In 2017, there were 122 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:
- The minimum number of participants (5 for trap, 3 for skeet and sporting clays)
- Facility to hold regular practices
- 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 DNR Basic Shotgun Coaches Certification Training is a one day, discipline-specific (i.e. trap, or sporting clays, or skeet) course starting at 8:00 a.m. and finishing at 5:00 p.m. The course is 70% classroom and 30% range with all students shooting approximately 25 shots (targets and ammunition will be provided, shotguns will be provided if needed).
All coach candidates must pass the practical portion (on the range) and also pass a written exam with a score of 80% or above. Applicants must be 18 years or older to attend the class.
Current course listings and workshop registration for the DNR Basic Shotgun Coach Certification courses is done through the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program.
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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.
Season
The SCTP season is from September 1 - August 31 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.
2017-18 Clay Target Leagues
Starting on September 1, 2017, all teams registered with the Scholastic Clay Target Program are invited to participate in the state-wide Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays 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.
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 2018 Competition Season will end May 28. 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 5 system 14 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 3 days of the conclusion of the event. Results from any event shot on the last day of the season must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 24 hours.
Handicap Trap
The course of fire for the league is American Trap Handicap as designated by the SCTP. Intermediate athletes will shoot all targets from 21 yards and Seniors from 25 yards (Rookie athletes shoot Handicap from the 19 yd line, but there is no Rookie league in 2018). The governing rules are that of the national Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Amateur Trapshooting Association. The 2018 Competition Season will end May 28. 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 5 system 14 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 3 days of the conclusion of the event. Results from any event shot on the last day of the season must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 24 hours.
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 2018 Competition Season will end May 28. 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 5 system 14 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 3 days of the conclusion of the event. Results from any event shot on the last day of the season must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 24 hours.
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 2018 Competition Season will end June 10. 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 5 system 14 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 3 days of the conclusion of the event. Results from any event shot on the last day of the season must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 24 hours.
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 2018 Competition Season will end June 10. The league will consist of 150 targets (3 scores of 50 targets), with scores from at least two different sporting clays facilities. At least two of the scores must be shot on a walking course, and only one score from a 5-stand will count towards the League Score. 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 5 system 14 days prior to the event. All scores for teams and individuals must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 3 days of the conclusion of the event. Results from any event shot on the last day of the season must be posted to the SHOT 5 system within 24 hours.
2018 State Championships
Junior Olympic Trap Championships - May 19-20, 2018, AVAD Hunt Club, Coon Rapids
The 2018 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).
Junior Olympic Skeet Championships - May 26-27, 2018, New Pioneer Gun Club, Waukee
The 2018 Iowa Junior Olympic Skeet Championship event will consist of 125 total targets. 75 targets will be shot on Saturday, May 26, and 50 targets shot on Sunday, May 27. 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).
Trap - June 6-10, 2018, Iowa State Trapshooting Association Homegrounds, Cedar Falls
There will be three competition events conducted from June 6-10. Camping, parking, and vendor information will be available in the 2018 Shoot Program. The dates and schedules for the 2018 Championship Trap events is still being finalized.
Handicap Trap Championships
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
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
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
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 16, 2018, Black Oak Clays, Pella
The Sporting Clays Championship will consist of 150 sporting clays targets for senior and collegiate divisions 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), senior (9th-12th grades) and collegiate.
Skeet Championships - June 22-24, 2018, New Pioneer Gun Club, Waukee
The Skeet Championship will consist of 100 skeet targets for intermediates and rookies, and 200 targets for senior and collegiate 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), senior (9th-12th grades) and collegiate.
Results of all of the State Championship Events are available online at SSF Online and selecting "Iowa" and then the 2017 Iowa SCTP Trap Championship.