Like so many Sporting Clays lessons before, yesterday I had another privilege of working with a family of 4, 2 were shooting. To say that it was a memorable experience for all of us would be a colossal understatement. This, I teach my Paragon CIS Instructors. It’s not all about gear and shooting methods. It’s also about the experience.

Speaking of that experience, as it should be, we each take what we will out of a round of clays. Some of us, though, get a little higher return on our investment with each shell and target. By that I mean, each shot is not just a swing with high expectations and a mysterious result, X or 0, why did that happen? Intentionally, there’s more put into each shot, hence there’s a greater satisfaction and gratification. 

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using our instincts, our natural eye/hand coordination to break targets. Great joy comes from this. What also comes with this is inconsistency. The importance of that inconsistency will depend on what each person wants from his round of clays. When becoming more consistent and raising our score becomes a priority, we’ll first need to look at how to approach those improvements—adding structure and methods to our shooting—thus eliminating the mystery of X’s and 0’s. On our list to learn is “why” we miss a target so we can “self-correct” with the next shell. Also on our list is learning, specifically, how to build a successful swing, and, just as importantly, how to duplicate that swing over and over again. XXXXXX, on purpose.

No question, and rightfully so, we all celebrate the X. But those who approach their set up, swing and shooting method with deliberation and specific planning, discover a greater reward than just a broken clay target—and more than consistency and higher scores. An X that comes from a well-planned setup and swing, carries with it the genuine sense of accomplishment, an accomplishment that was not an accident. Even the missed clay target brings the satisfaction of knowing a conscientious, purposeful effort was made, lessening the discouragement (and mystery) that so often comes from missing.

To get more out of your shooting, consider asking yourself, “What am I investing in each shell and each target? Will the next shot be based on a plan or a hope?” When the inconsistencies are explained to you and erased, there’s a who new world of better performances and higher scores available to anyone who wishes to move their game up to the next level. There’s a truth.

Thanks for stopping by. Be safe. I look forward to seeing you out on the sporting clays course or in the field.

Daniel Schindler