Breaking Clays: Target Tactics, Tips & Techniques Hardcover – Illustrated, July 27, 2005

Clear & concise instruction

This book is geared for shooters like me. I have taken a few lessons and I occassionally like to go out and shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. I am not a great shot but I like it. The shooting sports look interesting and I want to further test the waters. Chris Batha's "Breaking Clays" is the perfect book to introduce the reader to the deeper world of clay target shooting. Well written and copiously illustrated, "Breaking Clays" reveals the complexity of the world of shooting sports. I must confess it is all a lot more daunting than I initially understood it to be. This is a great book and will be enjoyed both novice and expert alike. Recommended.

This is a short but comprehensive look at all things related to shooting clays - trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Batha starts with an interesting and compact history lesson and then gets into the ABCs of shooting clays. He manages to cover the basics and elementals and get into advanced techniques with an economy of words, and very useful illustrations and pictures. I'd consider this book as a must-read for anyone diving into shooting clays and seeking both a foundational working knowledge and a complete primer of shooting clay tips and advice.

As a recent sporting clays enthusiast and avid reader, this is hands-down the best book out there when it comes to practical, clear, and entertainingly explained technique. Even my private instructor, as highly rated and wonderful as he is, has not been not able to communicate as clearly and simply as Chris Batha (my hero!) many things I had questioned and/or found confusing. In addition, the book isn't simply theory with no solutions; very deliberate exercises and suggestions are given for building the solid foundation and muscle memory that shotgunning requires. His passion for the sport, combined with his gift for clear and entertaining explanation that results in "AHA!" moments for the reader, produces down-to earth comparisons with golf, tennis, and even whiskey drinking. (A "wee dram", indeed.) His guidance has already improved my shooting and understanding immeasurably. This is a book I will read and re-read many times. I bought the Kindle version, but love it enough that I will probably buy the printed version as well, which is reported to be a thing of beauty in itself.

Rather late in my existence, I took up trap. A local club with three trap houses is within a short drive of the house. Although very modest in appearance, this club has outstanding results in state and national meets with their youth program. It welcomes all - kids, women, & men; its volunteer staff is wonderfully helpful to all. My first gun and I were a poor match. At the end of one Winter League, I won the toilet bowl trophy for the lowest score in eight weeks of shooting. "Keep trying" is emblazoned below the toilet bowl. I thought this was very funny, but I was determined to do better. So, I got a new-to-me used break open shotgun of a better fit and read every book I could on trap shooting for the beginner. When I came upon Breaking Clays, I found it full of useful information for the beginner. I checked it out repeatedly from the library before realizing I'd better buy the book. Which I did.. One of Batha's suggestions, for example, is to use a balance board regularly to train the brain. Moved by the power of suggestion, I bought a wobble board from Fitter First and have used it every day for seven months. This is but one of the many practical tips heimparts. Have my scores improved? Yep. And I imagine they'll get better as I refine my technique. This book has worked for me. Even as I edge up to a more advanced level, it's a keeper. There's a lot more to learn from it.

No doubt there is a lot of good information in here. Everything from shotgun, chokes, equipment, eye dominance, gun fit, basics of shooting and exercise. It covers a range of clay sports and if that's what you want, that's what you get. If you are looking for something more specific geared toward Trap, you may be disappointed. In fact, Chapter 12 is titled "Touching on Trap" pages 134-139. Author is English, American Trap probably not his interest. The book is also written mostly from the perspective of a left-hander. That's great if you're left-handed. Pictures in the book reflect that. Most of us aren't. If you are a beginner to the sport, little things like that can make a difference in assimilating new information. You'll have to imagine yourself in the opposite pose if you're right-handed. (Revenge of the Left-Handers) Yes, you'll do it but better to have an example that you don't need to reverse. Would have liked more info on American Trap. Will put this one on the shelf and come back to it in about a year. Will likely get more out of at a later date. Should be more comfortable with what I'm supposed to be doing and the basics of Trap Shooting by then.

Excellent for an introduction to the shotgun sports, and also valuable for more advanced shooters. Great graphics, and enjoyable, easy to read and understand prose, really explain the technique to improve your shooting. Beautifully printed and edited, with just the right amount of info. By far the best of the dozen or so books I've read on this subject. I've given this as gifts to a handful of new shooters, and they've all loved it.DZI, Maui, Hawaii

I’ve just started reading this book and it’s great for trap / skeet / sporting shooters looking to improve their game. I’m looking forward to higher scores as I get through the book and apply it on the range. Worth every penny.