Dan Schindler's Blog

May

2020

The Turning...

Our recent series on the pre-shot, set-up Basics got us down in the weeds sorting out the specifics, the correct sequence of those Basics. Not just what…but when, where, how, and why each of those 4 steps (in Book 1, Take Your Best ...

May

2020

Luck’s Got Nuthin’ To Do With It!

If you're proactive, you focus on preparing your swing. If you're reactive, you end up focusing on repairing your swing. Daniel Schindler Basics series: Visual Focal PointIn our last article, I chose our “muzzle hold point” ...

Apr

2020

Here It Comes or There It Goes?

For the recreational shooter, the entertainment of shooting and sometimes breaking a target is comparable to reading this month’s copy of Field & Stream. For competitive shooters, however, a day at the range takes on a whole new meaning ...

Apr

2020

Preparing to Fail?

All the articles in this series on the Basics – your shooting foundation – are dedicated to Mr. Bob Lockett, Paragon Senior Instructor.It might have seemed strange to start this series of articles on the Basics with steps on the Mental ...

Mar

2020

Peak Performances…Easier Than You Think!

Being “In The Zone” is a state of mind that so many athletes aspire to reach. It is eminently achievable. If you’ve been there, you can credit your best performances to those days where you just COULD NOT MISS. Athletes, musicians, ...

Mar

2020

The Elusive Mental Game

Ever heard of it, the elusive mental game? Just kidding, of course you have…mental toughness; sport psychology; peak performance; in the Zone; Zen….I own a small library on this subject written by authors who’ve worked ...

Feb

2020

XXXX Where Art Thou?

A few truths first. Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. The target presentations we’re shooting now are definitely not the presentations of year’s past. Intentionally, today’s presentations are more complex, more ...

Feb

2020

Curly's Law: The ONE Thing

From the movie “City Slickers” Curly (Jack Palance) reveals what the secret of life is by holding up 1 finger. Mitch (Billy Crystal) asks, “What is that “one thing?” Curly smiles and says, “That’s what you ...

Jan

2020

The Wolf

XOOXXO on the same easy B bird. Carol asks, “Why do I do THAT all the time?” When asked what she was seeing over her barrel, she replied, “I’m not sure, but I thought my swing looked good.” That’s not a clue, ...

Jan

2020

Perception Versus Reality

When an entry-level shooter decides to work with me, I can almost always count on his or her open mind and eagerness to listen. That's because from their perspective of "why did that just happen," they have little or no experience to fall back on. ...

Jan

2020

The Unwanted Choke

Everyone has their game face on. This is serious. Every target counts and scores will be posted on the master scoreboard later. For many of us, the atmosphere turns electric the split second our tires roll onto the tournament grounds. It’s ...

Jan

2020

Mr. Smooth

"Swing…Swear…Repeat. Fix your swing…Master Your Tempo." ~Dan Schindler It was Saturday and I had a quiet weekend to myself. So – knowing the critical role of gun management in our ...

Dec

2019

Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show?

$10,000 later in shells and targets and nothing has changed….The fact that a great many people believe something is no guarantee of its truth.W. Somerset MaughamIt’s human nature to leap to methods that promise quick and convenient ways ...

Nov

2019

Excuse Me Please, Where’s the Magic?

Here is the question I’ve been asked many, many times over the last 2 decades by folks with good intentions, who, misguided, arrived for their lessons confused and frustrated: why is my shooting so inconsistent?We’re all long overdue to ...

Nov

2019

Come Back Sally

“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you will never know how soon it will be too late.”Ralph Waldo Emerson The mountains here are ablaze with color and many are replacing their # 8’s with # 5’s. ...

Nov

2019

Why You Need A Shooting “System”

The truth is, there is no free ride to higher scores. At least not consistently higher scores.OK. Any good news? Absolutely.Recently we’ve been talking about the shooting fundamentals – what I call the non-negotiable basics. I call them ...

Oct

2019

Makayla Scott and her Dad, Telford, have NO QUIT!

Makayla Scott is accomplishing more than any shooter I know. Makayla's mother died of a drug overdose. Then Makayla and her 2 younger siblings were placed in Foster Care. It was not a good situation. Makayla was adopted at 9. This year Makayla ...

Oct

2019

Step-By-Step To More X’s

From The Advancing Shooter's Manual Series #2 Many continue to believe that hand/eye coordination alone will suffice on a clay target range. If breaking a target “sometimes” is OK – then you’re good to go. However ...

Oct

2019

Strategies from the Shooter’s Manual

Maybe you are seeking a proven method that can help you elevate your game? Something specific you can work into your practice? Trust me, I get that. Let me say again how much I respect your being here.Today and in the Newsletters ahead, I ...