FlorianO Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 Hello all, I know this is asked at regular intervals (been browsing this forum for quite a while) but please bear with me: In short, what I am looking for is coaching and mentoring on "technical" FITASC presentations. In particular, I want to learn different shooting methods and how to apply them based on the presentation. I am mostly using a self-learned version of maintained lead but -- since it's self learned -- it breaks down on "trickier" birds (e.g. loopers at medium/long distances, "flying rabbits" -- rabbit clays thrown on edge as bowing crossers at close range, springing teals thrown on edge, "crows" at long distances, fast crossers, trap true pairs, etc, etc) What I do _not_ want: When I previously seeked help, instead of pointing (and fixing) the problems in my shooting technique I was told to start from scratch and re-learn everything "that way". In other words, instead of adapting the coaching to the student (i.e. me) it was the student that had to adapt to the coach. Needless to say, I was rather put off and didn't made much of those lessons. So, where do you think I can find help ? When I'm there I'm mostly located in West London, so grounds in Surrey / Berkshire should be close enough but I'm willing to travel if it's not too far away (say, 1.5 hrs driving from London). In that area I've been shooting at Bisley -- which was nice but I'm willing to try other grounds that are offering more challenging FITASC presentations. Thanks in advance for the advice. Florian P.S. And, since this is my first post in this forum, a "Hello all" seems to be in proper order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 I would have said Ben Husthwaite at Kibworth, but he won't teach maintained lead, he uses pull away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianO Posted October 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) Peter, I'm too novice a shooter to be "set in my ways" and I'm willing to re-learn. However, as I wrote above, what doesn't resonate well with me is a "single size fits all" i.e. one shooting method for all presentations, whatever they are -- so that's why I was thinking about someone that can teach equally well _all_ techniques and then _coach_ me what and when. So if he's teaching "pull-away" then that's fine with me too -- actually that's one of the methods I haven't come to grips with . Oh, and one last thing: After some consideration another possibility (maybe better) is I can fly over to London over the day for a half-day "seminar" (say, during a Saturday). Since my flights arrive at Stansted Arpt shooting grounds in driving distance from there should be fine e.g. in (NW) Essex (instead of "grounds in Surrey / Berkshire" that I wrote in my original post) Roger Hill's "Procoach Shooting School" seems to be nearby. Any idea about which method(s) he prefers / how are the grounds there (in the light of my above post) ? Thanks again, Florian Edited October 4, 2009 by FlorianO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianO Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 (edited) Anyone ? I've checked the forum a bit deeper but the ones that are recommended are not exactly easy to reach from where I land... Edited October 7, 2009 by FlorianO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 have you tried braintree shooting school mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 I'd still go to Ben. Kibworth is 1.5 hours from Stansted and a very easy drive indeed. If you're flying in especially for the occasion, Ben is where it's at. imho. Else, there are 3 shooting schools near Stansted. Fennes which is in Bocking, Essex. Essex shooting School with Roger Hill who is quite highly regarded in Fyfield Essex and just off the M11 down the road from Stansted is the 'other' Essex Shooting School. http://www.fennesclays.co.uk/ http://www.claypigeonshoot.co.uk/shooting%20lessons.htm http://www.shooting-school.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 If you are staying around the West London area then I would have to recomend West London Shooting School. I have shot there a couple of times but have not had a lesson, although I have heard nothing but praise for them. Although Braintree is now a good ground and they have some excellent instructors they don't really have the testing birds that you are after to shoot. There is a few long or high crossers but after that it is pretty much your usual clays that you will find anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianO Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 (edited) MC, Thanks for the reply. I've shot at Andy Castle once (took a one hour lesson there, although not with Andy). Andy seemed to be a top bloke (met him briefly in the club house) and the lesson was instructive but the presentations there were unfortunately not exactly what I was looking for. In that respect Bisley seemed to offer more choice (shot at "Long Siberia" grounds during a weekend). However, the exact type of presentations are of secondary importance, it's more important to find someone that can help me with that _type_ of bird. Of course, it's a bit tricky to do that w/o access to an appropriate shooting ground, but some imagination goes a long way... Florian Edited October 7, 2009 by FlorianO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianO Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 (edited) Peter, Many thanks for the links. I've already sent a mail to Roger, let's see how it goes. He seems to favor pull away, but I'm sure he can fix me anyway On a less happy note I've just found out that Ryanair does not allow firearms on their flights -- well, it just means that I'll be forced to rely on "club guns" Thanks again, Florian Edited October 7, 2009 by FlorianO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Did you just move from Berkshire to Sweden - or did I imagine that? Plenty of airlines allow guns, even sleazyjet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Florian, Ben used to own Kibworth, and they'll put on any type of target you ask for. If you want long distance technical birds, they that's what they'll supply for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 (edited) Alex Cobb ( England Team) has his own private ground in Surrey nr Reigate complete with 120ft tower, open Fitasc arena, and a 60 acre wooded shoot. When one works there one is on ones own so all angles against all targets can be safely explored, and there are plenty of high, fast, loopers, battues, mini's and all the technical targets you could want. www.woodlandpursuits.com This is the ground I provide my private lessons at as well as Alex who is also a qualified coach. Jerry Parks Young CPSA Senior Coach Edited October 13, 2009 by clayman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianO Posted October 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2009 Jerry, It sounds very tempting. Unfortunately other engagements went in the way, but as soon at that clears out I'll contact you via a PM. I assume there are no issues with opening times during autumn/winter, right ? Best regards, Florian P.S. StuartP: No, I didn't move from Berkshire to Sweden :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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