Barrel Angle “I’ve been taught two different approaches to setting barrel angle at the hold point. The first method calls for the angle of the barrel to remain oriented on the target line and trace the target’s line smoothly through the break point. The other method starts with a lower barrel angle at the hold point. As I move toward the break point, both hands move in unison with equal force as I mount just before the break point. Which is correct?” Neither technique is wrong, and the proper barrel angle for a given target can vary depending on the target. With the first … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Missing Behind
Missing Behind “Thanks for the opportunity to ask you a skeet question: High 2 is my primary problem target. I have tried changing my hold point, my visual pick-up point and my kill point, but I’m still missing behind. Recently, I have tried anticipating by starting my gun at the same time I call pull, but that doesn’t seem to work, either. Help please.” There are a number of issues that might be plaguing you. While 300 words won’t do your question justice, I’ll do my best. The answer likely lies in one of four causes: 1) eye dominance, assuming you are a right-handed … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Giving Advice
Giving Advice “I am very new to this sport. What is the etiquette for offering unsolicited advice? I’m also a former golfer, so is the shooting stage like a putting green where silence should be the rule?” Here’s the entire question, for context: “I am very new to this sport. I recently shot at my first registered sporting clays event. I was placed in a squad with total strangers (nice guys). In the middle of shooting, I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard, ‘You’re not following through.’ A few stations later I feel another tap and hear, ‘You need to get in front of that … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Stock Contact
Stock Contact "Where should the buttstock engage the shoulder? Should the heel be below, slightly on, or slightly above the clavicle? And what is the proper amount of cheek-to-stock pressure?" Regarding cheek-to-stock pressure, think about the pressure of a medium handshake: not a death grip but also not a limp handshake. This is the approximate pressure you should feel on all four points of physical contact with your shotgun: the front hand against the shotgun’s forearm, the back hand in the pistol grip area, the cheek against the comb and the shoulder against the butt … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Leaning In
Leaning In "Is it OK to lean against the stand when shooting? I like to lean against the stand, and for some targets, it helps me stabilize my body." There are three basic reasons why leaning on the stand is a bad idea. First, it negatively affects your balance. One of the key principles of good movement is maintaining one’s balance throughout a shot pair. Secondly, when you lean against the stand, you are essentially limiting your body’s ability to move above your body’s point of contact with the stand. Whether the target is moving horizontally or vertically, your body … [Read more...]
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