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A GOOD teacher adapts their lesson/teaching style to the learning style of their students, and not try to make the student adapt their learning style to that of the teacher




It's not about the way student prefers to consume information. It's about expectations and communication of those expectations.


From my experience lessons are usually paid on per hour basis. How can it be "quick"? The only "quick" lesson I saw was an "experience package". Nobody put any effort into any kind of skill development. It was just "try something new for 50$" thing. 10 different guns (different action type and sizes). Basic gun mount (so people don't injure themselves). And go to the trap field with a locked machine. Squeeze the trigger and have fun. Instructor's goal was to make client to hit a target as quickly as possible. Guess what type of instructions were there? "right, left, up, down".
 
I’ve been taking lessons for a year and totally agree with Diddle. My instructor insists on a minimum 4 lesson package as he thinks you can’t get much from one lesson. In the beginning it was all about the fundamentals. Mount, fit, gun swing, line of site, etc. Two eyes vs one eye. Only once all the fundamentals were perfected did we move on to hold points, etc. I’d look for a different instructor. I’m in SW Ohio. If you’re near I’d be glad to share his name. He’s a full time instructor and coach
 
There are many unknown variables in the original post.

Did you request an hour? I prefer for the first session to be at least 2 hours. That gives me time to see how the shooter is setting up and moving the gun, build their trust in me and start making suggestions as to how they can improve
I explain that I can teach them how to break the target in front of them right now or I can teach them how to do it on their own when they see it next week or next year etc
I have had shooters show up for lessons with a different gun 3 lessons in a row, ranging from a Beretta auto to 2 completely different O/U. Then I see them 3 months later shooting exactly as they did when they first came to me.
I have seen shooters miss a clay 10 times straight and I suggest that they try moving their hold point or shooting a trap target premounted and see them immediately start hitting it just for them to say"I like to shoot gun down" or "I prefer to pass through everything"
I have shooters that I politely decline to work with. If I see they have been working with other instructors and not progressing or are still showing drastic bad form.
Not every instructor is right for every shooter.

I hope you can find someone that works for you
Formerly Kman now a Beretta
 
A good instructor is one who can watch you shoot and help you improve by becoming aware of gun management and helping you to practice and become better.

Too many instructors try to switch you to their style of shooting, which can totally destroy your confidence and cause your scores to nose dive. No one is such a good pupil they can improve much with one lesson. Find an instructor you can relate to and have faith in. Listen and apply what he is trying to teach you. Take a few lessons, be patient you won't become a world beater with a handful of lessons. No matter how good of instructor you have, you still need to put in a lot of trigger time. Even the best still practice.

Buster
 
Good instructors maybe hard to find locally, you may need to travel. They should assess where you are at and quickly understand your eye dominance. You may think you know the basics like reading a target . You would be amazed at how a pro shooter/instructor performs those analytics. Then they move to formulating a plan and a method. When you shoot , common pro feedback is did you understand the bird barrel relationship, where you on the line , did you match the speed , did you look at the front edge, did you trust it and more. They will also give you written feedback on what to work on. Breaking targets in a lesson can be hard because you become very conscious of all the new information and changes they are implementing. You will break targets once you have worked through the homework. At a minimum you should have a roadmap of what to work on going forward . I would not consider your experience a lesson.
 
I'm interested in Sporting clays lessons and was just looking up the difference between level 1, 2 and 3 instructors. Does anyone know generally how much more it cost for an instructor as you go up from level 1 to level 2 and 3? I know the "famous" instructors have $500 a day clinics but I think I would rather work with someone locally with more private lessons ,maybe four or five one hour private lessons for that same cost then try to drink from the firehose on an all day group clinic.

Also, is it fair to expect a higher level instructor to include a shotkam with a lesson?
 
I know some excellent level 1's and dumb as a rock level 3's. what do you have locally ???

How much do you want to pay? You can pay a fortune if you're willing to?

Do you want a system? Do you want to learn to break a certain target that beats you up now ?? Will you learn it a ll in a couple of lessons (No).
 
I'm interested in Sporting clays lessons and was just looking up the difference between level 1, 2 and 3 instructors. Does anyone know generally how much more it cost for an instructor as you go up from level 1 to level 2 and 3? I know the "famous" instructors have $500 a day clinics but I think I would rather work with someone locally with more private lessons ,maybe four or five one hour private lessons for that same cost then try to drink from the firehose on an all day group clinic.

Also, is it fair to expect a higher level instructor to include a shotkam with a lesson?
The NSCA website has a place you can look up instructors in your area. They’re phone numbers are listed so you can give them a call and ask for details.

 
The NSCA website has a place you can look up instructors in your area. They’re phone numbers are listed so you can give them a call and ask for details.

Yes, that's were I was able to find the difference in expectations for the different levels of instructors. I guess what I was asking is if I should expect a Level 1 instructor, since they are probably newer to charge less per hour then say a level 2 instructor and should I expect to pay even more for a level 3 instructor and if so, what does that number look like?
 
Yes, that's were I was able to find the difference in expectations for the different levels of instructors. I guess what I was asking is if I should expect a Level 1 instructor, since they are probably newer to charge less per hour then say a level 2 instructor and should I expect to pay even more for a level 3 instructor and if so, what does that number look like?
You are going to find out what you are asking by getting on the phone and talking to potential instructors.

Don
 
Yes. Call them and ask. A level 1 "should" charge less than a level 3. But Bobby Fowler in Houston is a level 1 and he charges plenty. Of course he's a world champion and 3x National champ.
 
Do your homework. Interview them. Ask questions and have them ask you questions.

Don
I personally asked a bunch of people who were former clients before I even took a lesson with the local guy. Very established shooter, one of the best local shooters. Every lesson I learned something new or useful. I saw a guy like yours before, had me on the road to non stop missing and non stop lessons.. Lose the current guy and get someone who has a better outlook on coaching..
 
I know some excellent level 1's and dumb as a rock level 3's. what do you have locally ???

How much do you want to pay? You can pay a fortune if you're willing to?

Do you want a system? Do you want to learn to break a certain target that beats you up now ?? Will you learn it a ll in a couple of lessons (No).
Sera,

Did I give you one of my books. If not please send me your address and I will get a hard copy to you. You helped me a lot when I was writing it. If you don't have a copy, I am very embarrassed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike McAlpine
 
Mike --I copied off you and Jimmy Montgomery during my brief target setting career.

111 Mercury St
Lafayette La 70503
 
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