Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1547024
34 PULLUSA MAGAZINE FALL 2026 THE FIELD C OAC H K ELV IE'S C ORNER nowing where to point the shotgun before calling for your target is one of the key early fundamentals that every athlete should learn, but it's one of the most common issues coach- es see on the line. In this issue we will look at common hold points and how they can improve your chances at breaking more targets! WHAT IS A HOLD POINT? In shooting sports, a hold point is the place where an athlete should point their shotgun prior to yelling "Pull!" Hold points will vary based on the sport you are competing in. For example, trap shooters will typically pick a spot on or just above the trap house to align their muzzle prior to calling for a target. Sporting clays and skeet shooters will choose a hold point that makes sense based on the station's target flight path. WHERE SHOULD MY HOLD POINT BE FOR TRAP SHOOTING? Opinions will vary but most trap shooters pick a spot on the leading edge of the trap house to point their shotgun prior to calling for the target. It's important to note that as the athlete rotates stations, the hold point will move to continue aligning the athlete with the target's flight path. Here are a few examples of hold points while trap shooting: WHERE WOULD MY HOLD POINT BE FOR SKEET SHOOTING? Hold points for skeet will seem overwhelming at first but when you identify the target's flight path at each station, you will quickly learn that most targets are broken near the center of K POSITION YOURSELF TO BREAK MORE TARGETS by JASON KELVIE HOLD POINTS! JAS O N KE LVIE / USACTL C OACH EDUCATION AND SUPP ORT MANAGER STATION 1: Hold the barrel pointing at, or just outside, the front left edge of the trap house. STATION 2: Hold the barrel pointing inside of the left edge of the trap house. Many choose a point halfway between the left edge and middle of the house. STATION 3: Hold the barrel pointing at the forward edge of the trap house 2-3 inches left or right of center depending on if you're a left- or right-handed shooter. STATION 4: Hold the barrel pointing inside of the right edge of the trap house. Again, many choose a point halfway between the right edge and middle of the house. STATION 5: Hold the barrel pointing at, or just outside, the front right edge of the trap house.