Skeet Rules

Used by permission from Remington Arms Company, Inc

Handling Your Gun

Make sure your gun fits you. To check this, raise the gun to your face and shoulder with eyes closed--then open them. You should see the front bead right in the groove of the receive. If the bead is above or below, your gun doesn't fit and you should have a good gunsmith adjust the stock accordingly.
Never place the gun to your shoulder and then lower your face to the stock. This makes for tenseness in the neck muscles. Instead, raise the gun to your face, to be backed up by your shoulder; adjust height by raising or lowering elbow.
Handle your gun safely at all times. Keep the receiver open and the muzzle pointed toward the ground. Don't load until you are on the target station and actually ready to call for a target.
Hold your gun lightly, with the fore-end just resting in the palm of your hand. This will let you point the gun smoothly and easily. If you grip or "muscle" the gun, your arm and body will become tense and poor shooting will be the result.
Don't hold the fore-end so far forward that your arm is practically straight. This also produces tenseness. Your elbow should be bent to the degree that is most relaxed for you.

The primary concern of every shooter...even over shooting excellence... must be safe gun handling.
Review the Rules of Firearms Safety here.
Always keep the action open and the muzzle pointed to the ground.
Never load until you are on your position and ready to call for your target.

Make sure you have the correct foot position and gun-point position for every shot.
Bend the left knee slightly to pivot your body for a smooth swing. (It's the right knee, if your left handed.)
Be relaxed but physically alert when calling for your target.

There are three ways to get your lead:

Swing-through lead--Start with the bead behind the target, overtake it, and fire as you swing through and out ahead of it.
Pull-ahead lead--Start with the bead on the target, pull out in front of it, obtain your lead and fire.
Maintained lead--Start ahead of the target to begin with, adjust your lead and fire.

A stopped gun is probably a lost target. Keep your swing smooth, and follow through after the trigger is pulled on every target.

If possible, shoot with both eyes open. This will give you a better sight picture both of the target and of the bead on your barrel. You will also be more relaxed with both eyes open.
Always keep your gaze focused on the target, not on the bead. You should see the bead only as a reference point, either on the target or out in front of it if you're leading it.
Remember that you must fire the moment you have obtained and checked proper lead. If you start rechecking you lead to make doubly sure of it, you will slow down your swing and miss your target.
Never forget to follow through. And on those tough middle stations, 3, 4, and 5, remember that a really positive follow-through is a must.