Handicap trap question

[bjmac]

I just discovered trap shooting and heard handicap as an option. I researched it the best I could and only know a certain shooter(s) stand off of the line and shoot further away. How does this work? Does everyone still stand on the line, do they travel back to handicapped position while that person shoots?

[Here4now]

I just discovered trap shooting and heard handicap as an option. I researched it the best I could and only know a certain shooter(s) stand off of the line and shoot further away. How does this work? Does everyone still stand on the line, do they travel back to handicapped position while that person shoots?

I believe what you’re asking is that everyone is standing on the 16 yd. line and then moving back when it’s their turn to shoot? No, the shooters stand and begin at their handicap yardage and are squadded up with other shooters within those handicap distances. It’s been many years since I’ve shot trap (almost all handicap because the money was better) and IIRC, because of safety, there is no more than a 2 yardage difference in a squad. Again, I don’t quite remember and it may only be 1 yard difference.

I shot all ATA registered shoots. My best year (sometime in the late 70’s/early 80’s?), I ended the year with the 7th highest handicap average in PA although 24 yards was the highest I ever got. ATA kept moving me back and forth between 23 and 24 yards.

[wew3]

From the ATA rule book - https://shootata.com/portals/0/pdf/Rulebook.pdf


H. SQUADDING, SQUAD LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES AND TARGET
OBSERVATION
1. In all ATA events contestants shall shoot in squads of five (5) except:
  a. When there are less than five (5) contestants available for the
last squad of any program.
  b. When yardage differences in Handicap events make it impractical
or unsafe.
c. When there are withdrawals from a squad after the competition
has begun and squads scheduled.
d. When in the opinion of shoot management, the harmony of
the shoot may be enhanced by squadding less than five (5)
contestants.
2. In Handicap there shall be no more than two (2) yards difference
between adjacent shooters in the squad, and no more than a total
difference of three (3) yards in a squad.

[Here4now]

From the ATA rule book - https://shootata.com/portals/0/pdf/Rulebook.pdf


H. SQUADDING, SQUAD LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES AND TARGET
OBSERVATION
1. In all ATA events contestants shall shoot in squads of five (5) except:
  a. When there are less than five (5) contestants available for the
last squad of any program.
  b. When yardage differences in Handicap events make it impractical
or unsafe.
c. When there are withdrawals from a squad after the competition
has begun and squads scheduled.
d. When in the opinion of shoot management, the harmony of
the shoot may be enhanced by squadding less than five (5)
contestants.
2. In Handicap there shall be no more than two (2) yards difference
between adjacent shooters in the squad, and no more than a total
difference of three (3) yards in a squad.

I almost knew what I was talking about.

[bjmac]

Thank you. I found it barely mentioned in what I could find... even a few videos but they all stated in handicap, shooters move back. It didn't seen legit, I wouldn't compete with someone behind me. Squad based on distance makes sense. The info I read had me thinking I was wrong
Thank you for the info.