I remember my first few registered shoots. The ones at EJC were OK as they didn’t change the targets much from what I practiced there. But when I went to Caterham, Honesberie and Hornet (all grounds not in use now) it was another story. Scores in the 50s or lower. 46 at Hornet was demoralising. I remember watching people hitting long crossers and just couldn’t fathom how they knew how to do it. It was a helpless feeling. But, you have to accept it’s a learning curve and there’s nothing wrong with being a beginner. Is there any point dumbing down what you choose to shoot? I recall having a tough (for me) practice round at EJC when I started out and I was whingeing. The caddy said “I can give you a box of clays to shoot if you like, that will give you a big score”.
I would say dont get bogged down with the score or struggling on particular comp targets but use these types as ones to practice on at the training ground. Look at comps as another piece of the jigsaw in your overall improvement as you cannot really replicate comp pressure on the training ground, both go hand in hand if you want to improve, its not a quick road to success and look at the overall journey as a challenge and take comfort from small consistant improvements in youre shooting even if the scores suggest otherwise as all shoots are different on the difficulty front and depending on what you are struggling on can be more or less difficult individually depending on whats shown, most of all enjoy the ride or have a breakYeah, can't fault the lovely people I've shot with over the last few weeks, a definite improvement on the self important tossers I met when playing various levels of football.
Obviously frustrating, just think I'd like to see where I'm missing as I don't believe my function is toooo far off and hopefully don't have many bad habits (although you're better placed to comment Will as you've seen me shoot), but the trouble with registered is you generally can't stick around to work things out... First shot, miss, second shot, miss, third shot, adjust miss, fourth shot, adjust possibly hit... And then it's on to the next stand so you can't replicate whether it was a fluke or you are in the right area to get a mental image for next time.
For me, plugging away on one specific bird does actually show me a lot, as my brain locks things in, but you can't do that. Need to find lots of types of shot I'm uncomfortable with and can do multiple times to expand, that's all.
Those sim overheads looked horrible to shoot in the usual way. I turned to the left, held the gun up and back and shot them as crossers. Happy to straight it but pretty sure I would not have if I’d shot them as going aways.
Ended 1 over current average, not earth shattering bu by no means as poor as I felt it was. Few 90s in AA and quite an abundance of superstars still on ground when I left.
You know what.. been so long I didn’t even think about that!
Hope you’re well Will. 
I know how you feel!! Phil can sometimes shoot in the week, but I cant due to work, maybe on a Tuesday but that’s it, consequently I’m shooting maybe 2-3 times a month at the moment. Our nearest decent shoot is over an hour away and to be honest I don’t want to spend most of my Sunday driving for hours to get to a shoot then driving hours to get home, I’ve been there and done it and the idiots on the road get me wound up before I’ve got there. It maybe worth your while going to a decent club that do a practice day and just shoot the targets you are having trouble with, concentrate on one target at a time until you feel confident with it.
MrDoug, well done, now did you back yourself in comp today?Honesberie for me today, as ever a well balanced shoot and perfect weather. Long may it last!
They're still sticking with the small groups being sent out on course which really does flow nicely. Other shoots have gone back to full squads which, whilst in line with the governing bodies guidance, causes bunching.
I came in to the last stand for a 92, but of course that played on my mind. Ended on 89 (I think).
Today, yes. Thankfully as I think I came 2nd in class (same as Coleys...always the bridesmaid...).
Oddly enough, I didn't find that stand horrific but I shot them high bird first as you could see the whole face and still had plenty of time to pop the dropping low bird,... Or at least I would have done more than twice if I was a better shot!
Many thanks. The ground I'm a member I'd hardly easy, but there's little there that's really whippy which Is what I struggle with mainly. Distance Is another, which they do have, but again not at speed as it was at Churchill at owls. Generally okay on the near stuff so straighted stand 12, 7/8 of the pair of rising quartering things on 8, fast rabbit and blaze crosser on 7 fine as well (especially as one squad member blanked that one!),... But the long quick stuff on 10 had me for toast!
And that’s why it’s definitely the answer to do registered shoots rather than stay in a comfort zone. A BIG part of the thrill and skill in Sporting shooting is the evaluation of a pair of targets before you shoot the first pair. You did a great job on this stand against more experienced people and it was a chance to confirm your theory. All good.Oddly enough, I didn't find that stand horrific but I shot them high bird first as you could see the whole face and still had plenty of time to pop the dropping low bird,... Or at least I would have done more than twice if I was a better shot!
Literally everyone else I saw did the opposite but that left the high bird getting edge on, sailing into the next county so knew that was an instant miss for me, no point trying it. Mr freeman in our squad said it made sense when you actually saw someone do it the 'wrong' way round as I was, but looked sensible to me before I even got in the cage.
Horses for courses.
