Clay Shooting Masterclass with World Champion Zach Kienbaum!

Published on April 13, 2025
Duration: 55:52

This masterclass features World FITASC Champion Zach Kienbaum, offering expert insights into the mental game, visual discipline, and precise lead techniques for sporting clays. Kienbaum, with over 30 years of competitive experience, emphasizes the importance of 'hard focus' on targets, matching gun speed to target speed, and mastering challenging shots like rabbits. The guide also touches on equipment confidence, specifically highlighting the Beretta DT11.

Quick Summary

World Champion Zach Kienbaum shares expert clay shooting techniques, emphasizing 'visual discipline' and precise 'hard focus' on targets timed to the 'kill point.' He advises matching gun speed to target speed and using a 'pull away' method for crossing targets, while a reactive approach is best for rabbit targets. Consistent practice and comfort with failure are crucial for improvement.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Zach Kienbaum
  2. 01:36The Mental Game and Failure
  3. 04:46Visual Discipline
  4. 06:00Timing Hard Focus
  5. 09:12Lead, Angle, and Speed
  6. 13:03Mastering Rabbit Targets
  7. 15:50Gun Mount: Pre-mount vs. Low Gun
  8. 18:16Equipment and Confidence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the key to success in sporting clays according to Zach Kienbaum?

Zach Kienbaum emphasizes that success in sporting clays is cumulative over decades. It requires being comfortable with failure, as it's a 'game of missing,' and possessing a strong hunger to improve through consistent extra work beyond typical practice.

How should shooters approach target focus in clay shooting?

Shooters should employ 'visual discipline,' transitioning from a soft focus to an intense 'hard focus' on specific target details like rings or shadows just before firing. This focus must be timed precisely to the target's 'kill point' to avoid eye fatigue.

What technique does Zach Kienbaum recommend for leading targets?

Kienbaum advocates for matching gun speed to target speed for repeatable shots. For crossing targets, he suggests a 'pull away' style, inserting the gun on the front edge of the bird and accelerating slightly to create the necessary lead.

What is the recommended approach for shooting rabbit targets?

For rabbit targets, which lose speed when hitting the ground, Zach Kienbaum suggests starting behind or on the target to read its hops, then moving into the lead. This reactive method is more consistent than trying to maintain a lead in front of an erratic target.

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