Technique
Target focus, reading presentations, visual discipline, routines, and the fundamentals behind consistent shooting.
101
Start With The Basics
Clay Shooting 101.
Practical information for shooters who want to understand the sport, improve faster, and feel more confident on the course.
From Sporting Clays and FITASC to Trap and Skeet, Shotgun Sports USA breaks down the questions shooters actually ask—without making the sport more complicated than it needs to be.
Learn The Sport
Answers That Make You A Better Shooter.
Whether you're brand new to clay shooting or looking to understand the finer details, these guides are designed to give you useful, straightforward answers you can take to the course.
Equipment
Shotguns, chokes, glasses, ammunition, and the gear decisions shooters face as they progress.
Competition
Registered shoots, classifications, preparation, etiquette, and what to expect when you step into competition.
The Basics
Clear explanations for the questions that can feel confusing when you're new to Sporting Clays, FITASC, Trap, or Skeet.
Clay Shooting 101 Library
Find The Answer. Learn Something New.
Search the Clay Shooting 101 archive or browse the latest guides from Shotgun Sports USA.
Looking at the Bird: The Foundation of Great Sporting Clays Shooting
If you ask ten accomplished sporting clays shooters what single piece of advice they would give a beginner, chances are several of them would…
Sunglasses vs. Shooting Glasses for Clay Shooting: Does It Really Matter?
Whether you're breaking your first round of sporting clays or competing at a high level, vision plays a critical role in success. One of…
Why Are Sporting Clays Shotguns So Expensive?
Sporting clays shotguns often surprise new shooters with their price tags. A pump-action shotgun from a sporting goods store may cost $400 to $700,…
Why an Autoloading Shotgun May Be Better Than an Over/Under for Beginning Sporting Clays Shooters
Walk onto almost any sporting clays course and you'll notice a trend: many experienced competitors are shooting over/under shotguns. It's easy for beginners to…
How to Prepare for Your First Registered Sporting Clays Shoot
For many shooters, registering for a first sporting clays tournament can feel intimidating. Questions about rules, scoring, classifications, equipment, and expectations can make it…
Sporting Clays Etiquette Guide
Sporting clays is more than a shooting sport. It is built on safety, sportsmanship, and respect for fellow shooters. Good etiquette helps squads move…