Trap shooting is a shotgun sport where competitors aim at clay targets, known as “clay pigeons” or “clays,” launched from a machine called a “trap house”. The game involves shooters standing on a line of stations and taking turns firing at targets that fly away from them at random angles, with the goal of breaking as many targets as possible. The sport requires skill, precision, and timing, and it simulates hunting by having participants shoot at targets that mimic the flight path of a bird.
How it Works
- Stations: Shooters stand at one of five positions (stations) in front of the trap house.
- Target Launch: A trap machine, located in front of the shooter, launches a clay target (small, bright orange discs made of clay or pitch) into the air.
- “Pull”: Shooters must call “pull” to have the target released.
- Aim and Shoot: The shooter then aims and fires their shotgun at the target.
- Target Rotation: A single target is launched at a time, with the angles and directions changing randomly from shot to shot.
- Round: A standard round consists of 25 targets, with each shooter firing five targets from each of the five stations.
- Scoring: The target is considered “broken” if it is hit, regardless of whether it’s a small piece or the whole disc.
