there is plenty of knowledge to be found on the internet if its good or not is anyones guess.i would say that a coach giving you the knowledge would need to be able to set you on the practical path of using it and correcting the use.and that would i guess need to fire the gun a few more than twenty shots.
But they must know how to get it across to you, so that you understand what they mean.........sadly, some don't.
Definitely a quality needed for an instructor. I had a instructor colleague in my non shooting related profession, who could put together the best lessons I'd ever come across. Letting him deliver said lesson was a different matter. Monotonous SOB at the best of times. Couldn't/wouldn't deviate from his lesson plan to adapt to the students previous knowledge or learning rate. Also if the (often foreign) student was struggling to understand a topic, he couldn't come out with suitable analogies to get the message across.
That would be me. I’m not looking to be a champion. My motivation in finding a coach was to rekindle my love of shooting which sadly had diminished drastically. I want to get back to where I had been, if I achieve beyond that then great, what’s not to like about that but it’s not my burning desire, I’m too realistic for fanciful dreaming. I need more discipline, less emotion, confidence in myself - all for what is a hobby because in my working life I am disciplined, unemotional and confident. I’m working with Cheryl Hall and I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience even though I’m being asked to step out of my comfort zone which I find incredibly hard. It was incredibly important to me that I could connect with someone beyond respecting their achievements. She is highly accomplished but that would not have been enough to get me to continue to work with her had I not felt she understood my psyche. It’s not just about technical teaching, we discuss lots of psychological issues. Some may find it weird I don’t know but if I’ve been asked to try something and it gives me anxiety (I know I’m weird) we’ll discuss it and break it down. I need to respect that person beyond their ability. I am improving both in skill level and wanting to go shooting again.
Interesting that. I went through the same kind of thing. Unlike other disciplines, trap, and especially DTL, is very score focussed. For the first few years shooting a score of at least 290 was my goal. I'd stand on the peg totting up the points lost and thinking to myself, I can afford to drop this many and still manage a 290+ score. Invariably I dropped a stack of them, finished in the 280's and went home unhappy. Looking back it's hard to believe I did it.15 years ago when I started clay shooting I was obsessed with the score, on reflection I must have made tedious company.
As tends to happen I got to meet fellow shooters and got to shoot with them regularly ( now twice a week). One particularly exceptional shot in the group offered some incredibly useful advice, "stop worrying about the score" and instead concentrate on having fun. Like you, Sian, in my day job I'm disciplined/unemotional/confident so stepping into a 'just have fun' mode wasn't exactly natural. Now the only person I compete against is myself - once I've hit a target, I'll try breaking it earlier or later in it's trajectory - the odd thing now is that since taking this approach my shooting has improved massively and I enjoy it so much more as a result.
So whilst getting inspiration from a coach might be one route, shooting with a different group of people for inspiration is another.
Fine working out your score when your back at the clubhouse. Bad move doing it just before the last stand. Then you get the " I only need x to beat my PB" or "I can't afford to drop anymore". Then you're more focused with how many you can/can't afford to drop, than actually stepping up and shooting clays.
I do it all the time. A few weeks back at Churchills, I'd dropped 6 of the first 82 clays. The sniff of a score starting with a 9, a sim pair to induce a bit of panic and I drop 5 of the next 10. I don't know how to stop counting, I can't seem to help doing it.
I'd love to only drop 6 out of the first 82. Think the reason I don't count the missed ones is actually more like I've lost count.
