R-E-S P-E-C-T

Predictably – intentionally and more consistently – accomplished shooters put more X’s on their score card by paying attention to what really matters in the shooting box. That all started on the road less traveled, where a few simple truths can save you a lot of time and grief – not to mention, lost targets.

For those bent on advancing their game in a meaningful, measurable way, I believe this truth is first. Esteemed Editor and author Randy Lawrence called it “Respect for the Game.” There’s a mouthful. 10 pages could easily be written on that statement and all of it relevant. Here are a few cliff notes.

Want to shoot better? Join the club. So, it’s easy? Nope, sorry, I wish it were, but it isn’t. Step-by-step, steadily raising our scores takes time, shells, targets, work, endless patience and more than anything else – a relentless, fiercely tenacious commitment to improve. Won’t matter what the skill is. They all take the same investments when excellence is the goal. Respect for the game.

Speaking of determination, whether you are a social shooter or a dedicated, score-minded individual – the target never has – and never will care about your expectations. Thank goodness, luck breaks it sometimes. However, the reality is, it takes an earned skill to break it more often and more consistently. Two truths. Meaning? Personal expectations in check please. Respect for the game.

Speaking of skill, here’s your $10,000 set of custom golf clubs, the finest money can buy, painstakingly fitted to you. They are absolutely perfect. Much to be proud of here and rightfully so. Today is Saturday. You and the PGA’s # 1 golfer Dustin Johnson will be teeing off at Augusta National in front of a national TV audience. You can relax. Dustin will be using a set of 40-year-old clubs he picked up at a yard sale yesterday. Used and abused would be an understatement. Obviously, you have the better equipment. And the winner will be? Respect for the game.

There are no losses…

only lessons.

Randy said, “Respect is an attitude built on success AND failure.” Almost 4 decades in the clay target sports has shown me this valuable lesson is not so easily accepted. Why? Because mistakes in the shooting box – OXOXXO – are no fun at all, costly and not easily forgiven. Nevertheless, whereas XXXX is gratifying and nurtures your confidence, self-forgiveness and dealing head-on with your unintentional errors in the shooting box promptly halts the missing and starts your next long run. Good on you. We’re back to that fiercely tenacious thing.

The underlying force that drives measurable progress

is the tireless, unwavering respect – not for the X –

but for the task of improving our current skills.

On the fundamentals, Randy reminded us to be vigilant and he is so right. Every shot executed, or taught, without the application of the basics, only leads to inconsistency and stubborn skill plateaus. And not just because I say so. And why I respectfully suggest, if you decide to seek instruction, pick a competent Instructor who preaches and teaches the basics, constantly. Why? Because any negligent Instructor can “fix” you, on almost any target on any field. Hold your shotgun here; shoot there. X X X. See, now you’re a better shooter. Beware though, for those magic beans, you and your money will soon be parted. While those broken targets obviously made you happy, what did you learn? Now back at your home club – with no Instructor behind you – no one to help you on this Station and the next – can you “self-correct” your miss? Deliberately, from an O to an X with one shell? And then, can you repeat the X? On purpose? Predictably? Consistently? No? You’re not sure? And you paid how much for that lesson to improve your shooting?

The truth is…

X X X X consistency on this or any target,

only comes from your correct, constant,

and precise application of the fundamentals.

The bad news is, we can’t cheat the miss forever. With every fiber of our being poured into the target in front of us, targets do escape. Randy said, “A missed target is an action we didn’t perform in a successful way; it’s business, not personal.” At Paragon, we wholeheartedly concur and say this another way. Criticize your swing but never the shooter. The good news is, a missed target was ONLY an error in your strategy and/or shot execution, neither of which justifies self-reprimand. Targets don’t punish us, we do that to ourselves. Concentration suffering sorely from this criticism, the exhausting effort to regain focus makes the disappointing results on the scorecard completely predictable. Skill building is a process, a journey, not an X or O event. And why keeping your attention on your progress will move your game forward, not X’s or O’s.

“Respect your efforts, respect yourself.

Self-respect leads to self-discipline.

When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.”

-Clint Eastwood

Sporting, Trap, Skeet and Wingshooting – like everything else in life – we can’t take out more than we put in. A better game plan might be to begin with a closer, more honest accounting of personal skills and expectations. Pronto, with a better understanding of what good shooting really takes, scores can now go up. 

Said candidly, looking back over many (many) years, my experience has been that the great majority of shooters do respect the game, in the field and in the box. Acting responsibly, with integrity, you’ve held yourself accountable regardless of circumstances. I immensely enjoy your good company and hope the feeling is mutual.

Thanks for visiting. Grab your handwarmers and let’s go shoot.  

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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, 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)