Are there any guys that have been shooting for more than say 5 years, and have not had at least one 25 straight? Mike.

I know of one guy at my club that has been shooting about that long and has never done it. Although he only shoots once every two weeks or so for fun.

I have been shooting trap about five years and was averaging 23 in the first six months and have never shot a straight in trap. But after six months our machine was replaced with a wobble trap that was set at the widest angles and highest to lowest angle and I'm still at 23 with lots of 24's. If it was just regular trap I feel I would have numerous straights but not so with wobble. I average in the mid to low 90's with all four gauges in skeet. No straight is not something you want to admit though. LOL Jackie B.

Took me a year and a month to finally do it. The older guys at the club had told me once I did it once I would start having them routinely. Well it's not quite as routine as I'd like but they were right. I still get excited inside when I do it. I now have many 50's and several 75's. If I could just get my 100 I'd be tickled to death. Been close with several 99's and a slew of 98's. I've been shooting Registered since 2006 so I'm still wet behind the ears.

I started shooting this year and had a 25 straight about a month and a half ago. I think it was a fluke and the stars were just aligned. I normally shoot between 20-23 per round with an occasional nightmare. I do remember the day I hit the 25 I felt like it didn't matter what I did every clay was going to break. Only time I ever felt that way. Now I seem to be set with a hand full of brain farts each round.

Jim

I think I might of had a 25 straight years ago when the Braves were still here in Milwaukee? Steve Balistreri

You mean Boston, Steve lol

I started shooting when I was a teenager. I only shoot for fun, and never participated in the ATA events. My club dropped out of them years ago. I didn't shoot a straight until I was 59. But it sure was fun.

Chuck

Chuckie, congradulations you got it. Mike.

Had quite a few before I stopped shooting in the late 80's.

Started back in the mid 2000's.

Whatever I had , if anything, is gone or is on hold.

Approaching that big 70 doesn't help either.

Regards....Gerald

I'm a firm believer that if you have the ability to hit 20/25 you have enough skill to hit 25/25. Those last 5 targets are all lost to the mental game inside your head. Everyone has their own way of getting over that hump -- some use a key phrase, some develop a series of steps to follow in order to keep their mind focused, and some people do things like visualization. I would recommend reading Lanny Bassham's book, "With Winning in Mind" to get a better understanding of the mental game -- it's cheap ($10-$15) and a quick read. There are other books/mental management systems out there if for some reason Lanny doesn't strike a chord, but honestly it's not about talent or physical ability once you start averaging above 20. The same holds true for 50's, 75's, 100's.

--Dan

25's and 50's are no big deal but 100's are getting much tougher. At age 64 I don't believe it's gonna get easier!!

I had my first 25 after about a month and a half shooting trap, the guy who was helping me out got his first a week before me and he has been shooting 20+ yrs. I wanted so bad to break 50 and in an ATA event ran first 25 and was excited and missed the 28th bird I was so bummed that I ran the rest I was so excited to get a 99 that didn't realize I ran the second 50. 75 will be tough but this weekend I plan to get my 75, 100, and 200 at the buckeye shoot.

keeping possitive its all in the space between the ears. If you think it, it will come....

Dan,

If you can hit one bird you can hit them all.

Brady

Brady,

I guess I agree with what you said, as long as you can _repeatedly_ hit one bird you can surely break them all. That's where I think the 20/25 comes in... if you're averaging 20 or better out of 25, you're not just hitting targets based on luck -- you've established some kind of repeatable system. From that point it's just "hit 1 target", repeat.

--Dan