I would say "Uncle, I don't really know how to do that and it would be unfair to the others on the squad for me to lead off. How about if you lead off and let me shoot behind you? Then I can watch you and know what I should be doing the next time."

 

The first responsibility of the lead off shooter is to when the squad is ready, look at the targets and check with the other shooters if they are ok with them. Unless something really changes, you only "have" to do that the first round.

The only other responsibility of the lead off shooter is not to waste time between rounds and set a good pace. The rest of the squad should follow the lead of the first shooter.

Everything else is the responsibility of the individual shooter or the referee.

ED

 

The first responsibility of the lead off shooter is to when the squad is ready, look at the targets and check with the other shooters if they are ok with them. Unless something really changes, you only "have" to do that the first round.

The only other responsibility of the lead off shooter is not to waste time between rounds and set a good pace. The rest of the squad should follow the lead of the first shooter.

Everything else is the responsibility of the individual shooter or the referee.

ED

Perfect. Thank you. {hs#

 

Frank Neumayer spells this out well:
" The squad leader is the only shooter on the squad that actually has duties to perform during an event. Here are the basic duties of the squad leader: 1) They will call the squad, and the score keeper to readiness. 2) They will call for a "view target" and get squad member consensus of acceptability. 3) They will then lead-off the sub-event by calling the first target and taking the first shot. 4) As the squad rotates through each post, they will acknowledge the post one shooter is ready before taking the first shot at a new post. 5) When each sub-event is concluded, the squad leader will review the scores for accuracy, initial the score sheet, and then carry it on to the next sub-event. 6) At the end of a 100 target event, the squad leader makes certain the score sheet is complete and legible and that it gets into the hands of shoot management for recording. If there's been any corrections made on the score sheet the squad leader is to make certain everything is legible and that all corrections are properly initialed. (Note: Shoot management will always verify all scores before official posting). "

" Remember, it's every shooter's own responsibility to make certain their scores are correct as they move through an event. If questions come up, the squad leader will try to resolve the issue through consensus and validation from the squad members and the score keeper. Squad leaders are not responsible to watch and critique every single target break from every member of the squad. They are not serious dispute resolvers, nor the supreme final authority on anything. If any issue needs escalating, the squad leader will simply stop the squad and defer the problem to the shoot authorities for resolution. At some point every shooter will be faced with being a squad leader, but many shooters have expressed a concern for keeping track of the actual number of shots fired from post to post? You can dispel this fear very simply by keeping your shells in their box and put the entire box in your pocket. Then you can easily keep count with your fingers (5 shells to a row/post) as you move through the event. Overall, with a little practice and experience, being a squad leader really isn't difficult or intimidating at all."

 

Yes, the lead off shooter should check the score sheet at the end of the 100 and initial it after the other shooters agree.

However, most the other stuff RemingtonII brings up has nothing to do with American skeet. Possibly International Skeet or Trap.

ED

 

it is not hard- just be ready to shoot- I like being first. I get to see the show me birds right before I shoot. Lets me get focused. If you are nervous about it then don't be first but it is not any big deal.

 

When you're shooting well, lead off is the place to be. When you're struggling, it can make you struggle more.

ED

 

I do disagree with the notion the #1 shooter is the only one with duties. #4 shooter has the responsibility to remain with #5 shooter. Its good skeet manners. With that said I DESPISE that #4 position in hot weather and if I am #5 I request #4 shooter to go seek what ever relief that they might be able to find and leave me no matter what others think.

Personally I like #2 or #5. We all have our ways I guess.

 

However, most the other stuff RemingtonII brings up has nothing to do with American skeet. Possibly International Skeet or Trap.

ED

Absolutely agree, especially based on this:

4) As the squad rotates through each post, they will acknowledge the post one shooter is ready before taking the first shot at a new post.

Most likely American trap. In international trap, when running 6 shooters through 5 stations, you don't wait. There's always a guy moving from 5 back to 1 while guys are shooting.

For those who aren't familiar with it, International trap rotates after each shot, and shoots a 6 man squad on 5 stations.

 

I do disagree with the notion the #1 shooter is the only one with duties. #4 shooter has the responsibility to remain with #5 shooter. Its good skeet manners. With that said I DESPISE that #4 position in hot weather and if I am #5 I request #4 shooter to go seek what ever relief that they might be able to find and leave me no matter what others think.

Absolutely concur!! I despise being (Last -1) shooter, or next to last. Little time to relax and wipe off sweat. And just like NC, there's always SWEAT in VA in the summer!!

I don't like being the lead off, or next to last.

 

Wow...not sure the OP can make good sense of this.

1. I agree with others, please disregard Rem II's post as its cut and paste from a non-American skeet source....and it does sound like its from trap based on the part about "posts" and the "post 1 shooter"

2. I don't know why your uncle would want to do this to you at your 2nd shoot and it being a very large shoot at that, but if you are going to shoot lead off:

- Get your squad together on station 1 to look at the "look see" birds. You can crowd a bunch of people around station 1. Might also be nice to send a shooter to station 7 to see if the low house is over the center stake and making the distance marker.

