Tips on Skeet

The Game of Skeet
By Barry Greenberg

Squads of up to five people shoot from eight shooting stations arranged in a semi circle between two skeet houses. One is identified as the high house and the other as the low house. The high house targets start at approximately 10 feet above the ground with the low house targets at approximately a 3 foot height. The shooting sequence is as follows:

Stations I and 2: High house single: Low house single; High house/Low house pair
Stations 3, 4 and 5: High house single; Low house single.
Stations 6 and 7: High house single; Low house single; Low house/High house pair.
Station 8: High house single; Low house single.

The 25th shot, completing the round, is taken immediately after the first miss or with 24 consecutive targets broken as a second single target at low house 8.

Skeet may be shot with any gauge gun (of almost any type) as long as it is capable of firing two shells. Number 9 shot is used for virtually all gauges.

 

Six Steps to Winning Skeet
By Barry Greenberg

1. CORRECT FOOT POSITION -- This will enable you to swing on the target without losing your balance or running out of swing.

2. GUN HOLD OR WHERE TO POINT THE BARREL BEFORE YOU CALL FOR THE TARGET -- This will enable you to pick up the target quicker and shoot it with a minimum of swing.

3. WHERE TO FOCUS YOUR EYES -- Where to look when calling for the target to enable you to see it faster.

4. KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO BREAK THE TARGET -- You must have an idea of where to break the target to be able to perform steps 1, 2, and 3.

5. VISUALIZE HOW MUCH LEAD IS NEEDED TO BREAK THE TARGET -- Tell yourself how much lead is needed to shoot the target and mentally see it break before you call for it.

6. BE LOUD AND FIRM WHEN CALLING FOR THE TARGET -- Call for the target in a loud firm voice. When doing so, make sure you’re mentally alert and physically relaxed.

 

A Beginners Introduction to Skeet
By Barry Greenberg

Skeet differs from all other shooting sports, because it was originally developed to improve hunting in the field, and only later, because of its growing popularity, developed into a competitive sport.

Its development was actually brought about, because of the industrial revolution sweeping the country during the early 1900's. Rural areas began growing at incredible speed, into large, sprawling, industrial cities.

Hunters were now finding it necessary to travel longer distances in order to find areas in which to hunt. When they finally arrived, they discovered the game was no longer as plentiful as it once was. Not only were hunters having a harder time finding game, but certain species had already been hunted into extinction. One example is the carrier pigeon.

The American Sportsman soon began to realize, some form of game conservation would have to be enacted. Eventually, it was, with game seasons, and bag limits, imposed on all hunters. Because of the shortened hunting season, hunters were now finding it harder and harder to get enough practice to become a decent shot.

Some hunters turned to trap shooting to fine tune their hunting abilities. However, this was no help because of the lack of incoming and crossing shots.

In 1920, this problem was finally addressed by Charles Davis of Andover Mass. He was the owner of a dog kennel and an avid hunter. He spent many hours trying to devise a way to improve his field shooting. After trying and discarding many different types of plans he finally settled on an idea based on a field, laid out in a 50 yard circle. He called it “Shooting Around the Clock.”

Around the circle, he placed 12 shooting stations, with a single trap, located at station 12. Shooters would fire two shots from each station, and one from the center, equaling a box of shells, or 25 shots. This layout provided almost every type of shot a hunter would encounter in the field.

All went well, until the owner of the adjoining property complained of falling shot on his land. To avoid any future problems, Davis cut his shooting circle in half, and put a second trap at the opposite end of his shooting field. This became the birth of the modern day skeet field.

This hunting practice field became so popular; it soon developed into a popular shooting game. Eventually, it was renamed Skeet, which is the Scandinavian word for Shoot. In 1926, the first National Skeet Championships were held, and shortly after, the National Skeet Shooting Association was formed.

Today's skeet field varies little from its 1920 beginnings. It has eight shooting stations, and two trap houses. Seven of the stations are arranged in a half moon, between the two trap houses, and one station is directly between them. The high house, on the left side of the field, throws its targets from a trap 10 feet above the ground. The target rises to a height of 15 feet by the time it travels to the center of the field. The low house target, on the right side, leaves the trap house just 3-1/2 feet from the ground. It also rises to height of 15 feet by the time it reaches the center of the field.

