Have you ever wondered where to start with a new shooter? Maybe you have a shooter who is stuck in a rut and in need of some guidance. As a coach these are just a few things that we deal with on a daily basis.
Position is one of the fundamentals of trap shooting. The goal with positioning a shooter is to allow them the best opportunity to break the target. All to often we see new shooters with their hips pointing one way and their head facing another. It is our job as coaches to be able to stand back and evaluate a shooters position.
Start with foot position making sure that the feet are roughly shoulder width a part and the toes are pointed in the same direction. Having a solid stance will help as we work our way toward proper balance. Always remember to teach your athletes NOT to lunge forward or to lift their feet from the ground during any point of the shot. Good foot positioning should allow the shooter to travel with the target from start to finish without any interruptions.
Next we teach balance and why it is so important before, during, and after the shot. Keep the shooters weight evenly distributed between their feet at all times. It is ok to apply a little more weight on the leading foot (foot closest to the house) but do not exceed a 60/40 distribution. Once the shooter is set, throw a target, and have them follow the flight path. Check to make sure that the shooter remains balanced and under control at all times.
Start with these simple basics but know that we have only scratched the surface of position and balance.