It’s surprising how many people miss the second target of a report pair due to poor foot position. On a fast true pair you may have to compromise your set-up for both birds, but on a report pair there is often time to reposition your feet between shots.

Consider a report pair with the first trap throwing a target from your left side, quartering slightly left. The second bird is a dropping incomer that lands 25 yards out to the right of the stand. Attempt this pair with your feet set for the first target and your back muscles will be bound making it very difficult to stay on the second targets’ flight line. The result: a seemingly easy target winds up a miss.

If time allows, it is much more effective to shift your feet after the first shot and make a smooth move on the second target. Think of each target in a report pair and consider how you would set-up for the second target if it were a single. The same technique can be applied on gamebirds as well. After connecting with a first shot don’t instantly snap off a second shot off balance. Shift your feet slightly and make a smooth second shot to connect with that double.