Sporting clays is a dynamic and mentally demanding shooting sport that requires a high level of skill, concentration, and strategy. Sporting clays provides shooters with a variety of stations, each featuring different angles, speeds, and types of targets so the way a shooter approaches the game can be one of things that makes or breaks their game. These variations create a complex and ever-changing environment where the best shooters are those who can maintain consistency through a well-developed mental game a understanding of mechanics, all while putting them together. This article is just a collection of some of the best advice I've learned over the years from The Greats of the sport through personal interaction, podcasts, or even videos. Whether it's lessons with Will Fennell, reading Anthony Matarese's book, speaking with Dan Carlisle, or spending hours learning about the game with Doctor Richard Colo and Jim Greenwood. It's primary purpose is emphasizing the importance of establishing AND implementing a successful shooting process in sporting clays, emphasizing the need for shooters to allocate time and energy into perfecting the process which will ultimately lead to results. This information is an inch deep in a pond a mile wide and not meant to be the end all be all to success. I myself still work on perfecting the process to make it all second nature. Ultimately, the best advice is to work with a coach that will help you develop your game holistically but here is my best advice on the subject in my own words.
In my opinion, the process in sporting clays can be broken down into four main phases: station planning, the pre-shot routine, executing the plan, and the post-shot routine. Each of these phases plays a critical role in a shooter’s ability to hit targets consistently and develop a repeatable performance under varying conditions. Understanding how to establish, refine, and perfect each of these phases is essential for anyone looking to elevate their shooting to a higher level. Through deliberate practice and thoughtful analysis, shooters can build a successful process that enhances their overall game. Focusing on the Process and not the results is the name of the game. As mentioned, none of this is going to be "mind-blowingly" new but it will hopefully be structured in an easily digestible manner.
Phase 1: Station Planning
The first phase of the process begins long before the
shooter ever calls for the target. Station planning is the cornerstone of a
successful shot, as it sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Effective planning allows the shooter to approach each station with a clear
idea of how they intend to break the targets in front of them. The station planning phase
is an exercise in observation, decision-making, and mental preparation, and it
involves several critical steps that must be executed with good mechanics and confidence.
1.1: Seeing the Show Pair or Show Birds
At each station, shooters are given the opportunity to
see the “show pair” or “show birds” before they begin shooting. This is a
critical moment where shooters can observe how the targets behave in the air
and where they will need to focus their attention. The show pair gives the
shooter a preview of the target presentation, but it is important to remember
that the show birds are not always identical to the targets you’ll be shooting. Weather gets a vote in this outdoor sport. The goal during the show pair is to take note of the key visual information:
the flight path, speed, angle, and distance.
Many shooters make the mistake of rushing through the show pair or failing to pay full attention. However, this phase of station planning is essential because it provides insight into how best to approach the upcoming targets. A good practice is to take mental notes of any potential challenges or variations that could influence the shot.
1.2: Determining Where You See the Bird the Best
When viewing the show birds, the most important task is to determine where you see the bird the best and more importantly what detail you will visually find in every pair afterwards. Different shooters may have different visual preferences and comfort levels based on the angle and speed of the targets.
Understanding where you see the bird most clearly will influence your approach to the station. The clarity of your visual focus is critical because it will guide your shooting technique. "Where you see it the best" doesn't mean that it is 100% in focus, it means "the best" as written. That target may never be 100% in focus.
1.3: Choosing the Shooting Method
Once know where you see the bird the best, it’s time to decide on which shooting method to use. There are several methods that shooters use to break targets, and choosing the right method depends on a wide variety of things. This article isn't about the specific methods so yes we are going to gloss over this, plenty of other material out there between instructional dvd's and YouTube videos. These methods include:
Pull-Away, Swing-Through, Sustained Lead, or even Collapsing Lead
1.4: Determining a Hold Point
The hold point is the spot where you position your gun before you call for the target. It is important to establish a hold point that matches the trajectory and is on the line. If you know you will have issues seeing the bird with your gun at that hold point, ask yourself if you should be pre-mounted or shooting low-gun. That will come into play in the next step while not forgetting angle, speed, and distance.
Your hold point should match the method you chose to kill this target. If you don't intend for the bird to beat you, then don't set yourself up to lose the race (too tight to the trap). If you're shooting swing-through, then you should purposefully lose the race but the question is by how much? If you're shooting maintain lead...then find a different article. Kidding aside, I have no idea so I don't pretend to know. General rule is about half to one-thirds the way back from your Kill Point (where you saw the bird the best). To a point, if you aren't working with a good coach or sports vision specialist, only you are going to know your current physical limitations, seeing ability etc. to help you establish good hold points.
1.5: Finalizing the Plan with Confidence
After considering the hold point, shooting technique, and
visual focus, the final step in station planning is to solidify the plan with
confidence. Confidence is the result of practice, experience, and trust in your
preparation. The more time you spend planning and perfecting each presentation before competing, the
more naturally you will feel when it comes time execute your plan. Confidence comes with repetition,
and over time, the process becomes instinctive. When the shooter has confidence
in their plan, they are more likely to remain calm and focused, which is
essential for success in sporting clays.
