Don Currie's Shooting Tips...
 Oct. 7, 2021
For planning purposes, a hold point that is 2/3 back from the breakpoint toward the trap is a good start for a flat-trajectory crossing target regardless of your engagement technique. The speed, distance and engagement window of a target and pair may, however, require that you adjust your holdpoint closer to the breakpoint.
Use your outstretched front hand to test your plan prior to shooting for score. It will help you determine whether a holdpoint adjustment is necessary. With that said, and very generally speaking, you will need a bit less “runway” to execute a sustained lead move on a crossing target, and thus can usually move your holdpoint closer to the breakpoint.
When using pull-away on a crossing target, the two-thirds rule is still applicable, however, you may find that a holdpoint that is halfway back from the breakpoint is adequate when using sustained lead. With sustained lead, you are inserting to the lead and executing the shot whereas with pull-away, you must first insert to the target then separate from the target prior to executing the shot.
It is my observation that shooters tend to ignore a target’s transition point when selecting the breakpoint and engagement technique. Almost all targets will transition, or change speed and direction, at some point along its flight path as it succumbs to the forces of gravity. If the target is transitioning at the chosen breakpoint, it is much more likely that you will occlude the target with the barrel and miss high and in front, particularly if using pull-away. This is why I advocate that a shooter possesses a handful of techniques on which to draw from and select the technique and holdpoint that is appropriate for the unique character of each target.
Don Currie is the chief instructor of the National Sporting Clays Association and one of the most sought-after shooting coaches and gunfitter in our sport. Competing in the shooting sports since age 8 and instructing as an apprentice at age 16, Don is that rare combination of Champion, Instructor, Coach and Gunfitter Don regularly propels shotgun enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to breakthrough performance whether in the field or in competition. He also fits and equips shooters for custom shotguns. His instructional DVD “Focus – Movement – Faith” is the #1 rated sporting clays DVD on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3jEtt1u. For more about Don, visit his web site at https://doncurrie.com.
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Sporting Sentinel
Oct. 7, 2021
