Clay target shooting

In trap, targets are thrown away from the shooter from a trap house in front of the firing line, rising and angling within set limits. Shooters rotate through five stations behind the house, taking targets in turn.

In skeet, two trap houses, a high house and a low house, throw targets on fixed crossing paths, and shooters move through a semicircle of stations so that every station presents different angles. Doubles, with both houses throwing at once, are part of the game.

Sporting clays courses are laid out over natural terrain with stations that imitate game: crossing pairs, incoming birds, rabbits rolling along the ground. No two courses are the same, which is why the game is often described as golf with a shotgun.

Clay shooters use over and under or semi automatic shotguns, most commonly in 12 gauge, with chokes chosen for the distances of each game. Cartridges are light target loads, and the rules cap shot weights.

Fit matters more than features: a shotgun that mounts consistently to your shoulder and eye is worth more than any accessory. Eye and ear protection are required, and a vest or pouch carries cartridges between stations.

Scoring is hit or miss, one point per broken target, over series of 25. Championships are shot over multiple series with the totals combined, and ties at the top are settled by shoot offs.

In the Olympic trap and skeet finals, athletes shoot elimination style until the medals are decided.

Clay shooting is one of the easiest disciplines to try, because clubs and commercial grounds run introduction sessions with a coach standing beside you. The coach handles safety and talks you onto your first targets.

From there, join a club, shoot regular series of trap or skeet to build consistency, and try sporting clays when you want variety. National federations run registered competitions in all three games.