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Spring is in full swing; the sun’s been making regular appearances, and we know lots of you have enjoyed getting out on our ground these past weeks. We’re now operating on our summer opening hours, which means late-night shooting on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings which is ideal for our customers who fancy squeezing in a few midweek rounds after work. Plus, our competitions have kicked off for the season and we’ve got a brilliant line-up of demo days ahead.

If spring sunshine has you inspired to enter some competitions, you’re keen to improve your strike rate this summer or you’re thinking about your very first shots here at TSG, this blog is essential reading. It’s packed with tips for all levels of shooter to help you make the most of your time with us.

Clay shooting tips for the complete beginner

If you’re brand new to clay shooting, then you’re in the right place. With qualified and welcoming instructors, well-presented targets and the space to build your confidence, Thimbleby is a great place to take your first shots. And, because we know lots of people like to read about a new sport before they have a go for the first time, here are some essentials to get you started:

1. Book a lesson with a qualified instructor

Whether you choose to learn as part of a group or on your own is totally up to you, and there are benefits to both. Group lessons can be fun and give you the chance to start your clay shooting journey on a budget, or you might find that 1:1 guidance means you only learn good habits from the get-go. Either way, your instructor will help you learn safe gun handling and basic techniques in a relaxed, supportive setting.

2. Get gun fit right from the start

If the gun doesn’t fit, you’ll struggle to shoot consistently and make progress. Your instructor will guide you on what suits your build and level of shooting, and most shooting grounds have demo guns, so you get the chance to try a few different brands and designs while you learn.

3. Don’t rush the mount

The way you mount your gun is influential, so you can expect an instructor to go through this with you, but here are some tips.

• The gun mount is where the shotgun is brought up to your face, with the butt plate resting against the shoulder pocket (your chest where it meets your shoulder, below your collarbone), ensuring a solid, stable base for the shot.
• You want to bring the gun up to the eye first, placing the stock comb under the cheekbone, followed by the butt plate engaging with the shoulder.
• Your mount should be smooth but not overly fast, because rushing often knocks the gun off line and spoils your shot. Practising your mount before you head out to the first stand (with an unloaded gun, we must add) can make a big difference.
• As you progress, it’s worth spending time at home repeating the gun mount over and over, so that it becomes muscle memory.

4. Keep your eyes on the clay

When you first start shooting you might find that you’re tempted to peek at the barrel, but your job is to track the clay. Focus on the target with both eyes open (unless you’re a confirmed one-eyed shooter) and let your brain and hands work together.

5. Know the key points of the shot

Good instructors will teach you to plan each shot using the pick-up point, where you first see the clay, the hold point, where you start swinging the gun and the break point, which is where you intend to shoot the clay. This format helps bring structure to every shot you take, even on new stands.

6. Build good habits from the start

Stick to safe gun handling at all times. Carry your gun broken or in a slip between stands, don’t load until you’re in position and always listen to your instructor and other guns around you. Remember to always wear ear and eye protection on the shooting ground, even when you’re walking between stands.

Clay shooting tips for intermediate and improving shooters

Once you’ve got some lessons under your belt and are enjoying regular rounds on the shooting ground it’s time to refine your skills. That way you’ll avoid bad habits creeping in, keep frustration at bay and enjoy breaking more targets consistently. Here are our top tips for improvers!

1. Sharpen your pre-shot routine

Before every shot, remember to visualise the clay’s path, plan your hold and break points, mount the gun smoothly and commit to keeping the gun moving. Not only will this help you cope with new challenges you encounter on the shooting ground, but routines also help reduce nerves and build consistency.

2. Match your gun speed to the target

This is one of the skills that will help you develop consistency across all types of stands, especially important on high towers and fast crossers, but it does take time! Swing the gun too slowly and you’ll lag behind but go too fast and you’ll overshoot your target. Practice matching your swing to the target’s speed and line without pulling the trigger, then have a go with someone spotting to see how you get on.

3. Use the kill zone

Don’t rush your shot. Wait for the target to enter the area where you see it best and feel most confident. That’s your kill zone, and it might be different from someone else’s, but if it works for you then use it.

4. Work on your weak spots

It can be tempting to only practice your favourite stands, but if you do that, you’ll never develop into an all-round shooter – and you’ll get frustrated. If rabbits, battues or high birds cause trouble, seek them out in your next session and work through them methodically. You might consider booking a lesson if they’re causing you a lot of headaches!

5. Watch other people shooting

Finally, if you’re shooting in a squad or waiting for your turn on a stand at a busy shooting ground, don’t waste the downtime. Watch how others shoot the target and learn from what goes well (and what doesn’t).

Tips for competitive clay shooters

As we mentioned in the introduction, the lighter evenings and better weather mean it’s time for demo days, competitions and late-night shooting. If you’re chasing higher scores or getting ready for a summer of registered shoots, small gains can add up to big improvements. Here are our top tips to help you shake off bad habits and boost that strike rate…

1. Practice under pressure

We all know how different it can feel shooting at a competition versus wherever you practice. That’s why we recommend you try to recreate competition scenarios when you’re training. That might be by scoring every shot, shooting with a friend watching or trying time-limited rounds. The goal is to feel calm and focused, even when it counts.

2. Film yourself shooting on a variety of stands

A short video clip of your shooting technique can reveal a lot. You can review your mount timing, swing path, body movement and so much more. And if you can, get a video of you shooting at all different types of targets. You might discover that you’re doing something odd on high birds, or that your technique on crossers is perfect. It’s a valuable tool that can be a confidence boost and a way to tighten technique.

3. Stick to your plan and focus on progress

It’s so important that you don’t second-guess yourself mid-shot. You’re likely to slow the swing or delay the shot so set your break point and hold point, then trust your instincts. If you do miss, review the shot afterwards and think about why. Everyone misses sometimes, so try to learn from the misses and stay focused on the process that works for you.

Ready to take the next step?

This blog shows that wherever you are in your journey, from shooting your first clay to chasing a competition win, there’s always something to learn. If you would like some in person help, then we have a lesson to suit!  Our expert instructors are on hand to help you start your journey, build confidence, fix tricky targets and improve your score. Browse and book lessons online today, just click here.