As with any sport, and driven game shooting or clay pigeon shooting are no different, stretching before you take part is key to reducing the risk of injury and will undoubtedly improve performance.
Coordinating the movement of shoulders, upper body and gun in the right way is essential to a good shot. As age creeps in and hours in front of a computer or the wheel of a car takes its toll, muscle groups start to tense and restrict movement which in turn can impact your shooting accuracy.
Stretching exercises help warm the body up prior to activity, increasing muscle flexibility and range of motion enabling your muscles to work more effectively. Stretching also helps relieve tension and decreases the risk of injury and muscle soreness. You can boost your shooting performance on the day with our simple stretching exercises and make sure you give yourself the best shot at the target.
These 7 simple exercises can be done easily and in a short space of time once you arrive at your shooting location, be it in the field, at the clay pigeon shooting ground or the shooting range before taking up position. These exercises have been recommended by personal trainer and Pilates instructor Emma Larner from The Pilates Hub UK. They are designed to help you achieve an optimal neck and shoulder position alongside flexibility in the upper back to deliver a steady swing.
Each exercise requires the same starting standing position; feet should be hip distance apart, toes pointing forward, shoulders back and down, head looking straight ahead. Ease into each stretch and move slowly until you feel the targeted muscle or muscles gently extend.