Understanding Clays - Introduction

Understanding Clays

Introduction to “Understanding Clays”

Thank you for your encouragement.  Many of you have sent the first blog to your friends, asking them to sign up.  Greatly appreciated.

I will do my best to live up to the expectations of each and everyone of you.

I have a desire to improve my leadership skills.  This is taking me on a journey.  I have read and listened to some excellent leadership experts.  Some of what I have learned about leadership has encouraged me to accept the challenge of writing on a subject matter I love…shooting a shotgun, breaking clays.

My blog posts are not the best I will ever do; but they are the best I can do today. 

I know there are many more qualified to write on this topic than me.  I will suggest to you that none of them have more passion than me.

I want to make a difference.  I want to help grow the clay shooting sports.  This growth is not restricted to my area.  I want to help clay shooting in your area grow too.

Of course, writing for the whole world to read takes courage.  Making statements which others may disagree with puts one at risk.

So be it.  If I do not believe it, I won’t teach it to you. 

What I am going to write about are firmly held beliefs.  I will make statements that conflict with what you have read/learned elsewhere.  That is fine.  Disagree if you wish.  I always enjoy a good discussion.  I have plenty of reasons for making the statements made.  Humble me.  Give my technique a fair trial.  You might be amazed at what you learn!

I want you to put forward comments and questions.  I am hopeful Substack will allow you to either comment directly to me and/or to the entire group.

Why?  Why am I doing this?

I know movements do not begin with the masses.  They never have.  They never will.

The proven approach is start small but do not start alone.  I have been blessed to have a couple guys, who I affectionately refer to as my Board of Encouragement, cheering and inspiring me on!!  I will keep their names confidential in case it is a flop, then they will not be embarrassed!

I have felt for some time there are folks in the clay shooting arena with a desire for a down to earth easy to understand message.

I have suggested to several fellows, ones significantly more qualified and able to write on the subject matter than me, to publish techniques on how to break more clays.

It is said you have a calling when your purpose (the why) becomes bigger than you.

Age old questions…

If not me, who?

If not now, when?

Let’s begin the journey….

I currently have a number of topics for my blogs.  They are:

1.     Understanding Stance

2.      Understanding the Flashlight Drill.  First version will be written; video may follow.

3.     Understanding Breathing

4.     Understanding Tempo/Cadence

5.     Understanding Chokes and Ballistics

6.     Understanding How to Practice

7.      Understanding Eye Work and Focus 

8.     Understanding Move and Mount

9.     Understanding Hold Point

10. Understanding Target Strategy

11. Understanding Pre-Shot Planning and Break Point. 

12. Understanding Target Reading

13. Understanding Technical Targets

14. Q&A, initially written responses; video answers from the field may follow

If you have a subject matter you want addressed, please drop me an email at grant@clayzon.ca.  I will seriously consider all requests.

I plan on publishing the blogs about three times per month.  I have listed them in the order shown for a reason.  The early topics can be worked on inside right now.  For example, you can work on your stance and use the flashlight drill now whereas it is difficult to work on your hold point without being on the course.

I am not well versed in the Substack program.  I have been asked where to find the “website.”  I believe the website will be at Substack and the website will contain all of my blogs in that one location.

First blog…Understanding Stance.

I pay attention to how shooters stand.  Many have a poor shooting stance.  Their feet are not positioned correctly.  Their knees are bent with too much weight on the front foot.  Shots are missed due to incorrect foot position.  What a shame…do everything correctly and miss the target because your feet are not positioned correctly.

Here are a couple quotes from Understanding Stance.

“Stance dictates or influences how your body functions, especially under pressure.”

“The shooter must protect against their “weak side.”

I consider the weak side to be the side from which you shoot. 

Improve your shooting and then help others.  We can grow this terrific sport one shooter at a time.

Thanks for coming on the journey. 

If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving the blogs, please have them sign up. They may as well be on the email list!

The 6’ and 12’ Shooting platform at the 5 Stand; located inside Beaverhill Sporting Clays.