Give me your best tip!

BCFred said:
I've noticed that there is a fair amount of unanimity about getting an instructor to help learn. I have no quarrel with that view, but it is not the first thing I would do. Maybe I'm just idiosyncratic, (OK, I am idiosyncratic and I like to do things myself! Thought I would save you some time there:D.), but I would read, shoot and try changing things a bit before getting an instructor, especially if one is experienced with firearms. We all might differ in how long we would wait before approaching a teacher, of course. As has been pointed out many times before, one worry is that one can develop bad habits to overcome if learning too much on their own. But a bit of reading would make it easier to understand and to appreciate what the teacher is telling you, and a bit of trying will help motivate learning and demonstrate willingness to learn. With a good teacher, who will assess how much the student knows and what attitude he/she has, I would predict that lessons would go more quickly and effectively with this approach. It's nice for a teacher if he/she doesn't have to re-invent the wheel all the time, and it is a pleasure for both people if success comes with a good pace because the student is actively engaged with what he or she is doing. Is there really any excuse for approaching an instructor who, after all, has paid his or her dues in effort and research many times over, without knowing what aim points are recommended and so on? Just my $0.02...:) fred
Click to expand...

Sorry man ya lost me.
 
BCFred said:
I've noticed that there is a fair amount of unanimity about getting an instructor to help learn. I have no quarrel with that view, but it is not the first thing I would do.
Click to expand...

Fred,

It is not the first thing that I would do as well. I was mostly self taught after my father got me started and I have had some guidance along the way. Some of it was good, but most was worth what I paid for it. Nuthin!

I have wasted a lot of time unlearning a lot of things instead of learning things that would make me better. I have been shooting something on and off for over 45years and it is just recently that I have attended a few sporting clinics where our assocaition has imported a few qualified instructors. From these few experiences I have concluded that qualified instruction is the easier and faster way.

Learn right to start with. By learn right, I am not saying that there is a right or wrong way to break a certain presentation, but there is a way suited to my strength that will be more probable. A good instuctor will help me find that way.

A good instructor will not tell me that I shot high or behind or how much to lead, but he will identify the reason I shot high or was behind. After all, I thought I was right on and did not deliberatly shoot high or behind? A good instructor might identify that the reason I shoot high on certain targets is because of incorrect weight distribution that may interfere with my swing and cause the muzzle to raise.

This thread started by someone asking for trap tips. My point of all this blab is that often on these forums someone asks for help and all of the free advice overflows. Most of it is worth what it cost. Some problems may be daignosed, but the best bet is to seek help from a qualifed person.

Fred, you seem to be a learned man and I am sure that when you apply your learning, you will improve and become a better shooter or maybe even a great shooter. At some point you will reach a peak and that may satisfy, but if you decide you want to be even better you will need help. If you get good help, you may surprise yourself how much more you were able to learn. If you are like me, you may kick yourself and know that is what you should have done in the beginning.
 
Win/64 said:
Sorry man ya lost me.
Click to expand...

Are ya still lookin up idiosyncratic:D

Fred,
You should not use those words around Win/64. He is a serious trap shooter and only knows..... PULL....SEE THE BIRD......SHOOT THE BIRD.....then he goes into some Zen like state til he does it again:dancingbanana:
 
The instructor recomendation is a good one. For the first time in my life this summer I attended a clinic (Nora Ross) my expectations were to have my shooting "fine tuned" under the eye of a pro. Most of the students were B-D class shooters and I am A-AA so my improvements were slight but the others made huge improvements to the point of shocking me at the end of the first day. The second day was doubles and handicap and the fine tuning for me made a 5% increase in my scores for the rest of the season. I have shot trap for 22years and still learned a few new tricks so as a novice I know that you would learn the correct way first and skip the learning the incorrect way. You will learn in time there are many people willing to tell you how to shoot that can't really shoot well themselves so why not learn from some one who is a 31time all American team member(Nora Ross just as an example)and save your self 5000 shells learning to shoot the wrong way.
Just 2 cents from an experienced trap shooter that wishes he had the chance to take the clinc 22 years before he did.
Regards
 
