Target Database "If a properly fitted shotgun is supposed to shoot where you are looking and the key to hitting a target is to apply hard focus to the target, then why are we often behind every bird?” There are two issues at the heart of your question. First, you may be stopping or slowing your muzzle just prior to the break point. This is most commonly caused by an attempt to measure the barrel-target relationship at the end of your “stroke,” just prior to shot execution. Essentially, you are attempting to consciously measure and apply the appropriate lead, otherwise … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Flinching
Flinching "I have a flinch I’d like to be rid of. What is the best way to break this bad habit?" Contrary to popular belief, a flinch is never a habit and is very rarely due to anticipation of recoil. Yet many will switch to lighter loads, some even converting to a smaller-gauge gun, in order to stop a flinch. By far the most expensive yet useless attempt to rid oneself of a flinch involves having a release trigger installed in a shotgun. Newsflash! The cause of a flinch is almost always the result of an interruption of the visual connection between the dominant eye and … [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...]
Ask the Instructor: Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain "How do shooters deal with chronic shoulder pain due to recoil? I don’t have time for rehab or surgery, and I am at that point in my life that it’s causing me problems." Recoil can be an issue for some shooters. It is unfortunate that you have waited so long to address the issue. Because recoil issues can cause other shooting flaws and habits to surface, I always encourage students to immediately address recoil issues. Assuming that you are a sporting clays competitor, here are a few ways to address recoil issues: 1) Reduce the load you are using. If you … [Read more...]
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