Do whatever is comfy for you.

Everyone is different when it comes to the UP / DOWN theory.

What works for one person doesn't always work for the other.

 

Yes.

Important thing is how freely your wrist can move with the gun. A shooter with a thumbhole stock might like the tucked elbow like shooting a rifle, it works for me with my TM1 with a thumbhole. I like to shoot with my forearm, wrist and hand in as in a straight line as possible and my hand not cranked out 90 degrees from my forearm.

 

There are All-Americans in both disciplines that have high or low elbow positions. Depending on WHO made the statement to you about your position, I would totally ignore that advice. I think a higher position (if comfortable) helps to form a better pocket for the pad to be located consistently. If YOU are comfortable with your position just ignore the "free" advice. Did it come from a Master Class SC shooter?

Scott Hanes

 

Did it come from a Master Class SC shooter?

Scott Hanes

Yes it did.

 

Leo’s opinion for trap was that it didn’t matter as long as you are consistent every time.

 

My elbow is raised ear level when shotting regardless of the game. Helps keep the sight line correct for me,

 

Just do the same thing everytime. The higher elbow can help create a bigger pocket, the lower elbow gives you more ability to adapt to the gun while shooting sporting clays.

 

A higher elbow creates a larger gun pocket and helps force you to keep your head down on the gun stock. The important thing is creating muscle memory and mounting the gun the same all the time

 

Do what works best for you. We are all built differently. Watch Zach Kienbaum shoot. He must be doing something right.

 

I do it elbow up, but not Kienbaum up

 

Called the chicken wing. I noticed gun canting with an O/U when done. Keinbaum looks canted at times but his scores dont look canted.

 

Why does it have to be only up or down? I choose somewhere in the middle. Would that be a light chicken wing, improved chicken wing? For singles a full chicken wing isn't necessary. From the 27 I'd go full chicken wing then, of course.

 

Just surgically fix your elbow in one position and stop worrying about it

 

In my experience, you see women and youth shooters flare out the elbow more than Adult Men.

Which makes sense as women and youth shooters don't have a lot of strength; flaring out the elbow helps steady and guide the gun. Also, they don't have large chest and shoulders so flaring out the elbow creates a pocket for a consistent mount.

If you're a man that has done ( or is still currently) any strength training or manual labor, then the points I listed above is irrelevant to you and it comes down to personal preference.

Kyle Kanuha from Pennsylvania.

 

I was taught, elbow up keeps your head down. I believe it to be true.

 

I will try this. Keeping my head down is my biggest weakness. I had a lesson years ago and during the first lesson the instructor actually slapped my elbow and told me to keep it down. The lesson was mainly for sporting clays, however.

 

I used to shoot with elbow up and had my best averages when doing so.
For me it helped me keep my head on the stock.
After rotator cuff surgery I can no longer do that and I’m not as consistent as I once was.
The other posters that said find what works best for YOU are absolutely correct, all shooters are different, good luck.

 

I have shot sporting clays along side, same squads with several different professional sporting clays shooters. Each one has their own way of mounting their shotguns. If you ever go to you tube and watch closely at the world class sporting and fitasc shooters you will see that each one has a slightly different approach, but rest assured that almost all of them have specific hold points and break points. As someone else mentioned, Kienbaum starts out with his gun canted, as a lot of shooters do but then, when executing the shot, everything becomes level. I personally was taught elbow up, and still shoot a higher elbow position. Not as high as some but relatively high. As others have stated, and I believe every good coach worth his salt will tell you to do what is comfortable for you. Just my opinion, but if someone were to tell me I had to do it their way, I would ignore them. Best of luck to you in your shooting!

 

Soon as you figure it out, go and view some of the international folks shoot trap on video.

Mine is raised level … always has and always will.

Cheers, Dusty

 

Consistency is the key.

One of the factors is the amount of lateral movement you may need to make. Very few bunker shooters are elbow up.

 

Arm up is the way soem shooters keep the comb solid and eyesight aligned. Arm down means that the comb is usaully more offset (cast off). On a neutral stock often it will be necessary to bring your arm up in order to align the bbl/beads and HOLD IN PLACE.

 

isn't the correct question "head up or down?" If so, then it is whatever it takes for the correct question?

 

Strange thing is the elbow up is natural and comfortable, I never noticed it. I am barrel chested so that may make a difference.

 

Do what works for you, and I agree the discipline, head position and forward lean matters

Erminio Frasca of Italy 2008 Bejing with the comb stuck in his nose

Giovanni Pellielo Silver 2008

Glen Eller

Dagan Voigtman

Gebben Miles

 

We teach our SCTP team what feels comfortable and repeatable.

 

Is this a soft mount?

 

I'm an elbow up guy. For all reasons already stated. I'd also add it feels more free to swing vs having my elbows tucked.

 

I was always taught that you keep your strong elbow up. This creates a pocket between your shoulder and chest and helps to keep the stock of a strong recoiling caliber off of your shoulder bone.