Why are you always RUSSIAN?

Alex_Zues

Alex_Zues

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Location
Sasquatchewan, the flat part
So I shot trap for the first time today at my local gun club. It was awesome. I had a blast f:P:

I was only there for two rounds (it was beginners night) and at first they had me use one of the host's semis. I did... well just one over half... Problem was the coach was always correcting my stance. I know they mean well, but it just didn't feel right, too awkward. Missed four in a row. Then the coach had to leave for a moment, and of course I loosed up, and then I was doing a bit better.

Round 2. I used my own baikal O/U, hit my first no problem. At one point, the coach commented that he felt I was being too choppy, and said, 'why are you always rushing?' (The bird would launch, and I would stay still utill it crested, then would suddenly move my bead just overtop and fire). It took a lot not to respond, because it was maid by 'Russians'. I figured it might be strange to him, but only missing 5 of 25 made me feel pretty good for a beginner.

I'll definitely be back for the clubs usual trap nights. And I'll likely have my trusty rusky baikal with me. It may not be the best, but it sure seems to work for me!

Cheers, Al
 
I had a similar experience the first time I tried trap. The gentleman that was leading our little group meant well but he honestly had my posture so contorted and unnatural that I felt like I was going to fall over! I kept waiting and hoping he would back off a bit and just let me shoot but he didn't so after a while I politely asked him if I could just do my own thing. He was fine with that and I started breaking more clays and enjoying it more. I'm sure my form wasn't "world class" but I was relaxed and having fun.
 
Finding a coach or trusted person who actually knows what they are talking about is difficult.

I also understand that stance and form at first may seem uncomfortable, but there is a reason for it.

It's better to start off right from the beginning with proper form and technique than to train yourself in your own ways only to later have to relearn proper technique.

However if your goal is strictly fun and you never want to compete or have consistently high scores.

Fire away. :rolleyes:
 
If beginners aren't having fun to start with, they will never pursue the sport further. Have fun first, then get good. Alex, it sounds like you weren't following the bird if you had to move the gun to put the sight on it. Maybe that's what he was trying to tell you. But if you were having fun, that's all that counts.
 
Um, maybe your coach was adjusting your stance to shoot straight aways and left moving targets at station 1, and straight aways and right moving targets at station 5.
Comfortable shooting stance is unique to the shooter but knowing where the targets will appear is something that can be accomplished quicker with help from those willing to devote time to you.
 
having fun is pretty important. I will let a new shooter just shoot. if he is hitting targets and having fun then let him be. If he is struggling I will offer to provide some suggestions. Sometimes people are at the club to have fun, not to work on technique.
 
It's like golf. Everyone is always trying to have that perfect PGA stance and swing. This is no always the best for everyone. Take advice from ppl and use what works for you.
 
I find that in my club the '' pro's '' are anal about style, stance etc. They are so insistant on these that I and dozens of other members that want to fun shoot have quit because we do not need to be schooled in the ''proper '' style of shooting. I think that my snap shooting ala hunting style pisses them of as on a good day I can get 20-24 bird a round.
 
Forget about coaches & trap shooting books and don't copy the style of the
old pros. You'll get poor results everytime. Find your own stance that works for you
and use the gun that fits you best. Shoot with decent quality 1 1/8 oz. loads out
of a Mod to Full choked barrel and you should do fine.
Baikals are great guns for the buck and very reliable.
 
Foot position is important and interesting. What really matters are the ideas behind it. One is that body position affects your ability to swing and the swing comes from down around the ankles, not from the shoulders and arms. So, what is going on down there is important. Another is that the name of the game is consistency. If you work from a consistent foot position it is one less variable for your body to adjust to. Which foot position you choose is up to you, of course, but there is a fair amount of 'rough', overall agreement in the teachers I have seen in where the feet should be. The foot position should be one that allows for easy, stable body movement (swing) for the upcoming shot. The one I learned for trap allows a bit easier opening up for the hard angle shot to the right as you move from station 1 to 5. I'm not sure it is best, but watching good shooters at other clubs I see they often use something like it. It is hard to know where to start when learning something, but starting with the feet isn't a bad idea, because if they aren't placed right your body won't swing right.
 
577/450 said:
I find that in my club the '' pro's '' are anal about style, stance etc. They are so insistant on these that I and dozens of other members that want to fun shoot have quit because we do not need to be schooled in the ''proper '' style of shooting. I think that my snap shooting ala hunting style pisses them of as on a good day I can get 20-24 bird a round.
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Why not try Sporting Clays? Your style would seem to afford you great probability of shooting well.
Trap is a game for shooters who enjoy a more regulated shooting sport.
Oh, I doubt very much you shooting 20-24 pisses them off much.
 
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