Instinct Got You Here

Methods will take you further.

In the early days of sporting clays, natural ability and point-and-shoot instincts were enough to break targets and win bragging rights. But times—and targets—have changed. If you’re serious about more Xs on the scoresheet, instinct alone won’t get you there.

Today’s shooters need a proven method—one that works with your instincts, not against them—to build consistency, accuracy, and confidence, shot after shot. In this article, I lay out the two choices every shooter faces… and the one that leads to real, lasting improvement.

Serious about improving your shooting? Consider two choices, one recommended.

I was there when Sporting Clays came to the U.S. in the early 1980s. We broke a lot of targets with what we had—our “bird hunting” guns. How? Not one of us knew.

Shooting methods used? Everyone relied on basic hand-eye coordination—our natural, God-given instincts. A poor method? No. Of course not. That’s all we had at that time. Good ol’ “point and shoot” had friendly target pieces falling like rain.

Just outside of Hershey, PA, we had a small but very creative 50-bird course open only on Sundays. Average score? Between 18 and 24. That was before Bill Costello broke an “unbelievable” 30, setting a record that stood for a good while. Back then, 50% was a very good score. Bragging rights included.

Today? Maybe not so much. Consider two alternatives to improve:

1. All day long, our natural instincts will break a good many friendly targets. Keep working on it.

2. It takes more than natural instincts to score above 50% on today’s tougher targets. These targets demand a specific, step-by-step shooting method that complements our instincts. These steps aren’t long or complicated, but they add precision to the swing—the same precision that’s non-negotiable if consistency, improvement, and higher X counts are the goal.

How to accomplish that second approach?

You could stick with trial and error. Yes, targets will break—but not consistently. Spoken from long experience: over months and years of using this method—disappointment and frustration included—habits will form. The exact same habits that, today, are putting inconsistencies into performances and scores. While those inconsistencies may be hidden and mysterious, there can be little to no real shooting improvement until they are corrected.

Today’s target presentations and shooting methods have all evolved. To catch up and keep up, consider skipping the horse-and-buggy, trial-and-error approach.

“Without change, there can be no improvement.”

This proven method helps you skip the years of frustration, the time, and untold costs of “trying to get better.” It starts by asking for an honest look at where you are in your shooting—and, most importantly, why.

Not sure? That’s where competent instruction can provide answers. (Note: I said “can,” not “always will.”) For instruction to be competent, it must provide a YES answer to the following questions:

1. Will my instruction prepare me to continue improving—after my lesson—when I’m standing in the shooting box at home, alone?

2. Will I learn WHY (not just where) I missed, so I can correct it with one shell in my next swing? From an O to an X with one shell?

3. Will I learn WHY that target just broke? If I broke it but made a set-up or swing mistake, will I see that mistake? So I can correct it and break the next five targets on purpose? If I make a correct X swing, will I see what went right so I can repeat that same accurate swing?

For social shooting, an X means success, and rightfully so. However, for those seeking improvement, understanding how and why the X or O occurred takes precedence over the X itself.

Watching someone else shoot the target does not demonstrate instructor competency. Successful teaching means you leave with an understanding of how to build consistently good shooting form. That’s not optional. Why? Because:

Good form = XXXXXXXX.

Competent instruction is obligated to prepare you to improve by teaching you 1, 2, and 3 above.

Thank you, Mike Fine, Paragon Instructor, for recommending I write this article.

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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)   

Beyond the Target (Book III)
Second Printing — Back in Stock August 5, 2025
Pre-Order Now — Ships Worldwide

The highly anticipated second printing of Beyond the Target (Book III) is almost here!

If you’ve ever wished you could take Dan Schindler home with you, this book is the next best thing. The third volume in the Paragon School trilogy continues Dan’s tradition of delivering unmatched insight, humor, and practical solutions that stick—on and off the course.

"This third volume in the Paragon school trilogy is the second best thing to booking a lesson with Schindler himself. Dan writes the way he coaches in person: respectfully, provocatively, humorously, and, most of all, effectively. His new book informs the Sporting Clays arts not only with a clear and proven blueprint for breaking (many) more targets, but with great heart as well."

 

Randy Lawrence

Contributor Shotgunsportsmagazine.com

Blogger at Longhuntersrest.com/longhunters-rest

Wingshooting Editor: Sporting Clays Magazine

 

📘 Reserve your copy now—this edition ships worldwide starting August 5.

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