I'm new to trap shooting. My first time out I hit only three birds. this last week I hit 32 out of 50. Not bad for a novice trap shooter. Thanks for the instruction!

Terrific advice for the novice trap shooter. Thanks, Gil.

Never saw a better instruction in trap shooting! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 🇺🇸

Shot trap for the first time last Sunday, and I made all the wrong moves- but I had a blast! This video clarified a lot for me! Thank you for sharing the knowledge!

Gil Ash does a great job on this video explaining the focal points and the hold points for all trap shooters. Nobody knows everything about trap shooting, so open your mind to these more than basic concepts to improve your shooting abilities. I did, an am better for it. I was President of a Washington State trap club, back in 1985, and I still learned valuable tips from Gil Ash. Thanks Gil for your insights into better trap shooting for me and all who view this video!!

Thanks for your instructional video! After watching it a few times this past Saturday, I went to my local trap range on Sunday. I've never been a shotgunner so I watched a little and then shot a couple of rounds. Didn't do all that great of course, but it was FUN! I went back on Monday and on my second round I ran 17 straight and finished the round with 21! Now I'M HOOKED! Still working of consistency of course, but after a few more rounds and trying different techniques I'm shooting in the mid to upper teens after a few rounds this week. Thanks again for giving me a starting point!

One of the best explanations I've ever seen. Thank you.

Your tips were very helpful. knowing where to look at each station improved my accuracy a lot. Thank you very much!

Gil and the OSP school is amazing. I took a one day shooting course with them. Amazing meeting Gil and taking a course with 5 in the class. My shooting improved so much.

A few things I learned through my years of shooting and talking with other shooters who have placed among the highest ranked trapshooters nationally. 1. Wear a baseball cap. Sounds silly but, here's why. When I first was going into trapshooting, I had a single bead gun, I later upgraded to a Browning BT-99 Trap shooting 80/20. I found out I was putting my chin down into the stock too. This was messing me up every which way to Sunday. I wore a baseball cap one day as my coach suggested and I didn't see any sky. Why? It's because my chin was down making my eye really work to find that clay target. After I lifted my chin to see sky between my barrel and hat, I began hitting 22s and 23s. Not long after I would hit my first 25 straight. 2. Be positive. Trap is a mental mind game, more than it is actually physical. You find your special stance and after that, it's all mental. 3. Check your choke diameter. The reason for this is, chokes don't always match their box description. Places such as Omoha Guns have sent back tons of chokes because they're marked wrong for what their constrictin actually is. This is mainly predominant in the gun manufacture chokes. (I.E. Browning, Berreta, etc.) I've never had much problem with Berreta but, if your choke diameter doesn't match the label, send it back. 4. Look for the black, not the orange. This works great on sunny days, this was told to me by an older trap shooter and former deputy that would always out shoot me 16 ways to Sunday. It's a bright sunny day out, look for that black lip of the clay, it will save the strain your eyes and also those misses because of the sun. 5. Go to the ATA Trapshoots. The ATA - Amateur trapshooting association, is the main trapshooting organization for everyone. If you want to become a pro, they're the people you must first impress. You have to become a member to go to their shoots but, it's worth it. 6. Find your stance. Lots of guys have a stance to shoot, ask around for advice on what you should do. What I do Is, put my foot on the number and point my lead foot towards the station the clay will fly from. 7. Try a trap gun. A trap gun has a high rib and typically shoot somewhere from 70-30 to 100-0, I've met guys with 100-0 patterns and they've got years of experience under their belts and DON'T suggest getting a 100-0 unless all you're doing is traditional trapshooting. There are other alternatives such as skeet which is much different from trap.

I shot a 20 on my first try at Trap. It was all downhill from there.

Super informative and fun to watch thank you so much for keeping my interest alive!

As a rookie you got me nailed. I shoot terrible from the right side and often miss the "easy" straight shots. Can't wait to try these suggestions! Many thanks.

Outstanding advice for beginners and vets. Thank you so very much Gil.

Good instruction and video. I'm 67 have never shot trap before yesterday (lots of rifle and pistol), I have just never been around the shotgun sports. My instructor basically told me the same thing I just saw in your video. It worked for me, got about 18 out of my first 25. I'm saving for a shotgun now, can't wait to shoot some more.

You really helped me I was get twelve out of 25 now getting 23

Thanks for the great intro, need all the help you can get when you're a late starter

By watching this video I went from 7/25 at my best to 20/25. Thank you so much!!! I just have to practice keeping both eyes open. That’s by far what I have the most trouble with. Thanks again and all the best.

