The Consistency Blueprint — Part I
The #1 question I hear in my lessons? Why am I inconsistent? Thursday, Station 4, XXOXXXXX. Saturday, same station, same targets, OXXOXOOX?
Another serious question: is your shooting method dependable? Can it? Will it break targets reliably? Consistently? No? Same target, same equipment, same method, XOXOOXOO.
If you are OK with that, if breaking the target “sometimes” works for you, BE HAPPY; there’s no need to change anything. If, however, “sometimes X’s” are leading you to frustration and worse, unless a few changes are made, count on it, XOOXOX will only continue.
A common example in my lessons.
71 years old, Jim came to me visibly tired and cautiously hopeful. Tired of “sometimes” results in the shooting box. Over many years, he’d sought instruction from various individuals. Lots of changes recommended. One at a time, each change was very carefully and correctly implemented into his shooting. Improvement? X consistency? Unfortunately, no. Along with his sincere commitment to make the changes came the same, always mysterious “sometimes” results.
We’ll come back to Jim.
In the clay target sports, just how important is gun control? Very. Those who recommend a super hard visual focus solely on the target, thus endorsing purely instinctive shooting, kindly move over to the Wingshooting side of things. Thanks.
Two thoughts in the right order.
First, in your swing, shell by shell, are you implementing the recommended shooting method correctly…as in consistently? With little or no Random Gun Movement (RGM)? Yes? Are you sure?
Second, is the method you are using X dependable? As in consistently dependable?
If the answer to the first question is no or you’re not sure, no blame can be placed on the shooting method. Not yet.
If, however, the answer to the first question is a definite yes, all attention can rightfully go to shooting method dependability. Consistency. Again, in all fairness, if we know our swing steps are correct, we have every right to expect our shooting method itself to be 100% X dependable regardless of target line, speed or distance. Not 99%.
That does not mean the shooter will break 100% of every target. It means the method itself must provide a dependable solution when correctly executed.
Please read that again. Yes, those simple, ultra-dependable methods do exist and are available to anyone who seeks them.
Let’s back up for a moment and summarize.
To build a skill in any sport, on its own, the “trying harder method” can’t and won’t build / advance our gun skills. Trying harder only repeats and reinforces our swing errors, ending all the mystery about inconsistent performances.
Golf club, tennis racket, baseball bat, shotgun setup and swing, it will be our movements, good or bad, that will decide our performance and swing outcomes.
# 1 — Movement dependability
Gun in hand, to build our skill and X consistency, we must create AND SEE clean, consistent bird/barrel movements in the shooting box. Why? It cannot be said too many times, inconsistent movements are the cause and reason for inconsistent results. Don’t see those inconsistencies? What changes can now be made to build swing improvements?
# 2 — Method dependability
For true X consistency, our shooting method on each of the three target presentations has to be 100% dependable. Required.
On a target missed, look to # 1 and # 2 to understand why and how to correct with the very next shell. No mystery, none, solution now in hand.
On a target broken, look to # 1 and # 2 to understand why and how to repeat with the very next shell. No mystery, none, solution now in hand.
Regardless of the shot outcome, X or O, knowing why removes the mystery and opens the door to consistency and your advancing your skill level.
In my lessons, my students learn methods that are 100% dependable. Equally important, they learn the very simple swing steps that allow the method to deliver X consistency, on time, dependably.
Paragon’s private or group Sporting Clays instruction is designed for shooters ranging from newer to accomplished competitors. Contact Paragon to discuss private Sporting Clays instruction.
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1 Shell. 1 Target. 1 X.™
Thank you sincerely for spending time with us. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors and the good company of shooters who share your journey. We are blessed!
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Many shooters first discover the Paragon Shooting System through Dan Schindler's books. They gain a deeper understanding of why targets break, why they miss, and what separates consistent shooting from inconsistent shooting. They then come to Paragon to work with Dan for custom-tailored, one-on-one instruction where he teaches them the actual shooting methods, the Paragon Shooting System, and the process behind building consistent X swings.
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Dan Schindler is one of only a select few instructors worldwide invited into the prestigious Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and has held NSCA Level III Instructor status since 1995.
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