| His name is Jerry Meyers and he was one of my | | | | direction and on time. That part about “on time” |
| Examiners at my NSCA Level I instructors certification | | | | is important. |
| class many long years ago. Wise and reassuringly | | | | Which brings us to Jerry’s pearl. He said, “Be a |
| competent, he provided our class with a pearl of | | | | miser with your muzzle and a spendthrift with your |
| information that has served me, and my students, very | | | | eyes.” Miser with your muzzle means an |
| well over the years. It’s such a little pearl in the | | | | economical and efficient swing. Spendthrift with your |
| overall scheme of things, but can literally keep that long | | | | eyes means, go find the target. Look for it,…hunt for it |
| run going or maybe pick your chin up on this field after | | | | if you have to. Look back for it. If you can look through |
| a rough performance on the last field. | | | | the bushes, leaves or limbs and see it leave the trap, |
| Here, we’re talking about your Focal Point in your | | | | or track it’s flight early before it reaches the |
| set-up, step 4 after step 1) Break Point, 2) Foot | | | | opening where everyone else first sees it: advantage |
| Position, and 3) Muzzle Hold Point. | | | | you. While this isn’t always important, there are |
| Focal Point is where you place your eyes to see the | | | | times when seeing that bird early gives you a precious |
| target, before you call for the bird. Establishing that | | | | head-start. A head-start that saves you time on the |
| location and then looking there ensures you will see the | | | | first bird that you can now apply on the second bird. |
| bird without wasting time hunting for it. On many fields | | | | And having a little extra time on the 2nd target never |
| in your round, milliseconds really do count. Seeing the | | | | hurt any of us. |
| bird punctually starts your gun movement in the right | | | | |