American Trap – Amateur Trapshooting Association
(ATA)
"Trap shooting has been a sport since at least 1793 when it used real birds, usually the
Passenger Pigeon, which was extremely abundant at the time. Fake birds were
introduced around the time of the American Civil War and clay targets were introduced
during the 1880's.
The most basic of all the trap disciplines. Standard targets are thrown as singles. The
horizontal direction is randomized with a maximum angle of 22 degrees measured from
a line from the trap to the middle station. The height at which the targets are thrown is
constant. The distance is constant at 50 yards. A squad of five shoot in rotation from five
stations arrayed in an arc located 16 yards behind the trap house; 5 targets are thrown
at each station, after which the shooters move to the next station on their right. A round
is 25 targets with one shot allowed at each target."
Handicap Trap
The same as American Trap, except the shooter stands further back than 16 yards – but
no longer than 27 yards. The ATA reviews handicap yardage for shooters every 1,000
targets as part of their handicap system.
 Wobble Trap
Wobble Trap is a variation of standard trap. The main differences are more extreme
target flight paths than those seen in standard trap shooting (the trap oscillates up and
down as well as side to side). Shooters are allowed two shots per pull, and shooters at
stations 1 and 5 stand at the 18 yard mark while positions 2 - 4 stand at the 17 yard
mark. Although this version of trap is not sanctioned by the ATA, many shooters
consider it to be both more challenging and engaging as well as a more realistic
preparation for bird hunting. More experienced shooters will often shoot from the Skeet
positions to increase the difficulty.
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