OT hold point

[ips]

We all know hold points differ between layouts because of background and target speed and scheme and light etc etc

but purely as a matter of interest what or were is peoples "general" or preferred starting point. On the mark half a metre high one metre high etc. Been playing about last few weeks with various things (because i can and because its winter) and hold point has been one thing of many, obviously as i said at the beginning its not that cut and dried and many factors to take into account but were talking generaly.

 

[dyosk]

Interesting subject, personally I always start quite high. Best described as a finger width above/beyond the trench edge.

Do you think hold points are like lead, everybody sees it differently?

 

[ips]

Yes I believe many aspects of shooting are very difficult to explain as everyones perception of what they "think" they do is not always what they actually do. But this question is quantifiable so it should be accurate.

 

[40UP]

Many coaches teach that the optimum hold point is the height of the lowest target on the layout. This requires the least gun movement to intercept any target. In practice less than 5% of OT shooters appear to have the hand eye co-ordination to achieve this [but a high proportion of the very best shooters]. The remainder suffer from obscuring the exit point for the master eye. The other eye gets the first sight of the target and most people can't make it work. Kostelecky talks of using each eye for different purposes. I believe a high proportion of left handed shooters can make a right master eye work [especially among the most successful]. For most shooters I remain unconvinced of any advantage in a hold point above the lip of the trench nor of any reasoning to justify holding below the lip. High gun hold I would describe as an advanced technique.

Just my opinion.

 

[ips]

Very interesting.

The last line of a fairly shocking days performance (mainly due to trying many different things) i tried something i never do and it seemed to work quite well. I held barell on the mark so the bead was effectively just under the lip, i focused literaly on the lip and trusted my peripheral vision to pick the target up even though exit point was above my focus point. My theory was that the bead / barell would be out of vision and that my focus point was not too detached from the bead / barell also trying to find a point to use on all layouts under most conditions therefore standardizing and less to consider.

 

[BoB1]

I hold just below the lip, or just on the lip with my bead, then look maybe 3" higher than that, so I am looking at the ground maybe 6' in front of the traps.

 

[sidney]

Higher hold for me .I don't pick a reference point out visually anymore as I can get messed up by optical illusions on different grounds. Bisley for example where the background varies so much. I find picking a point like that makes me concentrate too hard on a small patch of grass rather than picking up the target and reacting to it. My hold point is from muscle memory from repetition, if there are targets sneaking out below, lower the gun slightly, if I feel like Im having to give the gun a big vertical push on targets I lift slightly. Again I like to try and avoid relying on visual pick ups and try and feel my way. Sometimes works......sometimes!

Couldn't make it up to Sealand in the end, got roped into house and xmas chores! Did manage a crafty 50 at Griffin Lloyd thankfully

Just remembered I took a picture once of my 'starting point' at my local ground, usually end up lowering slightly from here for places like Southern counties when the birds are like ballistic missiles.

 

[Jay]

One of the things to consider is the varying sizes of trenches, particularly the distance between the lip and the end of the apron. SW2000 are very wide for example. So if you're hold point is the same it is possible that you could be changing where you look without realising it.    

 

[sidney]

One of the things to consider is the varying sizes of trenches, particularly the distance between the lip and the end of the apron. SW2000 are very wide for example. So if you're hold point is the same it is possible that you could be changing where you look without realising it.    

Exactly. Many variables, not all instantly recognised.

 

[ips]

Yes many variables as we all know, as I say I am interested in general point.

sidney

no problem, soon though yes ?

your technique sounds exactly like mine as I dont have a specific focus either I tend to look horizontaly out and mount to a natural height which is probaly up to one meter above lip, when it works it works but when it doesnt wheels fall off this is why I am trying many things at the moment in order to standardise and find a happy medium to eradicate as many unforced errors as possible. Nice pic looks like griffin ?

 

[sidney]

That sounds very similar to me. Tried all sorts but have had most consistency like that.

Hoping to come up early in the new year. That's if I survive Christmas with the outlaws!!

Yep it's griffin. Excellent backdrop

 

[ips]

Shot there once excelent ut I thought, shot a 92

 

[sidney]

Lovely ground, 21 sporting stands, 2 trench layouts, High pheasant and grouse but areas, skeet, dtl and now sport trap.Open dawn till dusk 7 days a week....And all just 25 mins from me.... I am a spoilt boy!! (not to mention skint!)

 

[BoB1]

Do they ever hold trap comps there? Looks a nice ground

 

[sidney]

Yep, no winter series this year but reg OT and ABT through the spring/summer.

 

[jwpzx9r]

I hold on the edge of the fosse top to the right hand side. I for some reason do not shoot well if I hold my gun too high, I think I anticipate the flight of the clay instead of seeing it and following it through to shoot it. I do not hold high at any of the trap disciplines for this reason.

 

[ips]

Do they ever hold trap comps there? Looks a nice ground

it is rob, about 30 mins further than mid wales. Nice layouts, nice club house, nice people, friendly staff. Got it all really pity it's so far from us.

 

[BoB1]

Cool beans, I'll have to take a trip down there sometime next year, maybe try the ABT.

Maybe car pool sometime Ips?

 

[ips]

Yes rob I am up for a trip next year for sure