- Usually the lead off guy is pretty experienced and a good shooter. Although its not a dictatorship, lead off generally leads the discussion as to if the targets are acceptable and if there is any difference of opinion squad lead generally makes the decision.

- The most important thing you do as lead off is set the pace...that is, for example, shoot your station 1 and then move briskly to behind and a bit to the left of station 2 (making sure you are out of the next shooter's sight). Set the pace, set the pace, set the pace.

- I have seen many different people on the squad sign the score sheet. Generally a ref will read out the scores, ask if everybody agrees (or if they don't ask, and you don't agree, open your mouth) and then when all is happy and settled somebody on the squad needs to sign the sheet. Often lead off, but it doesn't have to be.

- Don't dawdle between rounds. Lead off needs to get their shells, get a quick drink/towel off, and get to station 1 for the next round...if your squad is screwing around between rounds on a hot day, generally shooting H1 will give them the idea its time to move. ;-)

That's about it. Its just a position.

By the by, I was also taught that its the polite thing to do for the 4th shooter to back up the 5th shooter so nobody is left hanging out on a station by themselves. But like John Henry, on a really hot day I wouldn't complain is #4 went under a tree while I was, for example shooting 5th on station 6.

 

good thought on the backing up the last shooter. I have always done that but never thought about it.

 

I prefer 1 or 5. I might not break as many targets as I once did, but I can set a decent pace.
I hate 4 (or next to last on a short squad) because I can't remember to back up, and I don't care if someone backs me if tailgunner.

 

- Get your squad together on station 1 to look at the "look see" birds. You can crowd a bunch of people around station 1. Might also be nice to send a shooter to station 7 to see if the low house is over the center stake and making the distance marker.

In addition to stations 1 and 7, my squad also puts a guy on 4. This gives you a chance to check that pairs are crossing at the same height, and also crossing directly above the center stake, and not offset to one side, ie, one target faster than the other. Distance markers provide a little useful information, but we like to see them crossing from 4.

On a good field, you have a guy at 1,4, and 7, you throw a pair,a nd you are done if the targets are where they should be.

(You can also get a lot of "intel" from the squad that just finished. Get there early, and watch their targets, and then ask them how they were flying when they are packing up there gear. Believe me, if the birds weren't perfect, somebody on the squad will let you know!!)

 

Yup another Remington II irrelivent post. At least he's keeping the string going. :lol: Ric

 

We have finally caught Rem2 redhanded. He has never shot a round of skeet. Grumpn and Baron23 have been very polite, but polite is not called for here. Rem has never shot a round of skeet in his entire life, and now we have proof. Baron is right about dawdling. However, if the first shooter goes to station one in round 2, 3, and 4, which he should do promptly, he should not call for the first bird, he should say "Anyone want to look at them?". If no one responds or starts to move toward the station immediately, the leadoff shooter is on his own and can call for the bird, either to look for himself or to shoot the bird. He sets the pace by starting to shoot if the rest of the shooters are satisfied with the birds. If everyone and the leadoff shooter are satisfied with the birds on the previous round, much time can be made up by "shooting the birds". By the way, station four birds are looked at while you are waiting for the previous squad to finish. Every person you take away from station one to look at other birds is another shooter who does not know what a station one looks like. The station seven bird should be looked at before the squad goes to station one. This is not rocket science, but it has to be explained correctly for the original poster. I can't get over the Remmy post. We are free, we are free.

 

we always put the most experienced shooter in #1 to set the pace.
you need to see how its done a few times. match #2 is not a good time to be worrying about anything else other than hitting birds.
uncle...your fired.

 

Every person you take away from station one to look at other birds is another shooter who does not know what a station one looks like. The station seven bird should be looked at before the squad goes to station one.

I'll politely disagree with this one. When checking targets for adjustment, only one shooter, lead-off, needs to be on Sta 1. Everyone else gets a good look at sta 1 when the shooter before them is shooting.

If I am shooting the #5 spot, I don't even leave the gun rack area until #3 is shooting his pair. Then I move into position behind #4 as he takes the pad, and I watch his birds to see how I might want to adjust my hold point.

So having guys on 1,4, and 7, is not preventing anyone from seeing a target on sta 1.

Oh well, it works for our squad anyway.

 

Thanks for everyone's responses. Now I'm more confused than I was before I posted this.

 

BTW, I'm going to a registered shoot next weekend, so I'll observe and draw my own conclusions.

 

Thanks for everyone's responses. Now I'm more confused than I was before I posted this.

Just tell your squadmates you don't want to shoot 1st. Unsportsmanlike of them to put you in this predicament!

If that doesn't work, just tell registration when you sign in, that you are new, and don't want to be 1st. They'll take care of it.