SEEING IS BELIEVING!  

The owner of a small company was being sued by an injured employee.  The employee – who worked in the warehouse – declared he was injured in an accident and was no longer able to raise his hands and arms above his shoulders. He said, trying to do so was excruciatingly painful making his coming back to work impossible.

A meeting between the owner and both attorneys was called. The owner and his attorney asked the other attorney if the injured man was available for a few questions? The attorney said yes, provided he was present.

The door opened and the injured man walked to the meeting table very, very slowly. Head down, shoulders slumped, the man shuffled his way to his chair. The owner and his attorney rose and offered their appreciation for his coming.

 With everyone seated, the owner’s attorney asked how the accident occurred. The man explained that a palette of heavy boxes had been carelessly stacked on a high shelf by another employee. When he was asked to retrieve these boxes, the boxes had fallen and caused his unbearable injuries. A long silence ensued.

After a few more questions, the man was politely asked to stand and demonstrate his current condition. Rising slowly, a painful grimace on his face, his trembling arms crept upward until they stopped, unable to rise above shoulder level. The demonstration was disturbing.

Having no further questions, the man was thanked and excused. He stood and turned to leave.  He was almost to the door when the owner said, “Excuse me…SIR??”

The man turned.

“How high could you raise your arms before the accident?”

He shrugged as if he wasn’t sure, looked up and raised both arms high over his head – all before the other attorney could react.

Is what we believe we are doing in our shooting – what we are really doing?

Long years of experience as an Instructor / Coach has taught me, the first step towards improving our shooting doesn’t begin with the basics or shooting methods.

In my opinion, here’s the very first step in starting the improvement process. After a LOT of shooting with hit and miss results – over many months or years – this question has moved to the front of the line. Can we continue doing the same things over and over again and expect different results? 

Please forgive my repeating this quote again but I believe its message is so relevant to shooters who are motivated to improve and wonder why they are not.

“It ain't what we don't know that gets us in trouble.

It’s what we know for sure that just ain't so.”

~Mark Twain

My respectfully submitted point here is this. A little candid soul searching goes a long way towards moving our game up. Equipment, methods, basics and fundamentals, all come second to our opening our mind to finding and accepting what’s not working in our game. I’m sure you tire of my using the word inconsistencies but we all have them – from the top shooters all the way to the new shooter asking what chokes are for.  

Admitting that we don’t really know what mistakes we’re making in our shooting may be a tough bridge to get across. And, for sure, it’s not a requirement for everyone. But, for those who do want to fix what’s not working in their shooting – how can we do that if we don’t know, specifically, what it is that’s not working?

On a personal note, this is the # 1 reason why I have so much respect for students – mine and others – who have humbly crossed that bridge and are seeking answers. Real answers – not just opinions or worse, the magic beans for instant (non-existent) improvement – but answers and methods that will actually prepare them to succeed AFTER their lessons when there will be no Instructor behind them to assist. Kudos to all who have done so and will in the future.

I hope you understand my comments here are purely constructive. While learning and advancement is available to anyone who seeks it, enlightenment more often comes to those who first decide to explore beyond what they currently believe.

I wish you well and thanks for stopping by.

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About Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler is one of only 60 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!  

Dan Schindler's Books

 Yes, Dan's books help you take the MYSTERY out of missing targets and help you quickly learn steps to shoot more CONSISTENTLY!  Order Dan's 3 books NOW!

Newest Release...Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer...

and is 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, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan' life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer and much more.

A few Facebook comments Dan Schindler's and Dan's Books:

Mark Engen These three books are a must read for all clay target shooters. They are clear, concise, logical instructions on how to shoot clay targets and how to improve your scores. Taking a lesson from Dan would be very advantageous & help hasten the learning process. He has been my instructor for 15 years. With each lesson I always come away amazed how much I have learned & how my scores improve. 
He also emphasizes how important it is to practice regularly & stay with his advice & recommendations to really learn new skills to improve your scores. He has helped me tremendously & I highly recommend him.

Don N Lisha Sante Got my three book set. Read Take Your Best Shot (Book I) and can’t put book II down. Can’t wait to apply all I’ve learned tomorrow now that the rains gone.

Steve Powers I got my copy about a month ago. I’ve read it twice, cover to cover & reviewed the sequence of steps multiple times. Good Book.

Jim Butler I've read my copies twice now and it has absolutely picked up my game. Joined a sporting clays league this spring. Increased my top score by 7. Thought them to be expensive at first, but now find them extremely valuable now. Thank You !!!

Telford Scott Great book !! Simple steps with great results!!

Randall C. Burl Best investment a shooter could make!

David Parks Received mine yesterday and have one chapter left to read. Can’t wait to get to the range and practice the new techniques I have learned. Now I feel like I have a system to work with instead of shoot and hope.

Bill Fibelkorn Called the number on their website, ( leary of ordering through Facebook posts) and Mr. Schlinder himself answered the phone. One of the most pleasant people I have ever talked to about anything. Whenever I get a chance to get down his way, I am going to get in touch with him to shoot. Got my books this weekend, read the first one and it reminded me of the basics. Just started on the second one, going to keep reading them over and over. The best reading you have for shooting clays.