“There are 3 types of baseball players:
Those who make it happen.
Those who watch it happen.
Those who wonder what happened.”
Tommy Lasorda
Same with shooting. If you’re wondering why that just happened, read on.
From a few million first-hand experiences, behind the trigger in competition and behind my students, a wealth of information has been gained on what works dependably and what doesn’t—at least not consistently. By simplifying everything, including the Mental Game, my students and readers tell me this information is accelerating their progress in the shooting box; they now have a working plan on each target.
For example…
Any confusion about your shooting can be quickly erased by learning simple, uncomplicated methods that you can trust to work. Easy to understand and follow, positively repeatable, X consistency comes promptly into the box.
On “trying harder” to break the target. Sorry, that’s “outcome thinking” and has your attention in the wrong place. Like a flashlight, it’s where your attention is focused that matters. A moment on that.
Every good shooter has a shooting “system,” a process he or she uses to be successful at the trigger pull. A pre-shot setup and swing process that’s proven to work, and why it is trusted. Their focusing on that system is what creates their X consistency. All to say, be wary of the person insisting you try harder—without giving you any specific data—a system to break targets consistently.
On that system…
“XX without a setup and swing plan is only a wish.”
Truth is, you can point your shotgun straight up in the air, say "pull," and break the 70-mph target disappearing into the ravine below. Consistently? Probably not. No system.
A shooting system has a strategy for each target. There are preparation steps involved to avoid costly Random Gun Movement (RGM) in the swing when the target appears. Book One, Take Your Best Shot, Third Edition, Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7. Don’t leave home without those four steps.
On the swing…
Any RGM in the swing (those mysterious inconsistencies) predictably causes missing. Regardless of the shooting method being used, it is impossible to overstate the importance of building precision into your swing. Gun management that reduces RGM = XXXXXX.
In reading the above, this is when some folks disagree with me, insisting you skip using steps and learn to trust your swing more. Time out. Trust what? Your natural instincts? Folks, that can work. At best, sometimes. To gain a level of X consistency: 1) have a plan; 2) prepare that plan both physically and mentally; and then 3) execute your plan with precision in your swing. This is the trustworthy system that later, down the road—having been learned and reinforced—can now become your instinctive approach.
In closing, if X consistency is very important to you, be absolutely sure the shooting methods you are learning are 100% dependable. Don’t ever compromise on that. For those methods, see Book Three, Beyond The Target.
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.
Thanks for being here. I hope to see you out on the course.
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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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