GET IN TOUCH
testimonials
The best measure of a coach is not by their own medals and titles, but by the progress and achievements of their students.
CLAYS
“I met Ed about 6 years ago and after a short while we arranged a coaching session and the rest is history. He watched me shoot and quickly spotted some areas to work on to help with my consistency.
Ed is a very approachable guy with an easy going attitude which made me feel at ease and relaxed. Ed’s extensive knowledge has helped me massively over the years. His dedication and drive to get me to reach my desired goals was noticeable from the very first session.
Ed helped me reach my goals and make the England Junior team within 6 months of working with him, I then went on to represent England a further three times with the last two being in the senior team. Ed also helped me smash a long term goal of mine (a lot sooner than I hoped for) which was to win a major championship, in 2020 I became 2020 British Open Sporting Champion.
Ed is the best in the business, I would highly recommend him and can guarantee you a great experience.
David Ferriman
2020 British Open Sporting Champion
“Ed’s way of coaching is detailed and reassuring. He has always sorted any of my problems or troubles I have experienced with my shooting, and i am always filled with so much confidence after seeing Ed.
He has great relationships with young shooters and it’s always so supportive and generous toward youngsters. His lessons are always a relaxed entertaining and enjoyable experience and I highly recommend his service!
Amy Easeman
England Ladies Team
Ladies World COMPAK Champion
“In 2016, I had a lesson with Ed during a shooting trip to Australia and he set a 3-year goal that I needed to work towards achieving.
This lesson gave me the confidence and focus that I needed and in 2018 I finally became the World FITASC Ladies Champion.
Ed has a brilliant way of getting the best out of your own natural style by working on both the technical and mental aspects of the game, tailored to your individual needs and goals.
The balance of Ed’s jovial personality and professional nature provides a structured lesson that is enjoyable and rewarding.
I continue to work with Ed leading up to World Championships and I highly recommend him to all shooters whether you are a beginner or at an advanced level.
Renae Birgan
World Ladies FITASC Champion - Australia
“ I had been shooting for several years and felt I was at a good level but I always felt like I would fall a few clays short.
After several recommendations I decided to book a lesson with Ed. On our first lesson he noticed a few technical things to work on which would aid me but didn’t want to change my shooting style too much.
Ed likes to work with each client as an individual and build upon their own style and techniques. Ed also helped me to work on my mental approach to shooting which was a big game changer for me. I would highly recommend Ed to anyone .
Michael Hibbert
British GP FITASC Champion
“ I met Ed in 2017, looking to improve on English Sporting as I hit a bit of a plateau. My lessons with him not only just addresses technical aspects of shooting but also the overall mental approach to the game. I went from lacking a bit of self-belief at the start, to shooting massive targets on the first lesson. That just blew me away
I had my lucky break winning my first major by becoming the Asian Champion at the Asian Fitasc Championships back in 2018 and shooting a very strong PB's of 188/200 on Compak and 187/200 Sporting last year in 2020.
Ed has helped shaped very strong concepts and ideas on approaching clays that I still use today. If there was any coach around, I would not have asked for anyone else but Ed to be standing behind me.”
Ben Khor - Malaysia
Asian FITASC Champion
“ I met Ed a few years ago at a competition. We clicked right away and started to work together, first with coaching at our shooting ground, and later by setting targets for our competition "The Classic Steel Challenge".
In addition to this i also had some coaching with the master himself and enjoyed every minute of it. Ed coaches you in a very calm way, with respect for the level you're at. All the people who Ed coached at our ground were very enthusiastic and booked several lessons with him.
Ed is a true gentleman in everything he does, is great to work with and always respectful. I would definitely recommend him for coaching and setting targets at a competition. Great guys can finish first!
Daphne Meulendijks
"In 2018 my clay competition scores went into sharp decline and I was disappointed to learn that I had developed cross-dominance. Despite obtaining and using the best available prescription-shooting eyewear I could not recover my previous level of shooting and doubted that I ever would.