Some good knowledge in there, thanks!

@GilAsh fashion sense on point

Excellent explanation and tips. Thank you very much for sharing this !!

Thanks Gil I do enjoy your method of teaching fun and clear

I don't care about the dudes outfit, the info was spot on. I just came back from shooting a 19 and 23 in some pretty crazy wind. I found the (distant) focus point to be the most difficult aspect...the hold point is not so hard for me. In the past I was guilty of aiming the shotgun, which is never good. You don't need to worry about aim, the hands will bring the gun where the eyes are looking. At that point it's just see the target, break the target. Good luck, and don't be discouraged as I have been, that's sucks the fun out of the whole thing.

Because of this (and rifle lessons on MOA and Scope settings) I have become a supporting member. Thank you.

Nice video. Clear explanation, I really enjoyed watching. And I learned a thing or two. Thanks!

this video has revolutionized the way I visualize target shooting. I immediately adapted the technique to my pistol training and amazed at the increase accuracy due to keeping my eyes on the bull's eye instead of the sights. Then I raise the sight to interrupt my sight line and bingo, my groups are tighter and more consistent even when speeding it up. Thanks

A month ago if I broke 15 I was happy. The range master asked where I was focusing my eyes and I told him on the house. He said to look out into the field and focus somewhere out there before calling for the bird. Almost immediately I was averaging 20. I found this video this last Sunday and have watched it several times. On Monday I shot 20, 21 and 23. Wednesday I shot 19 and 22. Went out this morning for one round and shot a 24! Thank you!

I did this today; however, to uncomplicate things I only used the "focal points" he is talking about. For example, if I was shooting from station 1, I would aim my gun at focal point 1 then focus my eyes down field (without moving my mount), yell pull, let my eyes find the clay (magically my hands would follow) and pull the trigger. It felt more natural than aiming down the barrel the whole time because my eyes did the aiming instead.

I'm a long time shooter but I am new to shotguns and plan on trying my hand at Trap, Clay's, etc. Thank you for a good starting point.

Very useful video! I've never shot trap before and this video really helped me understand the basics of the game.

I shot trap for the first time this past Saturday. I hit about ten of the clays. Had I known about this video beforehand, I may have been more successful. Thank you so much! This was very informative.

Awesome advice and explanations! Thank you

Great tutorial. Thanks for making this. “Visual confusion,” as you say, is my biggest problem. This helps!

Took up trap again post Covid. I dug this video out as a refresher. Thanks!

Gil...you make good videos...well done...Roger

shoot in trap league for a few years and then stopped for 5 years. Went out for the first time this year and busted 35 . Watched Gil's video and busted 46. Some good tips. Thank you

He explains really well. Very useful info.

Excellent method of explaining the concepts here.

Well done! Thanks! The very good point about 4 and 5th station...

A good lesson. As mentioned each individual is different, in stature, eye sight and so on, but if you start with this instruction and work from it you will be on the right track for success. And remember, different shooting grounds can mean different trap house heights, so adjustment may be needed. Stay Safe & Shoot Often.

THanks for the tips!

Great video. very informative for the complete noob...such as myself! :D

Very cool video. Thank you for posting all this information

Thank you for great instructions.

Many ranges have a shotgun pattern range. These are meant to allow hunters a chance before the season starts to make sure of the pattern their shotguns are shooting and make any choke adjustments as needed for the various game. Try to find one of those. We have them at local private ranges as well as our wonderful public Wildlife Management Areas.

Haha I really like this guy, excellent presenter, keeps the viewer interested, not too much info that it become drawn out, not too little either.

Very informative. Thank you.

I've learned alot from you and want your opinion on a beretta cynergy shot gun for trap. It's in my price range but want to know what you suggest. thank you,

Enjoyed the video, thank you!

Thank you for the tips.

It's starting to make some sense thanks to you. My first attempt will be tomorrow at a basics trap class at the gun club I recently joined. I expect issues but I think the biggest one I will have is the gun blocking my vision. Oh and the rules of the game. The rules are not easily found on the internet, at least in my estimation. Thank you sir for your help.

Thanks Gil.....good beginner info!

Mr. Ash, I just started shooting trap for about 3 months now. Your instruction is excellent; and it is what I am following when shooting trap. Please help me with this question. How high from the back of the roof of the trap house should I hold my gun? I asked people who have been shooting trap for many years about it; but i received different answers every time. Thanks.

Thanks for the tips!

