The Greatest of All Time

True learning comes from having an open mind. Every now and then, a truly worthwhile bit of information surfaces. This short article references an example of that, which I recommend you consider.

One of my students sent me the link this past week and asked me to read this article. From Clay Target Nation: Why I Shoot Swing Through. I did. Carefully. If you are of the mind to improve your shooting…I urge you to read the article. 

George Digweed MBE is widely considered the greatest clay shooter of all time, with 28 world titles. George is highly respected in our sport, and rightfully so. He holds my respect, and not just because of his trophy count. In his recent article, he very candidly…and accurately, I might add…supports his positions on why he shoots the way he does. Specifically…point by point…using common sense…he properly defends the shooting methods he uses.

Understandably, just like golf and other sports, Sporting Clays is immersed in opinions on which techniques / methods are best. In this case, we’re discussing which shooting methods carry the most advantages when approaching a certain target presentation. Specifically, George cites his method’s advantages in great detail. 

Here are my personal opinions on why I believe George’s methods are so successful… consistently.

Probably number one would be why swing “precision” in the clay target sports is required. As in, not optional when X count moves to # 1 priority. Shooting for entertainment is one thing. When the goal becomes creating X’s on purpose…dependably and consistently… it’s a new game altogether.

For example. Using our God-given “instinct”…point and shoot…that’ll work. But, unfortunately, not consistently. Not dependably. Gun management…to control our movements from the target launch to and after the trigger pull…becomes imperative to build performance consistency…to reliably put more Xs on a scorecard. The very foundation under consistency, precision in our swing is non-negotiable. Every shell, every target. Which moves the correct shooting method and gun management to the top of our to-do list. In his own words, George explains this better than I am. 

If I may…staying with our thoughts on being precise with our movements…our targets offer us different challenges. Our sport is different than Trap and Skeet in that we Sporting Clays shooters have to deal with more variables. Target presentation variables. Ever-changing target lines, speeds, distances, angles, etc. To cope with those variables…to manage them successfully (XXXXXX)…asks us to choose the “best,” most efficient shooting method for each presentation. Here again, George very specifically explains why he uses the methods he does. In his explanations…why he succeeds with those methods…he’s not correct because he says so. He’s correct for the very good reasons he shares with the reader. An indication of his correctness is amply demonstrated by his work in the shooting box over many years now. He offers us, not just speculation…not just opinion…but truths that hold up to every scrutiny.

So, we all have to do it George’s way? Of course not. Collectively, Big Dawg shooters around the world…their methods will vary somewhat from George’s methods. Here’s what won’t vary. They won’t be careless with their choice of the method or the execution of that method. With every shell and every target, precision robbing “random gun movement” (RGM) will be reduced at all costs. Correctly, George explains why and how.

As a full-time instructor and published writer, I could offer more on George's writing. Please forgive my respectful restraint. Because George…in simple language…in workable terms…makes each of his points easy to grasp. Regardless of skill level, the open-minded shooter can find tremendous value in George's recommendations. I offer my sincerest compliment to a shooter who does indeed validate his support of the method(s) he uses. IMHO… accurately addresses what works in the shooting box, where, and why. Not just informative but truly enlightening for those who wish to better understand our sport. Kudos to Mr. Digweed.

Thanks for visiting and spending time with us.

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.

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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