A Trio of Shotgunning Tips from NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation offers three important tips for shotgunners that can help you shoot better, hit more targets, and enjoy your day on the course more.
NSSF Video
Author: SSSF Staff
Staff Tip: Visualize the Process
Note: This is the first in a series of shooting and competition tips from the SSSF staff.
While working with an ammunition company several years ago, I joined members of our sales and marketing team at a police pistol range for some training on a bitterly cold January morning to gain a better understanding of officers’ needs in ammunition and the dangers they face in the field.
A tactical course was set up, with the officer required to shoot accurately, correctly distinguish the good guys from the bad guys that were popping up and moving into the course of fire, rescue a partner who had been “shot” without also getting shot, move to a safer area, and more — and do it all FAST.
I was seriously out of my element. Although I was a shooter, I had no law enforcement or tactical expertise, nor did the rest of our team. The range officer brought in an expert to demonstrate the course. But not just any expert — it was the officer who held the record for shooting the course. He dazzled us with his speed and accuracy as he performed every challenge perfectly. Then it was our turn.
Several members of our staff went through the course before Randell’s name was called. Underdressed in his warm-weather clothes and loafers, Randell approached the starting box. Tap, tap, move. Tap, tap, move. Minutes later, Randell had not only stunned all the spectators, but he had broken the course record the first time he shot it!
His secret, he explained, was that it wasn’t the first time he shot the course; he had spent the previous half hour visualizing the course and mentally shooting it. In his mind, he placed every shot, moved to the next challenge, took every step, rescued the downed partner, took cover, and developed the rhythm he needed to do it quickly and smoothly.
We all learned something important from Randell’s performance. It was too late to help me that day — I was the next shooter — but I’ve practiced it many times since then, not just in pistol shooting, but in shotgunning and other active pursuits. I haven’t broken any records, but I’ve benefited every time I have visualized the process.
— Sherry Kerr, SSSF Media & Communications
MidwayUSA Foundation Matching Deadlines Are Approaching
As another year starts to wind down, we are inching closer to the MidwayUSA Foundation matching deadlines. Don’t miss your chance to double, triple, even quadruple your money!
Funds returned to the MidwayUSA Foundation stemming from one of their recent promotions (Zeiss Binoculars, Browning Knife Set, Winchester 280, SKB RS300) by November 30, 2014, will be matched 3:1. Funds returned from previous promotions (Our Family Legacy, Silver Sporting) are matched 1:1. See MidwayUSA Foundation’s promotions page for additional details.
General donations are also matched. Donate to the team of your choice and your donation will be matched 2:1 by Larry and Brenda Potterfield! Find your team here. Your donation is tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to your local shooting team. But hurry — this match also ends November 30, 2014.
According to MidwayUSA Foundation, in 2015 they plan to bring new incentives to your teams to grow your Team Endowment Accounts. They also hope to offer another matching program, but don’t miss your chance this year! Donate today!
Jamaican Shooting Program Seeks Guidance from SCTP
The U.S. isn’t the only place where clay target shooting is enjoying growth among student athletes. In Jamaica, the shotgun sports are experiencing an upward trend, and youth are responsible for much of that growth.
In 2011, Jamaica’s national coach initiated a junior shooting program with only five participants. Now, 65 to 75 youth shooters regularly participate in events. At a recent inter-school competition, 12 school teams competed, and there is a movement in place to gain representation in skeet shooting at the Olympic Games.
With the growth of interest in shooting among high school students, the Jamaican program has sought guidance from none other than the largest youth shooting program in the U.S. — the Scholastic Clay Target Program. Among other areas of development, the Jamaican program is hoping to open doors that will lead to the availability of shooting scholarships for its students at U.S. universities.
Who knows, you may someday meet your Jamaican counterparts at an SCTP event or even have them as teammates on college teams! Stay tuned.
Who Ya Gonna Call?
When you need to contact the SSSF staff, we want to give you the help you need as efficiently as possible. We know that no one likes being passed from person to person in search of a simple answer.
To help you get to the right person the first time, please follow these guidelines:
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
For any program-related issues regarding SCTP, such as:
Contact Amanda Wondrash, awondrash@sssfonline.com, 262-206-4634.
For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.
Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP)
For any program-related issues regarding SPP, such as:
Contact Tammy Mowry, tmowry@sssfonline.com, 724-822-7390.
For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.
NSCA Scholastic Instructor Certification Is New Option for SCTP Coaches
Shotgun coaches have a new option for becoming certified as SCTP coaches with a new program from the National Sporting Clays Association’s Certified Instructor Program. NSCA now offers a Scholastic Instructor category developed to qualify instructors to work with youth and beginning shooters in a safe and recreational manner. SSSF will be accepting the new course for SCTP coach certification.
