Trap
Trap is the oldest of all clay target sports. A trap field consists of one house containing a target thrower that launches clay targets at random angles. Shooters are positioned 16 yards behind the trap house on 5 different positions. A full squad consists of one shooter on each station (5 shooters total). Shooters will only shoot single birds starting with the shooter on post 1 then moving on to posts 2,3,4 and 5. Once each shooter has shot 5 targets at their station, they rotate to the next station. A complete round of trap consists of 25 targets, 5 at each station.

Several variations of American trap are also shot on the same field. For doubles trap, 2 targets are thrown simultaneously at fixed angles. Each shooter shoots at 5 pairs of targets per station for a total of 50 targets per round.

International trap includes only one target at a time, but the targets may be thrown at different elevations. In International (also known as 'bunker') trap, the traphouse is underground and there are 15 different trap machines used to throw targets. International targets are slightly larger in diameter with less dome than standard targets and are thrown faster. Two shots may be used for each target in international trap.

Skeet
Skeet was invented in the early 1920's as a way to practice wing-shooting skills for the field. The game of skeet has two "houses" from which the targets are electronically launched. The high house which is on the left and the low house which is on the right side of the field. There are eight stations located in a semi-circle between the two houses. A complete round consists of 25 targets. At stations 1,2,6 and 7 the shooter will shoot a single target from the high house and then a single target from the low house. Following the single targets the shooter will then shoot a double which is a target from each house thrown at the same time. When shooting a double, always shoot the bird that comes out of the closest house first. On stations 3,4 and 5 the shooter will shoot a single from both houses starting with the high house. The first target that is missed is shot again which is called an "option". Only one option is shot per round. If no targets have been missed upon the completion of shooting low house 8, the option will be shot as a second target from low 8.

Doubles skeet consist of two targets per station. The first round of doubles consists of 24 targets by moving from station 1 through 7, and then working back to station 2 shooting 2 targets per station. The second round goes from station 1 to 7, then back to 1 and consists of 13 pairs for a total of 26 targets. The total for the two rounds is 50 targets. International skeet is much different than American skeet. The targets are larger (110mm), are moving much faster, and a more complicated sequence of targets is thrown. International skeet includes doubles targets at stations 3,4 and 5. The shooter must also start with their gun un-mounted until the target emerges from the house.

Skeet Field Detailed Diagram (*.pdf file)

Sporting Clays
Sporting Clays is the newest clay target sport and was introduced from England and simulates an unlimited variety of game shooting situations. This game is shot on a course rather than a field and the number of stations may vary. Every sporting clays course is different and the same course is often different each day. Many of the stations are set up to simulate hunting situations. Besides the standard 108mm targets shot in trap and skeet, sporting clays also use 90mm targets, 60mm targets, targets that turn in mid-air, and extremely rigid targets designed to bounce on the ground to simulate rabbits. Sporting clays courses often use both manual and electronic target launchers. Although some sporting clays courses have single target shots, most stations have pairs of targets. True pairs release both targets at the same time. Report pairs throw one target, and the second is released when the first is shot. Releasing one target directly after the other is called a following pair.

Five Stand
Five stand, like sporting clays, is different on every course. There are five stations similar to trap, but there are 5 or 6 target throwers. A different sequence of targets is shot from each station, often in pairs. The order of the targets is listed at each station.

Competition Style Olympic Archery
Flat round multi-color targets are set up in a row between 30 and 90 meters. Shot using only recurve bows.

Archers use a non-magnifying front sight but no rear sight.

This style of archery is most similar to the type used in the Archery in the Schools Program.

For more information, visit http://www.usarchery.org

Competition Style Field Archery
Flat targets at known distances are spaced on a roving course in a natural setting.

Archers most often use compound bows with front and rear sights. However, tournament divisions exist for other types of equipment including recurve bows and traditional wood longbows.

For more information, visit http://www.usarchery.org

Competition Style 3-D Archery
Three-dimensional foam targets are set on a roving natural course at unknown distances.

Archers shoot at faint scoring rings molded into the animal targets. Compound bows with front and rear sights are often used.

For more information, visit http://www.usarchery.org