Pull-away method, left-to-right target

Lock on Swing on

my mind’s eye I can recall saying to myself, “stroke it, don’t poke it”. It became my mantra, with an emphasis on smooth.

Gun speed and lead

As we swing and move past and (or) in front of a target, the gun speed we generate can have a profound effect on the necessary lead. Which is why one shooter will swear black is white, that a target only needs a foot or so and another will need three to four feet. That’s all down to gun speed. The faster we swing the less apparent is the lead we need. I think of this as ‘natural overthrow’. Less lead also means fewer margins for error.

The pull-away method

This method has been popularised by the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) and referred to by it as ‘the CPSA method’. As such, it is used as its standard teaching technique for beginners. It is also known as the ‘point and push’ method and helps beginners to meet with early success, which they find encouraging and motivating.

I have found this technique to be very sound and helpful to newcomers as the whole process has a structure and logical sequence that holds good for a number of easier targets.

How it works

Once we acquire the target visually (visual pick-up point), move the muzzle onto the target moving with it (lock on). This will help you derive line and speed. After a brief time move the muzzle out in front, described as pull or push ahead.

On a left-to-right target (for a righthanded shooter), the appropriate term is to ‘push’ ahead as we are pushing away from our natural swing.

With a right-to-left target, the appropriate term is to ‘pull’, which is our more natural swing. Once we reach the estimated lead, shoot and swing on, which will help you from inadvertently slowing or stopping the gun to fire.

Pick up the target and lock on, move with the target, push or pull ahead and shoot. Swing on, in one smooth and fluid motion. Swing along the ceiling coving to a central position to practise fluid motion

Practice at home

One tip that I find useful for those who may have a tendency to slow up or stop the gun to shoot, is to practise swinging and pulling the trigger with a moving gun. This can easily be achieved at home with snap caps, swinging along the ceiling coving and firing at, say, a central position and swinging on in that ‘smooth fluid motion’. I practised in my bedroom for hours until my arms were dropping off.

So, remember, ‘it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing’.

“This is also known as the point and push method or the CPSA method”