Why Luck Is Never a Shooting StrategyOne shell.One moment.Where you have your attention is already deciding the outcome—X or O.The mental game. How do we make it actually work? Not with vague, inspiring statements that leave us wondering what to do in the shooting box, but with simple, crystal-clear understandings that start delivering more X's.It all begins here.What do we all want?The target to break.Of course we do.So, very understandably, that's exactly what we try to do. And when we don't break it?We try harder.Typically giving us this:OXOOMore inconsistency."Sometimes" breaks.Shooting method for the next shell?Honestly?Hope. Back to "sometimes" breaks.There's nothing ...
A True Story About Understanding, Consistency, and Solving Decades of MissesA Quick Note Before We ContinueOrdinarily, this would be presented as a two-part article. However, the lessons, discoveries, and breakthroughs shared here are best understood as one complete story. As a result, this article is a little longer than our typical format.• • •Jeff looked at me and said, “I’ve heard plenty of opinions on my shooting. Trust me, they’re not working. I just want to learn how—what do I have to do to make my shooting actually work?” His tired expression still showing hope for answers.Having flown halfway across the country to work with me, he said ...
How to Make the Mental Game Work for YouA step-by-step guide to getting into the Zone — and staying there.A few years ago, I recorded an audio program on the Mental Game after years spent competing, coaching, and trying to better understand what separates occasional success from dependable performance under pressure.I’ve been there myself — more times than I’d like to admit.The audio grew out of watching shooters at every level struggle not with their technique, but with what was happening between their ears.There’s no shortage of material on this subject. Books, podcasts, clinics, YouTube channels — all tackling the Mental Game with genuine conviction. ...
Different Shell, Same Miss, No Improvement.The truth is, we all want to shoot better. More consistently. Yes? Amen.Allow me to borrow a comment from my last article on swing precision…“Albeit with good intentions…trial and error shells downrange without changeonly reinforce and strengthen all the habits,the very reasons behind your inconsistency.0XX00XX0”The very best shooting method in the world will fail if the swing isn’t executed correctly.That places our favorite shooting method second to the correct assembly of the required set-up and swing.I say required because precision in our movements determines X or O. Count on it.Inconsistent swing movements ...
We’ve come a long way from bolt-action shotguns and manual trap machines.The thinking? Not as much.Many shooters are still relying on outdated beliefs—ideas that occasionally break a target but rarely deliver consistency.And sooner or later, everyone asks the same question:“Why am I inconsistent?”The answer is simple.Your swing is inconsistent.A common example. The Master Class shooter from TX called, utterly frustrated with his missing and not knowing why. Respectfully, I shared that I knew why. Surprised, he told me I couldn’t know why; I’d never watched him shoot. Didn’t matter. I said his swing was inconsistent, hence the missing. He disagreed. ...