Frequently Asked Questions…
What is American Trap Shooting?
American Trap is one of the 3 disciplines of competitive clay pigeon shooting. Four and a quarter inch targets, or “clays” are launched at approximately 42mph away from the shooter from a single “house”, referred to as the trap house. The goal is to break the clay target before it reaches the ground and breaks upon impact. The clay targets are launched from the trap house at various angles, but typically always at the same height.
Up to five shooters, referred to as a squad, compete on the same field. Each shooter is assigned a “post”, either 1-5, and will take turns individually in an attempt to break the clay. A shooter will call “pull”, then a clay is launched from the trap house. After each shooter has taken 5 shots on their post, they will move one post to their right, and the process begins again until each shooter has attempted their 5 shots at each post for a total of 25 attempts.
What are the 3 disciplines in American Trap?
Singles – Shooters stand at their assigned post on the 16-yard line on the trap field; the front line on the trap field. One clay is launched from the trap house at a time when the shooter calls “pull”.
Handicap – Is similar to singles with the exception that the shooter will be standing at various yardage distances on the trap field. This can vary from the 19 to the 27-yard line. The furthest line from the trap house is the 27-yard line.
Doubles – Is similar to singles in that it is shot from the 16-yard line. However, instead of one clay launching from the trap house, two clays are launched simultaneously and at the same angle. Shooters must attempt to break both targets.
What is SCTP?
SCTP stands for Scholastic Clay Target Program. It is a national organization providing student athletes aged elementary through college a supportive environment to participate and compete in the clay shooting sports.
What are the SCTP Divisions?
There are 5 SCTP categories. Unlike other organizations which classify individuals according to their shooting average, SCTP places their athletes in categories based on the grade level and length of time in that division.
Collegiate Division – Full time collegiate/undergraduate students.
Senior Division
Varsity – 9-12 grade students. Subsequent years in Senior Division
Junior Varsity – 9=12 grade students. 1st year in the Senior Division
Intermediate Division
Intermediate Advanced – 6-8 grade students. Subsequent years in Intermediate Division
Intermediate Entry – 6-8 grade students. 1st year in Intermediate Division
Rookie – 5th grade and below students.
What is the ATA?
The ATA stand for Amateur Trapshooting Association and is one of the governing bodies for American trapshooting. “As the faithful protector of trapshooting, the ATA not only governs the sport’s rules and regulations, but also seeks ways to enhance the sport and stimulate participation. The ATA provides trophies, financial assistance and event management support to the state and provincial associations. The ATA has also been instrumental in developing programs to increase interest in the sport with its creation of National Trapshooting Day, Satellite Grand Americans, Achievement Recognition and other valuable programs.”
What is the difference between ATA Classification and Category?
During ATA registered shoots, some shooters are eligible to compete in both their Classification and their Category.
Classification is the system of dividing shooters into groups based on their previous shooting records and abilities in Singles and Doubles. Singles and Doubles each have 4 classification systems. Shoot management determines which system to use. For further information on the class systems check out:
https://shootata.com/portals/0/pdf/Rulebook.pdf
Category is a special classification and include divisions such as Lady, Junior, Veteran, etc. Some of these categories are age based (Junior, Lady I, Lady II). A shooter can declare only 1 category even if they qualify for others.
During ATA registered shoots, some shooters are eligible to compete in both their Classification and their Category. For example, a 14-year female shooter has a 95.6% Singles average, a 73% Doubles average and a 21-yard handicap. During her check-in process at an ATA registered shoot, shoot management uses the 5-class system for Singles and Doubles. According to her average percentages, she will be classified as “A” class for Singles, “D” class for Doubles, and will shoot from the 21-yard line during the Handicap event. Even though she qualifies for both the “Lady 1” and “Junior” category, she chooses to compete as a “Junior”.
Shoot management determines if Classification or Category will take precedence during an event. In our scenario above. Shoot management has decided that Classification supersedes Category. If the shooter in the example does not win, or place, in her “A” class for Singles, then her scores will be compared to the shooters in the “Juniors” category. If she has the top score of all the shooters in the Junior Division, then she wins that category.
How is my ATA Class determined?
ATA Classifications are determined using a shooter’s average over the course of the ATA shoot year. The following formula is used. If you do not currently have any ATA registered targets for the shoot year, the previous years’ average may be used. Shoot management may also use a shooter’s “known ability” along with a shooter’s average to determine classification.
# of ATA registered targets broken ÷ #of ATA registered targets attempted = average.
How do I register for an ATA shoot?
Some ranges will allow shooter’s to pre-squad prior to a shoot. Pre-squadding holds the shooter’s squad and post for that shoot. If a range allows pre-squadding, follow their instructions per their shoot program.
I’ve registered, now what?
On the day of the shoot, shooter’s must first “Classify” at the classification desk. Here, shooters will be placed in their appropriate Classification and Category. Once a shooter has been classified, they will pay their registration fees at the cashier. Once payment is complete, they will be handed a shoot “ticket” or receipt that shows their squad number and starting post, along with any options they may have purchased.
What do “options” on an event mean?
Some events listed in a shoot program will have options available for purchase. Purchasing an “option” is essentially buying into the opportunity to win all or a portion of the prize “pot”, depending on how well you score for that event.
What are some options found on events?
There are a multitude of options that are available for shoot management to add to the event. Some of the most common are: Lewis Option, Class Purse Option, Perfect 50’s Option, and Jackpot options. It is up to shoot management to set the percentage for various options. Let’s look at an example: Lewis Option
On Event #1 – 100 Singles, there is a Lewis Option for $10.00. This particular Lewis option states 2 classes, 60/40.
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This description states that it cost $10.00 to purchase this Lewis option. The total “pot” will then be divided into 2 classes and each class pot will be awarded in a 60%/40% split. 20 shooters purchase this option for a total of $200 in the “pot”. The shooters who purchased this option then shot the following scores: 1. 100 |
5. 94 |
9. 88 |
13. 82 |
17. 78 |
|
2. 98 |
6. 93 |
10. 88 |
14. 81 |
18. 76 |
|
3. 96 |
7. 93 |
11. 84 |
15. 80 |
19. 74 |
|
4. 95 |
8. 90 |
12. 83 |
16. 80 |
20. 72 |