Clay Shooting Methods & Books

As the founder of the Paragon School of Sporting, I’ve spent more than three decades teaching clay target and wingshooting students from around the world—each lesson reaffirming that not all shooting methods are created equal.

A very important topic: what methods work all the time, sometimes, and in some cases, not at all?

If time in the box is primarily about having fun, methods that work sometimes will do just fine. Here, X’s come second to friendly competition, trash talk and spending time in good company.

Methods that work sometimes can handle easy targets. Harder targets? Not so much.

For example, using “measuring” leads as a method. Contrary to popular belief, using a specific measurement (1 ft, 2 ft, etc.) to create the correct forward allowance on a target is flawed in many ways. My opinion comes from watching thousands of my students who’ve come to me using measuring—struggle with it relentlessly—and are tired of OXOXOOOX! Of the many reasons why measuring so often fails, here are the two most common.

First, measuring is a method based on math. For the math to work, the shooter must know the following precisely. 1) The correct distance to the target. 2) The correct speed of the target. 3) The correct lead (measurement) to insert in front of the target. 4) The shooter’s swing must now create that measurement. All four must be right for the measurement to work consistently on this target. Chambers loaded, my question to you on all four is: are you sure?

Second, looking at number 4 above—mid swing—most shooters are unknowingly slowing their swing down to visually “make sure” their lead is correct. Unnoticed, their lead is collapsing, the shot then falling behind the target. After the miss, adding or reducing the measurement doesn’t fix the swing mistake. Confusion and frustration follow. Commonly taught just about everywhere, for all these reasons, the method of measuring leads on everything but our softer targets is contraindicated.

Another method that fails to meet expectations: trying harder to break the target. Sorry, albeit with the very best intentions, trying harder is a swing empty of technique, further hindered by miss-producing random gun movement (RGM).

On the methods that work full time—as in every time.

Contrary to beliefs that over-complicate, there are only three basic target presentations: crossing, quartering and chandelles. For each one of those presentations, there is a specific shooting method that answers this all-important question. When the shooting method and presentation match—and the method is executed correctly—will the target break? Yes. Dependably? Yes. Every single time. Confirmed by my national and international students—from weekend shooters to champions—who have trained with me at the Paragon School of Sporting.

Are these methods complicated? Absolutely not! Difficult? No! Simple to use, over time, they quickly become more instinctive.

Two quick points in closing. If you are in a lesson taking instruction to improve, remember, you have every right to expect a very consistent, on-time X when you correctly execute the method your instructor is teaching. Once you are executing the method being taught—and the method is only working sometimes—consider finding another instructor.

Second—there's no more mystery, no more confusion—adding fully dependable methods to a sound swing guarantees more consistent performances and higher scores.

Daniel L. Schindler's 3-Book Collection offers excellent advice, field-tested teachings, and tips for sporting clays, skeet, trap, wingshooters, and coaches from all walks of life and skill levels. Schindler's books provide the clearest and most dependable system for building shooting excellence. Extremely valuable for SCTP and ACUI Shooters and Coaches. (Shipped to 27 countries). Shooters rave about these books!

Experience these proven methods firsthand:

If you wish to become more consistent in your shooting, I’ll be happy to chat with you and share what you can honestly expect from lessons.

Book your clay target or wingshooting instruction with Dan Schindler at the Paragon School of Sporting.

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👤 About Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler is one of only 35 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and an NSCA Level III Instructor since 1995. He founded the Paragon School of Sporting with a mission: deliver the simplest, most effective, and practical instruction for Sporting Clays and Wingshooting.

Dan helps shooters break more targets, call and correct their own misses, and replace frustration with confidence—all in just minutes. Lessons are fun, enlightening, and results-driven.

📚 Dan Schindler’s Books 

Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, coaches, instructors, and parents of youth shooters.

Trusted by shooters around the world, these books are a true investment in good shooting. Written in plain, uncomplicated language, they strip away the mystery and lay a rock-solid foundation for improving scores and building consistency.

Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan’s simple, easy-to-understand books. These bestsellers are your roadmap to more Xs on your scorecard—and in the field.

⚠️ Shooters say, “If you lend these books out, you may never get them back. Some say they’d give up their spouse before giving up these books.”

• 📘 Take Your Best Shot (Book I)
  
  THE gold standard primer used by shooters and shooting teams worldwide. Solid fundamentals that help shooters of all skill levels break more targets with less guesswork.
  
  Testimonial: “The best clay and wingshooting primer on the market... The brilliance of its simplicity aids successful shooting for ANY shooter.” – David T. Dobson

• 📗 To The Target (Book II)
  
  Builds on Book I and emphasizes Gun Management and developing a trustworthy swing.
  
  Clay Shooting USA: “One of the most innovative and important books yet published on the art of shooting clay targets.”

• 📕 Beyond The Target (Book III)
  
  Want to take Dan Schindler home with you? This third volume delivers unmatched insight, humor, and practical solutions that stick—on and off the course.
  
  Randy Lawrence: “The second-best thing to booking a lesson with Dan Schindler. A clear and proven blueprint for breaking more targets—with great heart.”

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