I can't "go to my left"

Dave R · June 12, 2001, 12:31 PM

Last few times I've shot (hand-thrown) clays, I've noticed that I almost never miss if the bird is flying straight out, or if the bird is flying off to the right.

However, I miss close to half of those flying off to my left.

I'm a right-handed shooter.

Is this a common problem? Is there anything I should work on, other than practicing shooting left more often?

Bud1 · June 12, 2001, 12:38 PM

Be sure that your belly button is pointing at the spot where you intend to break the clay.

Most right handed shooters place their left foot well forward, and tend to lean into the gun. That allows plenty of movement to the right, but binds you up if you try to swing left.

All of this assumes that eye dominance is not a problem, etc.

SDC · June 12, 2001, 02:19 PM

I had the same problem when I started shooting trap, until I started setting up my stance further to the left. Use the expected rightmost path of the bird to set your stance, and you'll be able to "uncoil" to the left a lot better.

K80Geoff · June 12, 2001, 05:15 PM

Set your feet and body to allow more swing to the left. Be sure you are not stopping the gun, keep swinging. Make sure you are not lifting your head.

Also check the patterning of your gun, the gun may be shooting off center and this could cause you to shoot behind the bird. You need to check that the shot pattern is centered on a patterning board.

Geoff Ross

Dave R · June 12, 2001, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the tips! This should help with clays. I guess when hunting I just need to swing my body to the left if I get a flush to the left, eh?

I did pattern the gun and its right on (whew!).

Big Bear · June 13, 2001, 01:18 PM

I had this same problem and shifting the feet and body helped. I understand this is pretty common for people who also shoot rifles, which I assume you do. You're probably taking a rifle stance. Open up your stance a little and it should help you bag those left flying birds.

Dave R · June 13, 2001, 04:27 PM

I think you nailed it. I do use the same stance for rifle and shotgun. Now I've got something to work on. Thanks!

June 12, 2001, 12:31 PM	#1
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I can't "go to my left" Last few times I've shot (hand-thrown) clays, I've noticed that I almost never miss if the bird is flying straight out, or if the bird is flying off to the right. However, I miss close to half of those flying off to my left. I'm a right-handed shooter. Is this a common problem? Is there anything I should work on, other than practicing shooting left more often?

June 12, 2001, 12:38 PM	#2
Bud1 Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Posts: 194	Check your foot position Be sure that your belly button is pointing at the spot where you intend to break the clay. Most right handed shooters place their left foot well forward, and tend to lean into the gun. That allows plenty of movement to the right, but binds you up if you try to swing left. All of this assumes that eye dominance is not a problem, etc.

June 12, 2001, 05:15 PM	#4
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	Set your feet and body to allow more swing to the left. Be sure you are not stopping the gun, keep swinging. Make sure you are not lifting your head. Also check the patterning of your gun, the gun may be shooting off center and this could cause you to shoot behind the bird. You need to check that the shot pattern is centered on a patterning board. Geoff Ross __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

June 12, 2001, 02:19 PM	#3
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	I had the same problem when I started shooting trap, until I started setting up my stance further to the left. Use the expected rightmost path of the bird to set your stance, and you'll be able to "uncoil" to the left a lot better.

June 12, 2001, 06:21 PM	#5
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Thanks for the tips! This should help with clays. I guess when hunting I just need to swing my body to the left if I get a flush to the left, eh? I did pattern the gun and its right on (whew!).

June 13, 2001, 01:18 PM	#6
Big Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2000 Location: CA Posts: 120	I had this same problem and shifting the feet and body helped. I understand this is pretty common for people who also shoot rifles, which I assume you do. You're probably taking a rifle stance. Open up your stance a little and it should help you bag those left flying birds.

June 13, 2001, 04:27 PM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I think you nailed it. I do use the same stance for rifle and shotgun. Now I've got something to work on. Thanks!