Clay Pigeon Shooting

T.C. · Mini Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Warwicks

Has anyone got ant tips they would be prepared to share on the subject of achieving consistency in performance ? For example, many intermediate shooters rarely straight a stand despite the fact that they will hit one or more pairs . They know what to do to hit the clays but seem unable to put it all together for a complete run of 3 to 5 pairs.

Stu · Site Admin Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Suffolk

Hi again mate!

I class myself as an intermediate shooter (currently B class), and know exactly where you are coming from.

Many a time have I started a stand and hit the first two pairs cleanly and precisely, but then missed one or both from the following pairs.

It all comes down to mental discipline rather than physical shooting skill/ability at this point (for the purpose of this example I'd prefer to keep the physical and mental aspects of shooting entirely separate!).

There are a number of causes for this type of scenario in my experience, the most common being the following:

1. Self applied unnecessary pressure - 'I'm going to straight this stand, oh my god I'm on for a straight' etc

2. Easing off the 'gas' - Oh well, I know exactly where these are now, so I don't need to try as hard' etc

3. Lack of concentration - fairly similar to the above, but not along the exact same lines.

Personally, I found myself, and still do from time to time, exhibiting all of the above. But there are other considerations as well!

Are you shooting them correctly in the first place, or are you realising that you needed (in your own mind, despite hitting them fine immediatley beforehand) to change something, and therefore throwing yourself off.

As for tips, my favourite if i find myself in any of these situations is to convince myself that I haven't had one of the pairs, thereby making my final pair of 5 actually the 4th pair of 5 in my mind. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't!

Another is if you miis, take your time to recompose yourself in the stand before rushing into the next pair and getting it wrong again. Three deep breaths ought to do the trick! Then off you go.

Final tip - NEVER EVER look at your scorecard!
I regularly shoot with the same guys, and they never show me my card, because i find that knowing what i have done effectively kills any chance of getting a good score as i will then work out what my final score will be if i shoot at the same level i have been all day (say half way round I am on a 30/50, that means that I am on for a 60/100), when in actual fact I am capable of hitting closer to 75/100. I can virtually guarantee that when you have convinced yourself that you are going to score 60/100, you will not exceed that score.

A long winded reply, but i hope it helps out!

Stu
_________________
Lets do all we can to keep our beloved sport going!

Breaking clay makes my day!

T.C. · Mini Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Warwicks

Hi Stu

Thanks for your thoughts .

Stu · Site Admin Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Suffolk

no problems mate, if any of it is useful, great!

if it isn't just ignore me, i have a tendency to ramble a bit....... Very Happy

Stu
_________________
Lets do all we can to keep our beloved sport going!

Breaking clay makes my day!

leaseone · Mini Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Surrey

Just shoot one target at a time!(think about it) you can only shoot one at a time so forget the second until you hit the first.

Just always think that and your score will go up Laughing

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I shoot better than him but he scores more

T.C. · Mini Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Warwicks

For me it's all about routine . I watch the show pair. Then I plan my breakpoints . I rehearse the shots in my mind ie. visual hold point one , gun hold point one, breakpoint one , visualise the picture for target one then eyes to visual holdpoint two , gun holdpoint two , breakpoint two , visualise the picture for breakpoint two . I then go into my shooting routine ie. cue , trigger , address, pull ... bang....bang.. pair dead!

Outlaw · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:22 am Post subject:

The reason I seem to miss a few is because I just dont bother concentrating, I shoot sporting for a laugh, just like all the other disciplines. No wonder my classifications are all over the place.
When I do have my head screwed on it is all good, but I find I dont enjoy myself as much. Also Having the wife shoot with me is hard as I tend to think for her and then lose it for myself.
Do your own thing is a good moto and keep it simple.

Tony