The course is the same as that offered for NSCA Level I instructors but has fewer prerequisites, such as registered target requirements.
Scholastic Instructor courses will be offered around the country; the first class is scheduled for January 17-18, 2015, at Old Hudson Plantation in Sparta, Georgia. Other classes will be added regularly. NSCA instructor courses can always be found on the NSCA Instructor Certification Class Schedule.
To learn more about the Scholastic Instructor program, see the course criteria on MyNSCA.com.
For information about planning an instructor course in your area, contact NSCA Chief Instructor, Don Currie, at 407-697-6236 or NSCA@doncurrie.com.
Ft. Hays Collegiate Division Central Region Open Championship
The Fort Hays (NE) State Shooting Sports Club and Scholastic Clay Target Program are hosting a Collegiate Division Central Region Open Championship, October 17-19.
The tournament will be at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Preregistration is required, and fees can be paid at check-in. Competitive shooting starts each day at 9:00 a.m.
Entries will be limited to 200 participants. Each participating school must provide at least one five-person squad that shoots all events for a cumulative team score. Each participating school can enter as many squads (and individuals) as they choose.
Team and individual awards will be presented. All SCTP participating schools will have $1,000 in endowment funds deposited to their MidwayUSA Foundation account. Winners will also earn endowment funds.
Level 1 Shotgun Coach Course Planned in Nebraska
SCTP is hosting an NRA Level 1 Shotgun Certification Course in Grand Island, Nebraska, on December 6-7.
The classroom portion of the class will be held at the Grand Island Police Department/Hall County Corrections Administrative Building conference room (111 Public Safety Dr., Grand Island, NE). The range portion of the class will be held at the Heartland Public Shooting Park (6788 W Husker Hwy, Grand Island, NE) on December 7.
To register, complete the form and return with your payment. You can also contact Amanda Wondrash by phone at 262-206-4634 to pay by credit card.
The cost of the class will be $190 for non-registered SCTP coaches or $125 for currently registered SCTP coaches. If we get 20 or more class attendees, we will refund $25 each to SCTP current registered coaches.
Rooms are available at the Holiday Inn – Midtown (2503 S. Locust St., Grand Island, NE (308-384-1330) for $108.99/night (King) and $ 101.99/night (Double) plus tax. Please mention the SCTP Coach Class and Book Early and Save Rates for the rate.
Class starts promptly at 8 am each day; on Saturday, please expect to be in class until 5 p.m.
On Sunday, the class will start in the classroom at 8 a.m. and go until about noon. After lunch, you will travel to the range for the remainder of the day. Please dress accordingly for the weather and prepare to be outside all afternoon.
There will be an informational meeting Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn – Midtown in the conference room. During that meeting, the instructor will go over several aspects of the SCTP and answer any questions you may have regarding your team or the SCTP program. It is strongly recommended that you take the couple of hours to learn what the SCTP has to offer you, your team, and your athletes.
For more information, contact Amanda Wondrash, 262-206-4634.
Course Registration Form
USA Shooting Proclaims 10.9 Day
In this country, we take pride in making up days to celebrate anything – donuts, pirates, and even our bosses. USA Shooting knows a good celebration when they see one, and traditionally, that’s been as a result of medal-worthy performances set down by its athletes. But today, 10.9, USA Shooting has claimed the day as its very own.
In target shooting, a 10.9 is the mark of perfection, proof that excellence has been achieved. Excellence is a virtue of the USA Shooting Team, so on 10.9 (October 9), USA Shooting has encouraged its community to aim for excellence in all the shots you take in life.
“We’re recognizing those moments in time when the ordinary became extraordinary and when jaws were dropped,” says USA Shooting. “On this day, and every day thereafter, strive for excellence in all that you do, and may every shot you take in life be in pursuit of the highest mark, your 10.9.”
While not everyone has shot that elusive 10.9, what’s important is encouraging and celebrating people who help us on that path toward excellence. Encourage someone this week, and be sure to say “thanks” to someone who has encouraged you!
Registration Open for SCTP College Regional “Spooktacular” Tournament, Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
Online registration is now open for the SCTP College Regional “Spooktacular” Tournament planned for Halloween weekend at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois.
The 400-target tournament is open to any college team registered with the Scholastic Clay Target Program.
The shoot will open on Friday, October 31 with sporting clays and 5-stand competition, as well as a Last Competitor Standing event and Halloween costume contest. Saturday will feature skeet, wobble trap, and 5-stand events. Trap and an awards ceremony will fill Sunday morning, November 2, before teams’ departure in early afternoon.
More than $80,000 in endowment funding will be available for contribution to participating and winning teams’ MidwayUSA Foundation endowment accounts.
