Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
01 // ABOUT
History & Founding
SCTP — overview
NSSF Origins
The SCTP traces its roots to the early 2000s, when the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recognized that youth participation in clay target sports was happening informally across the country but lacked any unified structure, safety standards, or competitive framework. The NSSF built the program and ran it until 2007, when it established the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation specifically to manage and expand it.
Foundation Transition
The 2007 handoff was a deliberate move — NSSF is a trade association, and a dedicated nonprofit was better positioned to pursue the educational mission, attract tax-deductible donations, and build the endowment infrastructure the program needed for long-term stability. The NSSF remained an active partner rather than stepping away entirely.
Key milestones in SCTP organizational development
Modern Growth
Since that transition, SCTP has grown into the dominant youth clay target organization in the country. The SSSF has set a fundraising goal of $40 million for its endowment — the amount the foundation believes ensures the program runs in perpetuity — with an interim target of $20 million by its 20th anniversary in 2027.
02 // TRAP SHOOTING
About Trap Shooting
Trap Shooting
Field Layout and Sequence
A standard round is 25 targets shot from five stations, five targets per station. You start at station one, shoot five clays, then move right to station two.
The trap machine sits 16 yards in front of you in a concrete house, oscillating left and right within a 54-degree arc.
Types & Variations
What Does Trap Shooting Cost?
$600-1,500
Basic equipment to begin
$2,500-6,000+
Quality gear for serious shooters
Note: Hidden costs: Club membership ($100-300/yr), registered shoot fees ($25-50/event), gas to rural club locations. Save money by buying shells in bulk (flats of 10 boxes), joining club leagues with discounted targets, and buying a quality used gun instead of cheap new.
Trap Shotgun Types Compared
| Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Over/Under | Two barrels stacked vertically. Most popular choice for serious trap shooters. Offers clean sight picture, reliable ejection, and excellent balance. Entry level starts at $600 (Stevens 555), competitive guns run $1,500-4,000 (Beretta 686, Browning Citori), and elite guns exceed $10,000 (Krieghoff, Perazzi). | Committed shooters who want one gun for years of competition |
| Semi-Automatic | Gas or inertia operated. Significantly reduced felt recoil (30-40% less than O/U). Fast follow-up shots for doubles. Popular choices include Beretta A400 ($1,400-1,800) and Browning Maxus ($1,200-1,600). Requires more cleaning but shoots high volumes comfortably. | High-volume shooters, recoil-sensitive shooters, and doubles specialists |
| Single-Barrel Trap Gun | Purpose-built for singles trap with extra-high rib and stock designed for rising targets. Ultimate precision for dedicated trap shooters. Models like the Browning BT-99 ($1,200-1,500) and high-end options from Ljutic and Kolar ($3,000+). | Dedicated trap-only shooters focused on singles competition |
| Pump Action | Manual action is slowest but most affordable and reliable. Good starter option if budget is tight. Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 both work for trap, especially with longer barrel. Many champions started with pumps. | Budget-conscious beginners or hunters who already own a pump |
Pro Tips for Beginners
- Start at the 16-yard line—everyone does, including future champions
- Borrow or rent before buying; most clubs have loaner guns available
- Mount the gun the same way every time—consistency beats speed
- Keep your head on the stock through the shot; lifting causes misses
- Focus on the leading edge of the target, not the whole thing
- Follow through after the shot; stopping the swing causes trailing misses
- Practice your pre-shot routine until it is automatic
- Shoot with experienced people and watch what they do
- Join a club league; weekly competition accelerates improvement
- Track your scores; patterns reveal which stations need work
- Lesson from a certified instructor is worth 1000 rounds of practice
- If you hit 23-24/25 consistently, consider moving to handicap for challenge
Also in This Guide
03 // SKEET SHOOTING
About Skeet Shooting
Skeet Shooting
Origins and Development
Charles Davis invented this in 1915 because he wanted hunting practice without live pigeons. Originally called "shooting around the clock," the sport started as a full circle until neighbors got tired of shot raining on their property. The half-circle design we use today solved that problem -- and the name "skeet" comes from Scandinavian for "shoot."
Field Layout and Mechanics
Types & Variations
What Does Skeet Shooting Cost?
$600-1,000
Basic equipment to begin
$1,500-4,000
Quality gear for serious shooters
Note: Same shotgun works for skeet, trap, and sporting clays. Many clubs have loaner guns for beginners.
Skeet Shotgun Options
Over/Under
Two barrels, clean sight picture, traditional choice for clay sports.
Serious competitors who want reliability and resale valueSemi-Automatic
Reduced recoil, quick follow-up shots for doubles.
High-volume shooters and those sensitive to recoilSide-by-Side
Traditional style, wider sight plane.
Upland hunters who want to practice with their field gunPro Tips for Beginners
- Start with 12-gauge; sub-gauges come later
- Focus on consistent gun mount and swing
- Station 8 singles are good for learning fundamentals
- Join an NSSA club for league shooting
- Watch experienced shooters read targets before you shoot
Also in This Guide
04 // SPORTING CLAYS
About Sporting Clays
Sporting Clays
Sporting clays emerged in 1920s England when hunters got tired of trap and skeet not preparing them for real birds. Smart idea. The format puts you through 10-15 stations scattered across 50-100 acres, each presenting different target combinations that mirror actual hunting scenarios.
Course Layout and Format
A full course runs 100 targets shot as singles or pairs. Each station throws you a curveball -- maybe incoming doves at Station 1, followed by bolting rabbits at Station 2, then high crossers simulating geese at Station 3. Course setters change presentations regularly, so even if you shoot the same place monthly, you're constantly adapting.
Types & Variations
What Does Sporting Clays Cost?
$800-2,000
Basic equipment to begin
$3,000-8,000+
Quality gear for serious shooters
Note: Sporting clays uses more ammunition than trap. Budget for extra chokes and a quality shell pouch.
Sporting Clays Choke Selection
Skeet Choke
Wide pattern for close targets (10-20 yards). Most open constriction.
Close crossing targets, rabbits, close report pairsImproved Cylinder
Moderate spread for mid-range (20-30 yards). Most versatile choke.
General use, quartering targets, most course situationsModified
Tighter pattern for distance (30-45+ yards). Longer effective range.
Long crossers, high towers, distant battue targetsPro Tips for Beginners
- Walk the course before competing if possible
- Watch experienced shooters on difficult stations
- Bring multiple chokes and learn when to change
- Hydrate and pace yourself - courses can be long
- Start with smaller courses (50 targets) before 100-bird events