Stacking the Deck

“Here’s a tip that can add 5 X’s to your score card today.

It’s called an eraser.”

True story. The lady goes to the golf Guru. She says, I can’t putt worth a lick. He says, grab your gear, meet me outside on the green. He drops a few balls around the hole and asks to watch. She studies the green, the line to the hole and steps up over the ball. A very long 30 seconds goes by and there she stands, still as a stone. He asks her, “Are you OK?” She says, “Yes, but, in my pre-shot routine, I always get lost and can never remember if I’m on step 15 or 16.”

Folks, let’s not go there. This is simple. A basic. 

Some subjects on shooting technique are rarely spoken or written about. For example, Foot Position and balance. Why? Well…they’re just not all that interesting. And why they get overlooked. A lot. This means…if you’re an X counter...consider examining your pre-shot preparation. 

“It took me a month to miss 400 times in basketball.

Did that over a week-end on a Sporting Clays course.”

Today, I walked upstairs to make lunch and turned on the TV. Looking up from my sandwich, I was about to reach for the remote when I saw the professional golf Instructor showing his student how to hit the ball more accurately. What was especially interesting was the Instructor saying that most golfer’s perception of the line of their swing movement was not reality. Unintentional body movement was pulling their swing off-line. Did he just say the swing didn’t hold the line??

Back to the Instructor on TV. The objective was to start the swing’s movement on the correct line, to send the ball in the intended direction. The question was HOW. There were comments about how to grip the club, but two key swing elements were emphasized as most important: foot position and balance. Make a mistake with either one and there goes the swing…and the ball…off line. There’s that off-line comment again. 

Yeah, OK, before you say it, I know…this is about shooting, not golf. So, let me repeat what I said above a bit differently. Two key swing elements were emphasized as most important: foot position and balance. Make a mistake with either one and there goes the swing…and the shotstring…off line. 

This is where incorrect balance and body movement spoil a well-intended swing. 

Foot Position & balance work as one to guide swing movement.

Let your balance take the swing movement off your intended line…

…OX XO OO. 

I’m asking you to consider that Foot Position is the foundation under your swing. If you disagree, I suggest you look a little more closely at what today’s target setters are doing. Professional setters like Joe Scull, Neil Chadwick, Rick Hemmingway and others of their ilk are evolving their craft with new trap machines that launch new target shapes and sizes. Presentations that leave little if any room for random gun movement (RGM) and swing errors. And I know I speak for others when I say, God bless these setters. Our sport is definitely growing, largely in part to these professionals, their creativity and hard work.

Many of our targets today…what we see is not always what we get. Right from the giddy’ up, make a set-up error and watch as your swing goes into “repair” mode. Then watch your X consistency disappear in a hurry. To control your swing movement, take a moment to set your feet and stance correctly. Not only will everything feel so much smoother and easier…the correct sight pictures come faster and more consistently. …XX…out with 8. 

“Success favors the prepared.”

…Somebody famous 

The game we’re in today demands far more swing precision than yesteryear. If you wish to be more consistent, consider setting up more consistently before you call for the target. Swing precision and swing consistency both start at ground level because everything you do when the trap fires must be efficient and not waste movement.

“The most important shot in your round today…

is this one.” 

Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course. 

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XXXX

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

"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)