Point of Impact Overview - Part 3

Moving on to part 3 in POI

Now you have found the POI on your favorite trap gun and looking to get it to center on the moving target. This next level is not possible if you haven’t accomplished the fundamentals in elementary and Jr high. You need to have established your form, consistently hitting your body balance, foot placement, gun mount, head/eye/cheek position, elbow level, etc. Maybe studied Rollin Oswalds book. Must have learned how to stay in the present and switch from thinking to vision before calling for the target. Have established your visual and timing routine. Mistakes will be made, so hopefully you will be able to recognize mistakes and disregard those errors.

We have discussed and cussed, debated and bantered target break reading. Although there will be no debate among our nations best trap shooters. So without controversy or sorted debate on the merits of target reading, lets assume the reason these great shooters made it to the top is not only based in perfect form and timing, but their choice of gun being center target. This is one variation of how to get there.

Trap shooting is 12 inch game. The center core of your pattern is the only part of the pattern that can guarantee a solid break. The rest is unreliable, and depending on choke performance, may have uneven shot distribution in the periphery every shot down the barrel. So for this example lets put in a choke with over 32 thousands of constriction, full choke by some measure, certainly IM. The only important part is that it will turn the target into dust if perfectly center. Something to look for and measure by. Those that subscribe to the open and hope choke theory, your wasting your time reading this. Your past the beginner stage anyway, so play along, and fine out how to own a forgiving trap gun. At least get the gun on center before you open the choke up and make the next level of mistakes.

Start with a gun that breaks targets. Just needs to break targets, not smoke’em, but smoke would be good thing. You have already set the left and right on the patterning board, so the only thing we are concerned about is the vertical setting. If you decide to set the vertical on straight away targets that fine, a good place to start, but realize that your timing could be different for angle presentations. Easy to break the straight target and just as easy to get out of timing or go after the easy one more aggressively. Our goal is to set the POI for all targets and concentrate on maintaining control during the easy straight birds. The straights will also remain the most lost target in trap shooting.

When breaking the target and setting the vertical, just look for low or high hits. Low hit target will have smaller debris on the bottom and larger chunks going up. A high hit target is visa versa, shall chips on the top and the big chips short stopped or seem to be pushed down. If your getting chips left and right its either your pointing/timing error or you need to go back the bench and pattern. A choke tube could be off, or your changing the cheek pressure applied to the comb while moving with the shot. Usually left and right shooting is your fault, and something we pay attention to, to monitor our timing and pointing.

Once the gun is set to center, it time to move on to using the target break information to enhance our concentration on staying in the present. To measure our speed, control, point..... timing. The next level of skills to be focused on. Higher education with a sound base of fundamentals from gun fit, to stock setting, to vision and timing. You have complete confidence in your equipment and developing confidence in your pointing skills. With the POI issue settled you can focus on learning to be consistent or making minor changes in your approach. This is the point where if you decide to spend your money on a Phil Kiner clinic, you can actually learn better shooting skills, solve problems and listen to ideas or theory. Not spend his time working on your basic or fundamentals. Local coaches and mentors are for the basics. This where you get your moneys worth. Kiner, Chambell, Ohye, Harrison clinics are like going to college. You need to go there with a high school education for them to offer the most value for the money in information.

From this point on you can use the target break information to measure each shot. Can enhance your focus and self analysis each shot. On a good day, you will be completely absorbed in every detail of your shooting. Its called the "Zone" when each targets technique and control is the only focus. You don’t here others talking, see distractions, or find concern. You are completely absorbed in your shooting and the presents of the next target. One target at a time. Mental skills and management. The difference between the Kiner’s in trap shooting and the everyday average shooter even with a lifetime of experience.

--Maltzie