A round of skeet consists of 25 targets - 17 are shot as singles and 8 as doubles. The first miss is repeated immediately and is called an option. If no targets are missed during the round, the last or 25th target is shot at the last station, low house 8.

Skeet is shot in squads of up to five shooters. They move from station to station around the half moon, ending up in the center, at the end of the round.

Any gauge shotgun may be used, of any type, as long as it can fire at least two shots. The preferred shot size is # 9, but nothing larger than 7-1/2 should ever be used. Since strength is not a factor, women are able to compete equally with men. Left handed shooters do just as well as right.

Before going any further, let's discuss the procedures for signing up to shoot a practice round of skeet at your local club. Upon arrival, go directly to the sign up desk inside the skeet house to pay for the round and be assigned to one of the skeet fields. You'll need to take the following equipment to the field with you.
1. Gun -- any gauge -- any type, as long as it fires at least two (2) shells.
2. Ammunition -- One (I) box of 25 shells, same gauge as your gun.
3. A shell holder you wear to carry your ammo, as you move around the field.
4. Ear Plugs -- MANDATORY
5. Eye Protection – MANDATORY

 

SHOW ME THE MONEY
By Barry Greenberg

Understanding can make registered shooting much more exciting.

When going to your first couple of registered tournaments, one of the most confusing things you'll find yourself dealing with, is trying to understand how the money purses work.

Should you play them, and if so, which ones? How much do they cost, and how much can you win? Which ones should you stay away from?

This article will attempt to help answer these questions.

Cash awards are broken down into three categories:
1. MANDATORY PURSES
2. OPTIONAL PURSES
3. ADDED MONEY

1. MANDATORY PURSES
In a mandatory purse event, the shooter MUST pay an additional fee over and above the cost of targets, and shoot administration. The extra money is paid out in prizes, and may be divided any number of different ways. An example of how a mandatory program might look is as follows.

Pay Out Table

$ 2.00 to champion, $ 8.00 remains in class, Champion is not eligible for class money

3 or less in class -------- 100 % to winner
4 to 7 in class ------------- 60/40
8 to 11 in class ------------ 50/30/20
12 or more in class ------- 40/30/20/10

In this event, the champion will win $ 2.00 from each shooter participating.

The class prizes will be determined by the number of shooters in each class. All awards will be split according to the official finish. All ties are shot off, or are determined by long runs. The champion is removed from his class, and can not participate in class money.

EXAMPLE

You’re in A class. When signing up, you pay $32.00 to shoot in the 12 gauge event. $22.00 goes towards targets and administration expenses, $ 2.00 towards the championship pool, and $ 8.00 goes into your A class pool.

Let's assume that a total of 35 shooters have entered this event.

We'll assume, that including yourself, 10 shooters entered in A class, for this event. Your buddy, who is in the same class as you, breaks 100, and wins the event. You shot a 98, which was the second highest score of the day. Since the champion cannot win the class money, he is removed, and your 98 becomes the highest score in A class.

The money would be split as follows:

Champion $ 70.00 = $ 2.00 x 35 shooters

A class --- Total purse $ 80.00 --- Split 50/30/20

1st Place ---- $40.00
2nd Place ---- 24.00
3rd Place ----- 16.00

All other classes in this event would be determined the same way.

2. OPTIONAL PURSES
Optional purses are separate cash pools which are run in conjunction with the regular events. They are completely voluntary. They can be played on parts or all of the shooting program. This money goes into a separate pool, and is divided among the various winners who have entered. In the optional pool, all money stays in class.

Examples of the most popular options are:
a. Lewis Class
b. Class Options
c. Class 50's (Oklahoma)
d. High over All (HOA)

a. LEWIS CLASS
When all shooting has been completed, the scores are listed in numerical order, from the highest to the lowest. They are than divided into as many groups as there are classes.

For example, if there were 30 Lewis Class entries, and 5 classes, there would be 6 scores in each class. The highest score in each class would be the winner. It's the luck of the draw.

