Singles Trap:  (25 clays per station, 100 clays usual total) 

   

Each shooter takes five shots from each of five positions; one shot from each position in sequence.  Position one shoots one clay, then position two, and so on until all five positions shoot five shots each.  When position five shoots his/her fifth shot, five moves to position one, position one moves to position two and so on.  Clays can launch randomly in one of three directions upon the shooter's call for the clay to be launched.  Beginners usually stick to singles until they become proficient shooting moving targets.  

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Watch trapshooting basics from the National Shooting Sports Foundation:  (Go to video)

 

Doubles Trap:  (25 pairs = 50 clays per station, 50-100 clays usual total)  

   

Shooting doubles simply refers to two clays being launched simultaneously.  Most competitors at positions one and two, shoot the right clay first, the left clay second; and on positions four and five shoot the left clay first and the right clays second.  They do this to address first the target with the least amount of angle to the shooter.  At position three (center), it's shooters preference which target the engage first.

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Watch shooting ATA doubles trap.  Sgt Jeff Holguin, Army Marksmanship Unit.  (Go to video)

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Handicap Trap:  

   

Handicap is similar to singles trap with the exception of the distance each competitor shoots.  Depending upon skill level and past recorded scores, every shooter is assigned a handicap yardage (from 17-27 yards), which is the distance each must shoot 50 to 100 clays.  

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Watch shooting ATA handicap trap.  Sgt Josh Richmond, Army Marksmanship Unit.  (Go to video)