Hard focus consistancy

[AW13]

Hi

Can anyone advise on tips on how to be more consistant with hard focus. When shooting DTL I either hit the clay first time or usually miss with both shots.  On reflection I think my mount and head are OK, but I don't think I achieved a proper hard focus on the clay every time.

Is this just a case or try, try, try and it will improve with practice or am I possibly missing a trick somewhere?

 

[ips]

Simple trick

Really look specifically for the leading edge of the target don't just look for the target as a whole.

Of course there are many reasons for misses but it is my opinion that if everything is right as in gun fit gun mount etc then not seeing the target correctly is indeed the primary cause.

Hope this helps

Edit for spellin

 

[Wonko the Sane]

or the evil Lifting of the Head - a widely practiced method for missing

 

[ips]

Exactly Charlie as we both know there are many many reasons however the op was specific with the question

Cheers

 

[AW13]

IPS, you mention looking at the leading edge but with going away targets that is a tad difficult.  Do you try and judge where the leading edge is or concentrate on the part of the clay you can actually see,, which could be the domed top or even underneath?

 

[ips]

You look for whatever you perceive as being the front or leading edge. This is a tried and tested technique to ensure visual target lock. It does not matter what type or angle of target it will always have a leading edge.

 

[AW13]

Thanks for the advice. I will try and make myself look for the leading edge next weekend.

 

[ips]

Let me know how your score improves. .. which it will.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Had an absolutely terrible day yesterday very very low scores and could not think what was wrong, so I asked good shooter that I know to watch me shoot a round. He watched the first five from over my shoulder and told me I was looking for the target too low. I normally allow two fingers but he said no you really need three. I missed target two and Four after his advice I shot the remaining 20... all first barrel! I kid you not it was like someone had just switched the lights on! I don't know if I was concentrating more because of the fact that he watched me but I almost felt that I could not miss. I think for me personally the most important factors are, as Ian says, seeing the target properly and very importantly not moving your gun or your head until you are sure of where it is going then and only then move the gun to the target if you don't move your head you should hit the target. As an aside note although I don't disagree with what Ian says re the front edge I am afraid for me I cannot ever see the front edge or I don't think I do. BUT and it is a huge but, if you try to you will see the target properly and that makes it worth the while!! Give it a try!

 

[jake.keeling]

Had an absolutely terrible day yesterday very very low scores and could not think what was wrong, so I asked good shooter that I know to watch me shoot a round. He watched the first five from over my shoulder and told me I was looking for the target too low. I normally allow two fingers but he said no you really need three. I missed target two and Four after his advice I shot the remaining 20... all first barrel! I kid you not it was like someone had just switched the lights on! I don't know if I was concentrating more because of the fact that he watched me but I almost felt that I could not miss. I think for me personally the most important factors are, as Ian says, seeing the target properly and very importantly not moving your gun or your head until you are sure of where it is going then and only then move the gun to the target if you don't move your head you should hit the target. As an aside note although I don't disagree with what Ian says re the front edge I am afraid for me I cannot ever see the front edge or I don't think I do. BUT and it is a huge but, if you try to you will see the target properly and that makes it worth the while!! Give it a try!

That last bit is what it's all about, I tell people and myself sometimes to look for the rings on the clay or the spin or something, knowing that it's damn near impossible except for close stuff in perfect light, but it doesn't matter, attempting to do it makes you kill that target with your eyes!


tiroVesti seamless performance clothing.

 

[ips]

if you try to you will see the target properly and that makes it worth the while!! Give it a try!

I think this just about sums up the technique, the harder you try to see the front edge the better you see the target as a whole.

You could explain it another way and say "look for the bottom edge" or "look for the writing on the top" it doesn't really matter what matters is total target focus.

 

[ips]

Jake

were on the same sheet here I think

 

[AW13]

can't wait for the weekend now to give try and focus even harder.

Thanks

 

[jwpzx9r]

can't wait for the weekend now to give try and focus even harder.

Thanks

To be fair I am a newbie to shooting trap but for me the most important things when shooting trap are to see the target properly and under no circumstances move your gun until the direction of the target has been fully established by following with you eyes without moving your head, then snap your gun to the target and break it. I think, more experienced trapies may disagree, if you move your gun too early before the target has been seen properly you will miss a lot of targets!

 

[ips]

Another benefit to this see the front edge technique is that it tends to take a split second longer than just looking for an orange blur therefore gun movement is held back slightly. So when John quite rightly states not to move till you see the target correctly well this will do the trick. Job done.

 

[AW13]

Sunday morning is DTL time  :hunter:

 

[ips]

Well mate I for one look fwd to your report and result.

Look for front edge and let your eyes pull the trigger.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Just to re state my no one thing "do not move the gun until you have seen the target as a solid entity not just a blur" follow with the eyes and don't move your head , then snap to it and break it!

 

[AW13]

hi

I will be at Dartford which is my nearest DTL layout, I think.