Clay Target Shotgun Shooting: Precision, Power, Passion!

Explore the core disciplines of clay target shooting and elevate your skills to Olympic standards.

Clay Target Shooting, often called “Clay Pigeon Shooting”, is a competitive Olympic sport in which shooters use shotguns to fire at moving clay targets launched into the air at high speeds. It tests a shooter’s accuracy, reflexes, discipline, and concentration, and is recognized worldwide as both a recreational sport and a professional competition event.

The Main Disciplines of Clay Target Shooting!

At Trishul Sports Association, we specialize in the three internationally recognized shotgun disciplines:

1. Olympic Single Trap Shooting

Shooters aim at clay targets launched away from them at varying angles from the trap house.

How it works: In Trap Shooting, athletes fire at single clay targets thrown away from the shooter at varying angles. Targets are launched from a trap house positioned 15 meters away from the shooter.

Setup: The Standard Trap setup includes five shooting stations. Shooters rotate between stations, facing different target angles. There are 15 machines, each set at different angles, to launch clay targets unpredictably, enhancing reflex and accuracy skills.

Skill focus: Quick reaction time, adaptability to varying angles, stable body positioning.

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Age Group Focus:

  • Common starting discipline for Juniors (12 – 21 years).
  • Popular among youth, open, and senior categories because it builds foundational reflexes.

Status in India:

  • Highly popular, especially for beginners and competitive youth shooters.
  • Most National and Khelo India events prominently feature Trap events.
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2. Olympic Skeet Shooting

Targets are launched from two trap houses—high and low—that cross each other, demanding perfect timing and coordination.

How it works: In Skeet Shooting, targets are launched from two trap houses (high house and low house) and cross in front of the shooter. Shooters move through eight shooting stations arranged in a semicircle.

Setup: Shooters fire at single and double targets moving across their field of vision at high speeds.

Skill focus: Smooth swing motion, perfect timing, consistent target lead calculation.

Age Group Focus:

  • Usually picked up by intermediate to advanced youth shooters (12 – 21 years)
  • Requires faster reflexes and more advanced hand-eye coordination

Status in India:

  • Skeet shooting has gained popularity after India’s success at international levels (Olympics, World Cups).
  • The basics, equipment, and techniques differ from those of the Olympic Single Trap. It is not as popular as the Olympic Trap but is comparatively easier, involving only two machines.

3. Double Trap Shooting

It is the easiest and most predictable clay shooting discipline. In it, two clays are released simultaneously at fixed angles using just three machines.

How it works: In Double Trap, two clay targets are launched simultaneously at set angles, requiring shooters to engage both quickly.

Setup: Traditionally shot from six stations, this event is now mainly a non-Olympic discipline (it was removed from the Olympics after 2016).

Skill focus: Fast target transition, double-shot accuracy, exceptional anticipation.

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Age Group Focus:

  • Often chosen by shooters who find Olympic Trap or Skeet more demanding in terms of skill and complexity.
  • Less common for juniors starting fresh.

Status in India:

  • Once popular, but participation has reduced since its removal from the Olympic program.
  • Still featured in some national championships and private competitions.

How Clay Target Shooting Works?

Clay target shooting is a precision sport that challenges shooters to hit fast-moving clay targets launched into the air. It combines focus, timing, and technique and requires specialized equipment and strict safety measures. Mastering the basics is the first step toward success in this dynamic shooting discipline, whether for competition or training.

Basic Objective

Hit the clay targets as they are launched at unpredictable speeds and angles.

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Equipment Used:

  • 12-gauge shotgun (Popular brands: Beretta, Perazzi, Krieghoff, Zoli, Browning)
  • Clay targets (Popular brands: Corsivia, Eurotarget, Laporte, etc.)
  • Protective gear (ear protection, eye protection)
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Scoring

Each successful hit scores one point. The shooter with the most points wins.

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Ready to Aim for Excellence?

Join Trishul Sports Association and start your journey in Olympic-standard clay target shooting today!