- Too much movement of the gun right before calling for the target. The shooter waves the gun in a random pattern not related to the bird's projected path.
- Holding the gun too high or too low. It looks like to gun is too heavy to pre-mount successfully. They must move their gun excessively to get to the target's path.
Focusing constantly on the bead of the barrel and not the path of the target. The shooters seem to think they need to aim through the entire path of the target.- Bringing the gun back too far in the early path of the target. These people have a tendency to shoot behind the target constantly because they can't catch up with it. Not bringing the gun back far enough also seems to be a problem.
- Pointing the lead foot to where they can first see the target instead of where they want to break it. I read somewhere that the further you have to twist your body from a comfortable position, the lower the gun points as you swing through.
- Poking and hoping. The shooter seems to have an idea of where he/she wants to break the target, but he/she flinches forward, stops the gun, pulls the trigger, and usually misses the target, or at least randomly misses it.
Pre-conceiving the recoil of the gun. The shooter worries more about the coming recoil than the presentation of the target. Many shooters profit from lower recoil loads, or by shooting semi-automatics to lessen the recoil. More power usually doesn't result in more broken targets if you are not comfortable with the recoil of the gun. Some shooters don't notice how much the gun leaps after they shoot, and how much they have to reset the gun's mounting before they can shoot again.- Focusing more on choke choice, shot size, shell load, or gun gauge than consistent technique. Good (great) shooters have confidence that they can break targets regardless of the above choices.
- Stepping into the station after admitting they will break very few of the targets. Isn't it amazing how a good mental attitude can affect shooting success?
- Keeping the cheek in a constant position on the stock when the trigger is to be pulled. Some shooters keep their cheeks against the stock through the entire target path while others wait until the target approaches the chosen breaking point. Did you ever lift your head to admire the break of the first target and completely miss a second target of a pair?
- Ill-functioning guns or shell "bloopers". If the shooter has to worry if the gun is going to fire or cycle, or if the shell has been loaded properly, then broken target success is limited.
Stubbornness or erratic technique. My dad was probably the most bull-headed man I have ever met! If someone suggested a change in his shooting technique, he would never be willing to change. Some shooters change their techniques at the drop of a hat, listening too much to the advice of others shooters. Ha! At least my dad should never have been confused!- Last, but not least, focusing on the task at hand: breaking the target. Focusing is a mysterious concept that few shooters seem to notice or admit even exists. Does focusing include confidence, vision, learned techniques from a lot of practicing, dedication, intelligence, being "right or left" brained (or no brained like me), relaxation ability, breathing techniques, or posture? Focusing is probably affected by all of these to some extent. Are these aspects of focusing why sporting clays is a difficult sport?
As I have matured through the trial and error process of becoming a better shooter, correcting the above mistakes have definitely improved my ability to break targets. I have become more consistent and more confident when I step into a station. What has helped you the most?
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