The Art of Shooting: Techniques for Mastering Sporting Clays
Sporting clays is often called “golf with a shotgun” due to its variety and challenge, offering shooters a dynamic experience unlike any other discipline. Mastering this sport involves not just skill but also an artistic approach to each shot. Here at Bridgeview Gun Club, we’re proud to have a staff ready to teach and train you on how to elevate your game in sporting clays. Let’s delve into some key techniques, illustrated with insights from industry veterans.
- Visual Acquisition and Focus:
Renowned shooter George Digweed, a 26-time world champion, emphasizes the importance of “visual focus”. He often talks about “painting the bird with your eyes,” meaning you should concentrate solely on the target from the moment it’s thrown. At Bridgeview, our instructors teach you to keep your eyes on the clay, not the barrel of your gun, ensuring your subconscious handles the alignment.
- Footwork and Stance:
Dan Carlisle, a celebrated coach, insists that your “stance is the foundation” of your shot. He advocates for an open stance where your feet are slightly angled towards the expected flight path, allowing for smoother swing and follow-through. Our instructors at Bridgeview Gun Club will help you find the stance that feels most natural, whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, ensuring balance and movement are in sync with your shot.
- The Swing and Follow-Through:
Karen Shedd, known for her precision in sporting clays, stresses the importance of a “smooth swing”. She teaches that your gun should move at the same speed as the clay, accelerating or decelerating in harmony. “Don’t stop at the shot; follow through like you’re painting a line in the sky,” she says. Our trainers here will guide you through drills that focus on fluidity, ensuring your body moves as one with the gun.
- Reading the Game:
Leo Harrison III, a legend in the sport, talks about the necessity of “reading the field” like a book. Each station at Bridgeview has its own set of challenges, from varying heights, speeds, and angles of clays. Our staff will help you understand the “story” of each station, teaching you how to anticipate the clay’s path based on environmental factors like wind, which Harrison uses to his advantage.
- Mental Preparation:
Kim Rhode, an Olympic gold medalist, speaks volumes about the “mental game”. She practices visualization and positive affirmations, techniques our coaches at Bridgeview incorporate into training sessions. They’ll guide you on how to visualize the perfect shot before you even mount your gun, helping to build confidence and mental resilience.
- Gun Fit and Adjustment:
Phil Kiner, a well-known gun fitter, believes that a well-fitted gun is half the battle. At Bridgeview, we can recommend a gun fitting professional, where they can adjust your shotgun to fit your physique, ensuring that your gun mount is consistent and your sight picture is clear.
- Practice with Purpose:
Terry Binner, another sporting clays icon, advocates for “purposeful practice”. Instead of just shooting for volume, he recommends setting specific goals for each session. Our instructors will help you create practice plans that focus on your weaknesses, whether it’s crossing shots, incomers, or outgoing targets.
- Continuous Learning:
Finally, the advice from Vic Harker, a coach who’s shaped many top shooters, is to never stop learning. Here at Bridgeview Gun Club, our staff is committed to your continuous improvement, offering workshops, clinics, and one-on-one coaching to keep your skills sharp and your knowledge expanding.
Mastering sporting clays is an art form where each shot is a brushstroke on a canvas. With the guidance of our skilled instructors at Bridgeview Gun Club, you can transform from a novice painter to a master artist in this beautiful sport. Whether you’re looking to compete or simply enjoy the challenge, we’re here to help you craft your masterpiece in the field.