It was at this point that Ed was recommended to me as a coach. From my first lesson with Ed I have been making major and lasting changes to my shooting technique and within twelve months I had placed in CPSA competitions more often than in all my previous years of shooting. Ed's approach is tailored and methodical. One of the key traits that sets Ed apart is that he is a natural communicator.
If breaking clays is a blend of science and an art, Ed has not only perfected it he is able to explain it! Ed is a coaching professional, as distinct from a professional who also coaches, and working with Ed I've not only met my initial goals but have developed a consistency, confidence and desire to go further. Another, and compelling, reason for wanting to work with Ed is that it's so much fun.
Les Christy
“I started seeing Ed nearly three years ago as I wanted to progress from my local Sunday shoot to registered competitions.
Asking around the Shoot Clay forum and through people I know through shooting, Ed’s name was one that came up a number of times so it seemed right that I contacted him to arrange a coaching session.
Ed’s style of coaching is great and starts from the first meeting before you even look at a target, he puts you at ease and we talked about areas I felt needed the most improvement and as such the sort of thing we’d work on first.
The first session was a complete eye-opener, I didn’t know what to expect from it and I certainly didn’t expect to take so much from it as I did.
Ed is very good to work with, he’s given me a structured plan for my shooting and also he makes you think about the process rather than just simply telling you straight away where you are going wrong. I think this is important as it gets you thinking when I’m competing and he isn’t there.
Proud to say that sticking to the plan that I was given, I’ve gone from B class in June 2015 to AA class in June 2017, along with winning B class at the 2016 Premier League, finishing 12th in A at the 2016 World English Sporting, and more recently making the Hampshire Sporting & Sportrap team."
Dan Vallis
“Ed was recommended to me by a friend who has been to nearly all of the top coaches in the UK. I explained my needs and concerns and he said of all the guys he’d been to see, Ed fitted the bill for me. A few weeks later I was meeting Ed at Sporting Targets for a half day session.
I was quite nervous about the lesson and was concerned my nerves would have a bad effect on my shooting but the first hour of the session was not at all what I expected. We sat in the café drinking coffee and generally talking crap about anything and everything.
There was very little talk of business or shooting just a fun chat to get to know each other and it did wonders at putting me at ease. Ed’s approach was incredibly relaxed and when the conversation did turn to shooting, he wasn’t keen to push certain methods or techniques on me which impressed me. I’ve been shooting a mixture of maintained lead and pull away for ever and I wasn’t prepared to have my whole technique torn apart in one session because it was “the right way”.
I now find that I apply the same mindset to more targets - understanding what works for me and having confidence in my method, even if it’s not the method others are using. Having the backing of Ed on this has really helped my confidence grow and my scores improve.I took more from that first day than I have from a lifetime of “self teaching”.
I have always had a couple of bogey targets, one being teal and the other a quartering away DTL style target. Some days I shot them pretty well, others it was a total disaster and I had used all sorts of tried and tested methods but never achieved consistency.
Ed is also excellent at helping you figure out your own mistakes and find the solution. This is probably the biggest long term benefit I’ve seen from my sessions with him. Rather than telling you what you are doing wrong and giving you a short term fix that only applies to that target on that day, he gives you the processes, methods and mindset to break a situation down and approach it correctly.
This is especially important when you’re having a bad day and things aren’t going well. I’ve often asked him what I’m doing wrong on a certain target and although it’s easier to just tell me, he usually refuses if it’s a mistake he knows I can figure out. Then starts the process of applying some questions to the situation and breaking down the answers to find my errors and solutions.
For me this is the biggest difference between Ed and other coaches I’ve been to. Usually you are coached to shoot clays better on that day at that ground but Ed is giving you the tools to be a better clay shot every day on every ground and to be able to keep improving, even when he’s not looking over your shoulder.
Jason Doyle
"Grimsthorpe Estate Shooting Ground has been fortunate enough to work closely alongside Ed for several years now, we enjoy meeting his clients and are always impressed by his level of professionalism and commitment to each individuals needs.
