Suggestions for Skeet Training

[Spinner]

I stumbled upon some suggested skeet training programmes one day on the net, but can't for the life of me find them again.

One training programme that sounded pretty smart to me was based on 4 rounds on the skeet field. The first round was 25 shots with something like 4 outgoing singles from most stations. The second round was incoming singles. The third round was doubles and the fourth round was a standard round of skeet to make up a 100 shot session.

Does anyone have any suggestions for training sessions for skeet that help a newbie get used to the varying target presentations?

Spinner

 

[Mulliga]

I think it's best just to shoot normal games of skeet and have a good skeet shooter help you out.

I did this, and my scores improved dramatically - from skeet newbie (15-17) to skeet shooter (around 23 on my last outings). A little personal, hands-on instruction goes a long way.

 

[HSMITH]

Have you shot enough to know which targets are bothering you? I would suggest that if you have shot enough to know what is going on and can shoot a 12-15 or better consistently that you simply go out and shoot 4 complete rounds of skeet. I would prefer that you shoot 2 rounds at one club and two more at another if possible so that backdrop and atmosphere is varied, and log which targets were hit HARD, which ones were chipped and which ones were lost. The ones chipped, mark down where the chips came from on the bird. For most all shooters you will see a definate trend, a particular station and target that you miss consistently or several targets that are troublesome. Now you have information to use. Pay your money, and go shoot the ENTIRE 25 shots on the target that is most troublesome. If you can get an experienced shooter or a smart trapper to watch you listen to where they say you are missing. Get that target grooved, SMASH it!!!! Move on to the next target that is troublesome and do it. If there are a couple targets that are problems take a couple weeks and work on one at a time. PLEASE shoot some full rounds while working on trouble targets, the absolute last thing you want is to make this work. Make sure it is fun, and shooting a full round in a social group is one of the best ways to keep it fun. In a few short weeks you will be working on centering up the targets that are being chipped more often than smashed. Remember, once you have hit each target presentation once you have all the tools you need to clean them, run a perfect round and have your hat shot to heck!!! Once you have hit them all it is just a matter of concentrating without tension, and executing what you know how to do. RELAX, relax and then relax some more, often times we get worked up when we have a good run going and spoil it by trying too hard or getting tense.

In skeet we have the luxury of knowing EXACTLY when and where the target will come from, and we have a very close estimation of where it will go. We CAN and SHOULD groove each target as a single presentation, then move to pairs. Skeet in itself is a pretty easy game if you learn to shoot each and every target and then (in my case) keep the slimy grey mess between your ears from bothering you while shooting.

Hope this helps.

 

[kudu]

I usually start anewbie out on stations 1 and 7 taking the going away shots first and working into the incomers. This usually takes at least 25 shots. I then let them work their way around the field shooting singles only and giving instruction on individual targets. That's the next 25 shots. Round three I let them shoot a regular round of skeet offering them advice and encouragement. I will generally stop at 3 rounds as fatigue sets in for new shooters that don't have stamina with a shotgun.

If they want to shoot more and have the energy we will go out and work on trouble birds individually or an entire round of skeet. Do not let the new shooter get tired and sore their first time out to shoot skeet. There is a learning curve that has to be eased into and when they get tired they get sloppy with their form which leads to lost birds.

Remember it's meant to be fun.

 

[Spinner]

HSMITH Asked:

Have you shot enough to know which targets are bothering you?

Yep, I know exactly which targets are bothering me .... the flying ones.

I've only shot one round of skeet so far and the gun didn't fit me very well so my score was pretty abysmal. I found that each target was a completely new presentation and I had very little idea what to expect. For instance I was expecting orange targets, not black ones. I had someone saying "plan to break the clay here, hold the gun there, look there, swing thru here, give it X amount of lead, follow thru" for each target and each station, but I had no idea what was going on really. I've since adjusted the gun and I'm getting keen to give skeet a bit of a try. People tell me its harder to learn but easier to shoot than trap.

I got the distinct impression that getting used to each individual target presentation was a good idea before tackling all 24 presentations together (or 20 presentations if you consider doubles to be one presentation each). Kinda like learning a dance by learning each individual component step before stitching it together into one flowing co-ordinated movement. The only problem with that is the dance tends to be a serious of connected bits until you practice it enough to make it one flowing movement.

I'm more than happy to hear the advice of those who have done it. I understand the importance of complete rounds ... train as you intend to compete, etc. All advice welcome.

Spinner

 

[Gifted]

So, to add on, is there anything I can do off the range to help? Due to living situation I can't stand in my room and practice my form or anything like that with a shotgun. It's been several weeks since I got out to the range, and something to help me when I make it back will help.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'm certainly no skeet phenom, but here's a couple things for general consumption....

