“Consistent shooting isn’t built by doing more
—it’s built by doing less, on purpose.”
Part One
The New Year is already well on its way. If your clay shooting is for fun, grab your gun and let’s go. Thanks for the invite. If you’re here thinking about improving your shooting, spend a few minutes with me. Part One and those that follow will help you build a solid foundation under your entire game, providing shooting basics that look like this: XXXXXXXX—consistently.
In the beginning, the more we added in terms of swing mechanics, target strategies, shooting methods and equipment, the more complicated this whole thing became. I promise you.
"Breaking a target, consistently,
is not complicated. It truly isn’t."
The more we overcomplicate, the more difficult it becomes. OOXOXOOO invariably creates frustration, a puzzle of unanswered questions.
What is best, when, why, where and how, all lead us into a shooting game that seems anything but simple. Yet it is. The less we think about when that target’s launched, the better. A Truth. Good shooting comes from our doing less in the box, not more. So how did we get here? How can we uncomplicate all this?
If consistency and measurable improvement are a priority, there’s no getting around this point: progress requires more than just pulling the trigger. What follows is your blueprint. To assemble a no-nonsense approach to self-improvement and more X’s on purpose. I guarantee these messages can help you organize your overall game and provide answers on each hit and miss.
If shooting improvement is an honest goal, again, for each of us, there’s a cost. That cost being time, patience and your making changes to your present game. Change is the fuel in your car. No change, no go.
What to change? That’s a very good question, one I get asked a lot. Your saying “I want to shoot better” defines a good goal but is a bit vague on how to get there.
If implemented, what follows can improve your consistency and scores. And that’s the point here.
First example on change: our approach to practice.
Off we go with shells and the very best intentions, not forgetting a few understandable expectations. As the missing continues, determination follows. That’ll fix it. Nope. Let’s cut to the chase. Two problems here. First, more unguided shells down-range won’t create the consistency or improvement being sought. A shooting myth that needs to go away. Second, and just as important, unguided practice only builds and reinforces bad habits. Habits—setup and swing errors—that will have to be corrected down the road. A lot of work that could have been prevented with a bit of foresight and specific preparation.
Decades of intense study, trigger time, trial and error were put to good use in my 3 Books containing easy-to-read, simple, and very specific Truths. Truths—steps—that create both dependability and consistency.
"Methods that correct all the confusion and missing,
before all that unguided practice."
Book One—Take Your Best Shot—the Required Basics: https://www.paragonschool.com/product-page/take-your-best-shot-book-i-3rd-edition
Book Two – To The target – FITASC, Sporting Clays, International Skeet & Wingshooters: https://www.paragonschool.com/product-page/2-excellent-books-shoot-more-consistently
Book Three – Beyond The Target – Methods and The Mental Game: https://www.paragonschool.com/product-page/beyond-the-target-book-iii
Part Two focuses on our set-up and swing to create critical precision.
I look forward to spending more time with you.
Please share the links with your fellow shooters. Thank you!
XXXX
👤 About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 35 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and an NSCA Level III Instructor since 1995. He founded the Paragon School of Sporting with a mission: deliver the simplest, most effective, and practical instruction for Sporting Clays and Wingshooting.
Dan helps shooters break more targets, call and correct their own misses, and replace frustration with confidence—all in just minutes. Lessons are fun, enlightening, and results-driven.
📚 Dan Schindler’s Books
Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, coaches, instructors, and parents of youth shooters.
Trusted by shooters around the world, these books are a true investment in good shooting. Written in plain, uncomplicated language, they strip away the mystery and lay a rock-solid foundation for improving scores and building consistency.
Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan’s simple, easy-to-understand books. These bestsellers are your roadmap to more Xs on your scorecard—and in the field.
⚠️ Shooters say, “If you lend these books out, you may never get them back. Some say they’d give up their spouse before giving up these books.”
- 📘 Take Your Best Shot (Book I)
THE gold standard primer used by shooters and shooting teams worldwide. Solid fundamentals that help shooters of all skill levels break more targets with less guesswork.
Testimonial: “The best clay and wingshooting primer on the market... The brilliance of its simplicity aids successful shooting for ANY shooter.” – David T. Dobson
- 📗 To The Target (Book II)
Builds on Book I and emphasizes Gun Management and developing a trustworthy swing.
Clay Shooting USA: “One of the most innovative and important books yet published on the art of shooting clay targets.”
- 📕 Beyond The Target (Book III)
Want to take Dan Schindler home with you? This third volume delivers unmatched insight, humor, and practical solutions that stick—on and off the course.
Randy Lawrence: “The second-best thing to booking a lesson with Dan Schindler. A clear and proven blueprint for breaking more targets—with great heart.”