“Explaining good shooting mathematically is hard.Demonstrating the math’s effectiveness on a Sporting Clays, Skeet and Trap target is not.” How to score well in Sporting Clays, for some, is no longer a mystery. I say “some” because, unfortunately, most are still using, still being taught methods that have been outdated for decades. Will those methods work? Of course, yes, sometimes. All the time, dependably? Look around you. Watch.Which asks the question: when executed correctly, are there shooting methods that can guarantee an X?A while back, I was competing at the Seminole Cup in Florida with a good friend, one of my students. As the second day ended, he ...

Methods will take you further.In the early days of sporting clays, natural ability and point-and-shoot instincts were enough to break targets and win bragging rights. But times—and targets—have changed. If you’re serious about more Xs on the scoresheet, instinct alone won’t get you there.Today’s shooters need a proven method—one that works with your instincts, not against them—to build consistency, accuracy, and confidence, shot after shot. In this article, I lay out the two choices every shooter faces… and the one that leads to real, lasting improvement.Serious about improving your shooting? Consider two choices, one recommended.I was there ...

If you already know you can break that target, why practice that target?My Sporting Clays student Greg (not his real name) sat across from me after this morning’s lesson. Over lunch he said he went to the Practice segment in his Paragon Workbook which I provide all my students. Our conversation went like this.“Dan, I noticed in your practice notes, on the Skeet range, you listed which Stations to practice on and which not. You included Low 7. Do I need to work on Low 7?” He asked me that question because he knew he could easily hit Low 7.“Greg, why are you asking?”“Well Dan, that’s not a hard target for me. I already know I can break ...

And it’s not what you think.“Many stumble over a truth—then walk away, leaving the good lesson behind.”To keep a reader’s interest, a writer’s topics are endless. Truths, however, aren’t. And the value of this shooting truth—to you personally—asks for just a few honest minutes with me.Opinions vs. TruthsTen trillion words have been written trying to convince us to buy this gun, that choke, the “best” ammo, or the latest method. Most of those opinions have some merit.But truths? They ask for a bit more investigation.What Students Have Taught MeOver the years, my students have taught me lessons I now pass on. Here’s a ...