Are you stuck on a stubborn plateau, your shooting progress halted despite your best efforts? You're not alone. Every shooter faces moments when improvement seems elusive, but the secret to breaking through isn't just about technique—it's about attitude and commitment. In this article, dedicated to all my students, we'll explore the deeper aspects of what it truly takes to succeed in the shooting box. We'll delve into the mindset of unwavering determination and the intelligent approach to skill advancement that transforms frustration into consistent, measurable improvement. Get ready to embrace a new level of dedication and precision in your shooting journey.
Two men were facing a raging river they wanted to cross. The first asked the Lord, please make me stronger so I can cross. Instantly, he was granted huge muscles and stamina. Stepping into the icy waters, he fought the deep and dangerous currents and made it to the other side. Barely.
The second man watched this. Truly scared, he asked the Lord, please make me more intelligent so I can safely cross. He was instantly transformed into a woman. She looked at her map, took 40 steps upriver and walked across the bridge.
“I couldn’t repair your brakes…
so I made your horn louder."
Steven Wright
Here’s a better plan than Steve’s. For those whose progress in the shooting box has slowed to a stubborn plateau…who want to end their inconsistency…this article touches on a more intelligent skill advancement plan…the no-holds-barred, down-and-dirty plan.
“True progress in the shooting box has a cost…
and it belongs only to those who pay it.”
It basically comes down to our “attitude” towards improving. Here’s a prime example of why I say that.
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.
I’ve lost almost 300 games.
26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.
And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan, NBA legend
If you asked me to name the # 1 most common trait in my many thousands of students, unquestionably, it would be this. After years of frustration and stubborn plateaus, tired, lost and inconsistent, some stop and ask to find a better way to improve. Others, wisely, want to skip the whole trial and error thing and get it right from the beginning. All are now serious about wanting to improve. Measurably improve. They want good answers. Answers that work dependably on time, no excuses. To create consistency in the shooting box.
The truth is, those answers exist and are available to everyone. But…and here’s what’s so important…those answers come second. ALL the important learning…gun fit, pre-shot setup steps, very specific shooting methods that match the target presentations, correct swing management…all come second.
Around the world, in sports everywhere, here’s what comes first to move our game forward.
First…above all else…is a highly personal, unconditional, unrelenting, fierce commitment to improvement. It’s this commitment that motivates and drives everything else. It is the answer to Bryan Brueck’s universally relevant question…” Why are you here?” Look deeper…what is it that’s compelling you to improve? It will be that reason, inspiring your work in the box…every single shell…every single target! Time after time, again and again and again, I watch my open-minded and determined students learn HOW to break targets consistently. WHY the target broke or did not? Which shooting method to use where. No more confusion. And while all this knowledge is undeniably indispensable, it comes second to their sincere motivation to learn and to do what it takes to improve. To their immense credit…every shell…every target…their commitment to learning and executing the required basics is visibly obvious. It shows. It works. 24/7/365.
“There are only two options regarding commitment;
you’re either in or you’re out.
There’s no such thing as life in-between.”
Pat Riley, NBA Coach
Pick your sport. The very best are committed to working longer and harder on their drills than everyone else. When personal improvement really matters, the commitment to sweat, perfect practice, and empty hulls up to our ears makes our shooting improvement really happen.
Second…it speaks to our patience and tenacity. In sports…and life…Karma has a way of rewarding hard work. But…not always. Which asks us to quickly forgive, forget and work around the unexpected, the unpleasant, which typically arrives via Fed-Ex Overnight. Life happens 24/7. Progress doesn’t always occur on our timetable. That we all know! And when those setbacks do occur…never allow them to distract, slow down, or defeat our unrelenting commitment to improve…a sign of a maturing shooter…making improvement inevitable.
Will each experience defeat or inspire your next performance? Attitude will decide.
“Improvement is not first.
Wanting to improve is first.
Making the commitment to improve is first.
Never giving up is first.”
Here’s a toast to never losing our desire to shoot for fun. However, when our shooting goal changes and improvement is considered, look inward first. While seeking the answers to better shooting is honorable and will indeed be beneficial…be prepared to have your determination tested. The point here is…a commitment to improve is THE difference between improving and not improving. This commitment has a long and distinguished record of giving true improvement to those who embrace it and make it first.
If you wish to break more targets and shoot consistently, you may wish to purchase Dan Schindler's books Take Your Best Shot and To The Target, available on the Paragon website. Unfortunately, Beyond The Target is currently out of stock. Schindler's books are an investment in good shooting and offer invaluable insights, serving as a roadmap for shooters of all levels. Take Your Best Shot and To The Target are available on the Paragon School of Sporting website and shipped worldwide. Schindler's 3 books offer a simplified and uncomplicated approach to shooting, laying a solid foundation for breaking more targets and achieving consistently higher scores. These books offer invaluable information and are the next best things to taking a lesson with Dan Schindler. There's a wealth of information and blog posts on the Paragon website.
"Dan Schindler is unlike any other shooting coach."
Dan moves shooters — all skill levels (Never touched a shotgun to Master Class) — forward fast. He teaches the step-by-step Paragon Shooting SYSTEM that he meticulously designed to take the mystery out of breaking targets consistently, providing shooters with the solid foundation to continue moving their game forward. Shooters leave their lesson with crystal clarity, which removes the mystery of why the target broke (or didn't break). No more feeling lost, confused and frustrated.
Thank you for being here and I look forward to seeing 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 & 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.
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