The Path to Consistency in Sporting Clays

For those who aspire to higher sporting clays skills, the focus inevitably shifts from breaking the target to the final score. It is here we begin to look at the miss. Why did we miss that target? For that matter, how did we hit the previous one?

In the beginning, just hitting the target seems a worthwhile goal. We read, we watch, and we listen—all to improve. Getting a handle on the tangibles, like equipment, is first. Next comes strategies and methods—the mechanics of sporting. Gradually, the game makes more sense. Where to point the gun and how to get it there are calculated, and the number of hits begins to outnumber the misses. For those who are patiently building their game, the next round of clays will be better. Slowly but surely, we grind concepts into skills. Diligently assembling techniques, instincts, and trust yields higher scores more often.

Sporting clays is not complex. However, because it is a game of ever-changing variables, shooting progress can appear downright unfaithful. It isn’t. Your progress is intact. But you’re right—something is missing. There’s that word inconsistency again. A worthwhile goal would be to manage these variables better, physically and mentally.

A few years back, I had an epiphany I would like to share with you. It hit me, literally, like a thunderbolt. In as few words as possible, here was the revelation: To consistently succeed at sporting clays, two things must happen. First, the shooter should know what to do before entering the box. If you can’t break it in your head, you will likely struggle in the stand. Second and most important, the shooter must be able to do the same thing twice.

Carol’s in her second year as an intermediate, shooting about eight hundred targets a month. Her 75+ average confirms her progress. However, she also struggles with inconsistent performance. Having just broken eight targets in a row, pointing at the last break, she asks, “Why can’t I do that all the time?”

Standing behind her and to her right, I could see something she didn’t. It was true that she broke the target eight times. The cause of her inconsistencies was in those eight targets. Carol didn’t see that she used two different shooting methods on the eight targets. In random order, three were shot with swing-through and five with a modified form of sustained lead. No, I’m not kidding, and yes, this is common.

When I asked Carol what method she used, she said, “I think it’s pull-away.” Not wanting to over-complicate, I asked her what she saw over the barrel. Like many others, she replied, “I’m not sure.”

An inconsistent approach to the target will predictably yield an inconsistent result. So why is our game and score inconsistent? The reasons vary from person to person. Gun mount, technique, and tournament pressures are major contributors to mechanical errors. Only when we polish our approach to the target, minimizing random movement, will the results be more consistent.

Here’s to the many blessings of this great land we love, the United States of America, and to the camaraderie of clay target sports that unite shooters from around the world. May God bless us all as we continue to pray for peace in our world and in our hearts. Thank you for spending time with us. Cheryl and I look forward to the day we meet on the course and share some time together.

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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

"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. It is filled with valuable information and clay target truths. It is entertaining and a culmination of three 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)    Currently Out of Stock