TIRED OF X's HERE & THERE?

Here’s a simple lesson I’ve learned while teaching. It’s not the new methods that make student improvement harder…it’s letting go of what he/she believes. Especially when that swing is breaking some targets. Why change?

That’s a great question, which is answered in depth in my new book, Beyond The Target (Book III). In this TIP, I thought this particular analogy would illuminate why our habits can be so hard to abandon…even when we know it’s those habits that lead to inconsistency and lower scores. 

It was somewhere around 2010 and I was working with a gentleman from South America. A world traveler and hunter, he and I had come to a point in his lesson where he was struggling to replace an old swing habit with the new, more consistent method. When he executed the swing with the new method, XXXX, clearly noticed each and every time. When the old habit surfaced, 0X0X00, again, noticed. Unfortunately, while this is common in lessons, his old habit was so deeply ingrained the results were exasperating my student. Time for a break.

Sitting across the table from me, a wide, gratified smile unexpectedly appeared on his face. An understanding had come to him. So I asked him to share the conclusion he’d obviously come to. Here is what he said.

He’d been hunting big game in a remote area of the world where monkeys happened to thrive. These monkeys, sought after by the local hunters, were not easily caught. So the hunters came up with a cunning plan to catch the monkeys. Their plan would rely on a basic need of all creatures: hunger.

Using a little, hollow bowl with a narrow opening, the hunters placed a small amount of food in the bottom and attached the bowl to a strong vine or sapling. The monkey’s hand could slide into the bowl but only barely. Clasping the food inside with its fist, the monkey discovered it was unable to pull its fist out of the bowl. Now, it could let go of the food, but didn’t want to. Stay and hold on…or let go and “maybe” find something better? Hunger is a powerful incentive. More often than not, holding-on led to a monkey still hungry and now in a net. 

Having recalled the story, the analogy led my student to his situation on the range today. He couldn’t let go. He clung to the old habit that sometimes broke the target. After all, good form or not, that swing DID work…sometimes. He now realized, he had to let go of the “sometimes swing,” or he would remain stuck where he was.

Breaking the target here and there…sometimes…can be gratifying. So much so, it is hard to “let go” of that gratification to risk the unknown, to find another way to more X’s, more consistency and higher scores. To accomplish this, however, will require our letting go, which immediately opens the door to improvement and real progress. Which is to say, we’ll never get to 2nd base if we keep one foot on 1st. Stay here, 0X0X00X0…or let go and discover XXXXXX.

Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to seeing you 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 & 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)  SOLD OUT! We know this is a great book but didn't expect this...Last time we checked you could buy it on Amazon - Spiral-bound from $7,420.64 1 Used from $7,420.64

NEW Take Your Best Shot (Book I) 3rd Edition is a beautiful hardback - is expected to ship Mid-to-late January. Take Your Best Shot (Book I) 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.