Master Sporting Clays: Expert Tips for UK Driven Targets
Driven targets, a staple of UK Sporting courses, present a unique challenge to shooters. Simulating birds flying directly towards the shooter, these targets demand precision, balance, and timing. While they’re common in the UK, they’re less frequently seen in other countries, making them a skill worth mastering for those ready to expand their shooting abilities. In our latest episode of Master Sporting Clays, Jonny Carter from TGS Outdoors teams up with coach, FITASC champion Josh Brown, to break down the secrets of mastering driven targets. Watch Episode 2 below:
Understanding Driven Targets
Jonny and Josh explain that the concept of driven shooting originates from traditional game hunting in the UK, where birds like pheasants and partridges are driven towards the shooter. The aim is to have the bird fly directly over or towards you, providing a clear line of sight. While the setup sounds straightforward, it often throws shooters off—especially those unaccustomed to this style of shooting.
The Approach: Soft Mounting and Tracking
When approaching driven targets, using a soft mount technique is fundamental. Unlike pre-mounting the gun firmly in your shoulder, a soft mount allows for greater flexibility and a smoother transition when you track the target. This approach lets your eyes pick up the bird earlier and improve your ability to time the shot. Josh highlights that keeping your eyes off the muzzle is key for maintaining clear vision.
Pro Tip: Focus on inserting the gun behind the bird, matching its speed, and following through. This smooth, controlled movement increases accuracy and reduces the tendency to rush.
Why Shooters Struggle with Driven Targets
Driven targets can create a sense of panic, causing shooters to adopt awkward positions or turn too sharply to track the bird. A common mistake is squaring up too much, which limits mobility and makes it easy to lose the line of the bird. Proper balance is key; keep your front leg slightly bent (but not rigid) so your movement is smooth.
Pro Tip: Lean slightly forward with your hips and keep your weight on the front foot to maintain fluidity and control.
The Role of Footwork and Balance
Footwork is crucial for effectively handling driven targets. Josh emphasizes that the movement of your feet should lead your upper body, so you can smoothly follow the line of the bird. Trying to step and mount the gun simultaneously can throw off your aim, so it’s vital to step into position first before mounting.
Pro Tip: Step into position before mounting your gun. Attempting to mount and move at the same time often results in a missed shot.
Using ShotKam for Real-Time Feedback
One of the challenges with driven birds is understanding why a shot was missed. Without clear visual reference points, it can be difficult to gauge the gap between the bird and the barrel. Jonny and Josh explain how the ShotKam provides a detailed view of each shot, pinpointing exactly where the aim went off. This real-time feedback is essential for shooters who want to improve their accuracy and consistency.
Higher Driven Targets: Staying Consistent
As you move from lower to higher driven birds, Jonny and Josh explain that while the fundamentals remain the same, the speed of the gun’s movement may need to increase to match the bird’s altitude. While it can be tempting to treat higher targets as crossing birds, you will maintain better consistency with a driven approach..
Pro Tip: Keep your feet steady and maintain balance. Make sure your gun follows the bird’s flight path to enhance your precision.
Side-by-Side vs. Over-and-Under Shotguns
Switching to a side-by-side shotgun introduces some nuances. Side-by-sides are typically lighter and have a lower comb, which can make them quicker to handle but also more sensitive to gun fit. Jonny discusses how the flatter rib of a side-by-side creates a slightly different sight picture compared to an over-and-under, which requires shooters to make adjustments for driven targets. If you're using a side-by-side, shop our 12 Gauge side-by-side or 20 Gauge side-by-side mounts.
Pro Tip: Ensure the gun fits properly to avoid rolling your head over the stock, which can compromise balance, especially when shooting driven targets.
Conclusion: Practice and Precision
Driven targets test a shooter’s skill in balance, timing, and precision. With techniques like soft mounting, proper footwork, and maintaining the right posture—shared by Jonny Carter and Josh Brown—you can confidently approach driven clays or birds. ShotKam enhances this learning experience by providing real-time insights, so you can adjust and refine your skills with each shot.
Whether you prefer an over-and-under or a side-by-side shotgun, the fundamentals remain the same. Practice these techniques, and you’ll soon find yourself handling even the most challenging driven targets with ease.
Missed Episode 1 of our new video shooting series? Read the Episode 1 blog here.
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