The Wing and Clay Flyer:  Spring 2005
Page:   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

(Battues: Continued from page 6)

the time it turns broadside.  Don’t do it! 

Tracking any long incomer with a pre-mounted gun usually results in the shooter constantly directing and re-directing focus from target to barrel to check the lead.  It is much better to select a hold point closer to the break point on these presentations and make a short, controlled move to the target.

(Continued on page 9)

Page 8

(Youth: Continued from page 7)

Target Presentations
Once safety and equipment have been addressed, you can get on with setting up some targets for your youngster to shoot.  The presentations may differ depending on the equipment available to you but are critical to the success variable.  Here are a few different scenarios you may use:

· If you have the luxury of shooting on an automatic sporting clays trap, throw a soft incomer that stalls out briefly, directly in front of and slightly above the youth shooter.  Be careful to have your youth shooter far enough back that he/she is not showered by target chips.

· On a skeet field, start with station seven high house.  Once the youth is breaking this target then move to station six high house, then station one low house followed by station two low house.  Only after having consistent success on these targets should youth move onto the out-goers.

· If you are using a trap field, lock the trap into the center position (straight away from post three) and move the youth up next to the house.

· Finally, if you are a do-it-yourselfer and would like to start at home or at another private location, use one of the traps that stake into the ground or are mounted on a base.  Take most of the tension off the spring and throw straightaway targets.  Do not use the hand style throwers for initial introductions.  While inexpensive, these throwers do not provide the consistent target flight needed for success and can possibly pose some safety issues.

Final Notes
Careful preparation in your youth’s first outing is critical to being successful and potentially building an activity you can do together for a lifetime.  During the outing, be aware of your youth’s interest and comfort level.  If he or she has had enough for the day, quit, and try again another day.  If there is any indication of pain, discomfort, frustration, or misunderstanding of instructions, quit, and try again later or seek out professional help.  Be very, very careful that your desire for your youth to succeed does not create unfair pressure on your youth to perform. 

BSB