Say Goodbye To Inconsistency

I am blessed with the considerable number of inquiries received about instruction and coaching. The number one complaint I hear from shooters, in and out of the U.S., is about their being inconsistent, week-after-week. Reason? Unseen/unknown RGM (random gun movement), a.k.a., swing inconsistencies. As I said above, our instinctive shooting methods can break targets. Consistently? Not so much. Something’s missing. To create this much sought-after consistency, what’s missing is set-up and swing “structure,” the very specific fundamentals in our sport. Implemented correctly, those fundamentals create set-up and swing precision…required for consistency and higher scores. Lose those fundamentals and we’re back to hand/eye coordination and RGM. Consistency goes out the window, along with everything else.

In the shooting sports, precision matters. Greatly. In rifle, handgun and shotgun, compromising that precision leads to disappointment. Unfortunately, for those of us in the clay target sports, sometimes our target breaks. Say what? Unfortunately, it breaks? Yup. It looks like this…XOOXOX. Our targets are often broken by accident…in spite of the set-up and/or swing errors…leaving a misleading impression that our shooting is improving. X…hallelujah…the target broke. Are we improving? The important question now is, if we repeat those (unintentional) errors, will our remaining targets on this Station break? Improvement?

Rifle and pistol, everyone knows: jiggle, wobble, hiccup, jerk or just plain move the gun incorrectly at the trigger pull and we’ll miss. Count on it. And that’s with a gun we’re holding still. Shotgunning? Our moving gun easily covers a foot and more, opening the door and inviting RGM. Again, count on it, even small amounts of RGM in our swing will create A LOT of missing downrange. Examples of this RGM can be seen on our score card…OXXOOX.  

So, how can we reduce the RGM? In my experienced opinion, here is one indispensable basic that stands alone at the top, the guiding light for we clay shooters who wish to become more consistent, in the box and on our score card.

Can we agree, if we want our swing to end well, it should start well?

Early in the swing…visual target/muzzle “alignment” is essential to setting up swing precision, X dependability and consistency. This punctual target intercept…alignment…comes from 1) a correct pre-shot set-up; 2) zero swing time wasted when the trap fires; and 3) early target/muzzle alignment.

That means, before those traps fire, our Break Points…Foot Position…Muzzle Hold Points…and visual Focal Points had better be correct…so our swing starts correctly from the get-go! Let’s say we’ve got our set-up right and our gun is closing.

You’ve chosen the shooting method. Pull! Bird in the air…if your target intercept is late or absent altogether…your swing has started incorrectly. Early, middle and late swing precision, all are now compromised. Swing now in repair mode, the question is…can these errors (inconsistencies) deliver X’s consistently? And why swing precision is King. No precision. No consistency. Gun control early so as not to waste any precious time or create RGM.  

For the record, on our crossing target presentations, our “intercept/alignment” can be slightly behind the target; on it; or slightly in front of it. Each and every time, all the time. For this intercept to work for us, our muzzle must be, a) on time, b) at the right speed and c) on the right line. Alignment. Right there folks, early in our swing, precision and consistency have been achieved. XXXXXX.

Punctually establishing this alignment is not easy mind you. It is, however,  mercifully uncomplicated. It is the one step that puts us in control of our swing and the odds of breaking the target in our favor!

At Paragon…we believe that fundamentals are the core, the framework that ultimately encompasses all that is required for success. Because everything is built on basics. Truth be known, there are no advanced techniques. The alleged 'advanced' shooter merely executes the basics smoother, more efficiently and faster than others. If a shooter wants to improve his shooting, he can do so by understanding and repeating the basics, consistently, at a more proficient level.

If you're a clay target instructor and want to help your students quickly move their shooting to a higher level and consistently break more targets, the Paragon School of Sporting's Instructor Certification course will definitely be your silver bullet. Our July class is full and the dates for our fall class will be announced soon.

Be safe, God bless and I 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 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)