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2012 Arizona Open - Thursday, February 2 through Sunday, February 5, 2012 - Coyote Springs Sporting Clays

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:

Level I:

Terry Abbott
Mesa, AZ 
(602) 769-4210
NSCA Class:  A
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
     2010:  4,150
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
     2010:  600

Buck Dendy
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 518-4593
NSCA Class:  AA
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  0
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  125
     2005:  1,250
     2006:  650
     2007:  1,500
     2008:  3,250
     2009:  4,150
     2010:  4,450
Instruction available at Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.

John Forehand
Gilbert, AZ
(480) 277-9521
NSCA Class:  C
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  0
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  0
     2005:  0
     2006:  0
     2007:  0
     2008:  0
     2009:  0
     2010:  1,650

W. Hays Gilstrap
Scottsdale, AZ
(602) 944-1077
NSCA Class:  E
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  0
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  0
     2005:  0
     2006:  0
     2007:  0
     2008:  300
     2009:  200
     2010:  650

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
     2010:  0
Instruction available at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.

Bob Kruft
Tempe, AZ
(480) 236-7169
NSCA Class:  A
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  0
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  0
     2005:  0
     2006:  0
     2007:  0
     2008:  700
     2009:  3,050
     2010:  4,350

Mike McGuire
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 563-1424
NSCA Class:  E
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  300
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  0
     2005:  0
     2006:  0
     2007:  100
     2008:  100
     2009:  200
     2010:  0

Johnnie "JR" Reeves
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 435-8081
NSCA Class:  C
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  0
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  0
     2005:  0
     2006:  0
     2007:  0
     2008:  0
     2009:  0
     2010:  0

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
     2010:  0
Instruction available at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.

Hugo Soll
Chandler, AZ
(516) 671-8106
NSCA Class:  AA
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  300
     2002:  400
     2003:  1,850
     2004:  1,600
     2005:  1,500
     2006:  2,200
     2007:  1,650
     2008:  1,350
     2009:  1,300
     2010:  2,900

Chris Stadler
Gilbert, AZ
(480) 338-6600
NSCA Class:  M
Number of Registered NSCA Targets:
     2001:  0
     2002:  0
     2003:  0
     2004:  300
     2005:  3,800
     2006:  5,900
     2007:  10,325
     2008:  5,300
     2009:  3,900
     2010:  5,600
Instruction available at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club.

Brian Witty
Dewey, AZ
(928) 420-2991
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
     2010:  0

Level II:

Wayne Bixenman
Tucson, AZ 
(520) 886-0703
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
     2010:  0
Instruction available at Coyote Springs Sporting Clays.

Level III:

John Greenwell
Website
Scottsdale, AZ 
(480) 948-9053
NSCA Class:  M
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
     2010:  3,600
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
     2010:  1,000
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.