As a Shooting Ground we had been looking to hold a different style of competition for a few years, offering varying targets over different disciplines. After approaching Ed with our
ideas we were thrilled to learn he was up for taking on the challenge alongside us.
The ‘Grimsthorpe Challenge’ was held September 2020.
The event in its first year was a huge success and there is no question that Ed’s knowledge and experience within competition environments really helped us to tailor the Challenge to be the event it was.
His commitment to us as a Ground was and still is something we are very honoured to have and we look forward to continuing to work alongside Ed in the future."
Sophie Coups
Proprietor, Grimsthorpe Estate Shooting Ground
“I first approached Ed about coaching in May 2019 and have had several lessons with him since. It has proven to be the best shooting investment I could have made and has led to improvements beyond my expectations, both immediately and in the long term.
Ed’s style of coaching is great and starts from the first meeting before you even look at a target, he puts you at ease and we talked about areas I felt needed the most improvement and as such the sort of thing we’d work on first.
Once out with the gun Ed assessed my shooting before starting to work on any changes, which were done to suit my style of shooting rather than a complete change of style or technique. Ed explains the reasoning behind every instruction in a manner that is easy to understand and therefore easier to try and implement, all the while making the lesson lighthearted and enjoyable.
I would recommend anyone wanting to improve their shooting book some time with Ed, I will certainly keep doing so!
Mark Fox
“Ed has been immensely helpful both for myself and my son Felix. In the first lessons I took with Ed he had to address multiple aspects of my shooting - mostly by slowing me down, but he has also shared great strategies on how to deal with various targets.
When my son Felix started in the sport, Ed was able to set him on the right path very quickly on everything from gunfit to shooting form and strategy. Felix has gone on to win the Icelandic junior Compak Sporting Championships twice and the open team event once.
I also want to mention that five of my shooting buddies joined me for a five day shooting trip in 2019, where Ed took as around various shooting grounds in the UK, and the trip ended by all of us competing in a shoot at Churchills. I cannot recommend such an adventure enough - both to improve your shooting - but also a very enjoyable experience.”
Jon and Felix - Iceland
“ I began working with Ed in 2012 as a very keen B class shooter. His coaching style, and ability to break shots down into a way that can be understood and learned from, is second to none.
Ed gave me the knowledge to be able to analyse and interpret my own shooting, so I was able to continue my learning and training when I didn’t have him stood behind me. Along with follow up contact via social media and email, his support and professionalism are unrivalled.
We worked together closely to progress me to a CPSA AAA ranking in English Sporting in 2015, with various wins and placings along the way in Regional, and Major Championships. Although my coaching isn’t needed as frequently these days,
(because Ed has done his job so well)
he is, and always will remain my coach. I genuinely wouldn’t go anywhere else, he knows my shooting better than I do.”
Wayne Martin
“In my first 18 months of shooting I had been on a phenomenal learning curve but reached a point where I needed something/someone to work with my strengths (and weakness!), and take me to the next level.
Ed helped me to put in place a pre-cage routine which allows me to prepare for the targets with everything from feet position to hold
point/break point. This routine has made me a much steadier and consistent shot, and has certainly had a positive effect on my performance.”
Rachel Willcock
England Ladies Team
"I am American and live in the US, but I travel to the UK regularly for work. When I am in the UK, I have had the great fortune of working with Ed Solomons.
First, I think Ed is undeniably one of the elite coaches in the world - immediate and lasting results, with what always feels like a practical and custom tailored manner and teaching style. Also, I can't tell you how many texts with questions Ed has addressed, day and night. On my request, Ed allowed me to shoot his demo K-80 Parcours, which helped in my decision to ultimately buy one, with no sales pitch. Ed has also opened the world of UK game shooting to me, presenting opportunities for days in the field as well as coaching. Ed is both incredibly gracious and also an absolute font of expertise - never pushy but always guiding. I have total faith in him. ”
Adam Deutsch
“Ed is a wonderful person to coach an unsure new shooter.
