Sideline Behavior
Posted On: 06-26-2023
As parents of youth shooters, we spend a lot of time, effort and money helping them to improve, to the best of their ability. Some adults’ actions are obvious and helpful while some well-meaning actions go against the principles of good sportsmanship.
When a child expresses an interest in clay target shooting, a path to a lifetime of success lays out before them. Shooting creates much more than a just a fun activity for a youngster, it can become a scholarship for higher education and it can lead to a life full of friendships.
Shooting instills an attitude of self-confidence that is a necessary trait for every successful student, future employee, business owner, public servant, or eventual spouse and parent. Shooting develops more than just the ability to break a clay target, it develops great people.
There are many ways to help a young gunner improve their scores. Take advantage of opportunities to attend organized classes, such as the Mid-America Trap Academy; watch instructional videos produced by All American shooters; read books on technique; and observe other good shooters while at the range.
Good sportsmanship is a life-skill that not only should your child practice, but as parents, you should lead by example. Youth shooters are taught gun safety, shooting skills and sportsmanship. Absolutely, gun safety must come first, there are no second chances with gun safety.
Most parents of aware of the usual sportsmanship practices: be a humble winner and be a gracious loser. Positive behavior will actually help improve scores. Coaches and parents usually do a great job of enforcing acts of good sportsmanship.
However, conduct of the adult support group can become unintended poor sportsmanship. Too many times, a loud cheer, clapping, whistling and other celebration noises behind one trap can be a big distraction to the squads competing on the fields on either side. Please take the party to the clubhouse, parking lot or campground in order not to disrupt the concentration of others on the line.
Parents should also use shooting as a teaching opportunity. In their efforts to be “helpful” many parents do too much for their shooter. If your child is responsible enough to handle a loaded shotgun, they should be expected to be responsible for all their equipment getting to the range. Let the shooter pack their own gun case/range bag, gather the needed number of shells, and go prepared for any kind of weather.
Proper equipment does not always mean the most expensive should be purchased. Guns should be properly fitted, no matter the brand. Ear and eye protection is a top priority. Their hearing is the best today as it will ever be the rest of their life: PROTECT IT. Eye protection is a safety concern and being able to select the most beneficial color of lenses can be an option that will add to their score.
Parents see their children so often that they sometimes fail to notice the changes as they rapidly grow and develop. As young shooters continue to shoot, proper gun fit will need to changed regularly.
Good habits play an important part in achieving shooting success, especially on competition days. A healthy diet and proper rest, with diligent oversight from parents is very important. Regular healthy meals prior to shooting gives them their needed energy. Too much caffeine (as in soda and energy drinks) and sugary junk food works against a steady eye and hand.
Clay target shooting is one of very few sports where families can compete side by side. A solid foundation of instruction from both parents and coaches can turn the shooting sports into a lifelong pleasure, regardless of age or physical limitations.
Karla Harrison – Karla’s husband Leo Harrison III remains one of the greatest trap shooters of all time. Karla traveled and helped instruct youth at Leo’s camps and today is one of the Missouri Trap Academy instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to share with youth shooters.