Preparing for the real world
Tony Bracci makes sure the clients are asking the right questions as they prepare for their first outing
If all has gone well in lessons one to five, the sixth could be the last lesson before the client will go out for their game day or clay competition. As this is the case, we will be trying to make sure everything is in place with a mock-up of their chosen discipline. With the clay shooter, this means a 50-bird competition. Notes will be taken as we go round, but there will be no intervention until the round has been shot.
For the game shooter, a simulated game drive or two, also with no intervention until the end, when any points noted will be discussed. This may seem a bit harsh but we want to simulate as close as possible what will be experienced the next time they shoot on their own, and to make sure they have the tools to deal with the task at hand.
Asking questions
Self-diagnosis is a big part of lesson six. Preparing the client for a world without a coach on their shoulder. This may well have started in previous lessons on a lesser scale but, by the end of this one, the client needs to be able to help themselves, rather than relying on feedback from their coach. Over the course of the lessons, similar questions will be asked by the coach when targets are missed.
This is a part of the training to encourage the client to ask the questions themselves. The questions could be common for everyone or specific to the individual client, for example: did I shoot the target in the right place? Did I have my feet in the right place? Did I use the method I intended to/normally use? Did I read the target correctly? Did I swing the gun smoothly and follow through? Did I mount the gun correctly? Did I move the gun on the right line? Did I give enough/too much lead? This is not an all-inclusive list but some of the most common ones. As experience is gained, the list gets smaller.
This goes in line with the mental training, which is very specific to each client. Each will have a way of dealing with different issues. It is important that the coach doesn’t project their own problems and solutions on to the client. It is about making a plan to deal with problems that are relevant to the individual.
The solution should be a positive response to a problem, rather than a negative reinforcement. For example, if a client is stopping the gun when taking the shot, the idea is to not say, “I shouldn’t stop the gun” but rather, “I must follow through when I take the shot.” Another common one is when shooting a stand of four pairs and, after straightening the first six, baulking at the last pair, either by trying too hard or doing something different. Dealing with the pressure of doing well can come from others but also ourselves. So rather than, “I need this pair to do well/straight the stand” we should be thinking, “what I have done on the first six targets has worked well, all I need to do is the same, which I have proved I can do and the last two will break as well.” Recognising potential issues before they arise can be a great help. Getting to a target that has caused issues in the past should have a solution, so rather than focusing on the old problem, the client should focus on the solution. Reinforcing consistent methods and techniques will result in more targets being broken and higher scores.
Game days
With game shooting we would be looking at the shoot day etiquette and protocols for the
day. This could include things such as buying a peg or getting an invitation to a shoot? If invited, confirm as soon as possible. Once accepted there are very few reasons not to go once your invitation has been confirmed, possibly the death of a spouse but never for a better offer. It is normal to return the kindness of the invitation of a day shooting in some way and sometimes to bring a gift for your host.
On the peg
The peg number usually faces the direction the birds will come from. The pegs will be about 40 yards apart. Look around the peg for somewhere good to stand, clear and level if possible, otherwise the best option available to you. Acknowledge with a wave your neighbouring Guns and pickers-up behind you. This will give them piece of mind that you are aware of their presence. Look in front of you to see if you can tell where the birds may flush from and the way the wind is blowing. Look behind you to try to see where the birds will fly to, release pen or cover crops, to give you an idea the way the birds will fly.
You may be pegged as a back Gun or have Guns behind you. Not all birds that fly over your peg have to be shot at. Do not shoot at anything too low or anything too far away. All birds you shoot at should have plenty of sky around them, never shoot into hedges or trees as you will not know what is on the other side. Every effort should be made to shoot effectively and within your capability; if you don’t cleanly kill with your first shot, use the second barrel at the same bird. When birds flush, we should be concentrating on the first shot with complete commitment and only thinking about the second shot when the first bird is dead.
If at any time you are unsure of something, do not shoot. Remember this is a gentleman’s sport and should be conducted in a gentlemanly manner. It is bad form to run out of cartridges on a drive; if in doubt, take an extra box. It is good form to collect the birds around your peg, leaving them at the peg or taking them to the game cart. Birds should be carried by the neck and laid on their backs, never piled up on top of each other. If you get the opportunity, communicate with the pickers-up about birds that have been shot as this will help them. Alcohol will be freely available all day, so know your limits. Don’t drink too much wine at lunch, no matter how good it is.
At the end of the day, try to thank all who helped to provide you with a good day’s sport. Tip the keeper; if you are unsure of how much, ask your host about the going rate and add a bit more if you have had a great day. You will be offered a brace of birds to take home; you should take them and spend the time preparing them, thinking about the great day you’ve had. You may be lucky and get them oven-ready. If you were an invited guest, a hand-written letter of thanks should be sent to your host.
The last conversation at the end of lesson six will be about further training and practice – this usually means keeping up the practice and attaining the proficiency the client wants. This could involve clay shooting on their own and coming back when needed, or going to a game shoot to coach on the peg. Each client will be different and the onward training tailored to their specific needs.
“Don’t drink too much wine, no matter how good it is”