This is a good bet for a beginning shooter, because a low score has a good chance of winning. It usually cost an extra $5.00 per gauge.

b. CLASS OPTIONS
This is similar to the mandatory class option, and differs only in that the Champion is eligible to win his class purse.

Each class has its own pool, and the purse is split the same as in the mandatory class.

This is a good option for those who feel they have a good chance of finishing high in their class. The extra cost here is also, about $5.00 per gauge.

c. CLASS 50's (Oklahoma)
This is an option that a shooter can play on each of the three fifty bird sub races that comprise a 100 target event.

The three bets within the gauge being shot, works as follows:
1. 1st 25 targets and the 2nd 25 1 - 50
2. 2nd 25 targets and the 3rd 25 25 - 75
3. 3rd 25 targets and the 4th 25 50 - 100

The cost of this option is usually anywhere from $3.00 to $ 5.00 per sub race, per gauge. In other words, if you had played this option during the 12 gauge event, it would have cost you $ 9.00 or $ 15.00. If you play this option in a four gauge event, at a cost of $ 5.00 per sub gauge, it will cost $ 60.00.

Each sub race of 50 targets is a separate pool, and you can win in all three pools, or just on one or two parts, depending on how well you shoot each series of 50 targets.

This option is usually played in the larger gauges by shooters who are confident they will break 50 - 75- or 100 straight targets. The smaller gauges are usually played by the more experienced shooters.

Each class has its own separate series of pools.

d. HIGH OVERALL (HOA)
This option is based on the total score shot in all gauges, for a particular event. It could be 200 targets for a one day event, or 400 targets, based on a 4 gun, 2 day event. This option combines the shooters total score for all gauges, and the winner could take all, or the purse could be split, depending on the number of shooters who've entered into the pool.

This option is usually played by the more experienced shooters, unless a handicap system is used.

This option is sometimes built into the cost of the mandatory purse, and can also played as a separate option.

3. ADDED MONEY
This represents additional money, solicited by the host club, from outside sources, to entice a larger and more prestigious turn out at its event. No extra fee is charged to the shooters. It usually enlarges the cash awards for the champions of each event, and can add extra winnings to the class champions as well.

Just remember, each club has it's own different versions of these various options. They may change the percentages, costs, and methods of payouts.

When signing up, make sure to ask the cashier to explain any options you don't fully understand.

There are many more types of options, not mentioned in this article. Make it a habit to familiarize yourself with the different types, as you travel from club to club. Even though you’re not playing them now, you will, as you gain more confidence in your abilities.

 

THAT'S IT. IT'S THAT SIMPLE
By Barry Greenberg

Range safety procedures are posted in the skeet house, and you should familiarize yourself with club rules. If there's anything you’re not sure of, ask a range officer. There's always one around when the range is open.

Etiquette on the skeet field is just a matter of common sense. You probably will find yourself squadded with shooters whom you've never met before. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself, and let them know you’re a new shooter. Skeet is an extremely social sport, so it’s not unusual to hear a lot of talking and joking going on between shooters. However, when any shooter steps on the shooting pad, be respectful by remaining quiet until he's finished on the station. Always make sure the action on your gun is broken, or open, and when carrying always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Never load a shell until it's your turn to shoot and you've stepped fully on to the shooting pad. If you wish to pick up your empty shells, be courteous and wait until the round is completed. Never pick up shells at station 7, since it's against club rules, and can be extremely dangerous.

As mentioned earlier, any gun capable of firing two (2) shots can be used for skeet. However, the most popular are semi-automatics, and over-and-unders. Let's examine the pros and cons of each.

SEMI-AUTOMATICS

The main reason for the auto's popularity is its cost. At about $500 to $700, it's within reach of just about everyone. If you buy a good quality gun, it could also be used for tournament shooting, if you decide someday, to go that way. It's not unusual to see guns worth thousands of dollars being used in tournaments for the smaller gauges, but replaced for the cheaper auto's in the 12 gauge events. This is mainly due to the lower amount of recoil a shooter feels when shooting a semi-automatic. Another advantage is its versatility. By changing barrels, and chokes, your gun can be used for trap, sporting clays, hunting, or anything else you wish to shoot. If you never intend to become a competitive shooter, the semi-automatic in 12 or 20 gauge is probably the only gun you'll ever need.

