How to Shoot a Going-Away
A going-away bird flies away from you, often low and flat. Hold the gun just under the line, wait above the trap, and start the gun the instant you see the bird clear the barrel.
Right-handed
Straight away- Stance
- Pivoting leg oriented at the trap.
- Gun position
- Just below the flying path of the bird.
- Waiting position
- Above the trap (adjustable to reaction time and speed).
- Head
- Parallel with the gun, natural.
- Visual
- Above the gun (soft focus).
- Timing
- Start moving the gun once you see the bird above the barrel.
Right-handed
Angled (>30°)- Stance
- Pivoting leg oriented to the breaking spot.
- Gun position
- Just below the flying path of the bird.
- Waiting position
- Above the trap, or to the side of the trap for angles over 30°.
- Head
- Parallel above the gun, slightly toward the bird.
- Visual
- Above, slightly toward the bird's side (soft focus).
- Timing
- Start moving the gun once you see the bird above the barrel.
Left-handed
Angled- Stance
- Pivoting leg (right) oriented to the trap or the breaking spot.
- Gun position
- Just below the flying path of the bird.
- Waiting position
- Above the trap, or to the side for wider angles.
- Head
- Parallel above the gun.
- Visual
- Above the gun (soft focus).
- Timing
- Start moving the gun once you see the bird above the barrel.
Set up right and you'll break more of these. The library has the same breakdown for every other target — crossers, incomers, going-aways, teal, rabbit and more. See all guides →
About the method. These guides come from the coaching system of Bill Erdőss, an Olympic clay shooting coach — built on the fundamentals that decide every shot: gun fit, mount, stance, vision, and timing, with a precise, repeatable setup for each target.