Let’s talk about what it really takes to generate more broken birds: Gun Control. Every inch movement of our gun muzzle will decide what happens out at the target, making swing precision non-negotiable. This is not my opinion; the math says so. Please read those sentences again. For every shooter, no exceptions, swing mistakes promise a lost target.
With the emphasis on controlling our movements, here’s where we begin.
With consistency and improvement priorities, our “set up” steps ask for our undivided attention. Each step is intended to build critical swing precision, before and during the swing. In order, explained in detail in my books, here are our four preparation steps before the trap fires.
- Mark your Break Point(s).
- Set your Feet Position to allow your body to move freel throughout the entire swing
- Set you MHP (Muzzle Hold Point) to intercept the target promptly.
- Visually, set your Focal Point to assure that early target intercept.
Used correctly, each of those four steps minimize costly Random Gun Movement (RGM), THE cause of missing. Add to that, our having and following a specific set up builds a lot of confidence in the shooting box.
When the target appears, a prompt muzzle / target intercept comes first. It’s first because every target only gives us a finite amount of time to swing and shoot. Muzzle too far up, down or behind, out of control chasing the target wastes precious time. Say hello to RGM and another lost bird. It’s here where our four steps create better “time management,” and swing precision, raising our X count, especially on True Pairs.
Our “right now” target intercept; our bird/barrel harmony with the target, makes it almost effortless to execute the XX swing. First, RGM has been eliminated. Second, our swing precision is intact. Third, our gun speed is precisely matching the target’s speed.
Here’s an AHA moment where number three greatly simplifies one aspect of our shooting. My students often ask, “In the shooting method, what do I change when the target gets a lot faster (or slower) Dan?” The answer is nothing! When we intercept our target on time – muzzle in harmony with the bird – our gun is automatically aligned with the target’s speed and line. No RGM, smooth as silk, finish the swing with your chosen shooting method. XXXXXX.
You prepared and executed your shot beautifully. Welcome to consistency. It is hard to improve on perfection. Good on you!
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Dan Schindler is one of only 40 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!
"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors
and parents of youth shooters."
Schindler's books are written for shooters like you!
Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan Schindler's simple, easy-to-understand books. They're your road map for consistently and dependably shooting higher scores.
Warning: Shooters from around the world tell us ...if you lend these 3 excellent books to your shooting buddies, you may never see the books again! Some say they'd give up their spouse before they give up these books.
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...
THE TRUSTED PRIMER
A Quarter of a Century and Counting
"Take Your Best Shot is the best clay and wingshooting shooting primer on the market that I have ever seen. The brilliance of its simplicity aids in getting across the correct messages for successful shooting for ANY clay/wingshooting shooter, let alone a new shooter."
Jacksonville University Sporting, Skeet & Trap Team
(Founding & Head Coach)
SCTP & ACUI Event and Divisional National Champions
"Take Your Best Shot is the greatest publication ever written on how to increase X’s on a scorecard and put more game birds in a hunting vest. In plain language, Take Your Best Shot teaches the essential, non-negotiable basics for building shooting excellence. It should be a required text for every clay target shooter, Wingshooter, Coach, Instructor and parent of a youth shooter who is looking for a step-by-step shooting “system” that is easy to understand, repeatable and utterly dependable. Take Your Best Shot is not only the best but the only book that provides this knowledge. Seriously – Take Your Best Shot is a must-have for every shotgunner."
Jeff Allen, Head Coach Carolina Clays
Paragon School of Sporting Professional Instructor
NSCA Level II Instructor
NSSA Skeet Instructor
NC State Scholastic Clay Target Program Advisor & Coach
NC Scholastic Clay Target Program Trap Director
“Few authors have tried to take the shooter on from the novice stage to serious competitor. “To The Target” does just that and it is one of the most innovative and important books yet published on the art of shooting clay targets.”
Clay Shooting USA
"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."
Contributor Shotgunsportsmagazine.com
Blogger at Longhuntersrest.com/longhunters-rest
Wingshooting Editor: Sporting Clays Magazine