December 2009 Sporting Clay Shooting Tip : Sporting Clays Tips, Clay Target Techniques, Wing Shooting Preparation

The Jerk

Think about it. Balance a shotgun on a pin. Move the back end --> the front end moves. Hold that thought please.

First -- I ask that we mentally focus on a specific block of time -- when your gun starts moving -- all the way to the trigger pull. During that specific block of time -- using the second hand on your watch -- notice how long 2 seconds is. Now 3 seconds. Now 4. Can we agree that this block of "swing and shot time" usually takes place somewhere between 2 to 4 seconds and -- quite often - sooner? Seems right.

OK -- now look hard at the first 1 to 1.5 seconds -- the very first, critical movement of your gun. What's happening in that first 1 second? Too often -- the trigger hand is racing up to the face. The fore-end hand isn't doing much of anything except supporting the gun. Now -- and here's the important part -- still in that 1st second -- with the trigger hand coming up quickly -- the muzzle can only go one way: down. While that barrel is going down -- the bird is going somewhere else -- isn't it? It didn't go down. It went up -- or across -- or away from us. Everywhere but down. In slow motion now -- the stock is now on your cheek but your muzzle took a dirt dive! I call that right hand upward snap "the jerk!"

1st second completed -- we start second number 2. The left hand now has to "correct, " by lifting the muzzle up and chase after the target -- wherever it went. With the barrel out of control and hunting for the target -- not only is precious time lost -- the advantage goes to the bird.

Title of my 2nd Book -- To The Target <-- that's where your fore-end hand takes the muzzle. The critical first direction in the gun mount is MOVE -- not mount. The fore-end hand leads this movement --> To The Target -- directly. The hands must work in precise harmony -- not allowing the trigger hand to "throw" the muzzle off course. Done correctly -- when the stock touches your face the sight picture is the one you planned and you can finish the shot -- X! No muss, no fuss.

Want to be more consistent? Have your hands work together in your gun mount.

The full, unabridged article is locate at http://www.paragonschool.com/sporting-clays-tip-12-2009.html

An Index of all The Paragon School of Sporting Sporting Tips is located at: http://www.paragonschool.com/sporting-clays-tips.html

The Paragon School of Sporting, established by Dan Schindler in 1994, is a prominent Sporting Clays Shooting and Wing Shooting school specializing in Sporting Clays instruction, Sporting Clays instructor training, lessons for the Wing Shooter, and Corporate Special Events.

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