Zen state is good!
I'm not against finding instruction for Pete's sake! I'm just trying to point out that serious courses in anything include book work, practice and instruction. Often a good way to get a leg up on things is to read before you go to instruction. Trying things and practicing before you go can help too, and having a list of questions. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't hurt to do a little book work when trying to learn to shoot trap, for example. Burning a few flats of shells wouldn't hurt either. I'm sure reading will save a guy some time. Books and articles provide a quick way to get basic information about the tried and true and generally accepted. You can also take a book home with you if you work odd hours and can't make workshops, and you can get one from the library for free if you're hard up. King Heiple's book is in our local library, for example. We are all operating under different circumstances and sometimes finding instruction isn't a viable option for people either. The credentials of people writing books is often very good. Repeat after me ... "Books are my friends! I love books! OOOOOMmmmm!!!!:) Heck! Let's not just stick with books! I've learnt alot from what guys have written on the net in discussions like this too...so a sincere thank you to one and all here and other places.
As for my own development, I am pretty close to needing an instructor much as Covey Ridge surmised. The guys I shoot with have helped quite a bit and I've kind of fluked one 25 in skeet but have been averaging between 20 and 21 (best is 23 and worst is 18 or 19, I forget:)) over the past few months (all in practice, haven't been to a serious match. ) Not sure if I've plateaued yet or not...(probably not, because I've been dicking around trying things.)
One thing that strikes me when people say they shot for 30 years and then went to a workshop and learned a lot is that they came with a prepared mind and a lot of shooting under their belt. They were ready. That feeling of wishing you had done it 30 years before is normal under the circumstances and a bit misleading too.
I'm considering looking for a workshop or day of instruction in the coming spring or summer. Like I said, I think I'm ready and it could get me an extra bird or so. Maybe I can find some in Alberta as this seems the most likely place to find good instruction near enough to my home. On fixed income it is about what I can afford. You better believe I'll have the research done and my questions written down before I attend too!:cool:
 
BCFred said:
Zen state is good!
I'm not against finding instruction for Pete's sake! I'm just trying to point out that serious courses in anything include book work, practice and instruction. Often a good way to get a leg up on things is to read before you go to instruction. Trying things and practicing before you go can help too, and having a list of questions. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't hurt to do a little book work when trying to learn to shoot trap, for example. Burning a few flats of shells wouldn't hurt either. I'm sure reading will save a guy some time. Books and articles provide a quick way to get basic information about the tried and true and generally accepted. You can also take a book home with you if you work odd hours and can't make workshops, and you can get one from the library for free if you're hard up. King Heiple's book is in our local library, for example. We are all operating under different circumstances and sometimes finding instruction isn't a viable option for people either. The credentials of people writing books is often very good. Repeat after me ... "Books are my friends! I love books! OOOOOMmmmm!!!!:) Heck! Let's not just stick with books! I've learnt alot from what guys have written on the net in discussions like this too...so a sincere thank you to one and all here and other places.
As for my own development, I am pretty close to needing an instructor much as Covey Ridge surmised. The guys I shoot with have helped quite a bit and I've kind of fluked one 25 in skeet but have been averaging between 20 and 21 (best is 23 and worst is 18 or 19, I forget:)) over the past few months (all in practice, haven't been to a serious match. ) Not sure if I've plateaued yet or not...(probably not, because I've been dicking around trying things.)
One thing that strikes me when people say they shot for 30 years and then went to a workshop and learned a lot is that they came with a prepared mind and a lot of shooting under their belt. They were ready. That feeling of wishing you had done it 30 years before is normal under the circumstances and a bit misleading too.
I'm considering looking for a workshop or day of instruction in the coming spring or summer. Like I said, I think I'm ready and it could get me an extra bird or so. Maybe I can find some in Alberta as this seems the most likely place to find good instruction near enough to my home. On fixed income it is about what I can afford. You better believe I'll have the research done and my questions written down before I attend too!:cool:
Click to expand...

The only thing I want to read this winter is Henry's journal and I hope there are lots of pictures.
 
Covey, as soon as I get another copy, I will mail you it. There are plenty of pictures in it, so one does not have to read much!:) My shot at the World FITASC made the cover!!!:dancingbanana: Among others!
Visit my shooting website and email me your address etc..
http://www.sportingphotosshop.com

I don't spell check much as we have editors to do that!

