KB1 Posted May 29, 2017 Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 I've been shooting for 20 years, and about ten of that on clays…… At best my average has been to hit between 50 and 60%; and thats selecting the easier/familiar ones most of the time. I took a lesson at Manchester Clay Ground about a year ago, and for a short time, I was definitely better, but alas, I soon dropped off again . I usually go with a shooting partner, or when the place is reasonably busy, and absolutely hate when I arrive on stand and more guns come along and form the inevitable queue …… at this point I usually pretend that I've just finished, and quickly move on to the next available stand. Many years ago when I first started shooting, it was solely rough shooting, and I hardly ever missed a bird……. I had never read about techniques etc, it was purely instinctive; raising the gun, forward lead etc, just seemed to be happening automatically in my grey matter. BUT, with clays it just seems to be so much more difficult to attain the same success rate……. With the clays, I have read books, magazine articles, bought shooting aids, watched umpteen videos etc, etc, and still cannot get past the 50-60% rate, or dare to take on the hard crossers…….. UNTIL……….. This past week I was working in Manchester (where I normally shoot clays) and had some time to spare on Wednesday afternoon, so I checked the website and saw the closing time as 4pm (normal)…… went on my own; got there at 3pm, and hardly a soul to be seen……told that it was open till 8pm in the summer Wow, I get to choose whichever stand I want I started on my 'usual' ones, and Bingo, I smashed the first, second, third, fourth……… I moved to the next stand, and the same…… by this time, I could only hear one other gun in the distance, and thought to myself…..'Go on, try a hard one, no one around to see you miss them all'……. so I did. BUT this time, everything I've studied went through my mind; the stance, the pick up point, the lead, the follow through…..everything; all in a space of a few seconds, and when the first clay came across, my gun came up and the clay was dust my heart skipped a beat, and then I tried again…… 'POWDER' This went on, stand after stand; even trying the ones I've never had the balls to attempt……. It was my best day shooting clays….EVER, EVER……. I shot 260 clays, with a success rate of about 90% that day, and it felt bloody good….. I truly enjoyed shooting again, and now feel inspired to overcome what is my obvious problem; Stage Fright'……. I will start by repeating the lone day and less busy time, but would love to hear from anyone who has suffered the same, and can give advice on how to overcome this…. Ultimately, I just wanted to share this experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted May 29, 2017 Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 (edited) Congratulations, that must have felt great! I have this a little. With clay shooting there's nowhere to hide and everyone can see if you miss a sitter! I also shoot a lot a better when there's no one around. The trouble is, shooting on your own is a bit boring and anti social, so I am making a determined effort to get over this. I shoot a local 50 bird sporting once a week. I go round with a group who can really shoot, which could make it worse, but it is actually upping my game very slowly. As we wait to shoot, I see a lot of people missing easy birds, including good shots having a bad stand. The thing is, most people aren't really watching you shoot, they are watching the birds thinking about how they are going to shoot the stand or chatting to their mates. I tell myself, I'm not competing with anyone else, except myself and try not to give a stuff what anyone else thinks. Gradually I have been able to relax a little more in the cage, forget about who is behind me and my scores have been slowly creeping up as a result. It's meant to be fun, not an ordeal. I remind myself of that and not to take it too seriously! Edited May 29, 2017 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK421 Posted May 30, 2017 Report Share Posted May 30, 2017 Great write up I'm just starting down this path myself, was good to read your story and journey so far ! Keep it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buze Posted May 30, 2017 Report Share Posted May 30, 2017 I have that too, I think it's a case of the 'being careful' syndrom slowing down the gun. When practicing, one does swing with confidence because it doesn't /matter/ -- but if you start counting clays, pressure mounts, you start being careful and 'measuring' stuff and invariably, the gun slows down to match... So it's either a case of being able to ignore the pressure, OR be able to shoot with a gun slower than 'normal' ! Sounds bizarre, but I'm now working a bit on the part 2 of that equation, since it's comparatively easier than part 1 (for me)! By that I mean, when practicing, I'll take a bird and will work on breaking it early, THEN in the middle, THEN late and work on being as bloody deliberate about it as I can possibly do. Well, i think it's a good practice run, and my completely arbitrary measuring scale (my scores at AC Sporting Compak/FITASC) have improved a lot since I've been working on that... Still not foolproof tho, as last week I did a 24/25 by missing the LAST, easiest, clay :-) The idea is that when I will shoot in the 'careful' mode, I'll still break them, because I trained for *that* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingo15 Posted May 30, 