When an entry-level shooter decides to work with me, I can almost always count on his or her open mind and eagerness to listen. That's because from their perspective of "why did that just happen," they have little or no experience to fall back on. X's and 0's are a complete mystery. That's OK of course, and very much understandable. Underway enthusiastically, instruction is received and implemented with little if any resistance. Predictably, student comprehension and progress accelerate rapidly. Here's a common, subtle difference with a more experienced shooter in a lesson. XXXXXX. We're off to a good start, yes? My student's thinking, "Darn right we are! I smoked those targets!" ...

As the Sporting Clays season is about to kick off, here are a few thoughts about how to start our new year, in the right direction. No, not my direction…what might be your best direction. Understandably, and rightfully so, a lot of attention is given to our equipment choices, making those choices a high priority. No arguments here, let’s make good choices. Right after that we’ll begin to polish our shooting, our methods and strategies, signing up for events we wish to attend. This is an intelligent, prudent approach. But is this what’s most important, the first question at the top of our to-do list? Those who climb the ladder to more consistency ...

Greetings. Recently there's been some online dialogue about overcomplicating things. In the early chapters of a shooter’s development, it’s understandable to be “adding”…adding methods…changing equipment…etc. This is an exciting time for a new shooter and some reasonable experimenting should be encouraged…maybe a new gun purchase here and there…new chokes…new lenses…new ammunition? In the beginning, fun and entertainment trump complicated. However…as time passes and more and more shot goes down range, eventually, missing gets more and more of our attention. Which leads to some examining. We begin ...

To expand on my recommended 2018 New Years Resolutions, please consider the following. These are just a few of the basics, commonly overlooked or unintentionally compromised. First…there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using our natural, eye-hand coordination to break targets. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t start here, and it works. Literally, millions of targets have been broken this way. That’s a truth. Here, however, is the other side of that truth. Using your raw, unrefined instincts to break targets inevitably leads to inconsistencies in your swing and lost targets. To break targets on purpose takes a certain correctness built into each ...