[WNCRob]

I've been shooting for 3 years, and love doubles, but don't get to practice it enough (86 average). I wonder if any successful RH shooters shoot the right bird first from all stations? I seem to shoot better when moving the gun from right to left. Thanks for any comments on successful strategies.

WNCRob

 

[wild turkey]

My wife is right handed, right eye dominate and shoots left handed. The always shoots the left first and does pretty well. The is no set in stone way to shoot. Shoot the way you are most comfortable.

The best thing to remember is hit the first bird as fast as you can this will allow you more time for the second.

Good luck

 

[recurvyarcher]

If you are a right handed shooter, and you don't shoot as well when you are moving from left to right, are you maybe pushing your gun away from your face with the forearm instead of moving your upper body all at once toward the target?

I am a fairly new shooter, so you can take my question and do with it what you want. There are a number of things that could be happening. If you can get the help of someone who consistently shoots 100 straights in doubles, and they will watch you shoot to see what's going on, that's what I would do.

Have you tried shooting the right bird first at each station? If you did, then what was your score? If you have tried it a number of times, did it help?

 

[royboy]

Rob are you in Fla or N.C. Never heard about your possible move. CK

 

[Jawhawker]

Hawley and Pete McCall are/were the only two really successful shooters using this technique.

 

[hmb]

Learning how to trap the first bird makes doubles shooting a lot easier. HMB

 

[Harv Shell]

Martin, I think Charlie Morrison Sr. had some success shooting that way also. Harv

 

[BDodd]

I have a buddy, left handed and he shoots Right/Left on all stations. I usually would gladly take his scores over mine......Bob Dodd

 

[WNCRob]

I can generally trap all/most of the first birds and for some reason can visually lock on to the left bird more solidly and quickly than the right one. Also, this comes into play more on stations 4 and 5...if I shoot the right bird first, then the 2nd bird (left) is nearly a straight away shot as opposed to a passing shot. Need to practice more.
Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions.
WNCRob

 

[Jawhawker]

Rob, you can obviously become a proficient doubles shooter by shooting that right bird first always. But I think your learning curve to attaining a level of proficiency that your hoping for will be longer and harder. One thing you might take a look at is your foot position and body stance since you feel moving across your body is easier on 4 and 5. Another item is stock length. Try shortening it and see if it becomes easier for you to make the moves. One important thing for the eyes would be to contact Phil Kiner and order an eye exercise packet.

 

[Maytag]

Have you noticed that the top doubles shooters that frequent this forum have not chimed in? I used to watch top shooters at a shoot and try some of their techniques to see if they would work for me. After some practice I found that their techniques usually were the best for my best scores. There is no substitute for practice though.

 

[canada]

Sean Hawley doesn't seem to have too much trouble doing it, but I would not suggest it. Set up for the straight away, as in mount your gun where it is going to come out, a few inches high, maybe higher if you like. Don't trap it, no top ATA shooter traps the first bird. By trap, I mean spot shoot, as in pull the trigger as soon as the bird gets to your gun. It leads to a jerky move on the second bird, is inconsistent, and completely unnecessary.

A smooth move to the first bird leads to a smooth move to the second bird. You can't be slow by any means on the first bird, but you need a smooth quick move. I know that strayed a bit from your question.

Pat Lamont

 

[recurvyarcher]

There's your person that consistently shoots 100 straights in doubles. Take his advice, and get him (or somebody like him) to watch what you are doing. Then you can correct your swing, gun fit, or whatever is the problem that is keeping you from reaching your shooting goals.

 

[Phil Kiner]

About 2 years ago I did a doubles series in Trap and Field.
For the last article I interviewed Ray Stafford, Leo Harrison, Bob Munson, Eric Munson, Harlan Campbell, and Ricky Marshall. (Could not connect with Sean Hawley in time as he was in the process of moving to Utah)

One of the questions I asked was do you trap the first bird. Guess how many and who they were that trap the first bird.

 

[ClaysNovice]

One suggestion for practice is to shoot some sporting clays in addition to your doubles practice. It helps you get used to those days when the wind affects those doubles target, and they do not quite fly like they are supposed to. I know it may not be common advice here on the forum, but it just my two cents.

 

[setter]

Phil,

None, zero, not any, nada. Next question. Why?

Jim

 

[WNCRob]

Phil, I haven't a clue, but would be very interested in their opinion of trapping vs. "capturing" the first bird. I expect that a small movement to capture the first bird is fine as long as it doesn't foster a looping motion to bring a high gun to below the second bird so that you can attack it from slightly below...presuming the bird is still rising a bit. As for trapping, a good friend who is a pretty good shot (actually, very good), maintains that shooting doubles entails a single move. I watched him "trap" 50 straight yesterday and lost one #2 bird...smooth as silk. Very economical movement. But he's been at this for 40+ years. Practice.
Thanks for your interest in this thread. I very much appreciate your (and others') comments.

WNCRob

 

[John Thompson]

Veldon Smith of Indiana broke the first 100 at The Grand in Doubles shooting the angle target first. With ability nothing else matters much.

 

[hmb]

Too bad Phil didn't interview some of members of the US Olympic mens double trap team. They all trap the first bird. Including Walton Eller who won the gold medal in the 2008 Summer Games. HMB

 

[trapshooteraa27aa]

I'm in no way as good as the top shooter's in doubles but i have had pretty good success in shooting the right target first. I have won the Michigan doubles and ohio doubles. Also in 1996 I won the grand American doubles with a 99 class A (dropped the last target). I ran my first 100 the same way in Michigan. So shoot them the way you like too.
Chris