Besides sporting clays and trap shooting, skeet shooting is another form of competitive shotgun shooting. The sport’s goal is to shoot clays that are tossed into the air.
You will use a special gun to shoot the target. Proper gun handling is always part of the sport’s basic skills. But body position also affects shooting success.
One way of achieving correct body position in skeet shooting is by standing properly, which should be done by:
Take a comfortable position with your feet
What is comfortable for other people may not be comfortable for you. So, instead of following the advice from so-called experts, you better follow what your body needs.
How should you stand so that you can shoot comfortably? Most players are more comfortable standing with feet apart while some players are happier if the dominant foot is set forward.
This takes a little practice before you can finally realize the most comfortable position that will work best for you.
Follow the common skeet shooting stand
Beginners are usually out of ideas on what is comfortable for them or not. If you are still uncertain, then better follow what most players do. They usually position their feet parallel to each other, shoulder-width apart. This distance encourages proper weight distribution. They put the less dominant foot a bit forward. About 60% of the body weight is given to this foot while the remaining weight will be carried by the other foot.
Observe proper position of other body parts
Besides the feet, other body parts must also be positioned properly for more successful shooting. Shoulders and trunk must be a bit forward while the front knee is slightly bent.
What is important is that your body is relaxed as you wait for the clay to reach the perfect point where you can shoot it. A relaxed body helps in keeping the mind alert.
As mentioned, the proper stance is only one of the many fundamental skills needed for successful shooting. Below are more tips for a successful skeet shooting experience:
Open both eyes
Most beginners try to shoot with only one eye open. Doing so will give tension to the body and provide inaccurate timing.
Try opening both eyes when shooting and you will find that binocular vision provides better perception of depth that helps you in attaining accurate timing.
Fire at once
Rechecking the lead will need more time, which can mean missing your target. Do not hesitate after obtaining the proper lead. Shoot. Otherwise, you will miss the chance to score.
Focus
Disturbances like freezing and flinching can be frustrating sometimes. However, never give in to these or else, you will lose focus on your goal.
Your mind should be on the target so you can concentrate on shooting it perfectly. Keeping your mind focused is a skill that can be learned by constant practice.
Keep your eye on the target. Some beginners choose to focus on the bead, not the target. Remember that you need to shoot the target and not the bead. So be more focused on the target by keeping your eyes on it.
Like many other sports, getting the perfect stand for skeet shooting is possible with continuous practice. Try on a different stance, body position and other techniques until you find the position that best suits you.