Take advice or not?

[Robden]

My "NOOB!!!!" introduction tells it all and about asking stupid questions.

Just getting back into shooting after 15 years or so. While I'm waiting for my SGC I thought I would have some (clays) tuition/lessons. I had my first hour's worth the other day and enjoyed it immensely. I said nothing at the time but now the excitement has died down, I've been thinking........(dangerous I know.) I will tell my "teacher" at my next lesson.

As I said, "I've been thinking," the instructor said that my stance, front foot, was a bit off, explained why, and I should try to correct it. But placing my feet where he says just doesn't feel comfortable. Now should I work at this or just get comfortable?  My stance is more that of a boxer but with the weight on the front foot. Twisting my front foot round a few inches makes me feel unbalanced. 

The second thing he said was that, me being 6'2" and long arms, he thinks a 32" barrel will suit me better and slow and smooth my swing. But I felt more comfortable and more in control with the 30."  Wouldn't I get used to a 30 incher and learn to slow and smooth my swing?

I will explain my concerns to him next time but it makes me feel I'm criticising someone who has so much more experience than me and has cabinets of awards/trophies etc.

Rob....

 

[ips]

There is no one size fits all, if stance doesn't feel right to you then it isn't.  As for barell length that has nothing to do with your height, his recommendations based on your height are imo ridiculous. 32" is a fad same as high rib, 30" is enough for anyone imo.  Furthermore balance is everything not length, again imo

 

[schmokinn]

"32" is a fad "

 

[ips]

Tongue in cheek mate . .

My point is you cannot state what the correct barrel length is based on anything other than what feels right.

Interestingly 28" was always considered correct for game, some advocate 26" at certain times for trap 29 1/2" was in vogue. Fads at the time.....for want of better expression 

 

[Westward]

My point is you cannot state what the correct barrel length is based on anything other than what feels right.

Dead right. But on the principle that most first time guns get replaced fairly quickly, 30" is probably the right place to start.

Robden: I suggest you book an hour with a different instructor before anything else.

 

[Robden]

Dead right. But on the principle that most first time guns get replaced fairly quickly, 30" is probably the right place to start.

Robden: I suggest you book an hour with a different instructor before anything else.

I have already booked the next one but they do like to keep to the same person so they can see any improvements.....or not. It's only now, that I've had time to analyse the lesson that I've realised how I felt.

The instructor knows nothing of what I've said above and to be fair, once I've told him, he may even say, "why didn't you tell me at the time?"

Rob....

 

[FlyingTrotter]

Can you explain a little more fully what your instructor was suggesting you adopted as your stance ?

 

[Robden]

Can you explain a little more fully what your instructor was suggesting you adopted as your stance ?

I'll try, using a clock face, but this will be a bit exaggerated.  I was standing with left foot/toes pointing at 12 and right foot pointing at three.

He suggested left foot at about 1 and the right at nearly the 3 with a smaller gap between the feet.

 

[Will Hewland]

I'll try, using a clock face, but this will be a bit exaggerated.  I was standing with left foot/toes pointing at 12 and right foot pointing at three.

He suggested left foot at about 1 and the right at nearly the 3 with a smaller gap between the feet.

I would agree with the instructor, that that is a conventional stance. The correct foot position is actually largely about how the gun goes into the shoulder correctly. You may find your shoulder is struggling to come up and forward enough with your leading foot at 12. But would need to see you to really know.

Most people are the other way, they have their feet at 2 and 4, which means they are often shooting across their chest, which also makes for a nasty gun mount and limits movement to the left for a right hander. 

 

[Robden]

I would agree with the instructor, that that is a conventional stance. The correct foot position is actually largely about how the gun goes into the shoulder correctly. You may find your shoulder is struggling to come up and forward enough with your leading foot at 12. But would need to see you to really know.

Most people are the other way, they have their feet at 2 and 4, which means they are often shooting across their chest, which also makes for a nasty gun mount and limits movement to the left for a right hander. 

Right. I can see that. But do I try to go against that which feels natural to me?   I may get used to it after a while but it will still be false.

 

[FlyingTrotter]

It depends whether in your “comfortable” position you are mounting correctly - certainly sounds like your instructor is attempting to get you to do something that is a conventional tried and tested adjustment 

if you have not done a lot of shooting then I would persevere with the suggested approach - adjustments take time to settle down - same with a golf grip and stance and most other “motor movements”

 

[JDL]

Give it a try for a few more lessons.

It took me a few weeks to get used to a new stance suggested by an instructor, now the old stance feels uncomfortable.

If after a few times it still feels uncomfortable, stick to something that works for you.

 

[Will Hewland]

Right. I can see that. But do I try to go against that which feels natural to me?   I may get used to it after a while but it will still be false.

As I say, need to see you. First rule of coaching, not really possible on a forum. People are different. Worth having a discussion and a trial of it though. Good luck on finding what’s best for you.

 

[Robden]

Thanks all for your input. I'll see how it goes at the next lesson.

 

[ips]

I agree with the  above comments.  The instructor has advised a standard stance. ...However some folk find there own way and go against standard (me included) I would give it a go for a while though as one and three o'clock is generally right for most people

 

[Finners]

As I say, need to see you. First rule of coaching, not really possible on a forum. People are different. Worth having a discussion and a trial of it though. Good luck on finding what’s best for you.

I was about to say the same.... although well intended, coaching via a forum is not the way to go. In the longer term you'll no doubt find a style and possibly a different coach to suit you.

But for now, as for feeling a bit awkward (with the Coach) any decent Coach would appreciate your feedback and may then properly explain why they are asking you to stand in a particular way. 

So, my 2p worth, is talk to Coach ask, listen and learn. Is that not what you're paying for? 

Good luck! 

 

[Robden]

I was about to say the same.... although well intended, coaching via a forum is not the way to go. In the longer term you'll no doubt find a style and possibly a different coach to suit you.

But for now, as for feeling a bit awkward (with the Coach) any decent Coach would appreciate your feedback and may then properly explain why they are asking you to stand in a particular way. 

So, my 2p worth, is talk to Coach ask, listen and learn. Is that not what you're paying for? 

Good luck! 

Thanks. TBH I do this with most things I'm unsure with. I ask for advice, take on board what peeps have said, weigh it all up and then decide what to do. Sometimes it's completely different to what has been suggested.  

 

[Will Hewland]

I think it’s important to understand why you should do things. I’m always surprised that many people don’t actually care why and are happy to just do. 

 

[ips]

Thanks. TBH I do this with most things I'm unsure with. I ask for advice, take on board what peeps have said, weigh it all up and then decide what to do. Sometimes it's completely different to what has been suggested.  

You sound just like me

i also don't mind asking for opinion but I don't necessarily follow it. Sometimes a certain type of person just does things differently for various reasons which is fine as long as the desired result is attained. It is however easier to start with a trusted proven method and let ones style evolve naturally