If you feel you would enjoy shooting the smaller gauges, then the auto is not your best choice. If you shoot skeet in all four gauges, and you used automatics, you'd need four different guns. There are shooters who do this, but when shooting competitively this leads to other problems. Every gun has its own personality and eccentricities. Some shoot high, some low; some a little to the left or right. Every time you pick up one of your guns, if you don't remember its various quirks, it's going to cost you targets and maybe a match. Another problem with auto's, is they tend to jam frequently. Since you’re only allowed two gun malfunctions a round in a registered tournament, it's important to clean them often. Also, its lighter weight can hinder your ability to follow through or swing on the target. But, if you’re a reloader like me, the worst part of shooting an automatic, is having to pick up your shells at the end of the round. There are few things in life I hate more than this.

Over-and-Under Shotguns

Over-and-under shotguns cost two or three times more than semi-auto's. Mechanically, they're much stronger, as well as more reliable. They're usually heavier, aiding in developing a much smoother swing. They have the same versatility as automatics, since interchangeable choke tubes can enable your gun to do all types of shooting. But, by far the most important advantage of the 0/U is its ability to be tubed for the smaller shotgun gauges.

Skeet tubes are long cylinders, inserted into the barrels of your gun, which convert those barrels from one gauge to another. By tubing your 12 gauge you’re converting your one gun into four. You now have eliminated the expense of having to buy four different guns.

Of course, there are disadvantages also. In 12 gauges the recoil in a 0/U can be a lot heavier than in automatics. And should your gun break down, you've lost four and not one. However, with today’s modern guns, chances are fairly remote this will ever happen. But probably the most important reason, in my opinion, for owning an O/U, is you don't have to bend down to pick up your shells at the end of each round, they're already in your ammunition pouch.

 

Exercise your way to Higher Scores
By Barry Greenberg

When shooting skeet, if you're loading one shell at a time for single targets, you’re lifting an 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 lb gun, as many as 20 or more times each round.

If you're in a tournament, shooting 200 rounds for the day, you've lifted your gun 160 to 170 times.

Often, it's not the best shot, but the best conditioned who will end up winning their class. Fatigue, can be as much of a cause of missed targets, as anything else.

Training with light weights, maybe no more than 15 or 20 lbs, but doing many repetitions, will add to your upper body strength, and hopefully, your scores.

 

Don't be just a Fair Weather Shooter
By Barry Greenberg

Weather, such as rain, high winds, and snow, will keep most of us away from the practice field but not AA or AAA shooters.

They sign up for tournaments weeks in advance, and there is no guarantee as to what kind of weather conditions they will encounter.

In order to be able to deal with whatever Mother Nature has in store for them, they have to experience it, and what better way then to practice on days when these conditions exist.

Learning to adjust hold points on windy days or remembering to take a towel with you on rainy days or making sure you stay well focused on the target on snowy days, may be just the edge you need to be victorious.

Hopefully, the next time you look out the window on a not so beautiful day you'll look forward to getting out and taming the challenges Mother Nature throws your way.

 

Who says you need a Gun to Practice?
By Barry Greenberg

When you think about it, skeet is really a game of memorization. You must remember the stance; hold points, and leads of all eight stations, to consistently break all 25 clays. A mental lapse in any of these results in lost targets.

Most of us go to the range about once a week if we're lucky. When we get there our minds are filled with clutter from our personal lives. As we step on the first station, thinking of what's needed to break targets is probably the last thing we're thinking about. We raise our gun, call for the target, and miss. This usually wakes us up, and it's then, that we start to concentrate on what has to be done to break the remaining targets.

This type of mental error doesn't hurt you during a practice round, but can be disastrous during a registered event. So what can be done to keep this from becoming a recurring problem?

The answer is to be able to step on any station, call for the target, and break it, without having to consciously force ourselves to think about how to do it. However, to reach this stage in your shooting, you must practice many, many, rounds and most of us just don't have the time.

