The intelligent shot

Successful clay pigeon marksmanship requires methodical target analysis and well-conceived pre-shot routine as well as sound basic shooting skills

- Written by Michael Yardley

IF YOU were to identify one thing to distinguish between an average and good clay pigeon shot, apart from disciplined focus on the bird and sound physical technique, it would be the development of effective pre-shot routine and planning. Game shots may struggle when addressing clays because of fundamental errors in setting themselves up. They may not properly consider the target before them nor plan to shoot it most efficiently (if they plan at all). Many regular clay shots do not play their best game for the same reason.

Some 40 years ago, as I became interested in serious clay competition, I watched the best shots in action to identify what they had in common. They certainly had diverse styles but they all seemed to demonstrate three abilities: enhanced visual contact with the target, balance through the swing (and critically as the shot was taken) and good rhythm/timing.

Moreover, where the average shot might just see a clay, the experienced competitor noted a particular type of target — standard, midi, battue or whatever - and instinctively or deliberately made a plan of how to shoot it. He or she would observe where the trap was, how fast (or not) the bird was, its approximate range, whether the presentation was deceptive (the trap might be angled or wound up or down) and whether it or its perception was impacted by weather, wind or light. The assessment process was typically less instinctive and more considered than game shooting. Top shots tended to keep pretty quiet about it too.