“Trust but verify”
Ronald Reagan
This is dedicated to the shooter who is not happy breaking targets “sometimes.”
Again and again, he knew that target should be breaking. It wasn’t. Told it would, he was surprised. It was supposed to break. Yes, it broke sometimes, but never consistently. Disappointed? Yes. Because he was trusting what he’d been told to do. It sure sounded good. Another shooter said this would break the target every single time. That’s right, every single time. And it wasn’t.
For this article to make sense, I’ll ask that we agree on this first. Let’s agree on the definition of what method really does work in the shooting box. The definition of that method is: the target breaks 1) on time, 2) dependably and 3) consistently. That’s our definition of a method that works. A method we can depend on. That we can trust.
"Having just completed two days of coaching by Dan Schindler, Pargon School of Sporting, I have both good news and bad news. Bad news, you can forget everything you thought you knew about clay target lead. Good news, you can forget everything you thought you knew about clay target lead! Dan’s method is absolutely liberating! Follow the process and 100% of the targets break. Easy? No, old habits die hard. Simple? I am delighted to say, yes! Absolutely liberating. Thank you Dan and Paragon!"~Frank Wampol
For our purposes here, we’re talking about a method that will successfully establish the correct lead on a moving target. On-time, dependably and consistently. Which method? One that can be trusted, as described in our definition. Shooters A, B and C all use and recommend different methods. That’s understandable, but our definition of what “works”…hasn’t changed.
For you to establish that successful lead (X), you have method options. There’s Maintained Lead, Pull Away, Swing Through, the Intercept Method and the list goes on. And, again, this is important, we very much want to hold onto that definition of what works.
Let’s back up just a moment. What prompted this article was a shotgun forum post a fellow instructor forwarded to me. In my experienced opinion, after reading it, the post goes against all common-sense logic and fails the definition of what works. Basically, paraphrased, here’s what was said in the post…
1) If you’ve never trusted “not measuring lead,” then you haven’t learned that you can trust seeing the target “clearly”…and by pulling the trigger, that target will break 100% of the time.
2) You can break a target just by trusting your supercomputer brain to instinctively work it out for you.
3) By trusting your brain to work out the precise lead…given all the variables that come with a long-distance sporting clay target…you’ll never once have to worry about lead in order to break that clay.
What I hear this shooter saying is…if you trust yourself enough…by shooting instinctively… your lead will always be right and the target will “automatically” break. Every single time. Dependably.
Before I share with you how much I disagree with all that, let me first ask this question. Shooting instinctively…trusting and relying on this instinct to break the target…when a miss occurs (as it will)…what was the swing error so our shooter can “self-correct” and not repeat the mistake? Specifically? With one shell…one correction…from an O to an X…what should be trusted now?
And for the record, Wendell Cherry, Bill McGuire, Anthony Matarese, George Digweed, Richard Faulds and those of their ilk…all very long on experience…this business of trusting a swing has real merit. Why? Because they are ahead of 99% of all shooters.
What does that mean?
It means they are using a lot more than just their early, God-given eye-hand coordination to break targets. Dependably and consistently. Over the decades, they’ve worked hard to develop and add SKILL to their hand-eye coordination. The addition of that skill is the critical difference between trusting hand-eye coordination’s OXOXOOXOOX, and trusting skill’s XXXXXXXXXX.
In the beginning, we all start with our basic hand-eye coordination. It will work. Sometimes. And, said respectfully, without some form of improvement, that’s pretty much where we’ll stay, regardless of clay sport. Because I say so? No. Because indisputable shooter history and the definition of what works says so. If improvement and more consistency are personal goals, skills must be added. It will be required as in, not optional.
When a shooter does not have the skill, repeatedly asking this person to trust their hand-eye coordination and expect the target to break 100% of the time…consistently…is pure nonsense. It also unnecessarily adds a lot of trial and error…confusion, pain and frustration to the shooter who is genuinely seeking to learn what works out here, how, where and why.
Trust everybody…
But cut the cards.
F. P. Dunne
If breaking targets sometimes just doesn’t work for you anymore, and you decide to take that step up to improve (good on you), be a little cautious. By following a magic method that asks you to trust what you don’t know…promising you more Xs and higher scores…tempting as it may be…will only gain you the frustration and disappointment that comes from breaking targets sometimes.
There are a select few shooting methods that do in fact meet our definition of what works. Add to that, each shooter is an individual with preferences, strengths and shortcomings. So, we’ll tailor the method somewhat to fit the shooter. But, here’s what we can’t do if improvement is the goal. We can’t ever compromise on that definition of what works. Because none of us can depend on a method that only works sometimes.
After some time, work and practice, and only when that dependable shooting methodology is finally in place, can a shooter begin to trust a more instinctive swing…trusting it to work. Because it will. On-time, dependably and consistently. Trusting it before the skill is firmly in place can only promise you “sometimes” results. A truth.
Take good care…shoot well. See you next time.
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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, Skeet, Trap 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!
Testimonials
Dan Schindler's Books
"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors
and parents of youth shooters."
Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan Schindler's simple, easy-to-understand books. They're your road map for consistently and dependably shooting higher scores.
Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's 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's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.
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