2017 Report Share Posted May 30, 2017 I'm similar I will shoot pretty well on a practice day whether it be on my own or with groups of friends I shoot with. Bit then come to a competition how ever big I go to pot. Not sure what it is. I can shoot with people I know or complete strangers makes no odds. I just can't seem to do it on a competition day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB1 Posted May 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Its good to see I'm not alone in this…….. thanks for your comments guys; plenty for me to take onboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 I've been shooting for 20 years, and about ten of that on clays…… At best my average has been to hit between 50 and 60%; and thats selecting the easier/familiar ones most of the time. I took a lesson at Manchester Clay Ground about a year ago, and for a short time, I was definitely better, but alas, I soon dropped off again . I usually go with a shooting partner, or when the place is reasonably busy, and absolutely hate when I arrive on stand and more guns come along and form the inevitable queue …… at this point I usually pretend that I've just finished, and quickly move on to the next available stand. Many years ago when I first started shooting, it was solely rough shooting, and I hardly ever missed a bird……. I had never read about techniques etc, it was purely instinctive; raising the gun, forward lead etc, just seemed to be happening automatically in my grey matter. BUT, with clays it just seems to be so much more difficult to attain the same success rate……. With the clays, I have read books, magazine articles, bought shooting aids, watched umpteen videos etc, etc, and still cannot get past the 50-60% rate, or dare to take on the hard crossers…….. UNTIL……….. This past week I was working in Manchester (where I normally shoot clays) and had some time to spare on Wednesday afternoon, so I checked the website and saw the closing time as 4pm (normal)…… went on my own; got there at 3pm, and hardly a soul to be seen……told that it was open till 8pm in the summer Wow, I get to choose whichever stand I want I started on my 'usual' ones, and Bingo, I smashed the first, second, third, fourth……… I moved to the next stand, and the same…… by this time, I could only hear one other gun in the distance, and thought to myself…..'Go on, try a hard one, no one around to see you miss them all'……. so I did. BUT this time, everything I've studied went through my mind; the stance, the pick up point, the lead, the follow through…..everything; all in a space of a few seconds, and when the first clay came across, my gun came up and the clay was dust my heart skipped a beat, and then I tried again…… 'POWDER' This went on, stand after stand; even trying the ones I've never had the balls to attempt……. It was my best day shooting clays….EVER, EVER……. I shot 260 clays, with a success rate of about 90% that day, and it felt bloody good….. I truly enjoyed shooting again, and now feel inspired to overcome what is my obvious problem; Stage Fright'……. I will start by repeating the lone day and less busy time, but would love to hear from anyone who has suffered the same, and can give advice on how to overcome this…. Ultimately, I just wanted to share this experience hello, your not alone KB1 i was a bit like that when i started clays in the 1980s my most best was 23/25 it was small club shoot/ my usal with all the regulars 12/15 of 25, oh why 25 well could only afford 1 box a week you know family/kids shoot most on own now not sure what advice i can give but hey you know you can do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 I can't help you from experience as I typically shoot better in competition than practice .... however I think you answered the question yourself mid post ..... That stuff about stance, pick up point, etc works on your own or with a crowd ... you know how to do it, do it! If I think I am going to miss ... I do. Go at it with self belief and a routine that you know works and I think you will do better. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 It sounds like a mental game for sure and I fully believe that your performance is related to your state of mind. Last year I got a mid range cartridge, put the same chokes in both barrels to cut out mind games and worked hard, I set myself an 80% target at WMSG my local ground and fell just short of it at 78% but at the end of the summer regularly delivering 75% + I was really looking forward to the game season having shot my best ever all summer on the clays............. And that`s where I believe my game shooting went to bits, the worst game season shooting I have ever delivered, I started on such a high and finished on a real low ! I put so much pressure on myself in the field I spoilt it for myself ! So this year am taking the pressure off the clays but will carry them on threw the game season and from August onwards will shoot my game gun on the clays and game rather than using two guns ! I don`t mind shooting with a few behind me but I am definitely my own worst enemy for scores / birds bagged ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 What is it about people being behind you whilst you are shooting ? Is it that you feel they are watching you and how you are shooting, or is it that you feel you are holding others up ? I shot at Worsley 2 weeks ago, on Saturday. If you shot 90% of those targets on the main layout (NOT the instruction stands), then you really should allow people to watch