X. We did good. Yes? A perfectly logical conclusion. And that conclusion might very well be leading us to missing targets. Understandably, a broken target leads us to assume that we did something right. I mean, there it is: X. That last swing had to be right and we have the X to prove it!
The answer is, well, maybe, and maybe not. Please understand, none of the following is meant to be critical or judgmental. The following is an observation, a reality and common occurrence.
I thought about another title for this article, calling it The Sometimes Swing. X. Sometimes. XX0X00X0. Consistency? Where is it? With no consistency, can we honestly depend on the next swing?
Understandably, the X tells us to do that again. The question not being asked is:
do what again?
Which leads us here. Was that X an accident, a coincidence, or was it planned and intentional? Not sure? If that last X was an accident – a target broken in spite of the swing errors – do we really want to repeat that same swing again? By repeating those swing errors, what are the odds this next target will break? Can we count on it to break? The answer is, no we can’t. Because an inconsistent swing cannot produce consistent results.
“If we are not sure WHY the target broke,
what is the plan for the next shell on this same target?”
No one here is disputing why the X makes us feel good. That was the goal, right? That’s what we wanted. And right on schedule that X confirms that we did something right. It was, after all, a successful shot. If one X is the goal, then yes, it was a successful shot. If, however, our goal is to put more X’s on our scorecard – intentionally – let’s take another look at the definition of success.
The ONLY way to put an uninterrupted row of X’s on a scorecard – reliably and consistently – is to create and repeat a swing free of random gun movement using the correct gun management. A swing free of errors. To break every target coming off the A trap, our swing has to be the same each time. Identical swing movement on the A trap target is not optional. A swing error – be it unintentional and unnoticed – opens the door to a miss. Sometimes. And sometimes an X. There’s one of those misleading X’s again. If we don’t see – if we don’t correct those errors – X0X00X0X – typically leaving the shooter lost and confused
If today’s round is all about having fun and breaking some targets, none of the above matters. Not one bit. Every X is a success. However, when score does matter – when improving our game matters – the word success has a completely different definition. Success now refers – not to outcomes – but to how many times can we execute our TASKS correctly – and consistently – behind the muzzle. It is when precision is compromised, there’s our inconsistent “sometimes” swing. Sometimes X, sometimes 0. There’s nothing mysterious about this. Which brings us back to planning and executing our set-up and swing TASKS in order to repeat the required swing precision. XXXXXXXX.
We’re all together on wanting the target to break. But those targets broken accidentally can easily leave us with the wrong impression. Long runs of X’s can only be built on a swing that purposely and precisely DUPLICATES what the X requires. It’s been said many times before, hope is not a plan. It will be our precise swing duplication that delivers the consistency – dependability – and repeatability we must have to break targets over and over again – intentionally – not accidentally.
We each have our goals when we step onto the course. I’m respectfully suggesting we not get our goals mixed up. One goal (a social outing) looks like this: X00XX00X, the other XXXXXXXX. The first goal relies on hope and good intentions, the second on a plan executed with precision. Both work – one sometimes – the other full time.
Thanks for stopping by. Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.
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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!
Yes, Dan's books help you take the MYSTERY out of missing targets and help you quickly learn steps to shoot more CONSISTENTLY! Order Dan's 3 books NOW!
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NSCA Instructor, Level III
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