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The National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) is committed to a professional approach to the learning and teaching process as it relates to promoting our sport as a safe and entertaining way to have fun with a shotgun. As part of this commitment, NSCA offers a progressive level of instructor certification. Each certification level provides instructors with an increasing set of skills.
For new shooters, a qualified instructor can help make that first experience an enjoyable one - chipping away the beginning shooter frustration and providing a good foundation for future shooting fun. At the higher levels, the NSCA certified instructor might not be able to help everyone become a state or national champion, but they can shorten the journey. As a side benefit for range owners trying to bring in more of the shooting public's entertainment dollars, instructors at any level of expertise can be a helpful partner.
Below is a short description of each certification level:
Level I - This certification provides instructors with the knowledge and ability to teach shotgun fundamentals (e.g., setting up foot and body position for proper balance; setting up hand and shotgun positions to move with the target; how to use the eyes to acquire a target; realize why a target was missed; and explain why all this is important.) It also deals with eye dominance, gun safety, listening and communication skills, and basic gun fit. Level I Instructors are NSCA members, 18+ years of age, have at least two years of shooting experience, and successfully complete a 3 day school taught by a Level II or Level III Instructor.
Level II - This certification level is geared toward allowing the instructor to move from teaching to coaching. The mental side of shooting is better understood, as reality and perception may not be the same. The program helps the instructor to "get on the same page " as the students, to help them overcome their problems. Positive reinforcement, helping them learn what to do, when to do it, and rehearsing those actions both physically and mentally are the skills being developed. The instructors are able to provide progressive training and help their students visualize breaking targets so they can empower the subconscious and make the right things happen. The Level II Instructor must have been a Level I Instructor for 2 years, have a recommended 400 hours of paid instruction, and successfully complete a 3 day school taught by a Level III Instructor.
Level III - This certification level provides the instructor with the highest level of professionalism. Here is where sharing ideas, a good grasp of the mental game and being able to quickly and effectively identify and correct problems are key. Advanced stage shooters are not looking for someone who wants to change their shooting technique; they are looking for someone who can get their confidence back. At this level, the instructor has to be more patient with the shooter and be able to effectively communicate the minor tweaks and techniques that will improve their game. The Level III Instructor must have been a Level II Instructor for 3 years, have a recommended 1,500 hours of paid instruction as a Level II Instructor, and successfully complete a 4 day school.
Following are the NSCA Certified Instructors located in Arizona:
Terry Abbott
Mesa, AZ
(480) 984-5868
NSCA Class: B
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 0
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 0
2005: 650
2006: 900
2007: 1,700
2008: 2,300
2009: 2,650
Instruction available at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.
Michael Clarke
San Tan Valley, AZ
(480) 987-8982
NSCA Class: C
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 1,900
2002: 1,900
2003: 1,800
2004: 3,400
2005: 2,300
2006: 2,300
2007: 1,700
2008: 2,000
2009: 750
W. Hays Gilstrap
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 448-2203
NSCA Class: D
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 0
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 0
2005: 0
2006: 0
2007: 0
2008: 300
2009: 200
Marshall Ojerio
Sierra Vista, AZ
(520) 378-2403
NSCA Class: D
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 300
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 0
2005: 0
2006: 0
2007: 0
2008: 0
2009: 0
James Rasmussen
Mesa, AZ
(602) 576-2273
NSCA Class: B
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 400
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 200
2005: 300
2006: 1150
2007: 100
2008: 1250
2009: 650
Instruction available at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.
Thomas Slaughter
Tempe, AZ
(480) 628-9977
NSCA Class: D
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 0
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 0
2005: 0
2006: 0
2007: 0
2008: 0
2009: 0
Instruction available at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.
Wayne
Bixenman
Tucson, AZ
(520) 886-0703
Cell: (520) 370-4474
NSCA Class: B
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 2,000
2002: 400
2003: 0
2004: 100
2005: 0
2006: 1,450
2007: 1,850
2008: 550
2009: 550
Instruction available at Coyote Springs Sporting Clays.
John Greenwell
Website
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 948-9053
NSCA Class: AA
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 2,650
2002: 3,950
2003: 2,700
2004: 3,006
2005: 2,800
2006: 2,800
2007: 2,600
2008: 3,300
2009: 3,350
Instruction available at Ben Avery Clay Target Center.
Russ Gunderson
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 819-0738
NSCA Class: C
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
2001: 0
2002: 400
2003: 700
2004: 1,000
2005: 200
2006: 0
2007: 100
2008: 300
2009: 500
Instruction available at Ben Avery Clay Target Center.
Instructors, please e-mail the webmaster
if you would like your e-mail address or a personal website to be included in
your listing or if you need a correction made to your listing.
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