Eye Shift While shooting sporting clays with a low gun, should the eyes alone shift when moving from the hold point to the pickup point? Or should the head move so the nose is pointing at the pickup point and the eyes remain centered? Proper shot execution requires acute visual focus and a head and muzzle that are synchronized with the target through the break point. Movement to a target must include an acute visual fix on the target, together with a brief period prior to shot execution when the head is quiet and synchronized relative to the target. There is plenty of … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Loose vs Tight Focus
Loose vs Tight Focus What’s the difference between loose focus and tight focus, and when should you use each? There are indeed two types of focus. Peripheral focus (or ambient focus) is characterized by relaxed eye muscles and provides for a wide field of view. We use ambient focus for reading, computer work and driving. It is the predominant mode for our eyes throughout our daily lives and under most circumstances. Acute focus (fovial or central vision focus) involves the conscious and intense contraction of your eye muscles to narrow your focal field of view. You are … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Visualization
Visualization In a recent edition of “Ask the Instructor,” you talked about the mental process and the three elements of a pre-shot routine: (1) deep breathing, (2) visualization, and (3) a trigger thought. Can you describe visualization in greater detail? You have hit upon an important point. When we talk about “visualization” as part of a shooter’s pre-shot routine, we immediately think of “picturing” the pair you are about to break – visually imagining the targets launching and seeing the targets break at the break points. But there is an important distinction between … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Books and Videos
Books and Videos What do you think of books and videos for learning how to shoot? Books and DVDs definitely have their place in the learning process of a shooter. With that said, however, there is no substitute for time behind the gun, pulling the trigger and breaking targets. The great majority of people, and therefore shooters, learn best by “feeling” the movement of a shotgun and the shot, not by seeing, hearing or reading about it. As an instructor, if I can get you to understand what a particular gun movement feels like as you execute a shot on a target, it is much … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Blue Skies
Blue Skies I’ve committed to my kill points, finally, and it has taken my shooting to another level! Thank you! One question: How do I address target kill points with no background reference? The short answer is, you need to “vector,” or triangulate, off of known reference points. You should always “plot” your kill points and hold points using available terrain features behind each target’s flight line. Trees, branches, bushes, rocks, trap machines or other identifiable terrain features will provide potential landmarks you can use to plot your kill points and hold points. … [Read more...]
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