Home and dry
Sporting Gun|June 2023
Jasper Fellows investigates the benefits of off-range training and discovers the bright future of digital training aids
Jasper Fellows
Home and dry

What does it take to become a better shot? Commitment? For sure. Capability? It helps. Clays and cartridges? Probably, but perhaps not. Over the past few months I’ve been ever more drawn to the concept of at-home training – training without the bang, the targets and the cost. But does ‘dry’ training work? And what do I even do with an unloaded gun and no targets to shoot at?

Few are better to answer these questions than the former Team England head coach and the current chairman of the Institute of Clay Shooting Instructors (ICSI), John Robinson, and the Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club’s owner Georgina Roberts.

“My first comment would be to rethink home training as off-range training,” says John. “You can do so many elements of your training away from the range, but not everything can, or should, be done at home.

“Be careful if you are heading into the back garden to practise your gun mount in view of the neighbours – a visit from the armed response unit might just interfere with your training schedule! It is also worth remembering that while off-range training can be a substantial addition to on-range training, it is not a total substitute. That said, let’s look at what you can do off-range.

“First, gun familiarisation. Just handling your gun will help you to know it better; you want the act of picking up your gun to become second nature. The next step is gun-mount training. This must happen instinctively and consistently. The last thing you want to do is have to think about the correct way to mount the gun in the middle of a competition.”

Georgina agrees: “Gun-mount practice is a big one for me. If you want to be competitive it’s crucial to make sure that your gun mount is a subconscious action that you can perform perfectly every time.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2023 من Sporting Gun.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2023 من Sporting Gun.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من SPORTING GUN مشاهدة الكل
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023