The "long hold point" refers to an experienced bird hunter who parks the muzzle of the unmounted gun out where he thinks the bird will fly. Inexperienced bird hunters are prone to a "short hold point" near the head of the pointing dog. Inserting the muzzle of the gun just ahead of the bird on the mount allows for a "short move to the bird". This is the sustained lead method used by high average International Skeet competitors also. My question to the poster who describes his fast swing through method is "Why would you intentionally insert the muzzle behind the bird when you could insert the muzzle in front of the bird??"