X Guaranteed

To break the next target,

“intentionally,”

consider this…

As shooters, breaking the target in front of us is important. A universal goal. No one likes missing. We think about why our swing just worked, just as we do when it doesn’t. For me, the hard part has been separating what is commonly thought to be true from what actually is. To uncover the answers that are all too often opposite from the common beliefs. 

I’ve had a gun in my hand since I was nine. Over sixty years have passed and never – not once in my lifetime – did I ever think there was a shooting method guaranteed to break a moving clay target. On a truly challenging target presentation? Surely not. Guaranteed to break this target? C’mon now, let’s be real here. Of course, shooting methods can be reliable but 100% dependable?

Here’s my story, then you can decide.

As Paragon methods developed, there came a time about fifteen years ago when something very interesting began to happen. Once my student understood and began to execute the set-up and swing steps – what I call the non-negotiable basics – my student’s swing movements became noticeably more and more consistent. With this consistency, understandably, more and more targets were breaking. On top of that, when executed correctly – in the middle of their swing – both my student and I could predict the upcoming X. Right on schedule, that target broke. Not once but repeatedly. Dependably. Predictably.

Meaning? These X’s were not an accident. Students were breaking these challenging targets with intention. How? By executing the shooting method correctly. Yes, of course, this was a developing skill for my student.  That said, the shooting methods were proving themselves to be…infallible?

How many correct swings and broken targets would it take to prove, to confirm these methods were that dependable? Without exception, tens of thousands to date. A truthful statement.

About twelve years ago after our tournament day, my friend and I were having dinner. A Paragon Instructor, he’s a highly educated engineer with all the credentials, a well-respected, very knowledgeable math guru. I was commenting on this “dependability” phenomenon, the impression it always had on me, and my students. After my prattling on about this for too long, he finally asked me, “Do you know why this happens?” Whoa. Now, there was a good question. Being an old English major, I admitted, no, I didn’t. I just knew – when my student watched over their barrel and saw their swing executed as taught – the X. The methods worked predictably, every time, all the time. 

He said, “Every shot taken – X and O – (if desired) that result can be broken down and explained mathematically. The math in the entire shooting “process” – the precision – is absolute, required and non-negotiable. Swing right – X. Swing mistake – O. It is because the Paragon methods keep the swing movements inside the math formula, the X is dependable and predictable.”

Skeptical? I don’t blame you, not one bit. I, for one, never thought this was possible. So, this is all true because I say so? Of course not. Please tell me though, why does the target break on time, reliably, every single time the swing steps are seen over the barrel? Hundreds of students, countless thousands of rounds downrange, the exact same number of targets broken? There has to be an explicable reason for this. 

Here, it’s important I share with you, a) I am, arguably, the world’s worst person to discuss math with, and b) Paragon does not teach using math – measuring leads, etc. Teach you gun management – swing movement control? Yes. Using math? No.  

“So, Dan, you’re saying – if I execute one of these shooting methods correctly – the target will definitely break? Predictably and reliably?” Yes. That’s exactly what I am saying. “Such methods exist?” Yes, they do.

For years now – after watching hundreds of my students execute their swing correctly – I can honestly and with certainty say the target always broke. After observing this an untold number of times and then some – at the end of their lessons – I began to ask my student this question. When you saw the correct bird/barrel relationship over your gun – the correct gun movement – can you name the one target today that did not break? No one ever has named that target. Not once. And this happens because I say so? Again, no. It happens because the math says so.

Contrary to popular belief, these very simple, uncomplicated, über-dependable shooting methods do work as claimed. Executed correctly, you can honestly and fairly expect the target to break. It will break. Not just once but repeatedly. Like clockwork.

“For those who believe,

no proof is necessary. 

For those who don't believe,

no proof is possible.”

Stuart Chase

Please understand, I honestly don’t know what method(s) you are being taught by your Instructor. That method may very well be 100% dependable? I can say – for you – your Teacher’s method should be working at the very highest level of dependability – with you behind the trigger – not your Instructor. The set-up and shooting steps you are being taught – when you execute those steps correctly – when you see over your gun what you are asked to see – that target has to break. You have every right to expect that result in your lesson. If you do see over your gun what your Instructor is teaching you – and the target is not breaking consistently – as you were told it would? Can you take this method home and count on it to support your improvement goals? Your Teacher owes you consistent method dependability. Not sometimes dependability. His/her methods have to work every time, all the time. That’s the standard and nothing less. Your expecting this standard – this success repetition in the shooting box – is fair and totally reasonable. 

As we are discussing swing precision in the clay target sports, please remember that rifle and handgun shooters already know their success or failure will certainly depend on their muzzle precision. Obviously, I’m not advocating we “aim” our shotguns. Share with me though, why should our muzzle movements be less precise? Asking our shotgun “pattern” to make up for our swing errors? Sorry, but that’s unwise and ill-advised. When it comes to precision, muzzle errors in the shooting box will be just as costly on our clay and feathered targets downrange.

Before closing, if I may, I believe this needs to be said. Arriving at your lesson – understandably having difficulty breaking targets consistently – your Instructor tells you, “You’re not trusting your swing enough. You’ll just know. The target will break.” Really? You’re being asked to trust a swing that you already know isn’t working, isn’t breaking targets?

This article is offered to you respectfully and humbly. Some may disagree with my matter-of-fact statements and question the validity of those statements. Whether you agree or disagree, what is indisputable is the truthful history that has confirmed these facts over the last fifteen years of teaching. When your shooting improvements are on the line – your openly stated goal – your Teacher’s shooting method consistency should never be an issue, never in question, never excused for not working. It would not only be unprofessional but unfair to ask you to accept anything less than 100% reliability. Your personal shooting improvement – your ability to trust your swing – your confidence – will be relying on your Instructor’s methods to work for you, every time. You deserve nothing less.

Thanks for spending time with us here. Be safe and we hope to see you out on the course.

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XXXX

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)