Range Day Guide Welcome and Introduction 1.1 Athlete Check-in CLASS certified coaches will check in student athletes and verify SAFE certificates. The CLASS coach will need to date the student athletes certificate to show participation in the class. The coach needs to remind the athlete that upon completion of range day they will need to go into their athlete profile and update their registration data to acknowledge completion of the SAFE certification. Firearm Check-in Athletes will check-in their firearm with the CLASS certified coach. Upon checking in their firearm, the athlete will confirm that the mechanical safety is ON, the action is open, and the firearm is safe. Range day agenda Team Handbook Time allotment: 5-10 minutes 2.1 Shooting Range Orientation The shooting range will most likely be a new experience to your student athletes and families. Most if not all ranges have their own set of range rules, take this time to go over those rules and pass out a copy to each student athlete. Safety expectations Understanding the safe zone of fire, muzzle control, USA (Unloaded, Safety ON, Action Open) Range Waiver & Liability Forms (Signed and turned in if necessary) Facility layout Staff introductions Shooting range policies Shooting range rules Facility map Hearing protection Eye protection
Actively point out the front desk, rest rooms, parking area, weather shelters, and field layout Time allotment: 10-15 minutes Q: True or False, shooting range rules are the same at all ranges? A: False, each range may have its set of rules. It s the athlete s responsibility to know those rules. Q: True or False, during a dispute the League rules will always supersede the range rules? A: False, the range rules will always supersede the League rules if they are more stringent. 3.1 Know Your Firearms Spend some time with your student athletes going through the different types of shotguns used for trap and skeet shooting. Review the material covered in Lesson 4 of the SAFE certification making sure your student athletes know and understand the various types of acceptable shotguns and their functionality. Types of shotguns Parts of a shotgun Patterning a shotgun Gauge Chokes Shotgun diagram Manufacturer Manual Pump action shotgun Semi-automatic shotgun Break action shotgun Set of removable choke tubes Gun cleaning equipment Provide examples of as many of the four types of shotguns as possible. Demonstrate the common parts of the shotguns and how those parts work together to successfully complete a shot. Provide samples of standard trap and skeet related choke tubes and how they are interchanged at the muzzle. Demonstrate how to properly clean a shotgun and stress how often you should do so. Time allotment: 20-25 minutes
Coaching Tip: This portion of the range day can be broken up into stations to save time. Always remember that if you demonstrate in multiple stations that you have multiple CLASS certified coaches doing the teaching. Q: What type of shotgun is this? (CLASS coach holds up one style of shotgun) A: Correct answer is whatever type of shotgun the CLASS coach is holding. Q: What type of shotgun is this? (CLASS coach holds up another style of shotgun) A: Correct answer is whatever type of shotgun the CLASS coach is holding. Q: What type of shotgun is this? (CLASS coach holds up another style of shotgun) A: Correct answer is whatever type of shotgun the CLASS coach is holding. 4.1 Know Your Ammunition Review Lesson 5 of the SAFE certification regarding ammunition. By the end of this lesson athletes should be comfortable understanding how a shot shell works, how to match ammunition type with gauge of a shotgun and what type of ammunition is best for trap and skeet shooting. Ammunition Basics Gauges of Ammunition How a Shot Shell Works Training Ammunition in 12 and 20 gauge (ABSOLUTELY NO LIVE AMMUNITION) Diagram of a shot shell Empty box of shells Using training ammunition point out the parts of a shell and what the function of each is. Make sure that the student athlete understands where to find the manufacturers markings describing shell size and type. The empty box of shells can be used to explain what the student athlete should be looking for when using shells that will match up with their shotgun. Briefly talk about dram and how it affects recoil as well as speed and what s permitted within the range rules. Time allotment: 10-15 minutes Coaching Tip: Reinforce safety by explaining that only one round is loaded at a time during trap shooting and up to two rounds during a skeet shoot.
Q: True or False, you must be 18 years of age or older to purchase shotgun ammunition? A: True, student athletes under the age of 18 will need to have a parent or guardian purchase ammunition for them. Q: True or False, shot size refers to the amount of BB s in a shot shell? A: False, shot size refers to the size of each individual BB in the shot shell. 5.1 Firearm Safety Procedures The League s number one priority is SAFETY! This includes not only safety for the athletes, but also for all coaches, score recorders, RSO s, parents, range staff, and volunteers. Review lesson 7 of the SAFE certification and spend some time teaching the key learning points of the lesson. Fundamentals o Firearm Safety Fundamentals Safety Violations Handling Misfires and Hangfires Barrel Obstructions Altering Firearms Support Material: Emergency Management Plan Team Safety Manual Barrel Rod Eye and Ear Protection Using captains or assistant coaches demonstrate the process of maintaining muzzle control always. Demonstrate the procedures for handling a misfire, hang fire, or potential barrel obstruction. Time allotment: 10-15 minutes 6.1 Shooting Fundamentals As a coach, you will see many different approaches to firing a shotgun and most of them are unconventional. To stay in line with the League s mission of safety, fun, and marksmanship we must instill the basic fundamentals of trap and skeet shooting. Review lessons 12-14 of the SAFE certification and spend some time teaching the key learning points of the lessons. Vision o o Eye coordination Dominant eye
o Sight picture o Hard/Soft focus Position o Stance and Balance o Position at the station Gun mount o Gun fit o Shoulder mount o Line of sight Movement o Reaction time o Tracking the target for lead o Follow through Screen shots of lessons 12-14 from SAFE certification Online videos of basic fundamentals Diagram of target flight path This portion of the range day can be demonstrated on the trap or skeet field. Have existing captains and assistant coaches demonstrate the fundamentals of trap and skeet shooting focusing on stance, balance, vision and movement. Once an athlete and coach are comfortable have that athlete take his or her first shots at the target. Time allotment: 45-60 minutes Coaching Tip: Prior to athletes stepping on the field for a demonstration of the fundamentals have your staff determine dominant eye and proper gun fit. Q: What are the four fundamentals of trap and skeet shooting? A: Vision, Position, Gun Mount, and Movement Q: True or False: It s a good idea to follow through each shot? A: True, it s important to follow through each shot regardless of the lead Summary This concludes the steps to completing a safe and fun range day through the USA High School Clay Target League s SAFE certification. Upon completion, each student athlete and CLASS certified coach should feel comfortable with the student athlete s knowledge and skills of trap and skeet shooting. Remember to date each successful student athletes certificate and remind them to go into their athlete profile through SportsEngine and update their registration data.