Skeet in New Zealand is shot International style, low gun. Even more than for trap or other premounted games, a properly fitted shotgun is as essential as oxygen for good, CONSISTENT mounting and shooting. That leads into the next point.

The importance of a good, consistent mount can hardly be overemphasized. Anyone who tries to learn the shotgun without practicing the mount is trying to swim with a brick in each hand. 15 minutes practice mounting each day will do more for your progress than a similar time spent on the range.

In case you have some kind of situation at home where mounting a shotgun is not a good idea, work with lighter barbells to at least build up the right muscles. Curls, lifts and transverse lifts with 4 lb weights up to 10 lbs will help.

Shotgunning is physical, and conditioning is crucial, if not as high intensity as say Iron Man stuff or Le Tour De France.

Stay tuned, I think I'll start a 101 thread on mounting and at home practice.

 

[BigG]

To add a little color to the conversation, get ahold of the DVD Objective Burma . Besides a five star feature starring Errol Flynn it has a war training film about training aerial gunners for the bombers. It shows the skeet training that they used to get a gunner up to speed, starting from stationary shooting to riding trucks and shooting at clays launched from other trucks. Very illuminating. Also, a early WWII tank training film that used tanks prior to the Sherman. A super film package in all respects.

 

[tall2tango]

101 thread on mounting and at home practice

I'll be looking forward to this new primer, Dave. Sounds like a good project for the down time whilst awaiting those big-racked deer to cross your path in the woods. It'll certainly come in handy for the S.O., who alleges my 20ga. Beretta 682 is a heavy piece!

BR...

 

[kbeck76]

Skeet training

I shot skeet for several years before switching to primarily shooting Sporting Clays. The best thing I ever did for my skeet scores was buying a video made by Todd Bender and distributed by Sunrise (I think).

I averaged around 94/100 after a few years. This sounds okay until you realize that skeet tournaments are usually won by the folks who shot 100's participating in a shoot off.

I also found doubles skeet to be a lot more fun than singles.

I still like skeet and would shoot it more often if we had a decent skeet field in the Orlando area.

No affiliation with Mr. Bender or Sunrise but it is a great training aid.

Kevin

 

[SDC]

Most of the skeet shooters I know say it's a "muscle memory" game, where you mentally lock in the different leads from each station; when I started shooting skeet, I couldn't hit anything but low 7, but after I managed at least 1 hit from each station, I started figuring out what to see when I pulled the trigger. You may find it easier if you shoot a complete box of shells from each station, so you can see the same target presentation over and over again, and see what results in a hit and what doesn't.

 

[sm]

For some reason I got a email about this thread.

If you ever read Fred Misseldine's Score Better At Skeet this is basically how I learned to shoot.

I started with gun fit and LOTS of daily Correct gun to face mounting of gun. I did LOTS of dry fire practice , LOTS of shooting staionary targets in my garage, bedroom...each station position.

I chose to learn Int'l Skeet first, low gun and fast targets. I figured the lessons learned would make American Style a bit easier.

I either weighted the gun or used wrist/ arm weights as I practiced mounting, dryfring, swinging on the targets at home...shot a LOT of rds of Skeet with these weights on as well.

I wanted the stamina and the quickness. Not that I would push myself or anything, but I would take a couple of steps forward from station to make targets more difficult, I would shoot in between stations, granted knowing hold points and angles are great, I wanted to be flexible in the event of rain/ wind or both.

I may do 100 repetitions a day, been known to do a 1k, I averaged 300 a day.
I have shot 16 practice rds in one day. I have shot in below freezing, 120* in the shade, rain, wind , snow, tornados...I wanted the mindstt, focus and concentration. I didn't care about anything else, except the leading sliver of the bird.

Didn't care about the weather, folks not shooting( fair weather shooters) , took the chance the weather would hurt my scores - I wanted it, I went after it with a vengence.

LOTS of Practice rds where I didn't call the bird, on purpose. I didn't want to get like some folks listening for the trap machine and starting a rhythm...a mechanized shooting style. This paid off when clubs changed from the old trap machines to the newer ones...new ones were quiet. I was ready with my concentration and focus.

" Take care of the physical [10%] so you can deal with the mental/ concentration part [90%]" FM

Dedicated Fun

I still shoot low gun and the old pass through / swing through method.

Yeah I'm nuts - keeps me from going insane though.

Spinner my friend, find Misseldine's book. Yep, once again like Brister's Book and older publication, so try www.abebooks.com

Misseldine shows how to shoot each station - he also shows why you miss. You will note similarities to Brister on many topics.

Some stuff don't change through the years, hell get good enough one can "paint them out of the sky" with a stick.

Still think Hickory works best...

 

[Dave McCracken]

Hang on THB, it'll be soon. Got to do this one right.