SamStreatfield
Member
Hi, I've been clay shooting for a year or so. I think I've got into some bad habits! Some friends are big into it and want me to go to competition shoots. I'm abit nervous, any advice??
Clay shooting
- Thread starter SamStreatfield
- Start date
Only do it if you want to, simple as that. Particularly if it’s a team comp
Book a lesson with someone who knows what there talking about. Don’t listen to everything that other shooters tell you, a lot of it will be crap.
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
Always shoot with people who are better than you are, they will drag you up a few levels.
Unless you have plenty of money and can afford to practise at least twice a week, preferably three times, don't expect to get too far up the ladder, just enjoy it for what it is, a good day out with chums.
Get the so called bad habits ironed out with help. If you don't want to spend the money on professional help, watch the AA shooters in the comps and learn from watching their approach to things.
Unless you have plenty of money and can afford to practise at least twice a week, preferably three times, don't expect to get too far up the ladder, just enjoy it for what it is, a good day out with chums.
Get the so called bad habits ironed out with help. If you don't want to spend the money on professional help, watch the AA shooters in the comps and learn from watching their approach to things.
the_greenman
Well-Known Member
Book a lesson at a nearby ground and discuss with the coach. Different styles of shooting suit different people. You need to find your style. Let a qualified person help you. It won't break the bank for 1 lesson but it will give you something to work on.
A good lesson can transform your shooting, Chris at Kibworth Shooting Ground noted that while right eye dominant, I lead with the left as I mount the gun. A simple small patch on the shooting glasses and I am shooting better than ever, and wish that was diagnosed years ago.
I think the majority of people who shoot clays do so for one of two reasons. Either for a bit of practice before the game season kicks off, or as a day out with pals. And for those, you really don't have to be that good. You'll bust some clays, you'll miss a lot and you'll have a fine time in good company, taking the pee out of each other. But if you want to get serious, then what Bo Diddley says is true. Practice, practice and practice is the key, along with having lessons, at least initially.
If you want to be competitive, 2-3 times a week practice and an occasional lesson from an expert will get you there. Less will only get you to a certain level somewhere bottomside of the scoringlist and keep you there, unless you are very talented.
For me participating in a lot of competitions is not realy all that, I peronally rather have some fun with a group of friends in a small private competion. Not too serious, just some funshooting and a couple of drinks afterwards.
that will give you the practise you need without extra pressure.
For me participating in a lot of competitions is not realy all that, I peronally rather have some fun with a group of friends in a small private competion. Not too serious, just some funshooting and a couple of drinks afterwards.
that will give you the practise you need without extra pressure.
By competition shoots I guess you mean registered CPSA ones? Some really nice shoots around so don't worry.
You'll see all sorts of folks there from those hitting everything to those missing most of them. Biggest bit of advice is just be you. Ignore all the "coaching" you get from others (there'll be plenty of "you need to give it 3 feet of lead and get below it" etc). If you trust one of your mates to give you a few pointers then that's grand but ignore randoms who you don't know as 9 times out of 10 their info will be duff and it'll become a downward spiral as you overthink things!
As others have said, enjoy it for a morning out and don't worry about what you hit or don't. The more up tight and worried you get the worse you'll shoot.