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Phase 2: The Pre-Shot Routine
The pre-shot routine is a transition phase between the
station planning and execution phases. This is when the shooter mentally and
physically prepares for the upcoming shot(s). The pre-shot routine is designed to
calm the mind, focus the attention, and ensure the shooter is mentally prepared
to execute the shot at the right moment.
2.1: The Time for “Letting Go”
The pre-shot routine is not just a series of physical
actions (adjusting your hat, fixing your glasses, or checking your shells); it
is a mental reset. This phase is the time for “letting go.” Letting go means
releasing the conscious control over your shooting mechanics and allowing your
subconscious mind to take over. The pre-shot routine is about transitioning
from an analytical, conscious state of mind to a more intuitive, subconscious
approach to shooting.
When you “let go,” you are not trying to consciously control every movement in your shot. Instead, you are allowing your body to execute the actions it has practiced over time. The brain’s conscious mind is excellent at planning and analyzing, but it is the subconscious that handles the muscle memory and coordination needed for the shot.
2.2: Call for the Target and Trust the Process
Once the pre-shot routine is completed, the shooter is
ready to call for the target. At this point, it is important to trust the
process and allow the subconscious to execute the shot. The conscious brain
should remain detached from the mechanics of shooting; the focus should be
entirely on the bird.
Phase 3: Execution
The execution phase is when the shooter takes action
based on the planning and preparation that has occurred. This phase is about
carrying out the plan in real-time, using the subconscious to control the body
and gun movement.
3.1: Letting the Subconscious Lead
When executing the shot, the shooter’s goal is to stay relaxed and trust the preparation they’ve done in the previous phases. The more a shooter has practiced, the more automatic the execution becomes. The subconscious mind takes over, ensuring that the shooter follows through with the correct technique. At this stage, the shooter focuses solely on seeing the bird and allowing their body to naturally follow through with the appropriate lead. In the Words of Doctor Richard Colo, the most important component of the execution of the shot(s) is attaining and sustaining visual control. We do that by providing the conscious mind with a task difficult enough that subconscious mind finished the shot for you. This is achieved by setting your attention fully on the detail of the bird. How you achieve that is huge subject on its own that Doctor Colo and his pupils are best to work with to describe.
3.2: Hitting the Target
Yes, the ideal outcome of execution is hitting the target. Successful shooters rely on their ability to follow through with the plan they’ve made, using the subconscious to guide them through the mechanics of the shot, and maintaining visual control through the process. The key is not to force the shot but to let it happen naturally. Lastly, I will say the thing I try my best not to forget is Doctor Colo telling me that it is more important to truly see 100/100 targets than it is to hit 100/100 targets.
Phase 4: The Post-Shot Routine
The post-shot routine is crucial for learning and
improving. This phase occurs immediately after the shot, when the shooter
evaluates what just happened.
4.1: Evaluating the Shot
Once the target has been hit or missed, the shooter should take a very brief moment to assess what occurred. Stay within your allotted time which the rules outline and don't cut your next pre-shot routines corners. A Shooter should ask themselves, "was the plan executed well?" If the shot was missed, "was it due to a mistake in execution or an issue with the station plan itself?" This quick evaluation helps the shooter make adjustments for future pairs. I myself can be seen on occasion shaking my head even though I hit the target. Why? because I know the process was executed wrong and building bad habits isn't okay even if I get lucky and break a few targets... I want to break all the targets.
4.2: Moving On
“Moving on” is an essential part of the post-shot
routine. It’s important to move past a miss or a bad shot without letting it
affect your focus for the next station. However, moving on does not mean
forgetting the shot entirely—it means learning from it. A missed shot might be
an opportunity to learn something about the station, the target, or the
shooter’s mechanics. By learning from each shot, shooters can improve over
time.
4.3: Preparing for the Next Station
After completing a station, the shooter’s focus should shift to the next station. At this point, applying the process—planning, pre-shot routine, execution, and post-shot evaluation—becomes the shooter’s primary focus. With experience, the process becomes ingrained, allowing shooters to perform at a high level under varying conditions. We will all forget this and eventually have to relearn what is important.
Conclusion
The process of shooting sporting clays is built on the foundation of consistent planning, mental preparation, execution, and post-shot reflection. The key to success lies not in the ability to hit any individual target, but in consistently applying the process across all stations, regardless of the challenges each one presents. Confidence comes with experience, and that experience is built through practice and analysis of each shot. By committing to a structured process that emphasizes station planning, pre-shot mental preparation, subconscious execution, and post-shot reflection, shooters can elevate their game and achieve long-term success. Whether you're an amateur, novice or an experienced competitor, dedicating time to perfecting these phases will help you refine your skills and stay consistent throughout the game. With time, the process becomes second nature, allowing you to hit more targets and develop the mental fortitude needed to succeed at the highest level of sporting clays. I truly hope this was a helpful article to some. I will never to claim to be an amazing shooter but I will continue to try to spread the best information I have learned from the best in the game to help others.
Superb advice from a great shooter and teacher
Great write up. This is a short article that gets to the point and can be used as an easy review before shooting. Use these techniques in practice so it becomes 2nd nature during competitions. Good muscle memory.