Hell know ... let them work and earn it and in the long run they will be far better for you teaching them that what they earn in life is far more pleasurable than what is just handed to them like a welfare recipient.

 

Right on time.

 

I'm in a shoot-off of sorts against my daughter once a week in our summer trap league. Bragging rights are in the balance.

Usually I win, but occasionally, she wins out.

In answer to your question, even playing field, I play to win, she plays to win, and neither backs down. She wants to knock me off the podium and be the best shooter in the family. She knows, and expects, I will never "let her win."

 

I shoot with my husband and son, often on the same squad. My son never misses after my husband and I do, so we don't let it bother us when he misses. Never been in the shoot off situation with them. If it was against my husband, we'd both be in it to win, but against my son? I'll never tell.

 

First: Show them how its done.

Second: Lose to them for a bit to bring up confidence, but only lose by one target.

Third: As the child gets better you better shoot your best or they are gonna beat you at every shoot!!

I would rather be beat by my child than another shooter. It is fun to watch how they grow and gain experience in shooting targets. Especially if you have been their coach!!

WesleyB

 

What the Lumper meant was...."Hell No.....let them work and earn it.....". I ditto that to! Hell, they may just beat you outright!

 

For those who said they might lose to their child on purpose in a shoot off, I say this: I hope they have never read this site/thread, seen your comments, because if they have ever been in a shoot off with you in the past, or in the future, you have taken away any pride they might have had if they had won. My son knows I’ll never let him win on purpose, that he has to beat me. When he does, there is a pride that I can see that warms my heart, he knows it was a job well done.

 

Hey WesleyB -

How did that forearm work out for you?

Jeff

 

If your kid is good enough to be in a shoot-off, he/she doesn't need to be given any targets by ol' dad. Whip him while you still can.
I shoot with my son, and if there's one person I want to beat, it's him. Usually, I do....but not always.

 

You would be doing your kid a great dis-service by throwing a match to let them 'win'. If a kid is mature enough to compete at a shooting sport they have been around long enough to be able to detect when the old fart is sandbagging. Don't cheapen their victory, make it a stand up event you can both be proud of. (it will happen eventually)

 

My father beat's me most of the time, occasionally I get lucky. We both alway's shoot our best. There's no need for him to drop a target. This way it gives me a little something to strive for, TO BEAT THE OLD MAN.

Thanks, Mike

 

not gonna do either party a favor to roll over...shoot like you mean it..every time!!

 

I would not let them win. I would tell them that someday they will beat me but that they have to earn it and work for it. When that day does come I will be proud of them for doing so.

 

give them all you got...they will respect you more for it in the end...because in the end they will wonder the same thing..'should I let dear ol pops win just one more"

 

I never left my son beat me in a Trapshoot or a Pool match. Of course, who's to say I could beat him in a shootoff. Watching my kid perform in shootoffs as an ATA All-American made me realize I really wouldn't want to shootoff against him-I'd probably lose!!

 

Never drop a shot for anyone. Let them know they have to "beat" you if they want to be the winner. My grandson shot in a pistol league with me and I gave him my best .38 Special and .22rf to shoot. The times he turned in better scores than I did I was damned proud of him and told him so. We are best buddies.

 

Interesting the insight people have. Letting them earn it is best. If they are really young encorage them. The times I shot with my son and daughter was the best. To see their competion with one another and then trying to dad in. No reason smart people realize that some of the best society has to offer is found on the range or in a boat fishing. Just a little insight all my life I try to outshoot dad. He is always the percentage man. Always thought I was crazy because I shot clays. He always considered it a waste. He grew up during the great depression. Always considered him a great snap shooter. Once in the field everything was on for me,shot 53 out of 61. Called him that night thinking I finally bested him. He listened as always and then told me when I could do 49 out od 51 I was doing good. Still trying it. I'm sure he could still out shoot me and he is 83.

Shoot Well

 

If we're talking about a younger kid, I'd put in the tighest choke possible with the smallest shot load in my gun, but I'd shoot to win. It puts a reasonable handicap on myself, yet I'm not deliberately sandbagging. He'd have to earn it, not have it given to him.

If we're talking about older offspring who are experienced trapshooters, play to win.

 

Put it this way , If your going to out live your kids, ya maybe give them one. But the law of averages is on their side that they'll have more chances and time to win a shoot off. So compete fair and may the best shooter win.

Kevin

 

In my opinion no one learns anything by having everything handed to them. If my son wants to win they had better be willing to work for it. If I have anything to do with it they will have to work hard to win it.

Bob Lawless

 

Senior Smoke, Would the kid be using 71/2 or 8's , you know it makes a difference. TCB

 

I do not give my son a single target. He is one third my age, his eyesight, hand eye cordination and reflexes make me look OLD. But I would not trade one of those loses for anything. I am helped coach him and he listened to me when I told him if you do this you will win. Paul

 

I play for blood. The game doesn't matter. Cards, pool, cars, shooting, whatever. If my daughter beats me, she knows that she's accomplished something. It's the way I was raised. It's the way she was raised too. Love her to death but, I'd never throw a game and she knows this. If she wins, she won fair and square. I'd be VERY proud and, give her a big hug. Warning, don't play poker with her. She would take your money.

Shawn

 

Come on, Big Ed, that overgrown kid of yours couldn't beat you on your worst day.

Admit it, every time he wins, it's because you let him. lol lol

Trey knows it and now the rest of the world knows it too......lol lol

Hauxfan!

PS........I suppose I might get a little heat from Trey about this....lol

 

Good for you, Ed.

Keep up the good work.

Hauxfan!