The Complete Guide
What Is Trap Shooting? A Beginner's Guide to the Sport
You watched someone shout "pull," a bright orange disc launched into the sky, a single shot cracked — and the target exploded into a cloud of dust. And something in you thought: I want to do that. Good instinct. Here's everything you need to know.
ATA Competitive Trapshooting: How the System Works
Recreational trap shooting is satisfying. Competitive trap shooting is something else entirely. The moment your score is on the books — officially recorded, counted, permanent — every target means something different. That's what the ATA gives you. Here's how the whole system works.
Singles Trap: The Foundation of Competitive Shooting
New shooters assume they'll "graduate" from singles to the harder stuff. Then they shoot their first 100-target singles event and discover that breaking 94, 95, 96 in registered competition — consistently, under pressure, target after target — is one of the most demanding things they've ever done. Singles isn't where you start. It's where you live.
Handicap Trap: Earning Your Yardage
Ask any serious ATA competitor which event matters most. The answer is almost always the same. Not singles — even though that's where your classification lives. Not doubles — even though it's fast and athletic and punishing. It's handicap. The event where you shoot from wherever you've earned. The event where the yardage behind your name says everything about who you are as a competitor.
Doubles Trap: The Ultimate Test of Speed and Consistency
The first time you shoot doubles, you will miss the second bird. Probably a lot. Not because you can't shoot — you can. But because everything happens faster than you expect, and your brain hasn't learned yet that the moment you pull the first trigger, the first bird is already irrelevant. Doubles is ruthless about the past. Only the next shot counts.
The Mental Game: How to Compete Between Your Ears
You're on Station 4. You've broken 22 straight in registered competition — the best string you've had all season. Some part of your brain does the math: three more and that's a 25-straight. Then the next bird launches. You know exactly what happens next. You've been there. So has every trap shooter who's ever chased a straight. The mental game doesn't care about your mechanics. It has its own rules.
Beginner Shooter Series
Our six-part video series covers everything from joining the ATA to mastering singles, handicap, and doubles competition.
Join the NSTA and ATA
Beginning Shooter Series #1
Essential Trapshooting Equipment
Beginning Shooter Series #2
Intro To Trapshooting Ranges
Beginning Shooter Series #3
ATA Singles Trapshooting
Beginning Shooter Series #4
ATA Handicap Trapshooting
Beginning Shooter Series #5
ATA Doubles Trapshooting
Beginning Shooter Series #6
Range Etiquette
Trap is a game of concentration and focus. Become familiar with these suggestions and practice them as often as you can.
Make sure you are in hearing distance from the field you are assigned to so when your squad is called you are there and ready with all of your equipment.
If you are leading your squad (meaning you are the shooter on post 1 when the round starts) visually check that everyone is at their post and ready before initiating each round of 5 shots.
During the round, if and when you move from post 5 to post 1, make sure to look to the leader of your squad and give him a thumbs up that you are ready.
Remain on your post, standing facing the trap quietly, until the fifth man has fired, and then move to the next post.
At the end of the round remain still on your last post facing the trap until the last man has fired the last shot.
Do not have a loaded round in your action (regardless if your action is not closed) when walking from one post to another.
Ready to Step on the Line?
Find an upcoming shoot, join the Wednesday Night League, or get in touch with NSTA — we're here to help you get started.