To start the year off right I thought it would be good to get some tips from Anthony Matarese Jr. (USA) who had an absolutely stunning 2008 season scooping the win at several big blasts, the National FITASC, the U.S. Open, the National Championships and silver in Cyprus.
I’m trying to recall a shooter who might have equaled that feat in the past and I can’t. Not only is he a top competitor he does it with tons of unique style too. Think we can learn a thing or two from him?
In FITASC sporting while standing in the hoop viewing targets, a lot more than just a target is being thrown. In fact there is a huge amount of information being thrown and in a short period of time. How well a shooter is able to process this information can be the difference between success and well….
International Sporting Clays: So you are on the parcour, in the hoop, viewing targets what do you do?
Anthony Matarese Jr: I determine where I first see the target, where my break point will be, the line of the target and where my hold point will be. My break point is determined by where I see the target the clearest, or where it looks the biggest. I always acquire the target visually as soon as possible, and often mark a tree or object in the background to use as a reference.
ISC: What’s the most important thing to look for?
AM: The most important thing that I look for is where I see the target the clearest. More specifically, I will determine what part of the target I will FOCUS on as the target enters my break point.
ISC: I’ve seen some shooters get lost in the menu while shooting. What are they to do?
AM: I have done the same myself but I try to draw a mental image of each targets flight path during the show birds. When in doubt, I will ask the referee: " The A bird is a teal correct?"
ISC: When it’s your turn at the doubles how do you set up for report pairs? True Pairs?
AM: Being right handed I normally position my left toe between the two break points or there about. Specifically, I make sure my upper body is free of restriction when going from one target to the next. If your feet are wrong, your upper body will hinder the natural movement of the gun. The result is gun movement that is done with the arms, not the body. On report pairs that have break points that are really far apart I may even move my feet for the second shot.
ISC: If it is a true pair what do you look for to know which to shoot first?
AM: I always shoot true pairs in a way that gives me the best visual advantage on both shots. I think that being able to shoot dropping targets well is a big advantage when it comes to shooting true pairs.
ISC: Considering that you shoot an auto and the diverse set of targets found on a parcour how do you go about choke selection?
AM: I shoot LT MOD 95% of the time regardless of the targets. My LT MOD is a bit tight so it would be equivalent to most peoples Modified. During the World FITASC, World Sporting, US Open & Nationals I only shot Improved Modified on 2 sporting stations and 1 FITASC Peg. Read that again folks, there are some real pearls of wisdom hidden in there. Anthony is available for lessons at various clubs around the country. Go and improve your shooting and possibly get some style into your stiff old game. Check his website below for more details.
http://www.clayshootinginstruction.com/
The International Sporting Clays blog thanks Mr. Anthony Matarese Jr. for his cooperation. Photo courtesy of Mr. Henry S.F. Nachaj at www.sportingphotosshop.com.
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