If you are new to clay shooting you may not realise there are a variety of disciplines you can shoot and compete in. The above video (filmed at Fauxdegla International Clay Shooting Centre) will show you a little more about Trap Shooting.
The 3 main Disciplines of Competitive shooting are:
Trap
Skeet
Sporting
This episode we are going to tell you a little more about Trap Shooting.
There are a variety of trap disciplines you can compete in the main ones are:
DTL - Down the line
ABT - Automatic Ball Trap
UT - Universal Trench
OT - Olympic Trap
Down-the-Line (DTL)
Down-the-Line Trap (DTL) is a very popular trap discipline in the UK.
There is a single clay trap which is set in the centre of the layout in front of the shooters.
The shooters stand on 5 pegs behind the clay trap. Shooting starts from the left peg and each shooter takes it in turns to shoot an individual target, once all 5 shooters have shot, shooting returns to shooter 1 and they repeat the process again, After shooting 5 targets all shooters then move to the next peg to the right. A single round of DTL consists of 25 targets, meaning each shooter shoots 5 targets on each peg.
All targets are going away targets though they vary in angle. Three points are awarded if the target is hit with the first shot, and two points if a second shot is needed before the shooter hits the target. A miss gives zero points.
Automatic Ball Trap (ABT)
Automatic Ball Trap (ABT) is a faster discipline that DTL, again there is one trap set in the centre of the layout that oscillates and throws a random target, targets are faster and at more variable heights and angles than DTL.
Once again there are 5 pegs for shooters to stand on though sometimes ABT is shot in squads of 6 with the 6th shooter waiting behind peg 1. Once again peg 1 on the left starts the order of shooting, unlike DTL one target is shot on each stand then the shooter moves to the next peg/position. A round again consists of 25 targets. Two shots are allowed per target with one point awarded for a hit regardless of whether the first or second shot was needed.
Universal Trench (UT or UTR)
Universal Trench (UT or UTR) is sometimes called as "Five Trap". Five traps are installed in a trench in front of the shooting stands, again there are 5 pegs/positions and shooting starts with peg 1 (far left) like ABT, this can be shot in squads of 6 and only one shot is taken on each peg then the shooter moves to the next peg, shooters keep rotating until 25 shots have been taken (a round). When the shooter shouts "Pull" a random target is thrown from one of the five traps in the trench, angles and speeds vary in UT. Once again two shots are allowed at UT targets and one point is awarded regardless of whether the target is hit with the first or second shot.
There are 10 official schemes of targets, that are selected at random before any competition.
Olympic Trap (OT or OTR)
Olympic Trap along with Olympic Skeet are the two shooting disciplines included in the Olympic Games.
Once again there is a trench in front of the 5 shooting stands /positions. (though also once again can be shot in squads of 6) Within the trench (not-visible) there are 15 traps, arranged with one group of 3 traps for each shooting position (peg).
As with all other trap disciplines targets are thrown when the shooter shouts "pull". Targets are voice-released immediately and travel between 60 and 75 meters at an angle no greater than 45 degrees either side of centre at an average speed of 63 MPH. Olympic Trap targets are much faster and vary considerably in angles and heights to those shot in DTL. Once a shooter has shot a target (as with ABT and UT) they move to the next position, they continue to rotate until all 25 targets have been shot. Once again two shots are allowed at OT targets and one point is awarded regardless of whether the target is hit with the first or second shot.
If you are interested in trying your hand at trap shooting, we can introduce you to these disciplines at Clay Sports Shooting.
Keep a lookout for our next article where we will cover Skeet Shooting.