With thanks to Hopkins Trap Team Head Coach Mark Czech, on whose Handbook this is based.
Knowledge of the contents and rules of this Handbook is mandatory for all team members. The Safety Rules (especially) should be reviewed on a weekly basis.
Our web site (www.minnetonkatrap.com) and e-mail are the primary forms of communication for coaches and team members. Each team member should check both every Sunday from after team sign-up day until the end of the shooting season for pre-season meeting times and in-season information. At present there will be a mandatory safety meeting and possibly a gun fitting/trap basics meeting scheduled prior to the start of shooting, time and place TBA. Later in the season, you will need to check the web site to determine which squad you will be shooting on along with any last minute updates.
Our conference season will be 10 weeks beginning in April and ending in late May/early June. The league format is a virtual league, meaning all Minnetonka Trap Team rounds will be shot at Park Sportsman’s Club in Long Lake (www.shootpsc.com). The other teams in our conference will shoot at their home club. The weekly scores for each team will then be called into the MSHSCTL (Minnesota State High School Clay Target League) office and scored against the team we are competing with that week.
After the conference season, the State High School Trap Tournament will be held mid – June. Competition in both our conference and the state tournament will be at Novice, J.V. and Varsity levels in team and individual categories. While the State High School Tournament will finish the formal Minnetonka Trap Team season, there are several high school level tournaments team members may compete in including youth day at the ATA/Minnesota State Championships and other SCTP tournaments.
We will be shooting one of the 3 games of American Trap, commonly called “Singles”. It consists of a single target, shot at from the 16 yard line. In ATA tournaments and most leagues shooters compete for awards and trophies in the Singles event by classes based on a “running average” of their prior scores. This way a shooter with a 95/100 (class “A”) average shooter competes with other “A” average shooters, and not higher or lower average class shooters. The MSHSCTL uses a similar system to determine Novice, J.V. and Varsity placement. At the beginning of the season coaches may place team members together by age, perceived experience or demonstrated ability. After week 4 of the season, the average of your past six scores will determine whether you are in the Novice, J.V or Varsity class, and determine letter eligibility.
Safety, Equipment, Conduct and Procedure Rules
Our top priority is to teach team members trapshooting skills in a safe environment. In addition to the MSHSCTL, ATA, Park and Plymouth Gun Club rules for safety and conduct are the following MHS Trap Team rules:
1) MUZZLE CONTROL WILL BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. While on the trap line all guns will be pointed down range. At all other times guns will be carried unloaded with actions open, muzzle up for pumps and semi-autos, muzzle down for hinge guns. This includes mid round station changes.
2) No closed actions except on the firing line or in the gun rack if you have a hinge gun.
3) No mounting or aiming of guns other than on the firing line unless under the direct supervision of a coach.
4) Carrying a shotgun over your shoulder or resting the muzzle on your toe is not permitted.
5) All guns will be cased and kept in the gun rack or locked in your vehicle when not in use.
6) When it is your turn to shoot you will set your cased gun on the sidewalk behind your station. Immediately after uncasing, open the action and check both the chamber and magazine to be sure the gun is not loaded and the barrel is clear. After this, proceed to your station or stand by as directed by the coach.
7) Do not load your gun or close the action until it is your turn to shoot. Safety is more important than speed.
8) Load only 1 shell at a time.
9) Load pumps and semi-autos through the ejection port, not the magazine. The only exception is a bottom eject pump such as a BPS or Ithaca 37.
10) During a round, in the event of a gun or equipment malfunction remain facing down range and raise your hand to indicate a problem. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES turn around unless directed to do so by a coach. All other squad members will immediately cease, open their guns and unload until correction is made.
11) At the command “CEASE!” all shooters will immediately stop whatever they are doing, open/unload their guns and wait for further instructions.
12) Range safety requires complete and undivided attention. No cell phones will be allowed on the trap line. Also, before or during the round, if for any reason (illness, fatigue, medications or personal problems) you are unsure you can complete the round, signal a coach. We will arrange for you to shoot at another time.
13) No shooting will start until all shooters, the scorer and coaches have taken their positions and have indicated they are ready to commence.
14) All shooters will remain on station until the last shooter has fired.
Equipment
1. All team members and coaches must wear eye and hearing protection at all times while shooting is in progress.
2. All shooters must have an appropriate shotgun (12 gauge or smaller). No handguns or rifles are allowed to be fired at the range.
3. No shotguns with an exposed hammer or release trigger are permitted.
4. All shooters will use a shooting vest or shell belt to carry their shells.
5. Due to the chance a hull in the grass is sliced by the lawn mower, no open
toe shoes or sandals are permitted.
