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Shotgun tips from National Team Coach Lloyd Woodhouse
By Lloyd Woodhouse // July 23, 2002
 In 1985, Lloyd Woodhouse retired as Chief Master Sergeant of the US Air Force and head coach of the US Air Force skeet team to coach the U.S. National Team and National Development Team. A four-time U.S. Olympic coach, Woodhouse enjoyed his greatest success when his athletes won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 1996 Olympic Games. Due to his success in Atlanta and in the years since, Woodhouse was named the United States Olympic Committee's Coach of the Year in 1996 and the shooting Coach of the Year in 1999
How to shoot a shotgun
Tip #1 - Learn to follow with your finger
Before even holding a gun, you need to practice following a target with your index finger. Pretend you are aiming and your finger is the shotgun. And just follow the target slowly and smoothly as it flies through the air.
Tip #2: Imagine the target as clock face
Visualizing the target as a clock face provides an easier frame of reference when aiming at the target.
Tip #3: Gun placement
The butt of the gun should fit under your collarbone and just inside of the shoulder blade. Recognizing this area on your body is simple. Just push around the described area and feel for a slight pain. The butt of the gun should be comfortably placed slightly to the inside of that area.
Tip #4: Aiming
Aiming is done with the sights on the shotgun. If the gun has two sights, then it is necessary to line up the sight closest to your eye with the sight at the end of the nozzle. A person looking down the nozzle of the gun should be able to see your eyes. If you are right handed, aim with your right eye; and if you are left handed, aim with your left eye.
Tip #5: Body position and movement
Positioning your body well allows for better movement. If you are right handed, the right foot will be several steps behind your body and your butt should stick out. Meanwhile, your right cheek (just under the cheekbone) should be resting on the gun. For left-handers, switch the positions.
Tip #6: Pulling the trigger
Pull the trigger with the first joint of the index finger
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