What is Trap Shooting and the SCTP?
The Clear Creek Amana Trap Team competes in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) which is sponsored by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF).
The SSSF is an educational-athletic organization that exists to introduce school-age youth to the clay target sports and to facilitate their continued involvement by providing, promoting, and perpetuating opportunities to safely and enjoyably participate and compete in a high-quality, team-based sport led by trained adult coaches focused on enhancing the personal growth and development of their athletes.
The SSSF celebrates its fifteenth year in 2022. Youth shooting is one of the fastest growing sports in the USA and is the lifeblood of the continuation of shooting sports in our country. In 2021, nearly 4,200 athletes across Iowa participated in the Scholastic Clay Target Program. This number is growing each year.
In singles competition, the shooter stands 16 yards away from the center of the "trap house" and shoots at random clay targets that fly at various angles in front of him. The targets are approximately 4 inches round and are launched at nearly 40 miles an hour. Shooters are grouped into squads of five individuals. The first position to the left is the squad captain. The captain asks if the shooters and scorer are ready and asks the puller to see one target.
Each shooter takes five shots from each of the five positions on the field (moving left to right), for a total of 25 targets. This gives participants a different view of the target flying through the air. Each squad is scored as a team and everyone is scored individually. At most Iowa SCTP events the shooters will shoot two 25 target rounds to a total of 50 per shooter. Teams are generally scored as best of 250 in each age group.
The 2021-22 High School program has 25 athletes. The CCA Trap Team started their Middle School program in 2015-16. In 2021-22, the Middle School program has 9 athletes. The athletes are able to participate in Handicap and Doubles competition in addition to singles (16s).
Shooters are grouped into one of four groups. 6th to 8th grade students fall into the intermediate category. Intermediate Entry is for first year shooters, after the first year the shooters will be in Intermediate Advanced until they reach High School age. Coaches squad High School shooters as Junior Varsity or Varsity depending on their attendance and scores at practice and meets.
Firearm Safety
Plain and simple, safety is always the highest priority. Guns are always pointed downrange and the gun is not loaded until it is the individual's turn to shoot.
Safety Rules
- Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction. Keep your gun pointed downrange at all times while at the line.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Keep your shotgun unloaded with the action open until you are on a firing position and the trap house is clear.
- Never move from a station with a loaded gun.
- Wear eye and ear protection while on the trap field.
- Only load one shell at a time for singles. Load only two shells for doubles.
- Shooters and spectators must walk about the range at all times. No food or drinks allowed on the range.
- Always inspect barrel after a soft load/odd sounding shell occurs.
- Pick up empty hulls at the end of the round, dropped live shells should be picked up before moving stations.
- If a cease fire is called, all firearms must be immediately unloaded with action open until the problem is resolved.
Trap Shooting Equipment
Firearms
The typical gun for trapshooting is a 12-gauge shotgun with a full or improved/ modified choke and a long (30-34 inch) ventilated rib barrel. Although many top trap shooters favor break-action over/under or single barrel shotguns, pumps and auto-loading shotguns are also common. Some smaller framed shooters will use a 20-gauge, but will eventually migrate to a 12-gauge as they grow the strength to handle the larger guns.
Ammunition
The shotshells used in trapshooting are regulated by the ATA and may vary with a shooter's preference and wind conditions. Shooters can use factory ammo or re-loaded shells. Trapshooting loads are typically labeled "target loads" and use 1oz or 1-1/8oz of 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 size lead shot. Lighter loads (with slightly less shot and powder) are popular with youth shooters due to less felt recoil. SCTP shooters can use factory-loaded ammunition or re-loaded shells. Reloading is popular because of cost savings and custom tailoring loads to match individual preferences.
Other Equipment
Safety glasses and hearing protection are mandatory for SCTP shooters. A shooting vest or a shell bag is a wise investment. Either one is convenient and functional for holding shells that can get bulky. Empty shells are not to be thrown or left on the ground.