The Importance of Basic Shots
by: Paul Giambrone, III
At the end of each shooting year, I like to take a look back at my performances at the tournaments I competed in and see how I did for the year. I can’t help but stay hungry in continuing to perfect and learn from each tournament I compete in. The goal I have going into each year is simple: execute each shot to the best of my ability. This is a very high goal I set and I do it for multiple reasons. The biggest reason I set this goal is to help me remember that every single shot counts, and they all count equally. Meaning, a high 2 is just as important as a high 7. A low 8 means just as much to me as a low 6. Why? Because they all count the same on the scorecard. And there is usually one target for the event that will make or break my weekend. I have no idea which target it will be so I better give all of my attention to every single shot otherwise one of those basic shots will jump up and bite me.
Let’s dive in and define what I consider “basic shots.” First off, Mr. Bender has pointed out the importance of baseline targets in the past and I couldn’t agree more. The baseline being all targets on stations 1, 7 & 8. These targets are usually inexcusable misses, therefore they should never be taken lightly. However, we will sometimes get that real nasty diving or hanging high 1 which there is nothing you can do about, but under normal circumstances, we should be able to get all of these targets and do it with ease and confidence. These targets make up 10-11 shots during your round depending on where you take your option shot (hopefully that is at low 8). Other targets that I like to include in these basic shots are incomers on stations 2, 3, 5 & 6. So if we add in the 2 low 2s (single and on the double), the 2 high 6s, and low 3 and high 5, we can add in another 6 shots bringing the grand total to 16-17 shots of your round of 25. I’m no mathematician, but that makes up 2/3 of your round of 25 with basic shots. Granted, I consider some of these targets as some of the most dangerous shots on the field, so they should never be taken lightly. Shooters getting complacent after nailing a high 2 or high 3 which can lead to falling asleep at the wheel on the incomer to follow. Thinking so much about low 5 or low 6 can cause a shooter to not pay attention to detail on the high 5 or the high 6. Hell, I’ve seen some guys line up for a low 5 or low 6 before they even shoot the high house! This is exactly why these targets are so dangerous! Getting so caught up in the more “difficult” shots while forgetting to take care of the basics.
So just how important are these shots to me? They usually make or break my weekend and that is no exaggeration. Looking at the best statistical year I ever had in 2012, I missed a grand total of 4 of these basic shots. Had I taken care of them, I would have broken the HOA high average record, had a chance to win a couple more HOAs, and would have posted 4 more 100 straights. Do not take that as complaining either… I was very happy with my performances that year, just making the point that it could have been even better had I taken care of business on the basic shots. This current year in 2015, doing the same analysis, I missed a total of 5, costing me 3 additional 100 straights and a chance to shoot-off for the HOA championship at the Blaser, Southwest Classic and the World shoot. All but one of those targets were very hittable. There was absolutely no excuse for any of those misses besides me totally dropping the ball at the worst possible time. You should have the same feelings. In other words, we hear the “clubhouse” talk about how difficult high 2 and low 6 are or shooters are so worried about their doubles game instead of talking about these basic shots. These are the shots that make or break your weekend, not the high 2s or low 6s. I often chuckle at shooters that say “oh well that was just a silly mistake. I don’t have a problem with low 2.” Hey, you might not have a “problem” with that low 2, but it still counted as a miss on the scorecard. A miss that should have never taken place. The point being that every single target counts and they all count equally so get the job done on these basic shots and enjoy adding several targets to your scores by avoiding these “silly” misses.
To close, I would like to thank the NSSA for the opportunity to write in this magazine for the past 5 years. The editors, authors, and staff have been dedicated to our sport and that is something that should never be taken lightly, like these basic shots we talked about this issue! Also, a special thank you to all of you for reading my articles over these 5 years. I have received a number of ideas from you and am glad you enjoy reading them. It always puts a smile on my face when someone sees me and thanks me for writing the articles. It has been an honor and a great opportunity for me and I am sincerely thankful and grateful. Look for my articles to continue in the first issue of the Clay Target Nation magazine next month.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me directly at info@gsclinics.com and visit breakmoretargets.com for more information. Please check the website for upcoming tournaments and clinics in your area. Keep in mind that I am now in the New Orleans, LA area. I am available to teach in the New Orleans area all year and am offering ALL INCLUSIVE lesson packages for shooters that would like to travel to me. Please call or email today for lesson availability.
Tip of the month: I challenge you to change your mentality going into the next tournament season. Instead of spending so much time working on high 2 or low 6, spend some extra time taking care of your technique on these targets and try to get through as many tournaments as you can without missing ANY of these targets. Also, take a look at your average card for 2015 and add in all of these targets. You’ll not only see an improvement in your average, you’ll also see where you would have won your class championship in a particular event or maybe even HOA had you taken care of these basic shots.