you ! I did see a notice pinned up on 2 of the stands stating that someone or other had 'cleaned' that stand, as the guy in front of us was shooting an auto, they now need 'cleaning' again ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB1 Posted May 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 I have a couple of SA's but never take them to clay grounds…… Up until a year ago I was using a Browning 525 with 30" barrels, but have had more success with my Browning 725 with 28" barrels. And if you notice I was there on Wed 24th May; so, not guilty…... Yes, most of my 90% success was on the main stands; but thats the point I was making…….. I would love to achieve that with people watching! But I can't If your a regular there, then you'll know Evan. He took me out for a 2hr session last year, and said after the first hour, that I was wasting my money on the second hour, as my gun fit, mount and hit ratio were fine; I just had to work on blanking out whats behind me; but he did say its a very, very common occurrence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Yes, I quite agree, but may I suggest you try to join a small group of maybe 3 or 4 other shooters to start with and try to shoot with them on a regular basis. Once you have achieved that and shot with a group you will find that you have forgotten all about the other shooters. I usually shoot with a group of up to 5 others, there is that much banter going on between us that I fail to notice if there is even anyone else waiting to shoot the stand. I accept that if you are shooting comps (been there, done that), then maybe any banter is best left until you are back in the clubhouse. You really MUST try and shoot with a small group, having achieved that, then the rest will become easy. I too was an Instructor at Worsley until forced to stop some 3 years ago by illness. I am just happy to shoot casually now, in the company of like minded friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB1 Posted May 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Thanks Westley, I'll ask the staff next time if they know any members who may let me tag along……. Its worth a try. Or you could mention my post to Evan, and I'll blag some free tuition off you sometime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Thanks Westley, I'll ask the staff next time if they know any members who may let me tag along……. Its worth a try. Or you could mention my post to Evan, and I'll blag some free tuition off you sometime If you are shooting 90%, then you do NOT need me, in fact if a certain GD is reading this, I'll bet he is in for a few sleepless nights ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buze Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Well today was my first CPSA registered since last year, that's my third in total. Last year I had given up to the 'stage fright' things discussed. I have to say I'm rather pleased, I DID hash a stand a 1/8 (super grouses crossers) and I did have a couple of lapses of concentration, but I managed 79/100 -- There was a ~85 well within reach... The 'slow down' method did the job, peer pressure was there, but I knew I could still hit them, and I did recover from that 'hash stand' by straightening the next one... And I know this had nothing to do with 'strong mental', I recovered because I was tense, but I worked on breaking them while tense until I relaxed a bit. So my suggestion to you is to practice 'molasse' mode, where your usual guns speed is gone, shoot with as much deliberate slowness as you can, decompose the move and go and break them. I think I'm onto something here -- seems to be working for me anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB1 Posted June 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 If you are shooting 90%, then you do NOT need me, in fact if a "certain GD is reading this", I'll bet he is in for a few sleepless nights ! Over my head that one, I'm afraid Well today was my first CPSA registered since last year, that's my third in total. Last year I had given up to the 'stage fright' things discussed. I have to say I'm rather pleased, I DID hash a stand a 1/8 (super grouses crossers) and I did have a couple of lapses of concentration, but I managed 79/100 -- There was a ~85 well within reach... The 'slow down' method did the job, peer pressure was there, but I knew I could still hit them, and I did recover from that 'hash stand' by straightening the next one... And I know this had nothing to do with 'strong mental', I recovered because I was tense, but I worked on breaking them while tense until I relaxed a bit. So my suggestion to you is to practice 'molasse' mode, where your usual guns speed is gone, shoot with as much deliberate slowness as you can, decompose the move and go and break them. I think I'm onto something here -- seems to be working for me anyway I agree with that 100%; just have to integrate it in with what Westley says, and I might have a chance……. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilts#Dave Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Over my head that one, I'm afraid I agree with that 100%; just have to integrate it in with what Westley says, and I might have a chance. cheers GD - George Digweed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB1 Posted June 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2017 GD - George Digweed I could watch him all day long……. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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