EVENT: Standard ATA (American) trap (16-yards)
COURSE OF FIRE: 4 rounds (100 targets) at 16-yards.
DELAY OF MATCH: No competitor, coach, or spectator shall delay or interrupt the match. Competitors will take the field when called, call for targets, and fire in an expeditious manner avoiding unnecessary delay.
TIME LIMIT: Competitors will fire in an expeditious manner, avoiding unnecessary delay. Competitors should report to their respective field and be ready to shoot at the scheduled time.
SHOOT-OFFS:
- Individuals: two shots from posts 1 through 5 from the 21-yard line (refer to ATA rule book pages 14 and 15) Example: if there are 2 competitors, competitor 1 will start on post 2 and competitor 2 will start on post 4. If there are 3 competitors, competitor 1 will start on post 2, competitor 2 will start on post 3, and competitor 3 will start on post 4. If there are 4 competitors, competitor 1 will start on post 2, competitor 2 will start on post 3, competitor 3 will start on post 4, and competitor 4 will start on post 5. If 5 competitors use all posts 1 through 5, and if more than 5 competitors, will divide the squads as equally as possible. If after one round and the tie still exists, it will increase to the 23-yard line. If ties still exist, increase to the 25-yard line. If ties still exist, they will increase to the 27-yard line. Shoot-offs will not exceed the 27-yard line.
- Team shoot-offs: two shots from posts 1 through 5 from the 21-yard line. After one round if a tie still exists, yardage will be increased to the 23-yard line. If tie still exists, yardage will be increased to the 25-yard line. If tie still exists, yardage will be increased to the 27-yard line. Shoot-offs will not exceed the 27-yard line.
EQUIPMENT: Any shotgun 12 gauge or smaller firing target ammunition for that gauge with a maximum load of 1 ⅛ ounce of size 7 ½, 8, 8 ½, or 9 shot may be used in this event. Factory loads are required. All guns used by competitors must be equipped, fitted, and utilized so as to not eject empty shells in a manner that substantially disturbs or interferes with other competitors.
MAXIMUM VELOCITIES: Any load with a velocity greater than 1290 FPS (feet per second) with maximum shot charge of 1 1/8 ounces, or 1325 FPS with a maximum shot charge of 1 ounce, or 1350 FPS with a maximum shot charge of 7/8 ounces or less, as measured in any competitor shotshell. These velocities are maximum and no competitor shotshell shall exceed these limits for the designated shot charge. In addition, no load containing more than 1 1/8 ounces or any shot larger than Number 7 ½ can be used.
LOADING GUN: A competitor shall place a live shell in their gun only when on a post facing the traps. In Singles shooting, a competitor may place only one (1) live shell in their gun at a time and must remove it or the empty shell(s) before moving from one post to another. In changing from one (1) post to another, the competitor shall not walk in front of the other competitors.
MOVING BETWEEN STATIONS: Competitors shall move to their next station upon completion of the final shot on each station and the referee’s command. No shotgun will be loaded and/or closed until all competitors have rotated to the next station.
NGB RULES: Amateur Trap Association (September 2025 Edition)