However, as the famous man once said, "Where there's a will, there's a way." Recalling that skeet is primarily a mental game you should start shooting a complete round mentally, at least once each day.

See yourself stepping on each of the shooting stations. Picture your stance, hold points, and where to focus your eyes. Tell yourself where you want to break the target, and with how much lead. Then call for the target, pull the trigger, and SMOKE IT! Do this at least once a day, until your familiar with the shooting procedure for each station. Know it as well as you know your own name.

Once you've mastered the mental process the next time you step on station one, even if your not consciously thinking of how to break the target, your subconscious will be. Soon, missing targets at station one, or any other, will be a thing of the past.

 

When are you ready to shoot Registered Skeet?
By Barry Greenberg

On the practice field, Jim's scores are consistently in the 20's.

He keeps telling himself that once he picks up one or two more targets he may join the NSSA and try his luck at registered competition. However, as the weeks and months go by he feels he's not progressing enough to make the move. Eventually, his interest, as well as his confidence begins to waver and soon all is forgotten.

What Jim does not realize, is that you don't have to be an AA shooter to enjoy registered competition. After joining the NSSA, and shooting a minimum number of targets in each gauge you are assigned a class based on your scores. You then compete against shooters within your own class. You'll move up in class only if your scores improve. If Jim would have joined the NSSA when the urge first occurred, he would have had a lot more incentive, and help, to improve. Nothing pushes you to practice more than losing your class championship by only one target.

Don't make Jim's mistake. When you think you’re ready to compete, why procrastinate? Join the NSSA and give it a try. By doing so, I guarantee, you'll already be a winner.

 

Watch the Target, Not your Barrel
By Barry Greenberg

Shooters new to the game of skeet, very often find themselves frustrated at not being able to break targets consistently, no matter how hard they try.

I've found one of the most common mistakes they make is their failure to focus on the target rather than their gun barrel.

Most new shooters, mount the gun, sight down the barrel, and look at their front bead. When they call for the target their eyes are focused on the bead rather than on what they're trying to hit.

It is important for them to understand, that their eyes should be following the target, but they will see the bead with their peripheral vision. The space seen between the target and the front bead is the lead. When you see what you perceive to be the correct lead, pull the trigger and follow through.

 

One Eye or Two?
By Barry Greenberg

This is a hard subject to approach, since none of us can see through the eyes of another.

There are many skeet shooters that shoot with one eye closed, and break their share of 25's, 50's, and 100's. However, when ties occur during tournaments, and shoot-offs are needed to decide a winner, they will be at a tremendous disadvantage.

Why?

Because championships are decided by shooting doubles at stations 3, 4, and 5. The one-eyed shooter will soon discover he does not have the peripheral vision necessary to acquire the second target fast enough, to make a quick, clean, shot. Quite often, he will find himself searching for the target, and then, shooting behind it because it has traveled too far.

After losing a few shoot-offs, you'll finally begin to realize that unless a change is made the champion will consistently be the other guy.

If, after trying, you have difficulty making the transition seek advice from experienced shooters at your club.

As you become more and more involved in registered shooting, you'll continually be trying to improve. No change you'll ever make will benefit you more then this one.

 

Don't be Afraid to shoot the 410
By Barry Greenberg

Skeet shooting is a game enjoyed by sportsmen in practically every part of the world. No matter what range you visit you'll see groups of people talking and joking and generally just having a good time.

If you could examine what gauges they're shooting, you'd find most are using a 12 gauge, while some brave the 20 and 28 gauges. Rarely do you see a 410.

Why?

Because next to a bear market, an ulcer, or diarrhea, nothing is anywhere near as frustrating, or painful, as a round of skeet using the 410.

Skeet is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, and it is with this one exception. I've witnessed grown men, nearly brought to tears, because they couldn't hit a target at stations 3, 4, or 5, no matter how hard they tried. I've seen big, burly, ex-service men, humbled and humiliated, by this tiny shell, stumbling their way to station eight, thankful that the round was almost over. I've witnessed shooters so frustrated at missing so many "easy" targets; they swear never to return to the skeet fields again.

