Clay Target Program (SCTP)

In 2021, there were 147 SCTP teams in Iowa that are organized and managed by local volunteers. Each club sets their own practice times and locations as well as team fees. To find a team in your area, you may contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Shooting Sports Coordinator at 515-313-8048, or review the list of Iowa teams online at http://sssfonline.org/ . You can also contact your local shooting range or gun club to see if they host a local team.

Starting a Scholastic Clay Target Program Team:
Getting started in the Scholastic Clay Target Program is simple. There are three main components required:

1. The minimum number of participants (5 for trap, 3 for skeet and sporting clays)
2. Facility to hold regular practices
3. Certified Coach/Coaches

The head coach distributes then collects the required registration forms available at the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation website to register your team. Once your team is properly registered, your team may begin conducting practices and attend league and/or state championship events.

Signing Up For The Program

All registration for the Scholastic Clay Target Program must be done through the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation website.

Iowa DNR Basic Shotgun Coaches Certification Training
Scholastic Clay Target Program coaches must be 18 years of age or older. The coach's first and foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of all participants. Coaches must hold a current certification as a DNR Basic Shotgun Coach or hold shotgun shooting coach/instructor credentials from the NRA, USA Shooting, 4H Shooting Sports Instructor (Shotgun Discipline), National Skeet Shooting Association, or National Sporting Clays Association. Regardless of prior certification, all coaches are encouraged to complete the DNR Basic Shotgun Coach Certification Program.

The Basic Shotgun Coach Certification training course is administered through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The course is designed to teach basic shotgun coaching techniques and team management fundamentals for leading youth trap, sporting clays and/or skeet teams. The course is designed for experienced shooters/coaches and novices alike. Course content includes an overview of the Iowa High School and Scholastic Clay Target Program, safety, range orientation and setup, eye dominance, gun-fit, coaching fundamentals, teaching the new shooter, risk management, coaching logistics and equipment.

The Basic Shotgun Coaches Certification Training is an online course with an in person field day. Registration for the online class and field days can be found at href="https://mysctp.com/coaches-training/"
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NRA / USA Shooting / Civilian Marksmanship Program Level I Coaches Course
The “Level I” Coaches Course is a comprehensive program which covers American Trap, American Skeet, Sporting Clays, International Skeet and International (Bunker) trap. The training is provided by the Iowa Shotgun Coach Development Team who are select members of the NRA/USA Shooting National Coach Development staff (NCDS). The course duration is 2 days with course hours from 8:00AM to 5:00PM each day. Candidates should bring their own shotguns, eye, and ear protection, shooting vest/shell pouch and note-taking materials with them. Targets, 12 and 20 gauge target loads and lunch will be provided each day. Registration fee is $180 and 50 % tuition reimbursement for SCTP-registered coaches is available through the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program, Inc. upon successful course completion.

For complete information on the NRA/USAS/CMP Coaching program, please visit:http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/coaching/coach_training_schools.asp

Current course listings and workshop registration for the NRA/USAS/CMP Level I Shotgun Coaches Course is done through the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program.

Rules
SCTP Official Handbook and Forms
Amateur Trapshooting Association Rules and Forms
National Skeet Shooting Association Rules
National Sporting Clays Association Rules
USA Shooting Rules

Membership Applications
Iowa State Trapshooting Association Membership
Please have Athletes Join the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and National Shooting Clays Association (NSCA) through the SHOT system.
USA Shooting Membership

Additional Downloads
SCTP Insurance Coverage

Season
The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) season starts September 1 each year. In Iowa, most teams begin practice in March, with competitions in April and May. The State Championships are during the last half of May and all of June. National Championships are held each July.

2022-23 Clay Target Leagues
Starting on September 1, 2022, all teams registered with SCTP are invited to participate in the state-wide Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, and 5-Stand Leagues. These leagues allow local teams to get together and conduct competition matches. Results from each match will be recorded and posted to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation website creating a friendly, state-wide competition. Top teams and individuals from the state-wide leagues will be recognized and awards will be presented at each respective state event.

Iowa SCTP League Rules

• The governing rules for leagues are those of the SCTP and the applicable National Governing Body.

• All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams. For Senior Division athlete scores to count, there must be senior division athletes on both teams competing. This same division requirement does not apply to Intermediates or Rookies, only that athletes from two teams are competing.

• All competitions must occur in Iowa or within 15 miles of the Iowa border. The only exception is the inclusion of any Regional SCTP event with at least two Iowa teams competing.

• All events must be published on the SCTP SHOT system 7 days prior to the event. 

• All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

• Registered Shoots (ATA, NSSA, NSCA) can count toward league scores and be entered in SHOT under the following conditions:

  • The registered event is entered in SHOT at least 7 days prior to the event.

  • Registration is closed in SHOT at least the night before the event in order for targets to be used for SCTP purposes.

  • An athlete must be registered for the event on SHOT in order for the targets to be used for SCTP.

  • There must be athletes from at least 2 different teams participating at the event. The requirement for senior division athletes from two different teams does not apply to registered events, only that there are athletes from 2 different SCTP teams competing.

  • The “host” coach must enter the scores into SHOT and is responsible for obtaining copies of the scoresheets from the host club for the SCTP athletes.

