The Silence of the Hands

It’s all in the hands?

“Houston, we have a problem.”

~ Apollo 13

I recently read another Instructor’s article, which…after long, first-hand, unsuccessful experiences with his recommendations…I respectfully disagree. It said our “hands” should be doing most of the gun work in our sport. We’re told the hands are faster. The hands are better at guiding the gun. It’s the hand movements that create all the swing advantages. As opposed to letting the upper and lower body handle the swing priorities which are, in fact, assembling the gun management steps. Correctly. Because that’s what it all comes down to. Precision. How cleanly those steps are assembled, inevitably and predictably deciding X or O. Fact, not opinion.

For the last 40 years of my life, I’ve been a sleuth. Sherlock. Jack Webb…all we want are the facts, Ma’am. Leave no stone unturned, always seeking the next clue. Sorting the facts. Tenaciously, relentlessly following evidence to the inevitable truths. Truths that are hard to argue with. Like now. Elementary my dear Watson.

Because…when you have eliminated the impossible, 

whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

~ Sherlock Holmes

To start my case…why would precision with our shotgun be any less important than it is with a handgun or rifle? It isn’t. It’s every bit as important. By that, I don’t mean aiming, or that you should put a scope on your shotgun. Of course not. What I do mean is this. Every fraction of an inch movement at the shotgun muzzle determines where our shot string arrives. A simple, truthful statement, based on geometry, trigonometry and other math formulas. Gun management and precision…Sherlock’s been all over that for decades. The facts are…by keeping the swing movements inside the math formula = XX XX XX. Consistently. Regardless of shooter…regardless of shooting method…while the math can be debated…it is indisputable. Better than science. No conditions. Math is absolute.

Those of you like me who dislike using math in shooting as much as I do, hang with me for a few more minutes. I promise I’m only using math…NOT as a recommendation…but a way to establish what works best in the shooting box.

Let’s talk about how best to achieve the above level of precision with a shotgun. Here, we’re talking about breaking a target consistently, dependably and predictably. Really. The facts. Start the gun up, down, where? Swing movements…more hands or more body?

“Show me the money!”

~ Jerry MaGuire

OK. First…a truth. To repeat an X consistently…target in the air…before the trigger pull…can we agree that we should have 1) the shotgun stock tucked neatly into the shoulder pocket; 2) the shooting-eye centered properly over the rib; and 3) the correct bird / barrel relationship (sight-picture) over the muzzle at the trigger pull? AND, all of that has to be assembled, on time, correctly, for a consistent X. We can fudge a little on 1 and 2, but not 3. Three is non-negotiable. That’s a fact. Not because I say so. The invisible but ever-present math formula says so. Math rules!

When we say pull and the trap machine fires, how do we accomplish the above, and especially 3, reliably? Using a gun mount lower, higher or somewhere in between, we have choices. Regardless of choice, what we can’t compromise is precision. The precision will depend on our muzzle movement and placement….ultimately deciding X or O. Right? The math assures it. Good, bad or ugly, with all that movement going on, how do we successfully set up that final # 3, the all-important muzzle placement?

It comes down to gun control. The more we control the movement, the more precise we are. We’ll commit fewer errors in confirming # 3. Consistently. The unwanted errors…aka missing… all come from the unnecessary movement, i.e. “random gun movement,” RGM. For example, why is F.I.T.A.S.C. hard? Yes, the targets are usually harder but there’s more going on here and we know what that is. We have to start from the gun down position. Which means more movement. More hand involvement makes the assembly of 1, 2 and 3 all harder. Fact! Creating more RGM? Count on it. And why Skeet and Trap shooters shoot gun up. More body, less hand movement. Fact. To the best of my knowledge, they can start from a lower gun position if they so choose. But they don’t! Fact. Why? To minimize RGM, be more precise, eliminate swing errors, break more targets. Fact. Case closed.

In each clay target discipline, we know where we’re allowed to start our gun mount. Can’t argue with that. And we shouldn’t argue with the facts either. And the fact is, more hand involvement invites RGM. RGM that causes missing. Prone to error…adding hand movements to body movements makes everything harder to control. Much harder. Compromising non-negotiable precision. So, is the perfect swing possible? Sure. I’ve done it. Many, many times. So have you. Perfect every time? There’s the small print. This means the X swing is everyone’s goal, made a whole lot easier when body movements guide the gun, not the hands.

Paragon Instructors don’t teach using math. I have decades of experience…and am dedicated, meticulous and very competent in teaching necessary gun control…using the advantages I’ve outlined.

Where allowed, to varying degrees, Paragon teaches gun up, depending on the student and the target…with the head up for good visibility. By utilizing more upper and lower body…less dependence on the hands…delivers better control…more precision…XX XX XX! It’s a LOT easier to do correctly and the math takes care of the rest. Dependably. The top Skeet, Trap and Sporting shooters typically don’t favor the hands controlling gun movement…instead, elegantly coordinating upper and lower body balance and motion. Motion free of RGM. Not optional. The resulting gracefulness and success in the box come from the upper and lower body, both in sync, guiding the gun. The hands follow….either more fore or aft on the forearm, depending. But, definitely not in charge of the swing. Elementary.

Be good, stay safe, shoot well. Til next time…

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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)