting requires a proficient skill set. Add to that, there are basic shooting methods that are a) simple and b) 100% reliable. You read b) correctly. Those simple methods do exist and are being used as you read these words.

The same simplicity can be applied to our “types” of target presentations. Again, not complicated. Thanks to those target setters who truly know their art, we shooters are incredibly rich in the countless target presentations we see and shoot. And every single target can be broken down into a “type” of presentation. Of which there are three: Crossing, Quartering, and Chandelles. Once the presentation is identified correctly, the corresponding shooting method steps in. Execute the method correctly…XXXXXXXX. Repeat. Again, I say this literally. Correctly execute the Paragon quartering method on the quartering target…X. X. X. X. X. X. Same applies to crossing and chandelle targets.

Those who tell you there are many different types of quartering targets like close, far, slow, fast, shallow, wide, high, low…I respectfully disagree. Those descriptions not only unnecessarily complicate, but they also confuse and frustrate. There’s one type of quartering. One. The Paragon quartering method works on every quartering target, regardless of target speed, angle, distance, etc. One quartering presentation. One quartering shooting method. Done. Simple. Dependable? 100%, 7/365.

All of this holds true on all our crossing and chandelle target presentations as well…using the one, different but correct method for each presentation. Total number of target presentations? 3. Total shooting methods? 3.

As an Instructor, Coach, and successful competitor…long on experience…it saddens me to see and hear the endless repetition and support of shooting methods that not only confuse but offer questionable dependability. Putting shooting for fun aside for a moment…when the X really matters…for the life of me, I cannot understand how anyone can teach and/or shoot with methods that are anything less than 100% reliable. Every shell, every target, dependable all day, every day. Totally worthy of your trust. As they should be.

One shooting method for each of the three target presentations whether the target is slow, fast, high, low, near, far, etc. To change the shooting method based on those variables simply compounds everything. To say otherwise complicates everything…unnecessarily. OXXOXOOX.

Shooting method dependability too good to be true? On the contrary. Proven and confirmed countless times. 100% trustworthy when the presentation is identified correctly and the method is rightfully executed. Do both = XXXXXX. S-I-M-P-L-E.

While our target setters and their presentations have evolved exponentially…IMHO, said respectfully now…a lot of shooters are still clinging to old myths, misconceptions, and outdated methods. Mind you now, albeit with good intentions, it explains why inconsistent performances persist. And needlessly so.

I’ve spent 3+ decades deep in the trenches of our sport. Tirelessly. Relentlessly pursuing truths…to learn what flat-out does not work…refining and polishing what does work…successfully creating dependability and consistency. No doubt, some will contest what I’ve said. So be it. Let the truths decide. Let your scorecards decide. Let your consistency decide. Let what works 7/365 decide.

That you are here reading says you care about your shooting. We appreciate being able to share time with you. Your improving? To build consistency and higher scores? Consider learning/using a step-by-step shooting system that works infinitely better than trial and error…better than using shooting methods that over and over again work sometimes today and not tomorrow. That system…that dependability…is not coming. It’s already here and has been for some time now.

Gaining X consistency in the shooting box is very much doable, provided you are using a reliable shooting system like the Paragon Shooting System. By that I mean, when we miss, our shooting skill may be questionable but our shooting methods cannot be. Our game has come a long way. We’re long past trust your instincts, just point and shoot. On today’s target presentations, more is required, and you have every right to expect your method to work on time, every time. If you know you are executing a method correctly and this is happening… OXXOXOOX…consider taking a hard look at your method. Because an inconsistent shooting method serves no one. Not even George.

If you wish to break more targets and shoot consistently, you may wish to purchase Dan Schindler's books Take Your Best Shot and To The Target, available on the Paragon website. Unfortunately, Beyond The Target is currently out of stock. Schindler's books are an investment in good shooting and offer invaluable insights, serving as a roadmap for shooters of all levels. Take Your Best Shot and To The Target are available on the Paragon School of Sporting website and shipped worldwide. Schindler's 3 books offer a simplified and uncomplicated approach to shooting, laying a solid foundation for breaking more targets and achieving consistently higher scores. These books offer invaluable information and are the next best things to taking a lesson with Dan Schindler. There's a wealth of information and blog posts on the Paragon website. 

 "Dan Schindler is truly a world-class Sporting Clays and Wingshooting instructor capable of taking complex action and breaking them down into simple, repeatable pieces . . . and good heavens doesn't sport shooting need more of that!"

Michael Bane, Host of Outdoor Channel's Shooting Gallery

Dan moves shooters — all skill levels (Never touched a shotgun to Master Class) — forward fast. He teaches the step-by-step Paragon Shooting SYSTEM that he meticulously designed to take the mystery out of breaking targets consistently, providing shooters with the solid foundation to continue moving their game forward. Shooters leave their lesson with crystal clarity, which removes the mystery of why the target broke (or didn't break). No more feeling lost, confused and frustrated.

Thank you for being here and I look forward to seeing you out on the course.

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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 & 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 make 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. It is filled with valuable information and clay target truths. It is entertaining and a culmination of three 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)    Currently Out of Stock