Chasing X’s - Grit, Grace and Glory

John Carter (Shooting Gallery, Outdoor Channel, Producer), Dan Schindler (Paragon School of Sporting Founder) & Ken Jorgenson (Ruger Marketing Director) during the Shooting Gallery, Outdoor Channel filming of Dan Schindler at River Bend Sportsmans Resort.

Greetings and thank you for visiting with us again. Here’s hoping most of your shooting boxes are in the shade.

As I converse with each of my students in the clubhouse before we touch the gun, I respectfully ask, “Why are you here?”

Now, maybe you are thinking I ought to know that answer, considering this person has come for a lesson. Well, I do know that, but what I don’t yet know exactly is what the word success means to my student today. And that’s very important. My definition of success, and your definition, may not be their definition. From the novice opening the box with their first shotgun…or week-end warrior seeking to end the mystery surrounding X’s and 0’s…to the serious competitor pursuing those elusive 2 or 3 more X’s…goals differ. Lessons with my students are personal, not just business to me. So, to prepare for this lesson, I cannot assume to know what is “most” important to my student. I do know, he or she is not here to meet my expectations, I am here to meet theirs. And why goal clarifications are so important.

Looking at my student goals, the word or phrase that I hear most often is “Why am I inconsistent?” Long experience has proven, unequivocally, consistency in the shooting box won’t be achieved by firing endless shells downrange, continuously repeating the same, unseen swing errors. Becoming more consistent is a very common, almost universal goal. As a busy Instructor/Coach over the last 30 some years, I teach, very specifically, what will create shooter consistency in the shooting box. In addition to those steps, here’s what puts more X’s on a score card…consistently.

"Long experience has proven, unequivocally, consistency in the shooting box

***won’t be achieved by* *firing endless shells downrange,***

continuously repeating the same, unseen swing errors."

Student Grit is the # 1 common trait in my lessons. I genuinely respect this. My student has put his/her ego into Park after realizing that more ammunition downrange just isn’t and hasn’t yielded the expected consistency nor the progress being sought. And doing more of the same no longer holds any promise. He or she has taken the step and is here to learn why they are missing and, very specifically, how to generate more X’s…consistently. To create those X’s…and consistency in the shooting box…it will be up to me to provide the basics…the specific steps…and how to correctly put those steps to work for them. But…the Truths is…it’s always my student’s personal Grit that moves him, and her, 5 rungs up on the ladder of skill advancement. It is a team effort…Grit plus technique. Very specifically, I show them how. With my student’s motivation to execute and repeat the successful process…XXXXXXXX. This is not only doable but predictable. Consistency? We’ve got traction!

Gun in hand, Grace is humbly recognizing that to error is human and that we all do. No forgiveness is required…except, maybe our own…to forgive ourselves and dispense with the tendency to self-criticize after a miss that frustrates us. That same self-criticism…the same frustration that we alone create…quickly puts more 0’s onto our score card. 1) XXXXXXXX…2) skill advancements…3) developing consistency…are all a journey, a process, not an event. It takes time and Grace. Over and over again, without exception, self-patience expedites this process. A simple Truth about patience…once put into motion with set-up and swing steps that actually work…yields wonderful results on the score card and immense gratification.

Glory…success…XXXXXXXX…consistently…must be learned and then earned. This learned skill requires more than our basic hand-eye coordination…all our instinctive shooting in the clay target sports. Our instinctive swing will work…sometimes…but not consistently. For anyone can break targets sometimes.

The journey to success and more consistency in the shooting box is available to anyone with Grit and Grace. ANYONE…who makes the decision…who makes the commitment to pursue what it really takes to move a game up…can achieve this goal. Attitude is far, far more important than talent…or any challenges you may be facing. This is a lesson about success that I’ve been taught all too well by my many, much-appreciated students.

As always… good to have you here. Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.

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About Dan Schindler:

Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors, U.K. 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

Take Your Best Shot (Book I) is all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting.

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.

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