American Trap
The course of fire for the league is American Trap (16 yard singles), and the governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Amateur Trapshooting Association. The 2023 Competition Season will end May 29. The league will consist of 200 targets (4 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different facilities. Athletes or teams may shoot as many targets as they wish, with the highest four scores from at least 2 different facilities being selected to determine each athletes’ League Score. All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams and published on the SCTP Shot system 7 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

Handicap Trap
The course of fire for the league is American Trap Handicap as designated by the SCTP. Rookie athletes shoot targets from the 19 yd line, Intermediate from 21 yards and Seniors from 25 yards. The governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Amateur Trapshooting Association. The 2023 Competition Season will end May 29. The league will consist of 200 targets (4 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different facilities. Athletes or teams may shoot as many targets as they wish, with the highest four scores from at least 2 different facilities being selected to determine each athletes’ League Score. All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams and published on the SCTP Shot system 7 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

Doubles Trap
The course of fire for the league is American Trap Doubles, and the governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Amateur Trapshooting Association. The 2023 Competition Season will end May 29. The Intermediate and Senior Division leagues will consist of 200 targets (4 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different facilities. Athletes or teams may shoot as many targets as they wish, with the highest four scores from at least 2 different facilities being selected to determine each athletes’ League Score. All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams and published on the SCTP SHOT system 7 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

Skeet
The Skeet League is open to all athletes and teams registered with the SCTP. The course of fire for the league is American Skeet, and the governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the National Skeet Shooting Association. The 2023 Competition Season will end June 11. The league will consist of 150 targets (3 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different skeet facilities. Athletes or teams may shoot as many targets as they wish, with the highest three scores from at least 2 different facilities being selected to determine each athletes’ League Score. All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams and published on the SCTP Shot system 7 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

Sporting Clays
The Sporting Clays League is open to all athletes and teams registered with the SCTP. The course of fire for the league is Sporting Clays, and the governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the National Sporting Clays Association. The 2023 Competition Season will end June 11. The league will consist of 150 targets (3 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different sporting clays facilities. Athletes or teams may shoot as many targets as they wish, with the highest three scores from at least 2 different facilities being selected to determine each athletes’ League Score. All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams and published on the SCTP Shot system 7 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

5-Stand
The 5-Stand League is open to all athletes and teams registered with the SCTP. The course of fire for the league is Sporting Clays, and the governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the National Sporting Clays Association. The 2023 Competition Season will end June 11. The league will consist of 150 targets (3 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different 5-stand facilities. Athletes or teams may shoot as many targets as they wish, with the highest three scores from at least 2 different facilities being selected to determine each athletes’ League Score. All events must be between two or more registered SCTP teams and published on the SCTP Shot system 7 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT system within 1 day of the conclusion of the event.

2023 State Championships 

Junior Olympic Skeet Championships -  TBD 2023, New Pioneer Gun Club, Waukee
The 2023 Iowa Junior Olympic Skeet Championship event will consist of 125 total targets. 75 targets will be shot on Saturday and 50 targets shot on Sunday. The event will conclude with a fun finale with flash targets after the 50 targets on Sunday. This is for fun only and will have no bearing on the 125 target competition. This event will be open to all eligible Scholastic Clay Target Programs and will have divisions for Sub-Junior (age 14 and under), Intermediate Junior (age 15-17), and Junior (age 18-20).

Junior Olympic Trap Championships - TBD 2023, AVAD Hunt Club, Coon Rapids
The 2023 Iowa Junior Olympic Trap Championship event will consist of 125 total targets. This event will be open to all eligible Scholastic Clay Target Programs and will have divisions for Sub-Junior (age 14 and under), Intermediate Junior (age 15-17), and Junior (age 18-20).

Trap - June 6-11, 2023, Iowa State Trapshooting Association Homegrounds, Cedar Falls
There will be three competition events conducted from June 6-11. Camping, parking, and vendor information is available in the 2023 Shoot Program.

Handicap Trap Championships - June 8, 2023
This event will consist of 100 trap targets for all divisions. Rookies will shoot from the 19-yard line, Intermediates from the 21-yard line and Seniors from the 25-yard line. This event is open to all eligible SCTP athletes and programs. All divisions will compete on the same day, with shoot-offs and awards to follow.

Doubles Trap Championships - June 8, 2023
The Doubles Trap event will consist of 100 trap targets for all divisions. The event is open to all eligible SCTP athletes and programs. The doubles will be shot as two 50 target rounds (25 pairs each), with shoot-offs and awards to follow.

American Trap Singles Championships – Rookie and Intermediate Divisions - June 6-7, 2023
The American Trap Singles event will consist of 100 targets for the Rookie Division and 200 trap targets for the Intermediate Division. The event is open to all eligible SCTP athletes and programs.

American Trap Singles Championships – Senior Division - June 9-11, 2023
The American Trap Singles event will consist of 200 trap targets from the 16 yd line for the Senior Division. The event is open to all eligible SCTP athletes and programs.

Sporting Clays Championships - June 15-17, 2023, TBD
The Sporting Clays Championship will consist of 200 sporting clays targets for the senior division and 100 sporting clay targets for rookie and intermediate divisions. This event will be open to all eligible Scholastic Clay Target Programs and will have divisions for rookie (5th grade and below), intermediate (6th-8th grades), and senior (9th-12th grades).

Skeet Championships - June 22-25, 2022, New Pioneer Gun Club, Waukee
The Skeet Championship will consist of 100 skeet targets for intermediates and rookies, and 200 targets for senior division athletes. This event will be open to all eligible Scholastic Clay Target Programs and will have divisions for rookie (5th grade and below), intermediate (6th-8th grades), and senior (9th-12th grades).