Helping my son improve at trap

[davek8s]

I took my son out to the Los Altos rod and gun club a few weeks ago to shoot his new Weatherby SA-08, thanks everyone that recommended that shotgun for him. He hit about 35 clays out of the hundred rounds he fired.

It was a lot of fun watching him bust clays, but I'd like to help him get better. Unfortunately I'm new to the sport and don't have much to offer the kid.

Can anyone offer any tips or training he can do at home?

Or...

Does anyone know someone that can give us some lessons by the hour?

[HollowOfHaze]

I'm relatively new myself, do an average of about 19 out of 25. I'd say it's good knowing how to point your shotgun, and knowing the shot's spread and where it's going relative to the point of aim. A lot of it is intuitive more than consciously lining up a shot. Also, leading the clay can be a bit tricky at first.

I'm just going off my own experiences because I'm not an expert or anything.

[wpage]

Front sight swing thru...

Practice.

[HollowOfHaze]

There's also the issue a few people have of swinging their muzzle way too slowly/quickly and being unable to line up a proper shot. Once again, something to practice on.

I've seen a few people who watch the clay fly, do nothing, and then try to dart their gun in the right direction a moment later. Not very smooth.

[BOBGBA]

There are skeet clinics in San Jose

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=405000

[ysr_racer]

Here you go https://support.remington.com/Genera...ntals_Handbook

[bigbearbear]

BTW which station did you use at Los Altos? Don't use the ones listed as "slow", they are actually harder to hit because the clay starts to drop very quickly.

My wife took lesson with a member of Sunnyvale Rod & Gun Club, his name is Gary and he also operates the 5 stand area in Sunnyvale Rod & Gun Club. I will PM you his contact information. Gary is an instructor who has access to Coyote Valley Sporting Clay's training area, you son will be able to shoot there when doing the training and it helped my wife a lot.

Alternatively, you can also contact Coyote Valley Sporting Clay directly (http://www.coyoteclays.com/) and request instructions for your son. They have a number of instructors who can help you.

There is also the Skeet Clinic operated by a member here, TheFeeder.

My best recommendation for you is to learn from the professionals who have experience teaching young shooters. Good luck!

[alfred1222]

I say just go shoot more often. How inexperienced is he? By that i mean, how long has he shot and how many rounds has he put through this gun. Getting a better impression of his experience level will help some of us suggest drills.

[beetle]

First, congrats on introducing your son to shotgun sports -- way to be a good dad!

my recommendation is to take him to a sporting clays course (perhaps Coyote Clays in Morgan Hill). Then find a station that simulates trap presentations and have him shoot it over and over. The hard part about starting off on real trap is that randomness. Hard to see what is going on when each shot is different.

[sandiego67]

Have him shoot a few thousand more rounds. He will figure it out.

[davek8s]

He's been shooting rimfire since he was 5, but only has 100 rounds through his shotgun.

I say just go shoot more often. How inexperienced is he? By that i mean, how long has he shot and how many rounds has he put through this gun. Getting a better impression of his experience level will help some of us suggest drills.

I would like to see him get better quicker so he doesn't get discouraged. I think lesson would get him on target quicker

Have him shoot a few thousand more rounds. He will figure it out.

We shoot at the medium station. You're right the slow drops like a rock.

BTW which station did you use at Los Altos? Don't use the ones listed as "slow", they are actually harder to hit because the clay starts to drop very quickly.

[davek8s]

First, congrats on introducing your son to shotgun sports -- way to be a good dad!

my recommendation is to take him to a sporting clays course (perhaps Coyote Clays in Morgan Hill). Then find a station that simulates trap presentations and have him shoot it over and over. The hard part about starting off on real trap is that randomness. Hard to see what is going on when each shot is different.

Can anyone point me to a station at coyote valley that would work? I love going there.

[davek8s]

There are skeet clinics in San Jose

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000

The feeders clinic is awesome, but I'm waiting for a Sunday class, because I work on Saturdays.

[beetle]

Can anyone point me to a station at coyote valley that would work? I love going there.

the course layout is here: http://www.coyoteclays.com/shooting-courses.html

here is what I would recommend. When you check in get a sporting clays card and get a few trap tokens as well.

Start with station 19, I believe the right side button will release a clay that is incoming to you. This is a great way to build confidence. While it is opposite in direction to trap (incoming as opposed to outgoing), it's a good way to start. Tell him he has all the time in the world, wait till you see the clay incoming, calmly cover it with your bead and blast it. Do this until he can hit it like 100%.

Then go counter clockwise on the course to station #1. I think the left button will release a slight left crosser. a good simulation of a slight left trap shot.

continue counter clockwise and go to station 5. this is not a trap like shot but a fun one, straight up in the air. will help build confidence.

continuing counter clockwise go to station 8. the right button will release a going away shot -- similar to trap.

at this point hopefully your son is hitting quite a bit and has high confidence. go to the trap field location near station 16. Word of warning, coyote's trap set up is weird. I think their machine is not really a regulation trap machine. it throws it much faster than normal with steep angles.

However, you can turn off the vertical and horizontal movement. I would basically "lock" the machine in place and have your son practice shooting the same shot from the different positions. Once he has done that, flip the horiziontal movement switch on and off, and then have him shoot the new shot from the different stations. rinse and repeat.

that should make a day of it! good luck!

[deckhandmike]

I'd have him shooting 50 shells instead off a 100 to relieve fatigue and not developing bad habits. Get him some coaching.