It was about 10 years ago, maybe more, and I remember the tournament very well. It was late morning and we were all early, standing on our designated Station, shaking hands. The usual air was heavy, almost palpable, and undeniably physical.Greetings over, I stepped back a few steps to “gather my awareness,” letting go of all that wouldn’t matter over the next few hours. My good friend and shooting companion that day, Bryan Brueck, walked over. He silently handed me a folded piece of paper…and went back to our cart to sit down.From Bryan’s expression, I opened the paper slowly. Already knowing the message had a purpose, a meaning…I was paying attention. ...

Hello again…or maybe this is your first time here? Either way, I very much appreciate your stopping by. That you are here says you may be looking to improve your shooting? If that’s so let me begin by saying, most definitely, there are answers to your good questions. As all of us search for those answers…what’s better or best in our game…we might want to remember that there can be more than one consideration on the table. Here are a few of those considerations that can assist in finding the “best” answer.   Let’s look at a discussion on shooting methods…a common topic on shooting forums and rightfully so. Here’s ...

Common, I see this in lessons, competition, and while watching social shooters. Like leaving the house with the hot coffee pot still plugged in, it’s that important message in the shooting box we shouldn’t, but do forget.   We step off the cart and Earl steps into the box. I’m holding the controller, my thumb on the button. Earl looks serious today as he evaluates the A and B trap, 2 challenging target presentations. After the show birds, preparation in place, he asks for the A trap and begins by only shooting singles. Earl shoots very well on the A trap. 5 singles = XXXXX. 5 good breaks. He then asks me for singles again, off trap B, which is another crafty ...

There have been endless discussions and debates over what you should see when looking down your barrel. Some say you should see the target…and only the target. I call this the “total focus on the target” method. For reasons that follow, I’ve found this method creates missing in our day-to-day clay target shooting.  True…looking at the target with your primary vision is required. However, also seeing your muzzle in your peripheral vision (muzzle awareness) will allow you to confirm the actual spatial relationship between your target and the muzzle of your gun. Your muzzle is pointed where you think it is because you have visually confirmed it is. The ...