6. Each team member will be issued 20 boxes of shells. It is your responsibility to safely store the shells. You will bring 2 boxes with you each week.
7. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will firearms, ammunition, empty shells or shell boxes be permitted on the MHS campus. ANYONE violating this rule will be subject to severe local, State and Federal penalties.
8. All firearms are to be transported in accordance with State and Federal laws.
9. Dress appropriately for the weather!
Conduct and Sportsmanship
Courtesy and sportsmanship go hand in glove with safety to create a safe and fun environment. They also portray our sport in the best possible light within our school and the greater community. Along with the safety rules the following conduct and sportsmanship rules will be strictly enforced:
1. Blatant violations of safety rules, discourteous behavior including heckling, bullying, trash talking, temper tantrums or disobedience of directions from coaches will result in immediate removal from the trap line and possibly the club grounds, and further disciplinary actions at the discretion of the Head Coach.
2. A second violation will result in expulsion from the team and forfeit of shooting fees paid. This will be at the discretion of the Head Coach, whose decision will be final.
3. The Minnesota High School Clay Target League (MSHSCTL) has specific rules regarding appropriate attire and conduct. Be sure you know these rules and abide by them. Their web site is: mnclaytarget.com
Procedures:
Upon arrival at the club:
1. Report to the Squad Master for assignment. He will attempt to squad shooters by experience level, however this may not always be possible, especially early in the season when daylight is limited. It is important we don’t waste time by shooting short squads so everyone can get their rounds in with good light.
2. The Squad Master will indicate how soon your squad will be called to the trap line. If your squad is on deck, make sure you and your squad mates are ready to take the field as soon as the prior squad finishes the round and cases their guns.
3. A squad will consist of up to 5 shooters, shooting positions 1 - 5. The Shooter on post 1 is designated as squad leader. The squad leader will determine the squad, scorer and coaches are ready to begin.
4. After all shooters have shot 5 times at their first station, the scorer will call for a station change and read the scores for the post just completed. Shooters will then move one station to the right. The position 5 shooter assumes position 1. When doing this he/she will walk parallel to the trap line behind the other squad members. AT STATION CHANGES ALL SHOOTERS WILL FOLLOW SAFETY RULE 1. The new position 1 shooter will indicate to the squad leader he/she is ready to proceed.
5. The squad leader (now on post 2) will check the rest of the squad and if all are ready will resume the round.
6. The squad leader always starts the next set. The shooting order (1 – 5) remains the same throughout the round. At the end of the round the scorer will release the squad from the trap line. The shooters will either get another box of shells for the next round or case their guns with action open per Safety Rule #2. At the end of the round shooters will case their guns with the action open (Safety Rule #2) and at the Coaches direction pick up the empty hulls for disposal.
7. As time allows team members may be able to shoot additional practice after team league rounds are completed. See a coach for details.
IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANY OF THE RULES AND PROCEDURES, ASK A COACH.
Minnesota State High School Clay Target League (MSHSCTL)
The MSHSCTL is the statewide governing body of our league. The MSHSCTL provides administration of conference competition and the State High School Tournament. For more information, their web site is: mnclaytarget.com
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
The SCTP is the national governing body of our program. The SCTP was started by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and originally involved only trapshooting. The SCTP is now administered by the NSSF, and has expanded to include skeet and sporting clays. The National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA), National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and private firearms industry companies also provide support. In addition, the NSSF provides coaching education and certification. The team coaches who are Level 1 instructors have completed the NSSF coaching program.
The SCTP is a nationwide youth development program focused on providing young people with a positive experience in the shooting sports. Competition is clearly part of the SCTP, but not the program’s underlying principle. The SCPT is designed to instill in young people a set of values and character traits that teach fair play, responsibility, sportsmanship, self-discipline and personal commitment.
SCPT activities are designed to incorporate two elements – SAFETY and FUN.
Safety is incorporated into every facet of SCPT activity. The learning environment at team practices and competitive shoots is designed to include the element of fun for all participants. SCPT participants learn the safe and responsible handling and use of firearms. They also discover the satisfaction of contributing to a shared team goal and the commitment that goes with it. During this process team members develop a proficiency in a sport that can be enjoyed with family and friends for a lifetime.
The Minnetonka High School Trap program would not be possible without the volunteer help of coaches and parents. There are many ways to assist, even if you aren’t familiar with the shooting sports.
If you are interested in helping please contact a coach.
