Phases of Shooting Breakdown

Every task has 3 phase – Anticipation, Action and Reinforcement

At a minimum, I want every shooter to be able to list for a coach the 6 points of the Action phase. Break Point/Area, Body Position, Hold Point, Mount, Vision Point, Call for the Target. As this becomes second nature, it will all occur within 3-4 seconds. Consistency and timing are the keys.

Anticipation phase:

• Think about what you are going to do before you are in the box
• What are the conditions
• Visualize making the shot

Action phase:

1. Break point (skeet/sporting)/ Break area (trap)
2. Body Position Foot position Weight distribution Bend knees Shoulders level Head Level
3. Hold Point – Where you starting your barrel
4. Gun Mount
   - Barrel positioned toward the hold point prior to mounting
   - Mount gun – Bring gun to face
   - Is your gun mounted into the shoulder properly?
5. Vision Point
   - Eyes at the correct point
   - Soft focus
6. Call for the Target
   - What is the mantra the shooter uses prior to calling for the target? (i.e. – see the target)
   - Call without the body tightening

Shooting phase:

• Keep eyes on the target- do not look at the barrel
• Move smoothly to target
• Pull Trigger
• Keep head in the gun
• Follow through

Reinforcement phase:

• Replay the shot in your head
• Tell yourself the correction if you missed. Do not tell yourself what you did wrong.