Please . . . STOP Measuring Leads

Are you happy with Xs sometimes?

If not, are you open to considering a better,

much more dependable shooting method?

True. . . the fundamentals in our sport can be a bit boring. The other thing is . . . when score matters . . . they’re required. If you are not happy with Xs sometimes, I’d say that makes the basics important.

Here’s some good news. The list of those fundamentals is short. Why? Because the clay target games are not complicated. They’re simple. They are. Not easy mind you, but they are far more uncomplicated than commonly thought. That’s a fact.

So the following makes sense, allow me to first talk about this particular fundamental. Then we’ll dive into today’s topic as promised in the last article.

Rifle and handgun shooters know full well the critical importance of precision. If in fact, they do expect to hit their target, precision is required. Non-negotiable. Not all of course, but a great deal of that precision mindset . . . and the precision . . . makes its way over to our sport. Like it or not . . . agree with me or not . . . precision is required in our swing movements . . . IF breaking the target more than sometimes is important to you. Because an inconsistent swing . . . that breaks targets sometimes . . . cannot break targets consistently. A truth proven daily. Let’s hold onto this word precision for a while.

Understandably, right on schedule, here come the clay target folks who insist on “measuring” leads (how many feet in the space between the muzzle and the target) to successfully execute the needed precision. I’ll let them defend their position on this. Especially the Trap and Skeet shooters who rely on measuring and do it well thank you. Sporting Clays? There’s a better way. A way proven successful and dependable a few trillion times.

At Paragon, we believe the vast majority of Sporting Clays targets can be broken down into three, basic presentations . . . crossing, quartering, and chandelles. Not always mind you, but typically, a lot of our presentations are crossing targets. This brings me to the topic of today’s discussion. How to lead that crossing target. Successfully. Dependably. 

This is where we hear a lot of talk about measuring leads, don’t we? One foot; two-foot; three-foot; all depending upon target distance and speed. It’s everywhere. Amen to that. Tell me that’s not true. OK, but . . . a lot of good shooters . . . very good shooters . . . well-known Big Dawg shooters . . . are not doing that. 

At Paragon, early in the swing to create dependability, we know that consistent target / muzzle harmony is required. A fundamental, it’s the beginning of a successful swing. It’s the pre-shot set-up, and this harmony, that creates the early, necessary swing precision. So far, so good. It’s when this harmony is absent or compromised . . . say hello to the inconsistent results that frustrate so many shooters. Plain and simple . . . this swing error leads to lost targets. Guaranteed. Early in the swing . . . muzzle behind, on, or in front of the target . . . this harmony is a required basic to create swing precision.

OK, basic in place, harmony and precision intact, what’s left? Not to create an X . . . but to create XXXXXX? The answer is lead . . . to set up forward allowance . . . in front of the target. How to best accomplish said lead.

On crossing targets, the Pull Away method is the most successful, most predictable, most dependable shooting method in the world. By far. And not because I say so. Watch the Big Dawg shooters . . . a few million successful shots . . . and let me know what you saw. I have watched this. First-hand experience. Up close. No question . . . no doubt . . . acceleration away from the target with a PROMPT trigger pull. And, by pulling away, I’m not referring to “follow through.” The pull away is a deliberate acceleration away from the target. The results are consistent, dependable Xs . . . repeatedly . . . when the swing is executed correctly. And, by correctly, I do not mean pulling away to measure the lead. 

This is not pulling away to “see a space.” That’s measuring. The pull away…the push away from the target . . . is executed with a smooth rhythm . . . not a yeehaw! And here’s the key to a successful pull away. Trust the push. No measuring. As the gun leaves the bird, pull the trigger. Now. X.

All this takes a bit of learning. Here’s where folks understandably stumble when first learning pull away.

First, their pull away is a) too aggressive / too fast; or b) too slow.  Too slow . . . pulling away to see a “space” develop? That’s measuring and not the Pull Away method.

Second . . . and harder to see . . . when the gun and bird are in harmony, the gun is fired, then pulled away. The gun was fired while still on the target, missing behind. Unintentionally, of course, the gun was empty when the pull away occurred. The shot sequence was out of order. There’s some timing involved here. Not before . . . but as soon as the pull away is initiated . . . the trigger is pulled. Promptly. A competent instructor can see this timing error and recommend accordingly. Offered respectfully . . . make sure he/she does. 

Pull away shooters don’t really see anything close to a “specific” lead. Not supposed to. Done correctly . . . targets break. On-time. Dependably. By trusting the pull away movement.

To assist with understanding this moving process . . . the swing part of “harmony with the bird” . . . that’s definitely visual. The pulling away, however, isn’t visual, it’s “feel.” Please keep in mind the difference between those two steps when working with Pull Away.

This use of acceleration away from the target can also be referred to as Maintained Pull Away . . . or Swing Through . . . depending on the bird / barrel relationship you see / use during the harmony part of the swing. Once in harmony, gun behind the target, on it or slightly in front, when executed correctly, all three work beautifully when acceleration is applied and the trigger pulled promptly.

And finally, here’s the very best part of correctly accelerating past the bird after harmony has been established. Target speed and distance no longer matter. 1) Target speed is neutralized by having the gun in harmony with the bird. 2) Target distance no longer matters . . . taken care of by the pull away and prompt trigger pull. All, and I do mean ALL of the “measured leads,” can be safely discarded. They are no longer relevant . . . no longer needed. This is a fact . . . an absolute Truth . . . proven countless times. I would not make this statement if I had not seen this work, successfully, a few million times. Consistently! A joy to watch. Swing precision? Intact and working.

Yes, the Pull Away method may take a bit of time to learn. But, after its successful use countless times and watching the method work while standing behind a few thousand students, I promise, it is eminently worth every shell to learn and won’t take long. On this very common target presentation, it not only adds Xs to your score card but uncomplicates your entire approach to a simple game.

Thanks for stopping by. Be safe and we hope to see 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, Skeet, Trap 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, 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)