Shooting lessons: Why correct stance is crucial to hitting more targets!

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Why correct stance is crucial to shooting clays!

Follow these rules and make sure you know where you're going to shoot each and every target.

By Mark Russell

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

In this shooting lesson I'd like to take a good look at how stance, weight distribution and general preparation before, during and after you call for the bird, will help you break more targets.

Over the years one of my regular phrases that's consistently stood the test of time is: "Why make things difficult for yourself?"

So this month I'd like to take a good look at how stance, weight distribution and general preparation before, during and after you call for the bird, will help you break more targets.

Take onboard everything from this month's article and I'm confident - in fact I'll guarantee - that your scores will improve!

LEAN TO
There's lots of reasons not to lean back when you're shooting. And if you don't believe me simply look at any photo of our top international shots in action - I'll bet here and now that none of them are off balance when they pull the trigger.

When it comes down to hitting targets, getting stuck in - physically - is just as important as the mental side of things, the planning and preparation.

clay pigeon shooting
Leaning into the shot shows you mean business. Having your feet planted squarely and your body bent backwards from the waist simply says 'I'm afraid of this, I'm not bothered whether I hit or miss' or 'I just want it to be over!'

However, leaning into the gun enhances the ease with which you swing the muzzles and everything will appear to come together naturally. The added bonus is the affects of the 'kick' will be lessened.

Assuming the gun is mounted properly you'll hardly know the cartridge has been fired.

clay pigeon shooting
Lean back, however, and if you're badly off-balance you might even find yourself taking a step backwards after pulling the trigger.

FOOTWORK
As I mentioned before, get this wrong and you're on a hiding to nothing. The golden rule is to have the toe of the front foot pointing towards the kill zone - the area where you intend to dust the clay.

It's a golden rule for one simple reason: it works! If your feet are out of position you'll always struggle to break targets consistently. True, you might manage to hit more than your fair share, but when you miss it will probably be because of your stance.

Also, when your feet are placed correctly you will be able to change your stance more easily to cope with the second bird of a pair, if a change in stance is needed.

I don't want to labour the point but consider this extreme example: your leading foot is at three o'clock when you fire at the first bird.

clay pigeon shooting lessons
Unfortunately, your front foot needs to be at 10 to have any chance of connecting with the second bird - so even if you've done everything correctly this is going to involve some pretty nifty footwork between shots.

Imagine how much more difficult it would be if your initial stance was out by 45 degrees, with your leading foot at, say, five o'clock. You'd be doing pirouettes and you would almost certainly miss!

SHOOTING BLIND
Shoot the same stand twice. First off, call for the birds and shoot without any prior knowledge of how the bird is going to be presented.

See how you get on and make a note of your score. If there's no one waiting then shoot the same layout again (or get back as soon as you can) this time with the benefit of knowing where the birds are going to be in the air.

The difference in your scores (and trust me there will be a difference) will teach you the importance of watching the targets before you call for the bird.

I really can't stress this enough - it's all part of the mantra of not making things difficult for yourself, make sure you know where you're going to hit each and every target.

FLUFFING IT
If you find there's a stand on which you're reasonably confident, it might be worthwhile experimenting by deliberately shooting the 'wrong' way.

This should emphasise how much better your scores can be when you do it properly.

This probably sounds a pointless exercise but it will improve your shooting in the long run. Also, it will only cost the cartridges - but make sure you don't annoy/hold up fellow shooters waiting their turn to have a go.

This will add to your library of sight pictures - handy if you find you're forced to take a bird when everything isn't exactly as you'd like it to be.

GUN MOUNT
Keep your head up off the stock each time you pull the trigger.

clay shooting lesson gun mount.jpg
Okay, sometimes you'll connect with the targets but more often than not you won't.

Then repeat the exercise with the gun mounted correctly. Your success rate will improve dramatically.

AND FINALLY...
If you think I've spent this month telling you how to waste shells, well, maybe you're right. However, by doing so I hope that a serious lesson will be learnt.

All the faults I've mentioned are easily corrected, individually at least.

Strive to correct all these little mistakes at the same time and your ratings will soar!