I take my lessons with students personally. It’s not just business. In this true story, the two gentlemen were my students and good friends. My students’ goals are my goals. I answered their questions honestly and constructively. Please hold onto that “constructive” part, OK? Thanks.
“Practice does not make perfect.
Only perfect practice makes perfect.”
Vince Lombardi
Bob and Kevin are savvy, successful business owners. A few years back, Bob called me on a Thursday.
“Hey Dan, the SC State shoot is coming up next month. Kevin and I are going to the club on Saturday to practice. Want to join us?”
“Yes, thanks.”
When I pulled into the parking lot, Bob and Kevin were unloading their gear from their heavy-duty diesel, 6-wheel pick-up trucks. The three of us loaded the golf cart and headed for the Red course. Seated in the back, I suggested we stop. The coach had a question. “What are we practicing today?”
At first, unsure of what to say, they looked at each other for an answer. Kevin said, “Let’s do a cold start.” We all agreed...it was a good idea.
A quick definition of a cold start: Today's tournament, we're scheduled to be on Station 6 at 1 p.m. Gear assembled, we pull up to the 5-Stand at 12:15, where we find thirty or more shooters in front of us, waiting for their turn to “warm up.” We’re never going to make it. Now it’s 1 p.m. on Station 6. This will be a cold start, no warm-up…“Trapper ready!”
We began our “practice” round on Station 1 from a cold start. Score sheets in hand, X's and O's would all be counted. It was time to get serious.
We pulled into the clubhouse a few hours later, a bit weary from the SC heat. I reached into the ice chest and pulled out a water. When I turned around, Bob and Kevin were facing me.
“What’s up, guys?”
Kevin said, “Dan…you shot very well today. You were focused, and we didn’t want to interrupt you.”
“Thanks, yes I was.”
Kevin and Bob repeated this a few times; their respect appreciated. I also knew their question hadn’t been asked yet.
“What’s up, guys?”
Both were respectfully hesitant to speak. Bob finally said…”Did you happen to notice Kevin and I struggled out there today?”
“Yes, I did.”
They smiled. That’s when I knew what the next question would be for their Coach.
Bob said…”Did you happen to notice any of our mistakes?”
“Yes…I did.” They were happy, happy. Their Coach noticed and was about to tell them what needed to be adjusted in their shooting.
“OK…a few questions for each of you. I know you drove your trucks here today. Yes?”
“Yes, we did.”
“OK…by any chance, did Frank (Club manager) comp your targets today?”
They both shook their heads. “No.”
“Did Frank pay for your ammunition today?”
Again…”No.”
“I know I’m paying for my share of the cart fee. Did Frank comp your cart fees today?”
Kevin said…”No. What does all this have to do with our shooting?” Their patience was visibly wearing thin now.
“Gentlemen, help me understand all this. You drove your trucks here and diesel fuel costs $5.40 a gallon. Yes?”
“Yeah.”
“And you paid for your targets…your ammunition…and your share of the cart fee. Yes?”
Not happy with all my questions, Kevin said…”OK??”
"Gentlemen...one last question…what did you learn from your practice round? Specifically, please tell me…what part of your shooting is better now than it was two hours ago?”
Silence.
Bob…a bit defensive…asked, ”What did you learn today, Dan?”
“Bob…I was working hard on watching my form and getting my set-up and swing steps right. Four times today…when the trap fired…my muzzle was well off the target at the beginning of my swing. I couldn’t recover, and I didn’t.”
Almost politely, (almost) Bob asked…”And how do you know it was only four times?”
I was about to reply when Kevin handed him my scorecard. 96.
A few minutes passed, and they asked me to go out again, each explaining which swing component he would be focused on. Off we went. A few hours later? OH yeah…Mo’betta.
A true story: I share it with my students before they go home to practice.
Dedicated practice means having a specific objective before stepping into the box. Then, watch every target, every swing, carefully. A mistake? Adjust that mistake. A good swing? Repeat and reinforce the steps in that swing. Before we step out of every shooting box…here’s the question: What’s better now than it was when we stepped in?
Breaking the target, of course, will always be a worthwhile, righteous goal. However, when real, measurable improvement becomes our number one priority…our practice focus must shift. Our mission in the shooting box changes. Once the target presentation and shooting method have been coupled correctly…our set-up and swing steps must hold our constant attention. Doing so in practice will raise our skill level and performance consistency. Right on schedule. Dependably.
As we explore breaking more targets and shooting consistently, Dan Schindler's trilogy — Take Your Best Shot, To The Target, and Beyond The Target — offers invaluable insights, serving as a roadmap for shooters of all levels. These books 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 achieving consistently higher scores. There's a wealth of information and blog posts on the Paragon School of Sporting website.
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Testimonials
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Excerpt from Gentleman’s Calling
Town Magazine
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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.
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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...
THE TRUSTED PRIMER
A Quarter of a Century and Counting
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Jacksonville University Sporting, Skeet & Trap Team
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SCTP & ACUI Event and Divisional National Champions
Paragon Master Instructor
NSCA Instructor, Level III
NSSA Instructor, Level III
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Paragon School of Sporting Professional Instructor
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NC Scholastic Clay Target Program Trap Director
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Clay Shooting USA
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Wingshooting Editor: Sporting Clays Magazine