I compare most shooters reactions to the 410, similar to someone suffering with a phobia. If you try to ignore it, maybe it will disappear. But, if you're a tournament shooter this is one nightmare that's just not going to go away. You have only one choice, and that's to deal with it.

Here are a few suggestions that might help:
1. BE CONFIDENT - if you're shooting well with the other gauges, there's no reason you won't do well with the 410

2. DON'T LISTEN TO OTHER SHOOTERS SOB STORIES - the more you listen, the more you'll believe

3. DON'T OVER PRACTICE - 3 or 4 rounds are enough

4. DON'T CHANGE YOUR SHOOTING PROGRAM- Shoot the 410 the same as any other gauge

5. CONCENTRATE ON EVERY SHOT- Don't let your mind wander. Stay focused and call for the target only if you are ready.

6. SHOOT IT ON A REGULAR BASIS - Use it or you'll lose it.

The ultimate thrill as a skeet shooter is to break a 100 straight in the 410. Very few have ever been able to accomplish this.

 

High Five Blues
By Barry Greenberg

Because it is an incoming target, high 5 should present a minimum amount of trouble, for most skeet shooters.

Sometimes you'll feel as if you have all day to break this bird. However, the longer you track the target across the field the more problems you’re likely to encounter. By riding the target too far you run the risk of shooting behind, as well as over, this seemingly easy target.

Keep in mind, a skeet choke has its optimum pattern at 20 to 25 yards. Projecting this out to the flight of the target the ideal area to break this bird, is between five feet before to five feet past the target crossing point. (The Center Stake while it is still rising. If you wait any longer, the target has already begun to drop.)

However, shooting the bird in the correct area doesn't guarantee a broken target. Many shooters fail to realize this target requires one of the longest leads on the field. It's not uncommon to see shooters fire at the target in the correct area, but shoot well behind it.

To avoid doing this the shooter will start tracking the target further across the field, thinking it's an easier shot as it gets closer. But the truth is, by this time the target is dropping and is often missed by shooting over it.

So what's the answer?

First, make sure to break the target in the "Sweet Spot", which is approximately five feet before, or after, the target’s crossing point. (The Center Stake)

Secondly, assuming you are shooting the target using sustained lead, pull away from the target another 8 to 12 inches just as your about to pull the trigger. This will add the extra lead necessary to break this target if shooting behind has been your problem. Make sure to stay slightly below the target when doing so.

 

Solving a Problem Can Be Easy, With the Right Approach
By Barry Greenberg

We all know there are basic shooting positions when first learning the game of skeet.

These basics are divided into three shooting fundamentals. They are:

a. Stance
b. Gun hold
C. Eye Placement
Over time we are able to develop our own skills by varying these basic shooting fundamentals to suit our own style of shooting. By being able to repeatedly break targets, we reinforce our conviction that our shooting program is successful.

Sooner or later no matter how well you’re shooting, a problem will develop on a station you've never had trouble with before. How you go about solving this problem is extremely important, for if not handled properly, it could affect performance on other stations.

Before correcting the trouble you first must determine whether it's a physical or mental problem.

If it's a mental problem don't try correcting it by making changes in your physical program. This type of trouble is more likely to be solved by making adjustments in your mental approach.

But suppose it's the fault of some type of physical problem?

Many skeet shooters feel it's counterproductive to change any part of their shooting program to correct problems. Their theory is "Shoot your way out of it.” Others prefer to make exaggerated or extreme changes in their shooting fundamentals to eliminate their troubles. But most prefer varying degrees of change somewhere in between.

However, I've found the quickest way to find the cause, as well as the cure, is by going back to the three basic fundamentals. What must be kept in mind, as you strive to overcome these types of problems, is that rarely will the changes required to fix them, be drastic. Usually, they will be subtle, and very slight. The trick is to determine which of the three basics, need adjustment.

Start with your stance first. See if making small changes in foot positions alleviate the problem.

If this helps, GO NO FARTHER! Don't try anything else.

If it doesn't, try making slight changes in your gun hold positions.

If the problem still exists, try working on focusing your eyes in a slightly different area.

Chances are by following this step by step approach you'll eventually find the solution to your problem, without drastically changing your shooting routine.

 

 

 

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