Trap and Skeet
Posted On: 06-28-2021
By far, most youth shooters are engaged with trap. In many ways it seems to be very different than skeet. Trap is five stations all with targets emanating from 16 yards at 45 MPH and releasing in a 45° arch, while skeet has eight stations with a variety of movements. To all trap shooters I highly recommend shooting a few rounds of skeet and realize how some of the lessons will translate easily to trap.
First off, skeet requires you to visualize not only one target but two. On the other hand, those targets don’t all run away from you with many being passing, some straight ahead and others quickly straight away. For some skeet targets is seems you can ride them forever, while others give you little time to even think about the shot.
Start your exploration of skeet on station I or VII. Both of these have targets coming at you and targets going away. There is a certain satisfaction hitting a low house target from station VII as it is only a few yards out from your barrel. The incoming target as well if you wait will be right off the end of the barrel. This is a fun station to shoot but provides confidence in seeing and hitting targets.
In opposition is station III, that is a sweeping right and left target with a requirement to implement lead. Stations II, III and IV, all relate strongly to the trap field. You have to visualize the target lead, get the gun ahead of the target on the flight line and pull the trigger. Perhaps sometime instead of shooting 25 rounds of trap try the same 25 on station III. I can assure you it will improve your trap shooting and understanding leads.
Skeet can be confusing so ask someone at your club to walk you through the progression of eight stations and let them show you some of the tips and tricks. In the end, your trap shooting will improve because of several lessons you experience on the skeet field. These include, visualization, lead, footwork, motion, and follow through.
We hope you give skeet a try.
David R. Vaught, Ph.D.
Executive Director