These tips were taken from articles written by Gil and Vicki Ash-Level III NSCA instructors

To be successful in shooting clay targets only requires one thing: for the target and the shot to arrive at the same place at the same time! The target is going to do its part. It is going to arrive at the break point 100% of the time. The trick is making sure that the shot also arrives. The starting point of that process is the gun mount.

The gun mount must become a subconscious movement. If one has to stop to think about “the mount”, then part of your thoughts are taken away from killing the target. One hundred percent of your thought must be on breaking the target. When properly mounted (for a right handedshooter) the right eye is positioned above the rib on top of the barrel, the stock is positioned in the pocket of the right shoulder, the tip of your nose is approximately 1 1/2 inches from the knuckle of your thumb.

This is our suggestion of how to practice your gun mount to make it perfect and subconscious. The easiest way is to get a small flashlight, like a mini mag light, wrap it with tape so it won’t scratch the barrel. Insert it into the barrel (top barrel of an over/under).

Put the light to its smallest circle. Focus on something small in the room, a light switch or corner of a picture. Put the light on what you focused on and bring the gun up smoothly and be sure the light is still shining on what you are looking at, at all times through the mount. If not, do it again becoming very aware that the front hand is point the gun to where you are looking. The front and back hand should work together, keeping the light where you are looking, as you mount the gun to your face.

The second thing that you can do is to focus the flashlight on the seam between the wall and ceiling of a room. Move the light along the seam while simultaneously mounting the gun. Follow the light with your eyes while making the gun go from one corner to the other and mounting the gun at the corners. You will notice that as the gun is mounted to your face that the light will probably go over or under the seam-not staying straight on the seam. The mount to the face must be smooth for the gun to go where you are looking and therefore your point to be perfect. Do this 7 days in a row, 50 times each night and your gun mount will improve dramatically.

If you are considering a shooting lesson, you will accomplish more if you practice your gun mount prior to the lesson. In addition to practicing your mount, a good way to practice your game is to shoot singles at 5 different stands at your course or from 4 different places on a skeet field. Find the spot where it is Sweet to break the target and break it there 10 times, then move the breakpoint to a different spot and break it there 10 times, then move it again.

This will give you 3 different ways to break a target from one trap. Your practice should be to make the proper move, and learn how to hit targets in different places and also to stay focused for the 10 targets. You have to do this in a tournament so why not start practicing it? You will also find yourself becoming more confident in hitting any target any place. Then when you have to hit a target in that place you know you can do it. Don’t go to your practice to shoot a score, work on your game. If you do this, you will be establishing confidence in your game.

These tips were taken from articles written by Gil and Vicki Ash-Level III NSCA instructors and were used with their permission. They conduct clinics at Selwood Farm twice a year and can be reached at: (800)838-7533; www.ospschool.com. The Ashes have a new DVD available dealing specifically with gun mount. Selwood has instruction for beginning shooters available by appointment. (800-522-0403) Tues.- Sat.