After we had a disastrous first attempt with a terrible coach, Ed stepped in and made everything okay. He instilled confidence in the most nervous shooter, and then topped that by teaching the supposedly unteachable to break clays. Ed turned shooting from a horrible experience into something we can’t wait to do again.”
Elizabeth Cook
“I have been shooting for just under 2 years and I have had a couple of lessons at various clubs which I found to be overpriced and impersonal. My problem was that I lacked consistency.
One day I could shoot well and the next day could be bad. Before my lesson Ed he asked me straight away what I wanted to achieve and what my goals where. He also researched my scores from the CPSA, so he knew what level I was at. I felt that he really wanted to structure the lesson around my needs, which is something that I have found that a lot of instructors lack.
Throughout the lesson I felt that he quickly understood my needs and picked up on what I was doing wrong and really helped me to develop a technique that helped me to be more consistent. I was really surprised how much my scores have improved since adopting the simple principles that Ed taught me. I had been struggling a little with FITASC before, but after the lesson I shot an 84 at Southdown and then a 91 at a sporting shoot, both were a PB of mine! I can honestly say my scores have increased and my shooting has become more consistent from Ed’s help. Thank you Ed!!”
James Netherton
“I had been shooting for about 12 months and decided that I could do with some coaching to improve my scores. Being a CPSA clubman member I came across Ed Solomon 2014 FITASC Sporting World Champion. A genuine, down to earth and very helpful chap.
We met at a convenient shooting ground and Ed looked over my technique and form, from stance, movement and shot execution. After a few tweaks, I was amazed at the results, for instance, smashing a 40-yard crosser! Not only did Ed go through the mechanics of taking a shot ie ” The need for Lead ” etc but also more importantly the mental aspect something we tend to overlook.
Ed then gave me a tailor made plan designed specifically for me which I now follow and my scores have been improving.
Ed is definitely the real deal!”
Tariq Abbasi
“I’d been clay shooting for just over 2 years, my scores had levelled out and consistency was poor. I’d had a few lessons with other coaches, but nothing had clicked and I was starting to lose interest and enjoy shooting less and less.
Having read about Ed in the shooting press I decided to try a few lessons with him in a last ditch attempt to improve matters and I can say without reservation it’s been the best money I’ve spent on shooting so far.
I’ve had 3 lessons to date, with a 4th booked and I’m delighted with the progress made. I now have a far better grasp of how to approach each stand, assess the targets and create a plan before I even set foot in the cage and compared to 6 months ago I almost don’t recognise myself when I’m shooting!
My scores have improved, I’ve gone up a classification and most importantly I’ve started to enjoy it again!”
Ian Grant
“For the past 18 months I had been shooting scores ranging from the mid 80s to the low 90s, but 3 months ago I went into a bad patch where if I put in a mid 80s score I was doing very well.
This demoralised me, causing me to lose the confidence I used to have when I was putting in the high scores, this led to the mistake of being too slow and precise when making a shot, causing me to miss more.
At this point I had enough and contacted Ed, we met at a registered shoot for the first time and had a conversation before we went off to the course, talking about what had happened to me in the last 3 months goals which I have and he gave me a few soothing words to help relax me and Ed was giving me words of encouragement around the course to help build my confidence.
As a result I shot 88, the best score I had put in for a long while.
After this I booked a lesson with Ed and he helped me with my technique when making a shot, which has resulted in me being more consistent in each stand and helping me eliminate bad habits which I had built up.
During this period I went up to AA class and my first competition after this lesson was the Clay Shooting Classic where I put in a 135/150, where I utilised everything that Ed taught me, and as a result I won Juniors by a clear 10 targets and come 4th in AA class.
Ed has brought my confidence back and I am starting to enjoy my shooting again, and with his calm mind when he is coaching this encourages you to be calm when in the cage during competition, which is a major factor for success.
I already have more lessons booked with Ed as they are definitely without doubt a worthy investment, he is a new coach and new friend.”
Jack Whitehouse
Clay Shooting Classic 2013 Junior Champion