Best regards,
Henry;)

PS: A good experienced coach in the clayshooting field that you are practicing, will be worth every penny over all the free advice one gets!:runaway:
 
Dear Shotgunstress

I agree with others that the best advice is to start on the right foot. Get a good instructor that will suit your style of shooting, to whom you can talk and can understand what you are seeing and doing. He/she will help you develop your own shooting style. One thing that you can work on for consistency and which will help you build a lead picture is: When it is quiet a the trap range, ask the manager to lock the trap machine to throw a straight away. Stand right behind the trap house (to the point of almost touching it) This kind of target doesn't require that much lead and helps in building your confidence. When you can hit that target quite easily, move a few steps (1,2 or 3)to the right to slighly increase the target angle. Keep moving to the right until you get to the sharper angle that you will shoot from the trap set-up. Do the same to the left. It will help you develop a lead picture. When you feel more comfortable, move back slowly until you start shooting from the 16 yards. For sporting clays I train the same way but in a half circle around the trap house moving away from it. I can as well practice long crossing targets.

Hope it helps. Good luck with your shooting.
 
Covey Ridge said:
Fred,
If skeet is your thing and you do not have an instructor, search for a dvd or video by a fellow named Todd Bender.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion Covey. I can see you take pictures really seriously :). One of my friends has a copy and he keeps promising to lend it to me. I'm going to have to tie him down on it. After all I almost lent him lots of stuff too :D. I've generally heard positive comments concerning Bender's instructional stuff. There has been the odd interesting comment about him on Shotgun World from time to time. I don't want the instructor debate to get out of hand, as I can see a place for it. But I believe in making an effort on my own before approaching one as I'm sure can see. There are also some superior shooters around here and a guy can learn alot just by watching them shoot. If you can get a chance to shoot with them once in awhile it really pulls you along. You begin to expect to hit stuff. Sometimes the things they are doing don't benefit me all that much. Like one guy who was taking birds in skeet from gun down and picking them up around 1/3 of the way to the cross over point. Just like a big cat. He shot 24/25 too. I find such things encouraging, but doubt I'll ever get that fast, or try, for that matter. Sure agree with some of your comments about the value of free advice and I've received some doozies in my brief time in this particular aspect of shooting. On the other hand, one of the real joys about shooting is the willingness of shooters to lend a helping hand with almost anything. Trap and skeet is no different that I can see. I kind of see the advice in that light, much as I suspect you do. Well, skeet and maybe sporting clays tomorrow. Yahoo! It's all good fun...:D
 
Thanks for all of the replies guys! I'm hearing instructor instructor instructor. I've shot trap a total of 6 times. The last time I hit 60 out of
75. My arm hurt like hell. And the first 50 were just with my little single shot Remington. The last 25 were with my boyfriend's 870. I seem to hit consistently no matter whose gun I have. I'm glad for that. I'm hitting the clays, but to be honest with you, I have no idea what I do differently when I hit them as opposed to when I miss them! So perhaps an instructor is a good way to go. Do ranges usually have their own guys, or can you call your own in?
 
Dear Shotgunstress

Try to shoot 1 ounce load at 1150 FPS or 1200 fps. There are also Winchester AA, low recoil, low noise. If you can find them 7/8 ounce 12 gauge at 1200 fps. The shooting will be a more pleasant experience. You will also shoot better.
 
I like the idea of a good instruction too ... and all too often, that "good instructor" is NOT the boyfriend, husband or well-intentioned "Club rat" who just can't but help offering free "advice" to whomever will listen to it. Just as often, that 27-yarder, AAA or Master Class shooter, although very accomplished - may also be a poor teacher - just can't seem to impart "what they do and hpow they do it" in an effective manner. Despite the foregoing, if you can find that local Instructor>Coach who is a good shooter and can teach, by all means go from there.

I'm certain "gun fit" (and balance) will be first on the menu. A good foundation in stance, gun mounting & swing techniques will be next.

From that point on, application of good technique and 10 to 20 flats of quality target shells later, the next rounds of lessons can focus on specific
issues that need to be addressed.

Good luck with your shooting.
 
BCFred said:
Thanks for the suggestion Covey. I can see you take pictures really seriously :). One of my friends has a copy and he keeps promising to lend it to me. ..
Click to expand...

I'll second the Bender video. It was instrumental in the progress I was able to make in skeet. It's something that you will want to do sooner than later. The basics that Todd teaches will get you going in the right direction, and will save you from having to 'unlearn' bad habits.

Brad.
 
shotgunstress said:
I'm new to the sport, but so far so good with beginner's luck and such. When that starts to wear off, I'd like to try some techniques. So my question for you is, what is your single best tip for shooting trap?
Click to expand...

-Carefully choose a coach/instructor and pay close attention.
-Filter out all the other free advice that shotgunners are always too happy to provide (I've seeen more new shooters ruined by this).
-Shoot often

Brad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom