Instruction and Coaching Costs

Clay, Trap, Skeet Shooting Forum

Help Support Clay, Trap, Skeet Shooting Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I tend to agree with Ed on this. To start with all you need is the safety side of things along with the basics and just getting used to the whole malarkey really. Building some muscle memory/confidence/set up just takes practice, anyone who's been shooting for a while, just try shooting off your "wrong" shoulder to remind yourself how what we find automatic, feels to a beginner. 

Then, depending on if you just want to bash a few (more) clays a few times a month, or are aiming at "A" class CPSA will dictate where you go from there. It's a bit like driving really, just want to drive safely/legally, have some lessons, pass your test and off you go. Want to drive Formula One....different approach to the training and practice might be useful. 

 
You don't always have to pay a lot of money for great coaching. Steve Nutbeam is an excellent coach. Contact him for prices...

 
Last edited by a moderator:
you don't always need to pay ?

I have had free mentoring coaching advice call it what you will on many occasions. Just need to get chatting to some shooters who are experienced and good shots and most of the time there more than happy to share many years of knowledge, I know I am.

eventually you may get to a certain level were someone like Ed would be beneficial to fine tune things but initially find an old bloke and ask them to watch you. Old blokes can be hired for bacon sarnies and a brew ?

 
ips,

 I didn't even get that , you tight git.

It really does amaze me how many people expect instruction , guidance and advise for free , but when asked to pay will go off and see the latest 'wonder'.

You cannot buy experience , that only comes with time.

 
What's you going rate ips? Pint of bitter shandy and 1/4 lbs of pork pie?  :D
I am no cheapo, a full pork pie if you please ?

ips,

 I didn't even get that , you tight git.

It really does amaze me how many people expect instruction , guidance and advise for free , but when asked to pay will go off and see the latest 'wonder'.

You cannot buy experience , that only comes with time.
I did offer ?

totally agree with last bit and that is exactly my point. Were most things are concerned "old blokes rule" ?

 
I am no cheapo, a full pork pie if you please ?

I did offer ?

totally agree with last bit and that is exactly my point. Were most things are concerned "old blokes rule" ?
That 'might' be ok with 'fixed' disciplines, DTL/ABT/Skeet where you only been to master a very limited amount of method, hold points and technique...sporting/FITASC are a different ball game!!! Be honest ips, when you've shot sporting, there is a whole lot more to it than "peg one, I know what my hold point is, I know what method I'm about to use, I don't need to think about lead of second shot hold points...let go!!!"

I get coaching from Ben, 1-3 times a year, full day with him (normally) shared with one other, works out very good value compared to other top coaches!!!

Yes, I'd rather see him for shorter time periods 6-8 times a year, but we live 5 hours (on a good day) apart. Has helped me get into the Scottish sporting and FITASC teams without any doubt!!!

 
james

totally agree, there is A LOT more to sporting, my recent experience of the discipline has taught me that. However surely for folk coming into the sport (possibly with limited funds) much "basic" info can be got from experienced shooters at a club by way of informal mentoring. ??

and then as I said earlier once they have gained the basic principles a formal coach can tweek it.

 
The biggest problem I see with this is new guys being taught old guys faults...by the time they get to see a coach, his job has become reversing faults!!!

 
I can see the possibility no denying that BUT every club has at least a few competent shooters able to help newcomers. Surely you consider yourself more than capable of mentoring a new shooter to a relatively good standard. ??

 
I can see the possibility no denying that BUT every club has at least a few competent shooters able to help newcomers. Surely you consider yourself more than capable of mentoring a new shooter to a relatively good standard. ??
I've had pointers from AAA shots which have helped hit targets but I would say that a proper coaching lesson has helped me to understand WHY I am hitting (and missing) those targets. Some people are naturals and don't need lessons (I heard Chris Childerhouse has never really had any lessons) but I am not one of those people. Before I went to see my current coach, I was shooting everything gun up and with left eye patched\closed (thought I was left eye dominant). Now I shoot most (apart from close stuff) gun down\gun out of the shoulder and with both eyes open. I now hit a lot more now than I did before seeing the coach. I also understand why I am hitting (and missing) the targets and also (try) have a plan before I go into the stand..... I'm still no world beater but I am a lot better than I was. 

I guess everyone is different but coaching works for me, it might not be needed for others, mind.

 
I can see the possibility no denying that BUT every club has at least a few competent shooters able to help newcomers. Surely you consider yourself more than capable of mentoring a new shooter to a relatively good standard. ??
Nick Selby's reply is spot on...99% of the time, the helpful club AA will tell you where you've missed, he might even suggest how to hit it, what he generally won't tell you is why you are my missing!!! Also, there are guys how are top AAA's who's style of shooting is virtually unteachable!!! Chris Childerhouse is one...his style takes massive amounts of cartridges through the gun, super timing, natural reactions, and even more massive amounts of cartridges through the gun to perfect!!! If ever!!!

Yes, I do coach lower class (up to A class) newbies and corporate guys. I tell them why they are missing, I teach them as I would shoot, I teach them as I've been taught. I don't bullsh*t them. It's quite easy to make big progress with lots of them early on by just teaching them how to work out their hold points and getting them consistent and correct. I've got three auto traps on ariels at the farm and 6-9 guys coming for regular lessons. Some of them are massively better than they were legend they started!!! 

 
james

I think we are both of the same mind but maybe I didn't explain my point good enough.

your last paragraph is my point and most of everything else you say I agree with. I am talking of getting instruction / mentoring in the early stages in an informal manner and for free, remember that not everyone can afford coaching and some (me included) do not like the environment of formal coaching. Of course I and many others come from an era were very few pro coaches existed and those that did were way out of reach for club shooters.

 
I've had pointers from AAA shots which have helped hit targets but I would say that a proper coaching lesson has helped me to understand WHY I am hitting (and missing) those targets. Some people are naturals and don't need lessons (I heard Chris Childerhouse has never really had any lessons) but I am not one of those people. Before I went to see my current coach, I was shooting everything gun up and with left eye patched\closed (thought I was left eye dominant). Now I shoot most (apart from close stuff) gun down\gun out of the shoulder and with both eyes open. I now hit a lot more now than I did before seeing the coach. I also understand why I am hitting (and missing) the targets and also (try) have a plan before I go into the stand..... I'm still no world beater but I am a lot better than I was. 

I guess everyone is different but coaching works for me, it might not be needed for others, mind.
With one or two notable exceptions most top end clay shooters are self taught or at least had very little meaningful coaching. 

 
With one or two notable exceptions most top end clay shooters are self taught or at least had very little meaningful coaching. 
probably plenty of B and C class shooters who are self taught and had very little meaningful coaching too....

 
Last edited by a moderator:
With one or two notable exceptions most top end clay shooters are self taught or at least had very little meaningful coaching. 
I know a lot of top shots but i do not know any that has had a lesson !

 
Back
Top