Great video, thanks Gil

Thanks, it helped me a lot !

Just shot a new personal best (20) this week using this advice. it takes some practice (shot an 8 in my first game that day), but by the third game, this made 20 seem easy.

Great video i am going out and try that to see if it works better. and yes i am a lefty.

Good points for a beginner. Thanks for posting

amazing knowledge

I love love a simple white board an drawings. Love this short vid.. Thanks so much for sharing for us beginners.. Much Appreciated!

Nice Video! Definitely learnt something!

68% first time post Covid. Your suggestions helped greatly. Thanks!

I know this post is old but if you are still monitoring this, I shot a 24 out of 25 this weekend after watching your video for the first time. I'm new and was hitting 9s and 11s before this. Thank you!

Excellent.thanks.

interesting materials tks for sharing

Thank you very much for this video. This will help me break more clays, now I know why I’ve been struggling shooting trap. This will help me a lot. Thank you, thank you very very much.

Just spent a day at a HUGE trap compound. Stations everywhere. Only a couple trap houses, and the other dozens, were from various open machine locations left and right, up and down. This is a great vid, but very narrow in the application spectrum. My first time, but surprisingly got a few of them.

Thanks for the extra information here

thank you so much more info then i have had in canada

@1:00"There's a trap house" lmao

Shot 8 and 13 first time ever at Trap, hope to improve after watching these tips

Are these specific points the same for left hand shooters?

Nice opening line, zing! I chuckled!

great points keep on with the videos

Great vid thank you!

We enjoy your videos.

Your videos deserve a like sir

This is still the best introduction to trap shooting I have seen.

Excellent that what I talking about, thanks 😊

Great video.

Hey thanks so much for your videos - Have watched most of them. I am a NZ Kiwi Shooter in USA for 12 months. Just started Clay shooting 1 year ago am going to do Skeet and Trap shooting here. Issue I have is I am 70% left Eye dominant - Right handed. Eg I see 2 fingers when pointing at a distant target but clearer on the left eye. And I am very right hand coordinated. Do you suggest a small obscured patch on left eye of glasses to force right eye dominance, which seems to work for me to retain peripheral vision? or should I start trying to shoot left handed? Interested in your thoughts? Wish I could come to your school but I am in Boise Idaho> Best Regards Thanks for your efforts

excellent is all i can say

It is a nice video Sir, very useful for beginners ...

Thank you sir for such a great eduction on trap shooting. I am so inspired I am heading out tomorrow to shoot trap. Love your statement "to make some noise and break things" love it lol.

What did you type up? And who do you recommend to watch? I just don't want too much conflicting advice. Thanks!

Great Video

Great show and i would like to add one thing to your teaching if you find it helpful for new people shot string is very helpful one shot on a lake can make a differance how you shoot at targets love that 12 ft bullet regards and good shooting Larry

Awesome!

thank you for the advice , im new to trap and will follow your tips , wish me luck ..

Would love to know if you FLIP the focal points and hold points for a LEFT handed shooter. I am assuming so as the 11min mark and beyond talks about having to swing the gun across your entire visual field from stations 4 and 5 - however it would be stations 1 and 2 for a left handed shooter.

Good information

i recommend playing this video at 1.25.... fr

Just hit 17 today on my second day! Love the sport

He's wrong about the "muscles" that focus the eye (they are actually called zonules) in that at the distances talked about here (beyond 20 ft, known as ocular infinity) there is very little change in shape of the crystalline lens, thus little zonule activity. The big change happens going from distance (20 ft +) to near vision. In presbyopia, this eventually ceases to happen, thus the need for reading glasses. Where most shooters err in focusing is not allowing the eye time to go to 'soft focus' on something in the distance before calling pull, after having focused on the bead(s) when mounting the gun.

Nice. This actually is really informative. I've gone shooting with my dad, but I'm going to be joining my school's trap shooting team in a few months, and I didn't want to be the massive idiot there.

hi im going duck hunting using my canoe. do you think a 12" barrel, pump action would be too short? should i get a 19"? both guns come with 3 chokes. i just want something light and compact.

I shot trap today. Only hit 3 out of 25 and my arms got tired..lol. Have shot trap long ago but forgot these basics. Am going back soon with this info. Thank you so much!

I respect your trap knowledge, but a polo shirt tucked into sweatpants is a no no

Another question. I see a lot of your videos about mounting the gun during the shot. But, in trap, don't shooters mount up before even calling out pull? If so, then couldn't we just skip to practicing on focusing on the target?