There are four basic building blocks for shotgun competence in clay and gameshooting.

• Stance and balance.
• Gun-mount and the avoidance of head lifting.
• Gun-swing and an understanding 
of the gun and target movement.
• Lead or forward allowance.

Target practice

The best place to rehearse and train these competencies is on the clayground and you don’t necessarily need sporting targets to do it – everything can be practised on the skeet and trap layouts 
at your local club. This can be particularly improved if you have a good coach to advise you!