Specifically - How To Break Targets CONSISTENTLY

 Understandably, many want to learn more about the “mental game” in clay target sports. Books written on this subject could fill a small library. Yet…when it’s all said and done…here’s how we can simplify everything. Here’s the all-important, step-by-step mental game “process” that applies to our shooting. Don’t leave home without it. It’s that important.

Everyone who wants to break this target, raise your hand. OK, it’s unanimous. Obviously…for very good reasons…everyone “wants to break the target.” We all do. What’s forgotten is that we can’t. We can’t? No, we can’t. Let’s talk about that.

The target is down range at, say 35 yards. At the trigger pull, once the shot string is on the other side of the muzzle by one-thousandth of an inch…how much control over the shot string do we have now? The answer is none. Zero. Our job is done. We can sit down and watch what happens. The shot string has left the shooting box. X or O is now outside of our control.

Meaning?  X or O will be decided by what takes place in the shooting box, behind the muzzle. That right there folks is all we can control. What happens after the trigger pull…down range…we have no control. Our mission in the shooting box is gun management. Guide our gun properly. That’s all we can control. How important is that control?

It’s interesting to note, handgun and rifle shooters all understand: when it comes to gun control, precision is King. Compromise the precision…wiggle that rifle or handgun…the target will be missed. Precision is required to hit their target consistently…not just sometimes. Movement in shotgun sports? Precision counts. If X consistency is your goal…your swing precision is not optional. It’s required.

But Dan…I have a shotgun pattern out there THIS big!! Yes, you do. And counting on that pattern to make up for swing errors will inevitably and very soon disappoint. OXXOXOOX. A like-it-or-not fact, soon proven to all of us.

Now…so we don’t confuse aiming with pointing. We point. They aim. However, both require precision. Whatever firearm we’re holding, our errors won’t be forgiven down range. To achieve any reasonable degree of consistency down range, gun control is required.

The necessity of gun control now established; how do we do that? We must first learn the very specific set-up and swing steps. To help minimize swing errors, precisely, how do we prepare for the target launch? And when the target is launched? Again, how do we keep precision in our swing movements? Because swing errors will be costly.

If I may, please be wary of the instructor who tells you…“just trust yourself and the target will break.” Really?? Please come with me, down the hall to the Music Department. Pick a musical instrument. Your choice. Pick up the one you like. OK…please trust yourself and play. Meaning? There’s a skill needed here. IF the skill is not learned…step-by-step…and not reinforced countless times…how can you trust yourself to play music? Any instructor who tells you to trust yourself when you haven’t yet learned the skill…albeit with the very best of intentions…this instructor is unaware of the specifics…what to teach you. In shotgun sports, how can you trust what you don’t know…haven’t learned?

At this point, we’ve established that gun control is required, and that same gun control is a skill that must first be learned. Here, I’m respectfully asking for your most serious attention on the following.

Remember earlier how much our shooter “wants to break the target?” The all-important question is: where is our shooter’s attention? Understandably, with people watching, maybe a scorekeeper behind him/her, our shooter really needs this target to break. So, all the mental attention is “out there” at the target. Which brings us to this question: who is guiding the gun? Where is the attention on making sure the set-up AND swing movements are correctly executed? Has all the attention shifted away from the shot “outcome” (outside of our control) over to the “tasks” needed to break the target? The word “needed” applies here because we’re talking about breaking the target consistently, not just sometimes. Please consider, the set-up and swing must be consistent if a consistent result is the goal.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most important, this concept of task versus outcome thinking is a 10. For all the very good reasons we do understand, stress and pressures push a shooter into outcome thinking. And the deeper, the more intense that pressure, less and less if any attention remains on “gun management” before and during the swing. Where is the attention on the very specific swing tasks required to break the targets consistently? Absent. While all this is understandably unintentional, the results are predictable…OXXOOXOX.

Before learning and knowing how to correctly execute the shooting method, outcome thinking will indeed cost this shooter targets. Only when the skill comes online, can the door open to trusting the skill.

Gun control rests in our capable hands. Without that control, however, swing precision will be compromised and especially when our shooter’s mental attention is on outcome thinking, “trying to break the target.” This brings us back to the skill-building I spoke of earlier. Build the skill first…apply task thinking…XXXXXXXX.

Happy Holidays everyone. Be safe, 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 (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, Skeet, Trap & 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 making their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!  

Dan Schindler's Books

"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors

and parents of youth shooters."

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.

Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition

To The Target (Book II)

Beyond The Target (Book III)